Saturday, February 15, 2014
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.
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