Welcome to Term 3

29 July 2013

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Term 3. I hope you have enjoyed some quality time with your children over these last two weeks. I am looking forward to the Term ahead and want to take this opportunity to inform you of some of the things we have to look forward to during the Term.

This Term our topic is science based, called “Forever Now”. This topic will be about ‘Energy’ in Room 2. We will be learning about what energy is and where we get our energy from. This will include discussions and learning about how energy comes from the sun and how it is passed from plants to humans. We will also be talking about what energy does for our body and why we need it to live.

In physical education we will start the Term off with Gymnastics, finishing a unit we started last Term, this will be followed by Te Ao Kori (the world of movement) this is a Māori celebration of life through movement and its many expressions. It develops ways to sharpen mental and physical agility, hand-eye coordination, and a sense of well-being. Activities include such things as: stick games Te rākau, hand games Tākaro ā-ringa, string games Whai, games and pastimes Ngā mahi a te rēhia, poi activities Ngā mahi poi and music and movement Te kori me te puoro. During the last two weeks we will be undertaking swimming lessons at the Aquatic Centre, which will be a fun way to finish the Term.

Of course as always there will be a strong focus on numeracy and literacy within the classroom and I look forward to watching the children’s writing in particular grow this Term. We will also be focusing on basic painting skills in visual art. Could you please provide an old t-shirt or shirt for your child to put on over their uniform during art lessons.

In week three of this Term I will be taking some leave as my brother-in-law is getting married in Wales. Clare Corcoran will be teaching Room 2 in my absence for just over three weeks. She is an experienced New Entrant / Year 1 teacher who will be teaching my programme and I am sure the children will enjoy their time with her. If you would like to meet her prior to her teaching in Room 2 she will be in the classroom on the morning of Friday 9 August. Please feel free to come in and introduce yourself to her. She will be spending that morning with us so the children get to meet her and work with her before my leave.

Many Thanks

Karina Probert

Room 2 Teacher