MEET THE  TEACHER

8th  February 2018

Welcome to Room 3

• Homework – Reading. We are all using the new diaries as a reading log.  Could all children please have a reading bag – most have already brought theirs back. Thank you for sharing homework time with your child. To start with, all children will bring home texts that are easy for them to read while we re-establish some of the reading strategies. Please remember that reading to your child and talking about texts is very valuable as well as hearing their reading.  
• Maths: everyone is enrolled in Study Ladder and many people have spent time on this in past years.  Activities might be set from time to time to support learning, and sometimes there may be some maths written work to complete.
• Poetry – On Fridays, children will bring home their poetry books.  Enjoy sharing their poems with them, sign their poem and encourage them to complete any illustrations or activities.
• Library – We are thinking of visiting the library once a fortnight on a Friday morning. To do this we will need some parents to walk with us to the library and back  (leaving school just after 9:00 and returning to school at 9:45).  Children will need their own library card if they want to issue books.  If your child needs one you are able to register online QLDC Libraries — Alexandra Library  then pop into the library to collect the card.  You will need to bring either your own library card or photo ID to complete the final stages of the application and pick up the card. You are also able to use the Library computers if you want some extra help with the process.
• Spelling: Children will be tested to establish levels and the first practice sheets will be in homework books about week 6. This year our focus is oral language, so we will begin the year with “fridge words” a school/home activity, designed to widen vocabulary and encourage speaking in sentences rather than two or 3 word answers. “We learn to talk and talk to learn.”
• Morning programme – Approximately once per term your child will need to prepare a short oral presentation to present on a Friday.  Please refer to the timetable on the Room 3 Blog, children will also write in their Diary the date that they are presenting their morning programme ☺
• Term One Eisteddfod: Bible Reading – these will be presented with Year 4 on Monday 9th  April. Information about the criteria will be on the blog closer to the time. The School Eisteddfod assembly will be on Thursday 12th April in the church.
• Swimming: Swimming Sports 9:00 – 12:00 Thursday 22nd February. In term 2, the swimming skills programme will be provided by the pool.
• Maori – Kapahaka with Ms Tamati is for years 3 - 8.  This year the group will meet each week in school time. Every second Monday morning with Ms Tamati, and the other Monday afternoon with Mr Yeoman and myself.
• Blog Page: room3stgerards.blogspot.co.nz  I usually post on a Monday after staff or syndicate meetings with the main post for the week, but also add small posts as things come up during the week. Please use the box at the side to add your email address, this way you receive notification each time there is a new post.
• Emails to contact the teachers: chrisbeilby@stgerards.school.nz    emmastratford@stgerards.school.nz
• Worries – please make an appointment and come and discuss any problems early, we need to work together.  Likewise we will contact you if we have any worries.
• Questions?

Thank you for your time.  We look forward to a great year working with your children.