Athletics Day Postponement

The decision has been made to move Athletics Day from Wednesday 25th October to Friday 27th October due to the weather forecast.

Middle Team Production

Welcome back to Term 4

Hi Everyone

Welcome back to Term 4. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday - I have to say it was very nice to see the sun again! Term 4 is going to be hectic so hopefully everyone had a rest!

This Wednesday is Athletics Day so if you can come along to cheer on the children we'd love to see you there. Students, don't forget to wear appropriate shoes and to bring a drink bottle and a big lunch.  I have decided not to hand out homework this week as with such a short week there will not be much time to fit it in.

Our big focus for the first four weeks is the middle team production which this year has a native bird theme. Room 11 is in the process of creating a beautiful albatross dance. We are currently researching the albatross during reading groups and we will be creating masks to wear too. Week 4 is when the performances will take place.  Notices with details will be sent home soon.

After that the countdown until the end of the year will be on! In the meantime, we'll be exploring fractions, descriptive writing and a celebrations around the world topic. Our value for the term is gratitude and we will continue to meet with our kindle buddies regularly.

Don't hesitate to send me a message at catherine@georgestreet.school.nz or come in and see me before or after school at any time.

play dough fractions

play dough fractions

Workshopping our albatross dance

Last Week of Term!

Hi everyone
I can't believe it's the last week of term already! The time has flown by.  We said goodbye to Miss Donald at the end of last week which was a bit sad for Room 11. She did lots of interesting things with the students and we are all going to miss her. We really enjoyed making anemometers (devices to measure wind speed) and testing them out and then modifying and improving on the original design.

Another highlight of the term was our visit to Otago Museum to do some weather experiments. Thanks to Martin (Alden's dad), Duke (Roshan's dad) and Michelle (Alexsia's mum) for accompanying us. After we did some cool experiments that involved dry ice, static electricity and making a cloud in a bottle, we had a look in the Animal Attic and at the Egyptian mummy before heading back to school. 

And, of course, the fair was a huge success. Room 11 contributed by making lots of craft items to sell and did a bit of baking (Brain Attack Jelly and honey joys) the day before the fair.

Yes, it's true there is no homework this week! Term 4 looks like it will be a busy one with Athletics Day in Week 2 and then the Middle Team Production in Week 4 but more on that next term. In the meantime I hope everyone has a relaxing holiday.

The Latest in Room 11

Hi everyone

Life continues to be pretty busy in Room 11!  Thanks to all the parents who came to the marae and to Lola's dad for his korero. This week we have been working on persuasive texts - the students chose whether to argue for or against 'homework should be compulsory at George Street Normal School' - with some very passionate arguments both for and against, being put forward. We have been working on our quick maths facts using card games and other board games, and have practised using different strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems. Our reading focus this week has been on asking questions before, during and after reading so that we increase our engagement with, and understanding of, what we read.  Starting next week, we are lucky enough to have Miss Donald back in our classroom for several weeks.

Reminders:

• We are having a dress-up day this Friday (tomorrow) and after some discussion and a vote, Room 11's choice is 'Free Choice' - so come dressed as anything you like! Please don't forget to bring a treat that can be used as a prize at the fair.
• A notice went home yesterday for our 'Wild Weather' Museum Trip which will take place on Wednesday 13 September between 9.30 and 12.00. The plan is to walk down to the museum unless it is raining, in which case we will go by bus.  If you can help out please return the notice.
• We have run out of tissues in Room 11. If anyone is able to help resupply that class, it would be much appreciated. 
• Homework is due tomorrow and it is also our library day so don't forget to put those things in bags tonight.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Friday Reminders

Just a quick note to remind Room 11 that homework is due tomorrow and that our library time is tomorrow, also. So if you have finished reading your library books, don't forget to put them in your bag so that you can get new ones tomorrow. And pop those homework books into your bag at the same time! Thanks!

Fair Elective - tins needed

This Friday we are starting Fair Elective sessions. In Room 11, we are going to make pencil holders out of tins to sell at the fair. If you have any standard-sized tins in your recycling bin could you give them a wash, take the labels off and send them to school? Thanks. 😀

Welcome back to Term 3

Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a good holiday and managed to stay warm! We are now back into routine in Room 11.  We have been practising for the cross country during fitness time and I am looking forward to cheering on Room 11 on Monday. Remember to bring a drink bottle, warm clothes and a big lunch on Monday.

