Macinations #1 2016
News from Grade 4
In the classroom
Recently the class has been working with the Guildford students in a mentoring role to bring them up to speed with using GAFE in the classroom and this has been a great opportunity for the students to show their leadership skills.
We are currently in the process of completing our assessment schedule in preparation for writing the mid-year reports, the students will have completed several numeracy and literacy assessments in order to gain valuable information on their progress and development.
Following on from our visit to the zoo and as part of our integrated studies topic, the class have been researching and discovering information around the topic of 'Life Cycles' in relation to animals. Be sure to have a conversation with your child/children about their findings and understandings.
Homework
(30 mins per night) Current research shows that immersion in sustained, quite reading is invaluable to the life long literacy skills of all students.
Spelling words for each child come from either their Oxford word list, their daily writing or from specific spelling assessments in the classroom. If and when no words are provided, students can go back and revise previous words or include their own words from home.
Additional numeracy homework is encouraged to support the students; automatic recall of basic number facts, friends of ten and times tables, depending on the ability of the individual student.
More musings
I would be grateful if you could talk to your child/children about the importance of taking risks with their learning while at school and encouraging them to be self motivated learners. I often remind students that it is not their job to come to school and know everything, but it is their job to ask questions, challenge their thinking and always strive to be the best that they can be.
Clubs are now in full swing once more and the students are enjoying the range of activities available to them.
Next week we are off to the Inter-school Orienteering event at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens on Wednesday. Please ensure permission notes are returned to the office.