Welcome to Room 23 in term two of 2010!
We have made a wonderful start to the term already! Here is what we are currently focusing on...
Maths: we are working in our mathematical problem solving strategy groups to learn new strategies for solving mathematical equations. For homework each child has been practicing his/her times tables and then reciting them to Miss Junge when they know a set from one to twelve off by heart. Later on in the term we will be learning about Measurement so make sure you have a ruler!
Reading: we are working in our reading groups, reading texts at our guided reading age, answering a variety of comprehension questions then completing a range of follow up activities specific to the text. We also take a reader home each night to read to Mum and Dad.
Current Events: We are bringing an article on our day to share with the class and answer their questions as a member of the audience.
PE and Sports: We are learning about large balls. During our two PE lessons we learn skills for controlling, kicking, passing, throwing, catching and dribbling a large ball. On Thursday afternoons we have Syndicate Sports, where we work as a team playing a variety of large ball games with the rest of the Year 2 and 3 children and teachers.
Arts: On Wednesday afternoons we have a Syndicate Three Arts Rotation with Music, Dance and Drama. We work in three week slots with one teacher focusing on one of the above areas, then move to another teacher. Our Visual Arts program takes place in the classroom as part of our Integrated Unit Feathers, Beaks and Wings: What am I? We will be learning to create collages focusing on images of New Zealand Native birds.
Integrated Topic and Writing: Our integrated unit this term, "Feathers, Beaks and Wings: What am I?" is focusing on New Zealand Native Birds and what they need to survive. The unit has begun with a focus on the parts of a bird and their functions, then moved on to looking at individual birds. The unit is integrated with our report writing genre focus as children are using the report writing format to research, note take, note make and report about these individual birds and their Classification, Description, Location/Habitat and Dynamics. This unit of course includes our very special trip to the island of Tiritiri Matangi!
ICT: Our ICT focuses are integrated with our topic, writing and numeracy focuses. We are learning to use webquests to research specific Native Birds to NZ and note take and note make with this data. We are also learning to use Microsoft Publisher to create relevant borders and publish our reports with inserted pictures of the native bird. During our Numeracy lessons, two groups a day will have access to Mathletics.
Homework: We have a standard homework sheet which consists of a reading log of readers and other books read each night, a group spelling list which we are tested on each Friday, times table practice and Current Events. The homework sheet also provides children and parents with important Weekly Notices to be aware of.
Look out for photos of our trip to Tiritiri Matangi!