KORU HIGHLIGHTS TERM 1 WEEK 4

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Kia ora whaanau,

It has been another action packed week of learning and fun in Koru hubs.

Quick reminders:
* Great to see drink bottles and reading folders brought in each day. Well done families!
* Please send library folders in on your class' day:
Hub 1 - Thursday
Hub 2 - Friday
Hub 3/4 - Monday
Hub 10/11 - Friday & Monday

We've been continuing to get to know each other and celebrate our individuality. The 'Me Bag' have helped us to share about ourselves. Thanks to every body for the time and effort spent in creating these at home. We will continue to share our 'Me Bags' over the coming weeks, so for those who haven't bought theirs, there is still time.




Each class is now in full swing, teaching and learning in maths, reading and writing.

In maths, we have been revisiting number knowledge and counting, as well as strategy areas (addition and subtraction). Most of our maths sessions involve short blocks of teacher time, activities set by the teacher, and self-chosen maths tasks or games. We love working together and using maths words, and having hands on materials like beads and counters to help us.




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In writing, we have been learning how to set up and use our books. We've been writing about ourselves and other topics of interest. Here is one class' writing and art about sharks!


In most hubs, insects and animals have been a topic of high interest...our teachers have found books so we can learn even more!  We've loved making animal crafts too. Check out the spiders that Hub 1 made this week!



Our Values
We have been continuing to learn about the Beckenham School values, We Care and We Get There Together. To help us develop social skills and Get There Together, we have worked in small groups. Some children have been collaborating and drawing scenes (e.g. a farm or zoo) which means talking about and agreeing things before we start. Another group has also been constructing a playground model out of cardboard. We've had to trial lots of designs and problem solve when things don't quite work the first time.









Kowhai Hosting Celebration Assembly

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Kia ora whanau,

Just a little reminder that Kowhai Team are hosting the school celebration assembly today. It begins at 2.15pm in the hall. As a team we will be singing our Kowhai Whanau waiata and there will be a slide show of what we have been up to.
We would love to se you all there if you are able to make it!

Kowhai Teaching Team

Kauri Whanau: Term 1: Week 4

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Camp:

This time next week we will be into the action and adventure at Wainui.  The children are excited, the weather looks great and we just can't wait!

Food preparation:  I am still looking for three more parents to make up a pasta bake dish over the weekend. Please email me if you can help out. nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz

Baking: All children need to bring some baking to camp. This will be collected when they arrive at school on Monday, before getting on the bus. If you would like the baking container back, please make sure it is named.

Gear: The gear list has been repeated at the end of this post. Key items that all children need include:
  • Two pairs of sturdy shoes, one of which will be worn in water (old lace-up sports shoes).
  • A waterproof jacket, outdoor activities go ahead, even when it is raining.
  • Plenty of warm clothing: poly-pro, fleece, wool. This includes a hat.
  • Plates, cup and cutlery – named and in a bag.
  • Wetsuits are provided, but they will need a pair of shorts to wear over the wetsuit if going coasteering.

Please let us know if you are having trouble sourcing any of these items, so that we can help out.

Medication: Any medication needs to be in a labelled bag with name and dosage / frequency and handed in to the child’s home-group teacher on arrival to school on Monday. This excludes inhalers, which the children should carry on them.

Electronic Devices: Children may take devices to camp for the purpose of taking photos. The children will be responsible for their device during the day. We will collect devices in at night. Any device going to camp must be named.  Make sure these are fully charged and on flight-mode as chargers are not to come to camp.

Contacting us: Teachers will have cellphones on us at all times, if you need to make contact. Nicky: 027 6229403, Jarred 021 2305304, Jenny 027 9614005. Reception is a bit patchy. You can contact Wainui camp directly on 03 3048460

Departure and Return: Children need to meet in the Beckenham School hall at 8:50, on Monday. We plan to get back by 3pm on Friday. We will send an email out once we leave Wainui, with a more exact arrival time.

Swimming Sports:

Good luck to all competitors swimming on Thursday. A separate notice will be sent out with final reminders.

Duathlon:

Entries are trickling in for our Year 5-8 duathlon on Friday March 10th. Entries close this Friday. Please encourage your child to return their completed form to school.

Home-learning:

The math home-learning that we handed out yesterday, is due in on Friday March 10th, a week after camp. Our first writing topic wraps up this Thursday. If your child is not up to date with this, their home-group teacher will send you an email, suggesting they spend some time on this at home.

Photo Gallery:

Last week, as a social studies activity to support our learning about developing a stronger awareness of others, we tried the lap sit. While some were put outside their comfort zone, the teamwork and determination were brilliant.




Forensic science is our science focus this term. We are analysing clues left at the 'murder scene' earlier in February. Last week we conducted tests to identify a mystery powder.



