In Term 2 I would like to welcome all Term 1 MathsMania participants back again. As several of my Tuesday students have sport on this day now, they will move to Wednesday.
This has left a gap in my Tuesday group, and invitations have already gone out to fill it. This means that there could be as many as a dozen MathsMania pupils - which is too many, but we will endure regardless.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
NAPLAN
The National Naplan tests will be happening in week 3, and while I would advise children that the tests are important enough that they should try their best, they are certainly nothing to panic about. The tests will come and then the tests will go - don't panic.
Tuesday, May 13 - Language Conventions and Writing
Wednesday, May 14 - Reading
Thursday, May 15 - Numeracy (Calculator and No Calculator tests)
Tuesday, May 13 - Language Conventions and Writing
Wednesday, May 14 - Reading
Thursday, May 15 - Numeracy (Calculator and No Calculator tests)
Term 2
Well, week one is now over and we are right back into the thick of things. We didn't quite get to finish up some of term 1's projects, and had to spend this week catching up (which I HATE, because it feels like there hasn't been a break), but they are pretty much done now. Here's a brief rundown of what we are trying to achieve this term;
English - We have been trying to refresh and renew our knowledge of Narratives at the same time as Persuasive Texts, because Mr Naplan won't tell us what will be the focus of this year's test. This isn't how I would like to do things, but everyone seems to get caught up in test fever whether they like it or not. Because we have been splitting our literacy time between them, we have only covered half as much in each, so we will continue to pursue improvement in these areas until end of term 2.
Maths - Perimeter and Area continue to be a thorn in Room 10's side, but we will take a break from them for now. We are moving onto expanding our understanding of fractions this term, while continuing to refine our understanding of games of chance (no cash changes hands I assure you!).
Science - In science we are pursuing an understanding of molecules and atoms through the Change Detectives module, which will end up being the focus of our science report at the end of the term.
Society & Environment - I'm not really supposed to, but this term I'm setting them the monumental task of researching 20th Century history from WW1 to the Cold War. Our official topic is Immigration, but I believe that this will work in context, because this period is the greatest single cause of Australian Immigration. Trust me, I'm a teacher.
English - We have been trying to refresh and renew our knowledge of Narratives at the same time as Persuasive Texts, because Mr Naplan won't tell us what will be the focus of this year's test. This isn't how I would like to do things, but everyone seems to get caught up in test fever whether they like it or not. Because we have been splitting our literacy time between them, we have only covered half as much in each, so we will continue to pursue improvement in these areas until end of term 2.
Maths - Perimeter and Area continue to be a thorn in Room 10's side, but we will take a break from them for now. We are moving onto expanding our understanding of fractions this term, while continuing to refine our understanding of games of chance (no cash changes hands I assure you!).
Science - In science we are pursuing an understanding of molecules and atoms through the Change Detectives module, which will end up being the focus of our science report at the end of the term.
Society & Environment - I'm not really supposed to, but this term I'm setting them the monumental task of researching 20th Century history from WW1 to the Cold War. Our official topic is Immigration, but I believe that this will work in context, because this period is the greatest single cause of Australian Immigration. Trust me, I'm a teacher.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
We shall, we shall not be moved!
Well, I have to say that today's political furore took me completely by surprise, but I think it was educational gold and I ran with it as far as I could!
For those who came in late - As part of their leadership program, senior students formed groups to perform various leadership based activities. Several students have taken on fundraising as one of their activities. The last fundraiser was to fight Ovarian Cancer, and went off quietly as per usual.
However today, students had decided that raising money to fight factory farming was a worthy issue, and before we knew it, we had protestors on both sides putting forth their own point of view. I stepped between two opposing groups when things looked like they were taking a negative turn, but aside from that, I was following the directives of Frederick Douglas - "Agitate! Agitate! Agitate!" I even pointed out to a group that a united chant was more effective than individual voices, and they immediately began speaking with one voice. The opposing camp quickly came up with a chant of their own, and of course, it rhymed!
