Room 12 Newsletter Term 1

Welcome to the 2010 school year. My name is Andrea Harvey and this is my second year teaching at Carterton School. During 2009 I took maternity leave while I looked after my daughter Kate who was born in February 2009.
I trust that everyone has had a good holiday and is well rested and ready for an action packed year. This newsletter contains important information about Room 12 routines, it is a good idea to use this as a reference throughout the year. Please be aware that these routines may change through the year as the children grow in their knowledge and skills. If there are ever any questions please contact me as I am
available and here to help.

Room 12 Routines:

Star Bear – This is our class teddy bear. Star Bear is a reward, one child receives Star Bear and gets to take him home for the weekend. Star Bear travels with his own bag of belongings, please help to ensure that all Star Bear’s clothing and equipment come back to school with him on Monday.
Lost property – Please check that ALL of your child’s clothing is named. Remember the school lost property is kept over by Room 8.
3 O’clock Box – This is a yellow container located at the front of the classroom. All items that come to school for news are to be kept in here, to keep them safe all day.
Library – This term Room 11 is using the library as their classroom while the building is taking place. We will be using the town library instead. I would like to see all of our class become members of the town library so that they are able to take their own library book home each week. The library is free to join and easy to use.
Sun Smart – During term 1 it is essential that your child has their school sunhat at school everyday, I suggest they leave these at school in our hat box. Please send your child with a note if there is a reason that they do not have their school hat.
Homework – In Room 12 the children will have a small amount of homework to do each night it should take no more than 15 minutes.
Poetry Books – The aim of the poetry book is to expose your child to a range of poems, and to increase their basic word knowledge. The poetry book should be used at home to reinforce reading practise. Please practise reading these with your child each night. The poetry book needs to be at school ready to go home with a new poem each Friday.
Reading - The children will bring home a reading book that they have practised reading at school. Please help your child by listening to them read, and support them by asking questions about the story that you have heard.
Maths – basic facts practise cards will be sent home for your child to practise with you. The aim is for them to be able to recall the basic facts quickly without having to work it out in their head.


This term we are learning to…

Reading – The most important thing you can do to help your child this year, is ensure you are hearing them read EVERY night, and that they bring their book bag to school each day. Students will receive a new reading book 2- 3 times a week depending on the teaching points that come from each text. A reading log will be used this year. Please sign the reading log every time you hear your child read, comments are most welcome in these logs to show whether the text was easy / challenging or any other issues or concerns.
Writing – This term our focus is on advertising, and persuasive writing. We will also be looking at creating pamphlets and brochures.
Mathematics – Numeracy will continue to be a large focus at Carterton School this year. The children will be learning addition and subtraction strategies. We will also be looking at Measurement, where the children will be learning to tell the time, and read calendars. Our last unit of the term will look at Geometry. The children will be looking at patterns and directions, learning to give and follow directions such as left, and right.
Topic – Our first topic to start the year in Room 12 is Destination New Zealand. The aim of this unit is to look at tourism and the economy in Carterton, the Wairarapa and New Zealand. Our focus is on special features of the environment.
PE/Health – Swimming is the main focus for PE for most of this term, it is a very important that your child brings their swimming gear once the pool is up and running Monday – Friday, regardless of the weather. Following our swimming unit we will look at co-operative activities and working in groups.
The Arts – The focus for this term is on colour. We will be experimenting with colours and learning about tone, shading and hot/cold colours
Te Reo Maori – This term we will be looking at being able to greet and farewell people in Te Reo, as well as responding to classroom commands. We will also look at Maori legends and New Zealand place names.
If you have any concerns or questions at any stage please do not hesitate to contact me, my door is always open. Thank you in advance for your support this year. I look forward to meeting each of you.



Andrea Harvey
Room 12 classroom teacher