Room Four Homework Information

Welcome To Room Four 2013.

Looking at what is planned for this term it will be very busy.

Homework needs to be completed and handed in on Fridays to the tray inside the classroom door.  It is expected that regular time is set aside to complete homework each day Monday to Thursday.

Reading should be recorded each night in the log at the back of the homework book. In Room 4, I expect you to choose what you will read, many of you use the town library and I know that Christmas books are still being read. People who have reading instruction in Room 3 or 6 may be given a book each day to read at home - this is what you must record in your reading log.  Library Day for us is Monday at 1:30.  This year you may issue 3 books at a time. So that you can use this opportunity to issue new books you need to organise to have library books in your bag on a Sunday night.  If you finish your book earlier in the week it can be placed in the "library book" box just inside the door of the classroom at any time.  Please do not take books out of this box to read. Library time is for browsing, silent reading and researching - you may choose to use this time to prepare for your Morning Programme or research for reading or topic work.  We also start with "Talk Book Time" where each of us shares something about what we have read over the week - a great time to find out about fantastic books that others have found.

The more you read, the more you know and the better you write.

Spelling will come home weekly and will be tested on Fridays.  This year we are introducing a new spelling programme "Spelling Alive" which Mrs Eastwood will explain at the Family BBQ/Picnic & Information Evening on Thursday.  Mrs Eastwood is coming in to our room to teach us all how to make "clean sounds" on Thursday.  Once we are all familiar with how spelling is to be learned, a list of words will come home - this may take a week or two, but yes I do expect spelling is learned every night.  Those who have had children in rooms 1 & 2 last year will be familiar with this.

Tables need to be worked on regularly and some tables will be part of the homework each week.  We are looking at accessing Maths Buddy again this year, costing this for the year, as this was popular with the students and had a variety of activities which covered all strands of maths - not just tables.  This week there is a copy of what my monthly tables sheet looks like. In class we do one of these as a speed test the first Friday of the month. For homework I expect the whole sheet to be attempted, perhaps 3 columns a night.  Year 5, just do the questions that you know, as many of you have not covered all the tables yet or division.

Morning Programme starts on Friday.  It is well explained at the start of the homework book, and an opportunity for us all to learn so many new things.  Aren't we lucky having 32 teachers in the class!

If ever you are unsure about any homework activity, please ask me for help, don't panic at home!  Remember to read any activity over before taking it home and clarify any problems.  Homework is for you to be independent at, not to raise stress levels in the family.  It relates to what we are learning about and is an opportunity for you to share your learning at home.

Sporting Events are coming up this term.  Swimming Sports on Monday 25th February and school triathlon Monday 18th March? Meet up with a friend to swim, run or bike in preparation for these.

Opening School Mass this Sunday 10th February 9:00 am, please be there in summer uniform by 8:55am.  Families are asked to bring something for the Alexandra Foodbank and a plate for a shared morning tea.  See you all there.

Contact, Health and Information Forms: please get these back by the end of the week as it is very important that we have all you latest details.

Fundraising for Ski Camp

This year in term three the EOTC (camp) plan  is for a Year 5 & 6 week long ski trip, for which I am investigating costs, programmes etc at the moment. Our class is able to fundraise during term 1 by providing a BBQ or similar lunch opportunity once a week, instead of the Room 6 hot dogs or PTA BBQ. As a group you may have other ideas for fundraising so that money can be raised towards the costs of this.  To make the most of this school opportunity I would like to get this under way as soon as possible, so intend using the Meet the Teacher Night to organise what?, when? and who? and hopefully start this in week 3.  If there is anyone who would like to co-ordinate this activity I would be excited to hear from you.

Welcome to Room 4, 2013

Kia Ora 

Welcome to Room 3&4, 2013.                   

Week 1 Term 1

We trust everyone has had a good break and had a chance to enjoy the weather.

This first newsletter is a combined one for rooms three and four as our two rooms will be working together closely this term.

Room 3 is the home room for years 3&4 and has 16 pupils.

Room 4 is the home room for years 5&6 and has 31 pupils.

As can be seen the numbers are nearly double for room 4, so this is part of the reason why we will be working together for some subjects and in with other classes for maths and reading.

The children have been grouped for reading and maths, and some will be going to different classes for these subjects to best cater for their learning needs starting next week for reading.   Due to swimming, testing and other considerations the children will  be  in their  home rooms for maths  until week 7.  

The children will stay in their home rooms for Religion and writing.

We invite you to the Meet the Teacher Night next Thursday February 7, to find out more details about how these arrangements will work and to answer any questions you may have.

Homework this week will be to read each night.

Stationery: children have been given their stationery requirements, they may take their exercise books home at the weekend to cover.