I didn't really see this conflict coming because I am one who is in the middle of this issue, without strong opinions one way or the other. But with my teacher's hat on, we discussed a whole raft of related issues, from effective forms of protest, to whaling, Buddhism, the difference between facts and opinion, and why teachers are careful not to reveal their opinions even though there is nothing nicer than a medium rare scotch fillet topped with prawns and covered with garlic sauce...
But I digress. Ms Collopy will today address this issue as it relates to the school, and our impartiality or the perception of it. I'm happy to discuss my own teaching with any parent at any spare moment, and if you have any concerns I would love to hear them. Until then, I would urge both sides to Maintain the Rage!
Is that politically incorrect?
For those who came in late - As part of their leadership program, senior students formed groups to perform various leadership based activities. Several students have taken on fundraising as one of their activities. The last fundraiser was to fight Ovarian Cancer, and went off quietly as per usual.
However today, students had decided that raising money to fight factory farming was a worthy issue, and before we knew it, we had protestors on both sides putting forth their own point of view. I stepped between two opposing groups when things looked like they were taking a negative turn, but aside from that, I was following the directives of Frederick Douglas - "Agitate! Agitate! Agitate!" I even pointed out to a group that a united chant was more effective than individual voices, and they immediately began speaking with one voice. The opposing camp quickly came up with a chant of their own, and of course, it rhymed!
I didn't really see this conflict coming because I am one who is in the middle of this issue, without strong opinions one way or the other. But with my teacher's hat on, we discussed a whole raft of related issues, from effective forms of protest, to whaling, Buddhism, the difference between facts and opinion, and why teachers are careful not to reveal their opinions even though there is nothing nicer than a medium rare scotch fillet topped with prawns and covered with garlic sauce...
But I digress. Ms Collopy will today address this issue as it relates to the school, and our impartiality or the perception of it. I'm happy to discuss my own teaching with any parent at any spare moment, and if you have any concerns I would love to hear them. Until then, I would urge both sides to Maintain the Rage!
Is that politically incorrect?
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
East Narrogin Footy Tipping Competition
Good day folks,
Just a quick advert on behalf of our school footy tipping competition.
Every year I run this competition, and funds raised are used to help pay for senior school activities. In the past, we have used some of this money to subsidise the cost of the graduation shirts, bus fare to the end of year water excursion as well as the graduation lunch.
This year, we will have twice as many graduates, and so your support for activities like footy tipping and the chocolate drive is now more important than ever.
The cost for entry is only $30, and we give away around $600 in prizes. Please check with your parents, brothers and even your auntie's sister's cousin to see if they would like to play. We hope that we can count on your support...
Just a quick advert on behalf of our school footy tipping competition.
Every year I run this competition, and funds raised are used to help pay for senior school activities. In the past, we have used some of this money to subsidise the cost of the graduation shirts, bus fare to the end of year water excursion as well as the graduation lunch.
This year, we will have twice as many graduates, and so your support for activities like footy tipping and the chocolate drive is now more important than ever.
The cost for entry is only $30, and we give away around $600 in prizes. Please check with your parents, brothers and even your auntie's sister's cousin to see if they would like to play. We hope that we can count on your support...
Friday, February 28, 2014
Homework Thursday, Feb 27
On Thursday, the children received 10 new spelling words which they copied straight into their homework book (if it was available :( )
In class, children were tested on the words, then corrected any errors. They were then required to;
* Pick three words they know and then define them.
* Pick three they don't, and find a dictionary definition.
* Make three sentences (varying sentence types) using their list words.
Sorry this note is out of order...
In class, children were tested on the words, then corrected any errors. They were then required to;
* Pick three words they know and then define them.
* Pick three they don't, and find a dictionary definition.
* Make three sentences (varying sentence types) using their list words.
Sorry this note is out of order...
