Week 3, Term 3

Marble Run
The girls have been busy making the tallest marble run to date!


Charge!
This week we have been busy making our own shields. It was part of our 3-D art and our Inquiry Topic Castle Connections. We tried our best to look ferocious as we charged the 'enemy'.

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Buddy Time
We were looking at our buddies blogsite and discovered they had done a science fair project on making paper planes. We left a message on their site to ask them to teach us how to make a good paper plane that would travel far. We had mixed results....but a lot of fun!

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Next week...

Our sounds will be oo/ew.
Our tricky words we include looking at word endings s, ing, ed.
During maths our class focus will be skip counting in fives.
For our inquiry topic we will be classifying items in regard to the materials they are made from. The following week we will be taking a closer look at fastening materials together. I plan to make a 'Junkyard Dragon' so I would appreciate any spare empty foodstuff boxes such as cereal, toothpaste, teabag boxes etc.
Thank you to all the parents who came for parent teacher interviews.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 1, Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a restful holiday.
This week we started our topic 'Castle Connections'. We are looking at the properties of materials. We had to rescue Humphrey from the fort using only the materials we could find in the playground. After much discussion and testing we decided to use Oliver's idea of making a parachute out of rubbish bags and flax.

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Folk dancing has been a big hit with everyone. We have danced nearly every day! We are planning to put on a display for parents, family and friends at the end of the term so we will keep you posted.

During maths we have been learning about time. We have made our own clocks and next week we will be learning how to tell the time using an analogue clock.

Well done to all those children who are doing 'Food for Thought'. It is not too late to get involved if you haven't done so yet. This is a great cause. The children in the orphanage benefit greatly from our support.

Next week...

Our sounds will be ee and ea.
We will be recapping on the words like and that.
During maths time we will be learning to tell the time (hour/half hour).
Sam will be teaching in Renwick 3 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Please remember that parent interviews will be next week. If you haven't made an appointment please come and see me to arrange a convenient time or email me on nerolis@nelsoncentral.school.nz

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 11, Term 2

Humphrey has had a very busy term watching the children of Renwick 3 learn and grow. He has been particularly impressed with the manners and non quitting attitude of the children!

On Thursday we had a special treat and went to the Suter Art Gallery to view an exhibition called 'Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue. We had a wonderful time exploring the artwork and evaluating each piece. We created our own art with using some of the lines and patterns we identified in the artwork. You can take a look at this in our classroom.





Next term will be slightly shorter, being 10 weeks. We have reports and parent interviews within the first couple of weeks so please ensure you make an appointment.
Our topic is a technology inquiry unit looking at fastenings and properties of materials.

Hope you are all having a safe and happy holiday. I look forward to seeing everyone Monday morning!

Week 10, Term 2

Over the last couple of weeks we have been learning about measurement and capacity during maths time. We made some paper cones to see which one would hold the most crayons (or hot chips on a cold day!). Then co operatively in groups we made models of farmyards and castles to see which one was the biggest and therefore has the capacity to hold the most animals. We really enjoyed this activity.

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On Thursday we had the opportunity to have a look at all the Science Fair projects that children have been working on throughout the school. They are truly amazing. We particularly enjoyed the inter-active displays.
Some of these displays are in the library if you would like to take a look.

Next week...
We will be revising some phonic work and activities to encourage children to look right through an unknown word.
During maths we will be having a number fun week working on numbers 1-20.
On Thursday morning we have a trip to the Suter with Room 12 to view an exhibition to support our drawing focus. Please let me know if you are able to join us.
As we draw to an end of Term 2 I would like to thank you all for your support both inside and outside the classroom. I am continuously reminded by staff, support staff and parents of what a delightful group of children I have in Renwick 3. I appreciate that this is merely not just good luck! It is the result of effort, love and support these children have, so once again a big thanks.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 8, Term 2

Hats
This week we went to the Museum to see an exhibition on 'Hats'. We had a wonderful time exploring the wide variety of hats. Some were for protection, some for work, some for uniforms and some just for fun.

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During ICT we have been learning how to use the digital camera. Tania took us around the school so we could use our new skills.

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Next week...
Our sounds will be ng, ss.
Our words will be after, play and ate.
During maths we will be looking at weight and measurement.
This Thursday evening Tracy will be running a Jolly Phonics Workshop for those parents interested. It will be held in Room 11 starting at 7pm.
On Friday we will have our shared kai for the children to celebrate the end of our Matariki celebrations. Please send a plate of finger food along for the children to share.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 7, Term 2

This Friday we said goodbye to Tom and his sister Lena who are returning to Switzerland. We will miss them both terribly as they are such kind and caring friends with a great sense of fun. We wish them a safe journey home.

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Next week...

Our sounds will be ll/wh.
Our words will be walk, when, eat.
During maths we will be looking at teen/ty numbers.
On Thursday we have a special treat... rugby skills! Andrew Goodman is coming in to teach us some basics. No doubt we will shine like a million dollars and he will be taking names back to Graeme Henry!
Also on Thursday we have a trip to the Museum for an exhibition on hats and how they tell a story. This fits well with our descriptive writing. It also reminds children how the past and cultures are important to people. We will be leaving school at 12.45pm. Please let me know if you are able to help.
On Tuesday I have classroom release and Caroline will be teaching in Renwick 3.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 6, Term 2

As a reward for our outstanding behaviour in the playground every other Friday we have 'Privilege Time'. This is an extra 15 minutes free play. This week it was too wet to go outside so we made a list of the things we would like to do inside. Painting was top of the list!

Next week...

Our sounds will be medial vowels.
Our words will be you, your and their.
During maths time we are looking at making patterns with and within 5. You can help at home by asking your child to use their hands to show 5, show 6, show 8 and so on. Ensure they are using one hand to show 5. For example the number 8 should be one hand of 5 and one hand of 3 rather than two hands of 4.
The children are thoroughly enjoying our Matariki rotations. Last week they were in Renwick 2 learning Maori games including poi, rakau sticks. Dianne was most impressed with their catching skills so our hard work is paying off! Next week they will be going to Room 12A for making flax flowers. Thanks again to all the parents helping out with the art and craft sessions.
Have a happy and safe week!