Regards

Chris Beilby/ Jeremy Hogue

Rail Trail Adventure

The final information and timetable is coming home by hard copy as well as here on the Blog.
Thank you to those who responded to the food donation request, your generosity and also the fact that the Stewart Island Camp had some surplus has lessened the food costs.  Michelle has collated the food list and will ring people to let them know what she requires.  These items can be put into the 'food box' in the classroom along with the packet of sweets and 2 named bags of scroggin.

What to bring:
Each person needs to take the following items - there will not be a bag check.
Sleeping bag, (pillows, pillowcases and sheet provided), 2 towels, plastic bag with tea-towel, cup, bowl, dinner plate, knife, fork, spoon, 2 servings of breakfast, pyjamas, 2 pairs shorts (or 1 pair plus bike pants), 3 pairs socks, 2 changes of undies, 2 pairs long pants (or 1 pair plus leggings), 2 tee-shirts preferably with longer sleeves and collars to save burnt necks, 2 sweat shirts (or 1 sweatshirt & 1 merino), windproof/waterproof jacket, 2 pairs shoes, sunhat or cap, torch with fresh batteries, handkies/tissues, camera (optional), 1 pencil, pen and rubber in a plastic bag - coloured pencils optional, an indoor game and a book.

Accommodation is in bunkrooms with an outside walk to toilets/showers.  An adult will sleep in each bunkroom and will accompany any children needing to use the toilets during the night, as this is a public camping ground.  Mothers with the girls and fathers with the boys.  Some lucky fathers have a cabin to themselves.

Items not to be brought: radios, cellphones, walkmans, i-pods, hand held computer games, chewing gum, sweets.

Medications: those students who indicated on their health forms that they require medication should bring spare supplies in a named plastic bag on Friday 30 November - it will be carried as part of the 1st aid kit.

Cost: the costs for parents will be covered within the costs of this camp.  Please pay $95 to the school office by Friday.  If anyone has any difficulties with this please remember that you may contact myself or Mrs Eastwood.

Day pack: that can be carried comfortably on the back needs to have a good lunch with enough for morning and afternoon tea, plenty of water in a non leaking drink bottle, a tube that fits the tyre of the bike, a small 1st aid kit - band aids, bandage in a plastic bag. 1 bag scroggin (nuts, raisins, chocolate), sunhat/cap, sun screen, sunglasses (optional), gloves, hats, wind/waterproof jacket.  All riders will be issued with a high visibility vest to wear.

Parents going on camp = a short meeting at 7pm in Room 4 Tuesday 27th.

Catholic Schools' Touch Tournament

The tournament starts at 10:10am on Wednesday, 1st game at 10:30.  Year 5 & 6 games are at the end of the top field near the new playground and also on the field by the church car park. Prize giving at 1:15 - 1:30.

Thank you to Michelle Healey, Kath Martin and Rhian Ward who have offered to help.  It would be good to have another parent to manage a team and a couple to help Kath with the food for visitors which will be laid out in the library.  Please remember that each family needs to provide a plate for this, as we are the host school.

Uniform: Wear school tracksuits to school with sports uniform underneath - black shorts with school T-shirt. Sunhats are a must - we don't want any sunstroke.

Food: The PTA will be running a continuous BBQ as well as selling drinks, muffins and I think ice blocks. Please bring money for this.

Good luck for these games - support each other and encourage those who have not played touch before to have a go and enjoy the game.  Help them with the rules - everyone has improved heaps with their throwing and catching.  This activity is a challenge for some people.

Food For Camp

Mary Naylor, Michelle Healey and I met today regarding the food for the camp.  We are trying to cater as economically but nutritiously as possible.
Breakfasts: Each person is to bring their preferred cereal for breakfasts - perhaps in two small bags - a serving for each day. There will be milk provided and bread/margarine for toast. Please bring your own topping.
Lunches: Children will make their own lunches consisting of sandwiches (they choose the filling), baking/muffin and fruit.
Evening Meals: Monday - lasagne or shepherds pie with garlic bread, Tuesday BBQ - choice of hamburger or sausages in bread. Dessert - cheesecake.

Children bring a good lunch, a bag of scroggin for the first day and nutritious snacks for morning teas or afternoon teas. A sturdy drink bottle that will either fit on the bike or can be carried without leaking in your backpack.

To allow us to reduce the food budget we would welcome donations of any of the following items: please don't send these to school yet, as Mary or Michelle will contact you.  Complete the sheet that your child brings home and return it to school by Thursday.

