Thursday swimming

Hi Everyone,

Just letting you know that we are joining in with Room 2's swimming timetable which gives us an extra swimming slot. We thought we might as well make the most of this hot weather and enjoy the pool some more. This will happen till the end of the term. 

So please get your children to bring their togs tomorrow if they haven't already told you about it.

Many Thanks,
Joy 

Parent interviews

Please don't forget that on Monday the 25th of February between 3:10 and 7:00pm we have an opportunity to meet for a goal setting interview with you. A notice has gone home with your child today and will let you know where you need to go to book an appointment online. 

Look forward to catching up with you.

Regards,
Joy Kraan

Missing homework-monkeys groups

I realized this afternoon that the monkeys reading group have not had their homework sent home with them. So in case anyone was puzzled, I totally forgot. So I will send home their homework books on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both days homework is in their book. Just check that they only do the homework for 'along comes jack' on Tuesday and the other homework is for Wednesday.

All other homework has been sent home. This note only applies to those kids in my monkeys group.

Kind regards,
Joy

Handwriting process

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This year we are trying a different method of teaching children handwriting and the writing process.

When children begin to write, it is very important that they are taught how to form letters correctly. That is, not simply to make the letters look correct but to actually make the strokes of the letter correctly and in the correct order. Only then will their handwriting be fluid and automatic so that they do not have to constantly or consciously think about how to form the letter, which way they face, their size in relation to other letters or their relationship to the line.

Ideas for writing suffer when handwriting or letter formation is a problem for students, because the writing process is interrupted. When this happens, children tend to write less, be less creative and be repetitive in their choice of words.

The magic caterpillar story is a process through which students, from the time they begin to write, are taught how to form letters correctly using simple shapes drawn from the story of the magic caterpillar.

In order to achieve consistency between what children are taught at school and what parents are encouraging at home, we thought is would be fitting to share with you the names of the shapes that we use to help children form their letters correctly.

In this way, you can reinforce what we are doing at school which will greatly enhance the writing development in your child.

This will be kept in a new tab called 'writing', please visit this tab!

Kind Regards,
Joy Kraan

Parent orientation afternoon

Thank you to all who came to the parent orientation afternoon!
I enjoyed meeting all of you. For those who couldn't make it, the information booklet will be sent home with your child today. 

I look forward to meeting with you again in 2 weeks time for the goal setting meeting.

Many Thanks,
Joy Kraan

Reading tab

Check out the new post under the reading tab. I have written out a few tips for when your child comes home and reads their reader to you.

Please let me know whether you think this is useful by leaving a comment. 

Many Thanks,
Joy Kraan

Parent orientation evening

This is a reminder to everyone interested in coming to the parent orientation evening. This will be held in the hall at 3:00pm on Tuesday the 12th of February. Supervision is provided for pre-schoolers. 

Kind Regards,

Joy 

Cooperative games

In Room 3 this week we have been spending time in the afternoons playing games that require us to cooperate together and work as a team. It has been wonderful to see how well everyone in Room 3 is able to work together and help each other out.

We have really started this year off as a team! Well done!

You really are Matakana Magic students already!!

 Oshana, Charlie and Grace are helping each other while playing high frequency word snakes and ladders.

 Nieve and Hunter making sure they get the words right.

 Monique, Daisy and Noaise helping each other work out the words.

 Luca and Nehuel helping each other match the bears with the honey pots.

Playing charades together is a lot of fun!

Rama, Esme, Holly, Serenity and Daisy playing word bingo. 

Notices tab

Hi Everyone,

Just informing you that I have added a tab called 'notices'. I will be posting any notices to parents there. As well as this, the notices and any missed newsletters will be pinned up on the noticeboard in the classroom, which should be going in very soon.

I have posted our swimming days in the 'notices' tab. 

Many Thanks,
Joy