Wainui Camp Gear List:

Please ensure all of the items below are named. Gear needs to be packed into a sturdy bag.
  •  Warm Sleeping Bag or Bedding
  •  Pillow
  •  Pyjamas
  •  Toiletries: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo etc.
  •  Beach Towel and Bath Towel
  •  Plate, Bowl, Mug, Cutlery (named and in a bag)
  •  Waterproof Jacket
  •  Warm Polar Fleece or Woollen Jumpers
  •  T-Shirts
  •   Jerseys
  •  Shorts
  •  Trousers
  •  Socks
  •  Underwear
  •  Thermals / Base Layer (polypropylene or wool) for Coasteering/ Kayaking
  •  Swimming Togs
  •  Warm Hat / Beanie
  •  Sunscreen
  •  Sunglasses
  •  Sun Hat
  •  Trainers or Boots for Land Activities
  •  Sturdy, closed toe footwear for water activities (old trainers are ideal, no thin neoprene shoes)
  •  Torch
  •  Small Backpack
  •  Water Bottle
  •  Any Required Medication
  •  Plastic bags for transporting wet kit home


 Optional Items
  • Camera
  •  Wetsuit. (Wainui provide wetsuits for coasteering.  Children will need to wear shorts over the top of these wetsuits.)






Kowhai Top Team Event

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21st February 2017


Top Team Challenge 2017


Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Over the past few weeks we have been focusing on two school values,  ‘We Care’ and ‘We Get There Together'. As part of this learning, we have organised for Sport Canterbury to come in and run a mini ‘Top Team Challenge’ on Thursday 9th March.   


This ‘Top Team Challenge’ will involve the children participating in a number of team-based activities and challenges modelled on the traditional Top Town competition. For this event, the children will need to come to school in their house colours. A request for your contribution of $3 to help cover the cost of this event will be added to your account.


We will need the assistance of 10 parents to help run the activity stations.  These stations are highly engaging and very easy to run. If you are available to help us on Thursday 9th March 10.30am -12.30pm, please email your homeroom teacher.


It should be a fun-filled day for all!


Kind Regards
Kowhai Whanau Teachers
Mike, Susan, Anna, Rebekah and Paule

KORU HIGHLIGHTS TERM 1 WEEK 3

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Kia ora whanau,

Welcome (back) to the Te Whanau Koru blog for 2017! The children have settled back into school, and hub routines, with skilful ease. We're absolutely loving the happy smiling faces each and every morning, as they children arrive ready for a new day's learning.

The content of our blog posts will vary from time to time, however you will generally find some of the following:
  • samples of the children's work
  • photos celebrating student learning
  • handy hints for helping your child at home with their reading, writing and Maths
  • links to helpful websites
  • what's been happening in the classrooms
  • what will be happening in the classrooms
  • requests for help and resources.
Discovery Stations:

You will all by now be familiar with our Discovery Stations! Research is telling us that learning through play is a powerful vehicle indeed, and, as teachers, we are observing, every day, literacy, mathematical and social learning occurring at the Discovery Stations on offer.

'Play is a powerful vehicle for learning, thinking, generating ideas and communicating. Play thus creates potential spaces in which a child always behaves beyond his/her average age, above his/her daily behaviour; in play it is as though he were a head taller than him/herself.'
Vygotsky

We have found that play activities are a wonderful way to develop the Key Competencies:
  • Thinking
  • Relating to others
  • Using language, symbols and texts
  • Managing self
  • Participating and contributing
Play embraces all of the Key Competencies, especially self-management. It's a very natural way to promote self-management without making the activity seem contrived. An added bonus to starting each day with Discovery Stations, is that those children who might struggle to say goodbye in the morning, tend to settle much more easily when there are play activities on offer. 
Day 1!

Reading with Big Bear in the washing basket

What a complex plan - an architect in the making?!

Reading, in a sea of Mobilo!

Ta-dah!!




Collaboration:
After reading Mrs Wishy Washy, Hub 10 and 11 children formed groups to build a fence that would be high and strong enough to stop the farm animals from getting into the mud. Check out the Writers' Wall in Hub 10/11 to read the children's published writing and see more photos of the fences that were created.





Me Bags:
Many thanks for the wonderful treasures that have been sent in, supporting our children in their learning relating to our integrated topic, 'Identity'. If your child is yet to bring their 'Me Bag' in to class, it's not too late!

Some of us love drawing...
...others play rugby.

Some learn ballet...

...others love to write.

...and some of us identify closely with another country.


Reading:
Here is a link to the wonderful website called Parent Literacy Partners, which contains great strategies for you, as parents, to use when your child gets stuck on a word when reading. An example is:
'Learning how to prompt your child to help them become more independent problem solvers when reading.'
If there is something particular you want to find out about, put key words into the search box, for example, 'letter reversals' or 'learning letters and sounds'.
This website also includes some great little videos, as well as useful resources.
Reading to Teddy

Reading to Mr Rabbit

Look at that beautiful pointy finger!

Reminders and Notices:
  • Please ensure that your child remembers to pack his/her reading folder every day
  • Library folders need to be returned to school on or before library day (which varies from class to class)
  • It's a good idea to make sure your child takes his or her drink bottle home after school each day, for a 'freshen up'
  • We will again be acknowledging the anniversary of the Feb 22nd Earthquake this year, by creating a chalk 'River of Flowers' on the footpath outside school on Sandwich Road on Wednesday.
Have a lovely week everyone.
Nga mihi nui.