Blog invites
As stated earlier, the original blog invites went out on the 10th of Feb, but no one managed to reply. I have resent the invites today (March 1st), but I fear that they will go straight to your spam folder again. Please check your spam and junk folders if you would like to post your own comments and questions on Blogger.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Homework, Tuesday Feb 25
In class today the children were working on timelines for Society & Environment. Their task is to complete a timeline for the 24 hour period that began at midnight yesterday, so their main goal is to record tonight's events comprehensively ( NO Phoenix - not THAT comprehensively!) on their timeline for sharing in class tomorrow.
Also, please remember that anytime you write or even say something, you should consider who might end up reading it...Phoenix.
MathsMania
I started some free private tutoring with selected children from the class today, and I have to say that I was very impressed with the girls' efforts this afternoon. Children can be quite different when taught in a small group environment as opposed to a whole class, and I was very pleased with the results!
Tomorrow will be the second Mathsmania group's turn, and I hope that they can match the girls' work in focus and concentration. Let's wait and see, shall we?
I selected certain children for MathsMania based on their current progress and their ability to focus on school work after the school day was done. Although sessions are full up at the moment, this may change in the future. If you believe your child would benefit from some after school maths tutoring on a Tuesday or Wednesday, please let me know.
Tomorrow will be the second Mathsmania group's turn, and I hope that they can match the girls' work in focus and concentration. Let's wait and see, shall we?
I selected certain children for MathsMania based on their current progress and their ability to focus on school work after the school day was done. Although sessions are full up at the moment, this may change in the future. If you believe your child would benefit from some after school maths tutoring on a Tuesday or Wednesday, please let me know.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Homework Monday, Feb 24
There was no official homework sent home today, but please can we keep up the emphasis on the importance of Home Reading. All students now have a Reading Log in their Homework Book for them to record their (hopefully) daily reading.
In class I can teach them about commas and apostrophes, nouns and adverbs and direct speech and complex sentences until the cows come home, but they'll get this new learning reinforced and embedded if they READ! If you want to see some faster improvement in your child's spelling, punctuation and grammar, encourage them to read, read, READ!
Also, each child has a times tables grid in their Homework Book. Children recite their tables to a parent who times them and signs the grid. This activity can be done daily, and children don't need to have it asked specifically of them.
And finally, for this week's Leader's Assembly, I have asked about 10 volunteers to write, edit and read a one paragraph report on Room 10. Volunteers will read their thoughts to the class after receiving their leadership badges. I hope they're all complimentary...
In class I can teach them about commas and apostrophes, nouns and adverbs and direct speech and complex sentences until the cows come home, but they'll get this new learning reinforced and embedded if they READ! If you want to see some faster improvement in your child's spelling, punctuation and grammar, encourage them to read, read, READ!
Also, each child has a times tables grid in their Homework Book. Children recite their tables to a parent who times them and signs the grid. This activity can be done daily, and children don't need to have it asked specifically of them.
And finally, for this week's Leader's Assembly, I have asked about 10 volunteers to write, edit and read a one paragraph report on Room 10. Volunteers will read their thoughts to the class after receiving their leadership badges. I hope they're all complimentary...
THINK!
This morning at our Monday assembly, Mrs Lund told us to THINK before we said anything. While for some people this may be a new experience, what Mrs Lund meant was that, before we said anything to another person, we should check that its;
True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind
And then about 10 minutes after the assembly I had to put myself between two students who were going to start a serious physical altercation because one of them had chosen to say things to the other that he didn't like. While he may have believed they were true, they certainly weren't helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind - particularly as I had already told him to stop several times since I could see where the conversation was going to end up!
All we need to do is THINK people...
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thought of the week - Jayden says...
It was a good start for the week meeting a new AWESOME teacher and meeting new class mates.Its nice having MR D he's funny and he doesn't make us do lots of work and write it all down because if you write it all down you don't learn much instead he tells us it and it stays in our head if your listening
Leadership badges - oops!
We have just noticed that there is a timetable clash when we wanted to give out the year 6 and 7 leadership badges! Room 9 will be attending swimming lessons during the Monday morning assembly, and they can't postpone because it will throw the entire school out of sync, as well as the leisure centre.