We have been working on automatic recall of number facts this week and I have given each child log on details for Study Ladder so look out for that in bags - it was on quite a small piece of paper! It was great to hear that lots of children have been using it at home already.

We are reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during healthy snack time and our reading rotations are back in full swing. We are working on 'tuning into interesting words' that we can use in our writing. This week the students wrote holiday recounts which they have typed up in Word and added to our Writer's Wall.

Congratulations, Tara, on being our Superhero of the week, and to our two assembly award winners, Kezia and Liliana. Our value of the term is Consideration and we will be talking about what that means in Room 11 and in general over the next few weeks. It was great to get to meet two of the GIFU students when they visited our room on Thursday - it was so nice to see Room 11 students welcoming them and making friends with them (with lots of elaborate acting out and sign language going on!)

Poetry Competition

Room 11 are getting ready for an exciting event on Monday - the first round of the poetry competition! Each child has chosen a poem that they would like to perform, and has brought their poetry book home for some weekend practice. (Please make sure these come back on Monday!)

Myself, student teacher Miss Donald and teacher aide Keryn will be judging the first round. Two Year 3 students and two Year 4 students from Room 11 will be selected to progress to the next part of the competition. We will be using the following criteria for judging:

Physical presence

Voice and articulation

Personal response

Level of Difficulty

Evidence of Understanding

Overall Performance

Looking forward to Monday! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Kind regards,

Rachel.

FIRST DAY

Hi everyone,

The first day is done and dusted! Just a quick message to let you know that we've had a really positive start to the term.

We spent today learning a few new activities and games, practicing some new routines, doing pre-tests for new learning (shape and narrative writing) and getting to know each other. A very busy day! Reading groups will start tomorrow, so your son/daughter has chosen an 'old favourite' book to read tonight instead.

A question you might like to ask your child - what's written on Miss Barker's necklace, and why is that word important for our learning? :)

Regards,
Rachel.

WELCOME TO TERM 2!

Hello parents,

I'm excited to say it's just a few days before the beginning of Term 2! I can't wait to see everyone back at school on Monday, ready for lots of new learning.

Partnership with home is important to me as a teacher. I'm looking forward to meeting more parents and getting to know you all. To help me get a head start with my new class I'll have some paper copies in the classroom of an optional parent survey. This covers the points below. Alternatively you might like to email me - rachel@georgestreet.school.nz

-Tell me something that makes your child special (talents, abilities, interests etc.)
-What would you like your child to learn more of this year?
-What makes your child feel happy?
-A good teacher for my child is someone who...
-Some academic concerns I have about my child are…

-Other comments

See you next week.

Warm regards,
Miss Barker.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a relaxing holiday break.  All the best for next term, Mrs McCulley.

MISS BARKER VISITS ROOM 11

Today Miss Barker visited Room 11 to get to know all the children and our class routines.  We are all looking forward to Miss Barker teaching us next term.

POPPY VISITS ROOM 11

Mrs McCulley's dog Poppy came and spent the day in Room 11.  She enjoyed meeting all the children and getting lots of pats!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This week an important notice went home with the children.  It was to inform parents that Miss Rachel Barker will be teaching in Room 11 while Mrs McCulley is on maternity leave.  Miss Barker will be in to see the children on Monday and Tuesday next week.

SCHOOL DISCO

Two of the Learning Detectives visited our classroom to tell us about the School Disco this Friday.  It costs $3 to get in and food and glow toys will be available to buy.  The Junior Disco (Y1-3) is from 6.00-7.00pm and Senior Disco is from 7.15-8.15pm.  Children from the Middle Team (Y3-4) can choose to go to either disco.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

At writing time we have started to learn about writing 'Character Descriptions'.  We are learning to use adjectives and similes to make our writing descriptive and interesting to read.  Here are some super sentences from our Gruffalo Character Descriptions:

"The Gruffalo has orange eyes like the morning sky" (Emily)

"He has a grass green poisonous wart on the end of his nose and a tongue as black as the darkest night" (Jai)

"His tummy rumbles like thunder" (Josh)

"His dangerous tusks could cut a human in half" (Otto)

"He has a big fat belly looking for something to eat" (Oakley)

"His claws are as sharp as swords and his eyes are as orange as the leaves in autumn" (William)

"His mouldy teeth make his breath smelly" (Liam)

"He has orange eyes that glow like fire" (Farhaal)

"His claws are sharper than a knife blade but his teeth are blunt" (Oliver S)

"His back is as deadly as a sharp field of thorns" (Oliver D)

"His ears are black like dark chocolate" (Danielle)

ODD AND EVEN NUMBERS

This week in maths we have been talking about odd and even numbers.  We have learned a very important trick to look at the last numeral in a number to find out whether it is even or odd.  Many of the Room 11 students can work out even and odd numbers into the millions!  What a great effort!

