Kia ora whānau!
Over the past two weeks, we have been very busy establishing routines, engaging in learning activities and having lots of fun along the way. We have also started going to kapa haka with whaea Cath. Every homegroup will be given the opportunity to try kapa haka this term. Anna R, Rowe and Hazel's homegroups are going to kapa haka from weeks 3-5 and and Anna M's and Georgia's homegroups are going in weeks 7-9.
Home Learning
Our literacy groups are well under way now. If your child is on the Structured Literacy programme, they will be taking home one book every week to practise reading at home. Once your child has completed the Structured Literacy programme, home learning will consist of reading a chapter book or non-fiction book of their own choice each night. Some students will bring home a journal story or article that they have read in class. All students visit the library once a week.
Reading/Library Folders
We would just like to remind you that in order to take reading books and library books home, your child will need to have a reading folder OR a library folder. This does mean that your child will need to keep their folder in their bag so they are able to take reading books home during the week, if needed.
Our library days are as follows:
Monday = Rowe's and Hazel's literacy groups
Tuesday =Georgia and Anna M's literacy groups
Wednesday = Anna Reid's literacy group
Maths
We will shortly begin our focus on teaching addition and subtraction strategies for the rest of the term. All groups will be working on place value, number knowledge and basic facts. Each week, students will complete exercise and application tasks, open-ended and unfamiliar problem-solving tasks, games and teacher focus groups. The akōnga especially love our introductory 'Rapid Routines'. These are fun maths thinking tasks, such as Which One Doesn't Belong
Geometry
Currently, our students are enjoying lessons and activities based on the geometry strand of mathematics. These activities are based on learning 2D and 3D shapes and their properties. The students are being introduced to vocabulary associated with these properties, e.g., faces, edges and vertices.
There is a Geometry section in Mathematics Games on the intranet which they can use as well. Try getting the children to identify the names of common household shapes or send them on a scavenger hunt to locate shapes.
Staying Safe Online
All You Need to Know About TikTok
Tiktok is one of the fastest growing social media apps. It’s a platform for creating, sharing and discovering short
videos – and many young people love it! From new dance crazes to funny clips to animal videos, Tiktok can
inspire creativity and bring joy.
But it’s important that parents and whānau help their tamariki navigate Tiktok safely. Today we’re sharing the Netsafe Tiktok Family Safety Toolkit so you can help guide your whānau to a fun and safe digital experience.
Toys
We have noticed a large number of toys being brought to school lately. This includes keyrings, Pokemon cards, special notebooks etc. Please could you ensure these stay at home. It might help to check the backpack in the mornings. Thank you for your support with this.
Top Team
We have organised a Top Team event for our Kōwhai children this term which is very exciting! Weather permitting, the event will take place on Friday 7th March in the afternoon and the children will be taking part in all sorts of fun activities. Just a heads up that there will be some water activities involved so please make sure your child has a change of clothes (including shoes) in their bag and a towel to dry off after the event. They will have the opportunity to demonstrate their amazing co-operative skills and really embrace the school value 'We Get There Together'. Below are some photos of tasks that will challenge our students.
Art
The focus this week for Art has been creating a self-portrait. The children have been following the rules of facial proportion and have achieved some outstanding results.
Have a lovely weekend.
Ngā mihi,
The Kōwhai Team - Anna R, Anna M, Hazel, Georgia, Rowe and Megan.
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