Term 1, Week 9

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 1, Week 9

Tuesday 29th March, 2016

I trust everyone had a happy and safe Easter with lots of fresh air and family time.

Important dates coming up:

*11^th-12^th April: Scripture Eisteddfod presentations to be held in class on the Monday and Tuesday of Week 11.

*Thursday 14^th April – Eisteddfod Assembly (pm). Exact time to be advised.

* Friday 15^th April – Last day of Term 1.

Scripture Reading Challenge 2016

•   Your scripture reading can be anything you like, eg. a parable, a psalm, a reading from the Gospels.

•   Introduction – Years 3/4: 15-20 seconds, This is a time to use the main ideas or theme of the scripture reading to make up a small speech explaining what the reading means to you, without retelling the reading, ie. ‘What the story of the Last Supper tells/demonstrates/means to me is ...... ‘

•   The Reading:  For all of Year 3 & 4, this should be 1 to 1.5 minutes long.

•   Format for scripture reading on the day – Students will start with their introduction, then  say “This is a reading from eg. Matthew Chapter 3, Verses 1 -14 ...” then start the reading. At the end, if it is a gospel reading only say, “The Gospel of the Lord” otherwise say “The Word of the Lord”.

•   For students to remember:

Use good expression when you read.

Do not read too fast.

Pause correctly.

You do not have to learn your reading off by heart but you should learn your introduction.

Make sure your words and voice are very clear, so that your audience understands.

Year 4 – it is a good idea to have your introduction notes on cue cards rather than a big piece of paper.

School Garden Project:

Thank you so much to Mrs Brydges and Mrs Shea for Room 4’s session in the garden on Wednesday afternoon 16^th March. Over the next two weeks we will be doing some follow-up from the garden tour and kowhai planting. We will be presenting this work in groups in the form of posters. Remind your child to show you this next time you are in the classroom.

Regards, Markelle Ward J

Term 1, Week 8

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 1, Week 8

Monday 21st March, 2016

Well done to everyone for a tremendous effort during the School Triathlon last Monday afternoon. There was excellent commitment and organisation from everyone, and everything went very smoothly. Congratulations on some very good results in 

Room 4.

 Important dates coming up:

*Thursday 24^th March – Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy – 12 noon in the Church.

*Good Friday 25^th March – School closed.

*Easter Monday (28^th) and Tuesday (29^th) – School closed.

Scripture Reading Eisteddfod 2016

Over the next few weeks, Room 4 students will have a range of scripture made available to them, and there will be opportunities in class to discuss criteria, write, practise and present their scripture. Scripture eisteddfods will be presented in class at the beginning of Week 11, the last week of term. An Eisteddfod Assembly will be held on the last Thursday of term. For those who would like to support their child in their own choice of scripture reading at home, here are some notes to get you started:

·     Your scripture reading can be a parable, a psalm, or a reading from Scripture.

·     There should be an Introduction of 15-20 seconds to outline the main idea or theme of the scripture reading and to explain why you chose it or why you like it.

·     The scripture reading itself should be 1- 1.5 minutes for Year 4 students.

·     The Introduction and Scripture can be written or typed onto cue cards to make delivery more effective.

·     Practise reading clearly, make good eye contact with the audience, and use expression in your voice.

Spelling: This week we will be working on the short ‘u’ sound. It sounds like the ‘u’ in ‘up’ or ‘tub’.  A spelling task will be attached to the hard copy of this week's class newsletter.

Regards, Markelle Ward J

Term 1, Week 7

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 1, Week 7

Sunday 13th March, 2016

WALT:  We are learning to be aware of how our words and actions affect others:

We are focusing on discussions and activities about working together to show positive behaviour and actions. Encouragement, teamwork, trust, restorative chats, and compassion – these all remind us to show self-control and a positive attitude. 

Keep up the good work Room 4.

Important dates coming up:

*Monday 14^th March – School Triathlon 12 noon – 2.30 pm. Check out last Wednesday’s newsletter for full details.

*St. Patrick’s Day – 17^th March.

*Monday 21^st March – Anniversary Day – School closed.

*Thursday 24^th March – Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy – 12 noon in the Church.

George the Bear:

Gabrielle was lucky enough to be the first to take George the bear home last weekend. Here are some photos of George doing some fun things.

Spelling:

This week we will be working on the short ‘o’ sound. It sounds like the ‘o’ in ‘frog’ or ‘box’. 

Fill your spelling words into the hard copy of the newsletter in your homework clear file. :)

Regards, Markelle Ward J

Term 1, Week 6

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 1, Week 6

Sunday 6^th March, 2016

Thank you to the Room 3 and 4 students who participated in the role-play of the ‘Prodigal son’ at the Parish Family Mass on Saturday evening. I was so proud of them presenting this item after only two practises with Roly during the week. They practised excellent oral language skills including reading/speaking in front of an audience (the congregation), using a microphone, working together to share parts, and using expression in their voice. Well done Keira, Annajhay, Nicolas, Adam, and David, and to Bobbie, Rhianna and Jacqui who did a great job of bobbing up and down with the signs!

Room 3 and 4 children also did the Prayers of the Faithful and Offertory at the Mass. J

Important dates coming up:

*Monday–Thursday this week: PAT testing for all of Room 4 – Reading Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Maths, and Listening Comprehension.

*Thursday 2.15 pm – CHOIR in Room 4.

*Friday 11^th March – Assembly 2.10 pm led by Room 2.

*Monday 14^th March – School Triathlon 12 noon – 2.30 pm.

*St. Patrick’s Day – 17^th March.

*Monday 21^st March – Anniversary Day – School closed.

*Thursday 24^th March – Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy – 12 noon in the Church.

Frans Du Plessis

Frans has sent us ‘George the bear’, his special friend who will take the place of Frans in Room 4 with us, for the time that Frans is in hospital. Our job is to keep George busy doing all the things that we do, like learning, playing, going out in the weekends etc. Then we report back with photos and stories on a google doc that Frans, his teacher, and his family can follow. Frans can also contact us this way when he feels up to it. This is an excellent initiative from Frans’s teacher and we are enjoying having George. Gabrielle was lucky to be the first to take George home for the weekend. The photo is of George presenting his oral book report to the class last week, with help from Sully and Annajhay. Can you spot George?

Regards, Markelle Ward J