JAI'S TADPOLES

On Wednesday, Jai bought along his tadpole collection to show us.  All of the tadpoles except one had started growing legs.  We thought the tadpoles were really interesting.  Thanks for bringing them along Jai!

WARRIORS VISIT

Today Sam from the Warriors visited our school with his crew.  They taught us about living a healthy life - keeping hydrated and getting plenty of sleep!  Many people won cool prizes!

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility is the character value of the term.  In Room 11, we have been talking about how we can be responsible both at school and at home.  We made some 'wise owls' to share our responsibility messages.  You are welcome to come and see our colourful responsibility display on our classroom wall.

OLIVER'S PUPPY VISITS ROOM 11

Today Oliver's puppy Jonah came to visit us.  He is only 6 weeks old and is very tiny but super cute.  Oliver and his family rescued the puppy after it had been abandoned.

SCIENCE IN A VAN

Today there were special visitors at George Street Normal School - "Science in a Van".  Two scientists taught us about forces, bubbles, mixtures and reactions.  If you would like to find out more please click on the link their website or watch the videos below.  http://www.scienceinavan.co.nz

Lucky Farhaal and Kezia got to go on stage and help the scientist!

LEARNING COMMITMENT INTERVIEWS

On Wednesday and Thursday this week (15th & 16th March), Learning Commitment Interviews will be held.  The purpose of these interviews to to create both a strength and challenge goal for your child to work on this year. Please click on the following link to make an appointment: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz The code you will need to use is uu4sp

ARTWORK FROM THE ART GALLERY

Our fabulous artwork that we created at the Dunedin Art Gallery is now up on the wall.  Please come in and see it!

LAST DAY OF SWIMMING

Today we had our last day of swimming.  The children have made fantastic progress over the last 8 days.  Thank you to all the parents who supported us by walking to and from the pool.  Also a special thank you to the marvellous instructors at the Jill Clarke Swim School.  If you are interested in continuing with swimming lessons (privately) please click on the following link: http://www.jcswimschool.co.nz

WEDNESDAY BOOK NEWS

Every Wednesday morning, the children have the opportunity to share 'Book News'.  The children bring along a favourite book from home or share a library book they have been reading.  They talk about the title, author, characters, plot and share favourite illustrations or parts of the book.

GYPSY VISITS ROOM 11

Today Kezia's dog Gypsy visited Room 11.  Gypsy is a super cute Miniature Schnauzer.  She was very well behaved and enjoyed getting lots of pats from the children.

PAT Testing

This week Year 3 & 4 children have been involved in 'Progressive Achievement Tests' (PATs).  These are standardised tests designed specifically for New Zealand schools.  The Year 3 children complete a listening test and the Year 4 children complete four tests:  reading comprehension, vocabulary, listening and maths.  The results of these tests will be available in the next few weeks.

If parents are interested in finding out more information about Progressive Achievement Tests, please click on the following link:  http://www.nzcer.org.nz/tests/pats

OUR FIRST DAY OF SWIMMING

Today we had our first swimming lesson at DNI Pool with the Jill Clarke Swim School.  We enjoyed our first class and we are looking forward to going back tomorrow!

SWIMMING STARTS TOMORROW!!!

LEARNING ABOUT OUR MIHI WITH MISS DONALD

Today Miss Donald began teaching us about our mihi.  We are learning how to introduce ourselves in Māori.  Miss Donald will continue working with the children next week but before then she would like to find out the following information:

*  If your family belongs to a specific iwi, can you please write this down on a piece of paper and send it along to school.

*  If your family identifies with a a country (other than New Zealand), can you please inform Miss Donald of the river and mountain closest to the town which is special to you.

Thank you!

ROOM 11'S ASSEMBLY

Thank you to all the parents who came along on Friday to support us at assembly.  They children gave a wonderful performance - acting out road safety rules, sharing a movie, showing their artwork and reciting a poem.  If you missed our assembly, here is a snapshot of our performance.