Kia ora Whanau,

After a very cold start to the week, it has been nice to see the sun again.

In class the children continue to be very engaged in their learning and participating well with the planned activities - they are certainly displaying great leadership qualities.

In Maths we are continuing with our "Fun with Fractions" unit (I am not sure whether this is a name the children would use!) They are working their way through a self pacing and self monitoring unit which gets progressively harder and uses new and more difficult skills as they move through the activities. We hold regular workshops and work is handed in daily to be checked. 

It is "speech" time - the children have begun to write their speeches, with a large and interesting variety of topics. They are completing these on computers so it can be shared with me and I can do some "editing." It is important they put some effort into their own work so it is easier for us to support them. Once they are ready, they will be printed off and placed on cue cards ready for practice. 

Literacy - This week we have begun our class Novel Studies. Each student has their own copy of the novel they have been selected to read. We have some interesting and thought provoking reading ahead!  All students complete daily chapter comprehension activities, and will publish their completed and edited work on a 'Dodecahedron Mobile'. Clear guidelines as to work expectations have been given, and children are required to read their book both at home and at school. Students will focus through direct teaching on: increasing their vocabulary, skimming and scanning for information, summarising, time management and further development of independent work skills. The specific work set for each individual can be found on their Google Classroom, this will be marked together at school in group time.

~ Robert & AnnMarie