Items that would be appreciated:
vegemite, fresh fruit - does anyone have access to apples? 2 minute noodles, serviettes, gladwrap, dish cloths, dishwash detergent, pot scrub, matches, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, salad dressing or mayonaise, sugar, tea, coffee, milo (or similar), pineapple rings, tinned beetroot, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, bananas, bacon & egg pies, lasagne, shepherd's pies, bean salad, home baking, muffins, popcorn, margarine, belgium slices, eggs, grated cheese.

We are not expecting anyone to go overboard, but if you feel able to supply one or two items it would be very much appreciated.  Mary has organised to purchase the patties and sausages from the Ranfurly Butcher at a very reasonable price.

Next Friday each child needs to bring 1 bag of sweets to share and 2 small named bags of scroggin.  These will be handed out each day.

Once this is in hand the final costings will be sent home.  We are all getting excited now!

Homework/Newsletter Week 6

The term is whizzing by.  Last week was testing week, where assessments of reading, writing, maths and spelling have been done in preparation for the end of year reports. There are still a few reading assessments to be completed but hopefully they will be completed tomorrow. If you wish to see your child's assessments please pop in to the classroom - preferably after school.

Camp planning is also well underway with the classroom preparation component starting today with the visit from Garry Milford who reviewed the teaching from February, and helped the students check their bikes for safety features.  They also learnt about optimum seat height so that legs can work effectively without putting extra strain on the muscles - important for a longer bike ride. Some bikes need adjustments before the big day.  Homework is to make sure that this is attended to before Monday 3rd. Every student needs to carry a spare tyre tube that fits their bike tyre in their kit, parents will have gear to change tubes in the event of a puncture.
The parents who will accompany us on the camp are: Mrs Davidson (Monday only), Mr Hutton, Mr Kelly, Mrs Naylor, Mrs Rendall, Mr Bruce (Molly's Dad), Mr Healey, Mrs Martin, Mr Flannery, Mr Sidon and Mr Tubbs.  My husband Alan will also accompany us - in the past he has been a tour guide on the Rail Trail. Each group of students will have 2 adult supervisors, this way one can ride with them while the other transfers the vehicle from one place to another and can then ride back along the track to meet the group.
Meeting for parents attending camp: Tuesday 27th November at 7pm.

Thyme Festival:
The Eco Super Heroes that were designed for the competition were amazing and have been on display at Central Stories over the last week. Congratulations to Zachary Wilson 1st Judges choice $100 voucher, Keila Davidson 2nd Judges choice $50 and Ella Flannery 2nd People's choice $50. Each received a small prize with the vouchers for plants being for the school. We have certainly participated and contributed to the community event, now these people who are all members of the Enviro group can decide with Ms Moeke and Mrs Eastwood what will be the best plants to enhance our school.

Central Otago Catholic Touch Tournament:
This is next Wednesday in our school grounds.  Each family needs to provide a plate to feed the adult visitors and our Year 10 referees. Kath Martin has offered to help with the food, tea & coffee in the library, but it would be great to have some parents help with this.  The PTA cook a BBQ and sell drinks, muffins and ice blocks. Help: we will have 3 teams in the year 5 & 6 grade.  Each team needs a coach/manager.  Is there anyone available? I need to know before the teams are finalised.  The job is not taxing, just to make sure the team is at the game at the right time and to organise subbing, if you have touch skills to impart that would be even better, but not a requirement.

Homework

1. Morning Programme: Group 4 and a few Group 3 people who forgot.  This is the last set of presentations for the year. Anna, your challenge is to remind everyone to be prepared for Friday.
2. Spelling: ready to test on Friday.  Next week will be the last for spelling.  A few tricky words have been rediscovered with last week's testing - let's nail these before next year.
3. Reading: "the more you read the better you get, and the better you write." Complete your reading log.
4. Camp Preparation: have your bike in tip top condition, do a few rides to get those leg muscles built up. Begin to find the clothing you will need - we will work on this as part of the in-school preparation. Many Hands Make Light Work have your chart at school on Friday.  Make sure that you know how to wash and dry dishes, and make a sandwich. Enjoy all the extra help you get this week, parents.
5. Singing Eisteddfod: will be heard Friday 30th. Keep in mind your audience and choose a song where you can show off your pitch and diction (singing the words clearly).  Some pop songs do not offer the opportunity to do this. 5 marks are also for your introduction where you tell about who wrote, recorded, performed the song or the musical it was from and a little about them.
6. Maths: use the clock on the hill to read the time as well as your digital watches. Talk with your parents about half past, 1/4 to, 1/4 past etc.  Keep those tables especially subtraction to 20 speedy. Relearn these as families.  8 + 9 = 17, 9 + 8 = 17, 17 - 9 = 8, 17 - 8 = 9.