So...now we want to give the badges out on the FRIDAY full school assembly, which starts at approximately 2.30pm. At this assembly some of our leaders will be giving a report on the year so far, and what they have thought about Room 10 to date.
So...now we want to give the badges out on the FRIDAY full school assembly, which starts at approximately 2.30pm. At this assembly some of our leaders will be giving a report on the year so far, and what they have thought about Room 10 to date.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Blog invitations
I still haven't received any responses from the invitations sent out 2 weeks ago. I just tested it myself by sending one to me on an alternate email address - and it went straight to my junk folder.
Please check your junk folders for your invitation if you have notified me of your interest. Otherwise I will resend invites again next week.
Please check your junk folders for your invitation if you have notified me of your interest. Otherwise I will resend invites again next week.
My thoughts on the week just gone. Amber says...
Room 10 is really cool because unlike other teachers Mr D fleshes out and explains more about the subject. History is my favorite subject because it is interesting to have a class discussion instead of getting a sheet put in front of you and getting asked to complete it that doesn't teach you anything. The lessons are very entreating and they make you ask more questions which makes you join in on the class discussion. the last two weeks have been a blast with Mr D and my new classmates and I think its going to be a very good year!
Meet the Teacher!
Well...I wasn't sure whether to run another of these this year, since last year's turnout could have been held in a telephone booth, but...
On Wednesday this week (19th Feb) I would like to invite all parents and guardians to a Meet the Teacher session in Room 9, straight after school. Myself and Mrs Hancock will be able to answer any questions and queries you may have about graduation shirts, camp, the end of year activities as well as transition to high school.
Remember, it's everyone's final year at primary school this year, and this will be an unnerving experience for many of the children. You can put their minds at ease by finding out the answers early, and ease the stress that builds as the year progresses.
On Wednesday this week (19th Feb) I would like to invite all parents and guardians to a Meet the Teacher session in Room 9, straight after school. Myself and Mrs Hancock will be able to answer any questions and queries you may have about graduation shirts, camp, the end of year activities as well as transition to high school.
Remember, it's everyone's final year at primary school this year, and this will be an unnerving experience for many of the children. You can put their minds at ease by finding out the answers early, and ease the stress that builds as the year progresses.
Homework...
Well, homework trials for week 2 were completed with mixed results, but I think that having just a little bit each night will suit more people than a fortnight's worth in one hit. Now the only danger is me falling behind and not keeping up with it myself...
There will be a fair cross section of homework activities sent home, but the first (and possibly foremost) challenge will be to master the Times 10 Rule. This is simply when you know 6 x 8 = 48, then you should know that 60 x 8 = 480, and that 600 x 800 is 480000. Expect exercises of this nature to be sent home repeatedly until they are fully mastered. I believe that mastery of this idea has very far reaching benefits into many other areas of mathematics.
Another common homework piece will be home reading. Ideally I would like children to be able to read to a parent or guardian for 10-15 minutes per night. Reading to themselves is great, and this should also be encouraged, but reading aloud will encourage them to break down words and understand meanings more, because they just tend to gloss over the unknown when reading to themselves. There will be a reading register coming home in their homework books, so please look out for it...
There will be a fair cross section of homework activities sent home, but the first (and possibly foremost) challenge will be to master the Times 10 Rule. This is simply when you know 6 x 8 = 48, then you should know that 60 x 8 = 480, and that 600 x 800 is 480000. Expect exercises of this nature to be sent home repeatedly until they are fully mastered. I believe that mastery of this idea has very far reaching benefits into many other areas of mathematics.
Another common homework piece will be home reading. Ideally I would like children to be able to read to a parent or guardian for 10-15 minutes per night. Reading to themselves is great, and this should also be encouraged, but reading aloud will encourage them to break down words and understand meanings more, because they just tend to gloss over the unknown when reading to themselves. There will be a reading register coming home in their homework books, so please look out for it...
