Term 1 Topic
Our first topic for 2014 is titled ‘Happy, Healthy and Safe.’ The deep understandings for this unit are:
We live in a special place.
We are special and we need to know how to look after ourselves at home and at school.
We need to manage ourselves so we can become independent learners.
Healthy Snacks
At 9.30 we give the children a short read and feed session. This is a time to have a drink and eat a healthy snack. We encourage the children to eat small pieces of fruit, (cut up apple, orange, banana, nuts, dried fruit are all ideal) and drink some water. A named drink bottle with water can be sipped during the day. They still need morning tea and lunch. Students will be encouraged to bring their food to school in containers rather than use wrappings. Student’s wrapping paper will be returned home for disposal as we are trying to reduce the amount of rubbish at school.
Team Blog
We have a Team Blog. This will have newsletters, sites for literacy and mathematics, activities and fun stuff for the children. These are to be used to enrich our class programmes.
This site can also be accessed through the school website/blogs
Swimming:
Swimming days and times are Thursday 2.30 pm and Friday 1.30 pm
Children need to bring togs and towel (named) in a plastic bag or a swimming bag. If you would like to be a parent helper for swimming please see the class teacher.
Homework:
The Communication Book is to be brought home and sent to school daily. Please write any messages in the book and remind your child to put it open on the teacher’s chair. Notices and homework needs to be signed.
Reading
Set aside 15 minutes to hear your child read to you. Discuss the illustrations, ask questions about the story. Children also need to be read to, as often as possible.
During week one and two, class reading will include Shared Class Reading. For homework, the children will bring home a book for revision, which they may have had last year, or be at an independent (easy) level. Teachers will be spending the first week or two testing children so they can meet their needs and group them for instructional reading.
Please write the date and the title of the book read for homework at the back of the Communication Book.
The book may be:
· A new book we have been working on at school. (Longer books or stories are worked on for a couple of days.)
· A Browsing Box Book (This is a book they have had before or a book at an independent level for enjoyment to increase fluency.
· A library book to share with you.
· Poetry book. Share all the poems together.
Spelling:
Spelling will be sent home later in the term for children who are ready to learn weekly lists of words.
Sunsmart
Children are issued with a school sunhat and this needs to be worn while outside. Clothing needs to cover shoulders to ensure they are safe in the sun. Sun block can be applied at home before school. We do have sun cream available to apply during the day.
A named drink bottle for the water table needs to be brought to school. Children are encouraged to drink water frequently during the day.
Parent helpers
We always appreciate extra help in the class. If you would be able to help please inform Mrs McCann or Ms Brooking
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns. We have our ‘Meet the Teacher Evening on Tuesday 45th February. We would love to meet you.
