Hare Krishna!
Kia ora!
Welcome to Sita Rama!
Term two has arrived with great gusto just like the gorgeous weather that has continued to bless Auckland . Crisp morning signals a change in the seasons and new energy in the class, which is very conducive to some exciting learning both in and out of the classroom. We look forward to a visit to Puhoi in Week 4 to explore the Bohemian settlement and learn about the immigrants that call that part of New Zealand home (more information about this will go home next week). We also look forward to starting swimming next week. So all in all another busy term, with lots of meaningful learning.
Some academic details…
Integrated Inquiry
This term our integrated inquiry is entitled ‘Are We There Yet?’ a social sciences unit which encourages students to explore migration patterns globally and in New Zealand. They will also be exploring their own family history to discover how and why they are in New Zealand.
Our inquiry begins with a focus on ANZAC day and World Wars One and Two. These three events in history have contributed to some significant migration patterns across the world and have influenced NZ society significantly.
English
This term we will concentrate on written language. Our context for this will be diary writing and newspaper reports. We will also explore non fiction genre within our guided reading focuses, this links in with our inquiry, ‘Are We There Yet?’
As we do a lot of work relating to discovering new words and their meanings it is essential that every child has a dictionary. Could you please ensure that your child has a named dictionary, that can be brought to school. The Oxford dictionaries are the best. Please can we have them in class by the end of next week.
Just as a reminder, your child will have brought reading books home at night. This will also is accompanied by a reading record which needs to be signed by you at least 3 times a week. It is fundamental in your child’s literacy development that reading aloud is encouraged and nurtured regularly. 20 minutes every night will reap great rewards, in regard to their language acquisition.
Mathematics
We will continue to develop both the knowledge and strategy strands within numeracy alongside a focus on statistical interpretation which will be integrated in our inquiry. Our operational domain for numeracy is multiplication and division. It is essential that all students have all the timestables up to 12 and the reverse division equations at their finger tips, so support with this at home would be greatly appreciated.
Sanskrit/Sastra
Prana prabhu will continue to teach Sanskrit. We will be learning names for food groups. We will also be learning a selection of Sanskrit slokas and prayers.
Homework
Homework this term will be handed out on Friday and will need to be completed and returned on Thursday. Generally the structure of the homework will consist of a spelling activity relating to the spelling pattern focus for the week or vocabulary development, a list of words to be learnt, and an activity relating to our integrated unit The expectation is also that all students are reading for at least 20 mins every night. From time to time there will also be maths generally relating strand but also relating to strategies.
Help!
If you are a parent with a few hours to spare to help with teacher aid duties like laminating and creating resources we would love to have your help in Sita Rama. Please write me a note with the times when you may be available to volunteer your services.
This is shaping up to be a very exciting and rich term of learning. Please come and see me if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress/experience at school.
Take care,
Sarah Mataji
