May 2011
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to Term 2. We have a very busy term coming up with many interesting events happening. We have already begun with our school Cross Country carnival last week and also our excursion to see the performance of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ at Parramatta. Further activities this term will include our school Athletics Carnival and our official hall opening.
This term our topic will be Changes. We will be looking at the way we and other living things change in different ways over time. This will include looking at how tadpoles change into frogs and also how plants grow.
Literacy – We will continue working through the Jolly Phonics program. We have almost finished learning the 46 basic sounds and will be moving on to look at alternate spellings.
Reading groups will continue as they have been. We use the PM+ readers in class and books of a similar level are sent home each week as home readers. A huge thank you to those parents who come along to help in the classroom during reading groups – your help is invaluable!
The children will also continue to work with the M100W sight words. These are the words sent home on coloured paper. A regular, consistent approach is necessary for the children to learn these words so please try to find time to practise these words with your child each day. I try to test all children on Fridays so that new words can be sent home with homework on Mondays if needed.
Public Speaking Competition – The whole school will be participating in a public speaking competition during week 5 (17th – 21st May). Children will need to prepare a short, 1 minute speech on a specific topic at home. Some students from each class will be selected to represent their class in the finals. A detailed note will be sent home shortly with topics for your child to choose from.
Maths - students will be developing their understanding of mathematics in the areas of number, space, measurement, data, patterns and algebra. The maths program we are using is Maths Tracks. This aids in teaching the mathematics syllabus and will be used in conjunction with a variety of practical, hands on activities to aid students’ understanding. We will be focussing on counting, ordering and representing whole numbers. We will also exploring 2D shapes, days of the week and patterns during this term.
Library- Our library day will continue to be Tuesday. Ms Imseih will be teaching the students about literature and research skills. Students should bring their green library bag each Tuesday.
Sport and PE- Our PE lesson will be with Mrs Sprem every Friday. Children should wear theirfull sports uniform on Fridays.
Peer Support- The Peer Support program aims to develop skills in resilience, assertiveness, decision making, problem solving and leadership. Peer support will commence in Thursday of Week 4. All children are involved and will work in small groups led by Year 6 students.
Homework- Homework will continue to be handed out each Monday. Please ensure that you fill out the ‘Reading Log’ in your child’s plastic pouch. This is so we don’t double up on home readers. Home reading is a very important component of learning how to read, and your child should be reading for at least 15 minutes each night. Children will continue to receive literacy and numeracy-based activities to complete each week.
If you have any concerns or questions or if there is anything you wish to discuss with me, please feel free to contact the school or myself to make a suitable appointment time.
Thank you,
Miss Lynne Gittoes
Bidgee class teacher
