Year 5 & 6 Newsletter

Term 4 2013

Kia Ora Koutou!

Welcome to Term 4 of 2013. It’s hard to believe we are now in the final term of the year. Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who supported our very successful Wearable Arts show, ‘Lost Worlds’, at the end of Term 3. It was a huge undertaking for everyone involved, the children performed fabulously on stage and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

As usual, Term 4 is set to be another busy one.  Below is a run down of the term. Feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher if there is anything you wish to discuss further.

Literacy

We will have a multi writing focus for this term, as our inquiry topic will encourage the students to write in a variety of ways.  They will be doing persuasive writing, where we will be exploring how advertising is used to persuade others. They will also explore explanations and Instructional writing as well.  Our Reading lessons will continue to focus on developing comprehension skills and will also be linked to our inquiry topic.

Numeracy

We start the term revising some key concepts from the year. We will be focusing particularly on the operational strategies of multiplication and division. We will also be looking at algebra and geometry as well.  Please continue to encourage your children at home with their Mathletics, particularly their basic facts.

Inquiry

Our big idea is: ‘The impact that packaging and technology has on our environment’.  All classes will be involved in an inquiry where each child will be ‘Designing…The Ultimate Package’.

Physical Education

An exciting term for PE is planned, starting off with Athletics. The children will be taking part in Long Jump, High Jump, Vortex, Shot put, Quoit and Sprints. This leads in nicely to our school athletics day (Monday 11^th November) and Zone competition (Tuesday 19^th November). We end the term with Swimming starting again on the 25th of November down at the local pool.

EOTC Week

EOTC will be in Week 9 (Monday 9^th- Friday 13^th December) and planning is currently underway. Activities will be finalized by the end of next week.  As usual, we will need a lot of parent support for these days. More information will be sent home once ideas and dates are confirmed.

Year 5 and 6 Camp 2014

There will be a meeting for Forest Lakes Camp 2014 on Tuesday 10^th December, more details will be sent out closer to the time. You might like to consider whether you would like to be a parent supervisor, preference will be given to parents who can attend the whole week.  The dates for our camp are 4th-7th March 2014.

*Important Reminders

Home learning

Homework will be given out each Monday and is due back in on Friday.  The continued focus for homework is the basics: reading, spelling and maths – using Mathletics.

Syndicate Assemblies

In term 4 we will continue to have ‘informal’ syndicate assemblies.  We found that this has worked very well and we will continue to have these meetings on a fortnightly basis.  We will blog, on the classroom blogs, the minutes of each meeting.    

Class Blogs

The class blogs are a great way for you to capture a ‘glimpse’ of what is going on in/outside of the classroom.  We encourage you to visit often!  We would also like to see the students commenting on the posts that are made, as it is a great way for the students to reflect.

Stationery Check

Many students are missing pens, pencils and rulers. These are necessary for everyday class work. Can you please ask your child if they need any items and replace them. Thank you.

Sun Hats & Drink Bottles

It’s term 4 and each child needs a hat to wear everyday outside. It needs to be a wide brimmed hat, not a cap and ideally should be left at school in their desk for easy access.  Students not wearing hats will have to stay in the shade area by the junior rooms.  It is also recommended that the children have their own named drink bottle at school. As the days get warmer it’s important they are fully hydrated.

Footwear and clothing

This term we need students to wear clothing that is suitable for outdoor sport. Please ensure your child wears shoes that they can run easily in (especially on Friday’s as this is our syndicate sport (athletics) day.  Jandals and boots are not appropriate.

If you have any concerns or worries please contact your child’s teacher via email: teachers surname @ muritai.school.nz.

Mauri ora! Kia ora!

The Year 5 and 6 team,

Deane McKay

Murray McMillan

Raihania Chadwick

Kirsten Berry