Health - Hauora

During this term, we will delve into the essential HEART value of Hauora, which emphasises overall well-being. Hauora is a distinct Māori philosophy of health that holds great significance in Aotearoa, New Zealand. To gain a comprehensive understanding, we will explore the four interconnected aspects of Hauora. By exploring these aspects, we aim to promote a holistic approach to health and well-being among our students.

Inquiry Learning Area - Visual Arts

The Big idea: “We can convey a message or feelings through art”

Lines of Inquiry:

All art is created with a purpose.
Different materials give different effects.

This term's inquiry focuses on the visual arts curriculum, emphasising that "We can express messages or emotions through art." Children will explore a brief art history and understand that art encompasses various styles and mediums. They will recognise that each artwork carries a purpose and message. Students will create their own artwork, displaying their intended messages. We invite you to join us at the end of the term for our art exhibition!

Literacy -

Reading: Asking and Answering questions, Visualisation

We'll focus on 'asking and answering questions' while reading. Children will read to grasp the story's context and actively consider the information presented by the author. They'll learn to create open-ended questions. We'll also cover the visualisation strategy, where we use our senses to imagine and reflect on the mental images we form while reading.

Writing: Play writing - Dialogue, Persuasive writing
To start the term, we will focus on using dialogue in our stories.

Then we'll shift our focus to persuasive writing using the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Children will learn research skills, modal verbs, and persuasive sentences to create compelling pieces of writing.

Handwriting:
Children will continue to learn cursive handwriting.

Mathematics -

Number: Fractions

This term’s maths will have a big focus on fractions. Children will understand fractions and be able to find fractions of a set. We will also revise the 4 operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) in the later weeks of the term. Please continue to practise times tables at home. You can use the following websites for home learning:
Timestable.co.nz
NRICH Maths

Strand: Space
In the space strand, children will learn about 2D and 3D shapes and their properties. They'll identify and define shapes based on their geometric properties and be able to name them. Additionally, they'll learn to draw a cube's net. Children will also accurately describe the effects of transformations such as enlarging, reflecting, and rotating within the space strand.

Te Reo Māori - Matariki -
The first two weeks will centre on Matariki, the Māori new year. We'll explore the star names and Matariki stories. Children will write and perform a Matariki-themed play on the second week's Friday. You're welcome to join the class and witness their performances.

Children will also learn body parts in te reo Māori in conjunction with their calendar art where they will create a self portrait.

PE (Tuesday) -

Focus: Net Games and Run, Jump, Throw

NZ Curriculum Key Concepts:

Use modified equipment in a range of contexts and identify how this enhances movement experiences.
Develop more complex movement sequences and strategies in a range of situations.
Developing movements of running, jumping and throwing in an athletics context.
Discovering our personal strengths and learning how to extend them.

Please ensure your child has suitable footwear for sport on this day. They are also welcome to wear the school PE uniform if they have it, but this is optional.

Year 5 have swimming in Weeks 8, 9 and 10.

Music (Tuesday) -

Focus: Creating spaces to perform within a class band using Matariki and Spring as motivation; Selecting and sharing music with the class that comes from our own culture; Growing poi skills for 2024.

NZ Curriculum Key Concepts:

1: Practical Knowledge: A musical score has many levels of which all have to be read by the conductor

2: Developing ideas: Compositions and ideas

3: Communicating and Interpreting: Each family interprets music differently

4: Understanding context for different purposes and cultures: Orchestral music is performed all over the world.

Library (Tuesday)

Please remind students to return their library books on their library day, so they can get a new book to read.

In this issue

Rimu Team Dates To Note