Monday, February 10, 2014
Digital photo permissions
After checking with the office, I know of only three students in all of year 6 or 7 (both rooms) whose photos are NOT to be published to this site or to the ENPS website. If you have any concerns at all with your child's image appearing on the web, please let myself and the front office know as soon as possible.
Blogger invites
The 8 parents that provided me with an email address from the last newsletter have now been invited to the blog. You should receive a confirmation email soon (remember to check your junk folder just in case) which will help you through the process.
Fingers crossed - this feature didn't work last year!
Fingers crossed - this feature didn't work last year!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Homework routines 2014
Last year homework was handled with a fortnightly package full of different literacy and numeracy activities, and while this had varying degrees of success, it was almost impossible for me to keep up with the marking and feedback cycle in addition to everything else that was going on...
This year I would like all the children to have a homework book (possibly doubling as a communication book) in which they will complete nightly activities. This is more in line with what they do at the high school, and also encourages a greater level of discipline and organisation from the children.
Parents can help their child by taking an active interest in their homework activities. Everything I give them is supposed to go into their home folder, and I have already seen at least one child who received a letter on Tuesday, and still hadn't taken it out of the home folder by Friday. There are many children who will say they don't have homework when they really do, so please, please, please be involved. Your child will be given more practise and reinforcement activities this year, and less written work, and they will need you to hear them read, or check a spelling list etc etc.
The first homework activities will go home on Monday this week.
This year I would like all the children to have a homework book (possibly doubling as a communication book) in which they will complete nightly activities. This is more in line with what they do at the high school, and also encourages a greater level of discipline and organisation from the children.
Parents can help their child by taking an active interest in their homework activities. Everything I give them is supposed to go into their home folder, and I have already seen at least one child who received a letter on Tuesday, and still hadn't taken it out of the home folder by Friday. There are many children who will say they don't have homework when they really do, so please, please, please be involved. Your child will be given more practise and reinforcement activities this year, and less written work, and they will need you to hear them read, or check a spelling list etc etc.
The first homework activities will go home on Monday this week.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Home Folders...
Just another reminder - any notes the children receive in class (including homework) should be placed immediately into their Home Folder, and the Home Folder should live IN their schoolbag so it doesn't ever get left behind.
Today the children received several notes - The West Coast Eagles are holding a clinic at Clayton Road oval this Thursday (no - don't worry, Ben won't be attending) and a health form and consent went home for signing.
Also, there are Swimming Lessons coming up at the end of February (Feb 24 - Mar 7). Lessons are $4 per day.
And...the Faction Swimming Carnival will be held on March 11. Children will need to nominate for races ASAP. Parent help would be greatly appreciated on the day! See Mr van Wyk if you can help.
Today the children received several notes - The West Coast Eagles are holding a clinic at Clayton Road oval this Thursday (no - don't worry, Ben won't be attending) and a health form and consent went home for signing.
Also, there are Swimming Lessons coming up at the end of February (Feb 24 - Mar 7). Lessons are $4 per day.
And...the Faction Swimming Carnival will be held on March 11. Children will need to nominate for races ASAP. Parent help would be greatly appreciated on the day! See Mr van Wyk if you can help.
Back to the wheel...
Well the first day back went pretty well - alright I had someone jump ship to Room 9 and someone else in tears before the first hour was out, but it all ended okay...
I took things pretty slow for the kids, because it was the first day back after all. They gave me a maths test, and a writing sample with themselves as the subject. Somewhere in there we learned that Anton Lavoisier still holds the world record for blinking after having your head cut off by a guillotine, and also that even though my Great Uncle was killed while invading Norway he wasn't necessarily a bad bloke.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring...
I took things pretty slow for the kids, because it was the first day back after all. They gave me a maths test, and a writing sample with themselves as the subject. Somewhere in there we learned that Anton Lavoisier still holds the world record for blinking after having your head cut off by a guillotine, and also that even though my Great Uncle was killed while invading Norway he wasn't necessarily a bad bloke.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring...
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