Term 4 Newsletter 2019
Tēnā koutou
It is hard to believe that we are in Term 4 already! As always we are very proud of the achievements of our students in all areas of their schooling. The creativity, perseverance and courage displayed during the WOW unit and especially for the celebration show was amazing. We look forward to continuing to celebrate their success and enjoy learning together.
mā te wā
The Middle Syndicate Team
Hats & Sunblock
In the summer months it is compulsory for our children to be sun smart and wear a sunhat each day. Please ensure your child has a hat at school to wear each day. Although there is sunblock available in each classroom, it is advisable to apply sunscreen before school. If your child requires a sensitive sunblock please ensure they have this named and available at school.
Water Bottles
Students are encouraged to have a water bottle at school each day.
End of Year Assessments
This term your child will be involved in school wide assessment including P.A.T. maths and P.A.T. reading comprehension (for our year 4’s only). We promote these as a positive experience for our students and encourage them to do their very best.
Literacy
This term we will continue developing comprehension skills in reading, these are imperative for understanding of text. Lots of talking and questioning supports deeper understanding. In writing we will be looking more closely at elaborating on ideas, editing and proofreading. But at the same time fostering a love of literacy!
Mathematics
This term we will continue with basic facts (knowledge, speed and accuracy). We will also continue with Number Development, Measurement, Word Problems and revision. This term also involves assessing students progress in maths.
WORD PROBLEMS
A word problem is a few sentences describing a 'real-life' scenario where a problem needs to be solved by way of a mathematical calculation.
Word problems are seen as a crucial part of learning in the primary curriculum, because they require children to apply their knowledge of various different concepts to 'real-life' scenarios.
Word problems also help children to familiarise themselves with mathematical language (vocabulary like fewer, altogether, difference, more, share, multiply, subtract, equal, reduced, etc.).
A one-step problem is a word problem that requires one operation to solve it, for example:
Jay had 37 red pens. He gave Rima 8 of his red pens. How many red pens does Jay have now?
A two-step problem is a word problem that requires two operations to solve it, for example:
I buy an apple costing 85cents and a pear costing 45cents. I pay with a voucher that gives me 20cents off the things I am buying. How much do I spend?
- In this case, the first operation would be addition (85 + 45 = $1.30).
- The second operation is subtraction ($1.30 - 20p = $1.10).
A new Digital Technologies (English medium) and Hangarau Matihiko (Māori medium), curriculum content is being published into The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
Term 4 will see us exploring some aspects of this aspect of the curriculum.
We are also looking forward to the opening of the new Johnsonville library in the Waitohi Hub to support implementation of this with the new makerspace.
Why are Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko being included as part of the Technology Learning Area and Hangarau Wahanga Ako?
Technology has changed:
- A decade ago the first iPhone had just been released – now most New Zealanders own smartphones.
- Self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and augmented reality have stopped being science fiction and started being our reality.
Technology focuses on intervention by design for humans by humans. Technology involves critiquing past, existing and possible future technologies, while considering their environmental, social and cultural impacts.
The Hangarau Matihiko curriculum connects traditional Māori practices and knowledge with digital confidence ensuring the past inform future practices for people and the environment.
Why the focus on Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko?
Our learners need to have an understanding of digital technologies to succeed today and in the future. Even if they don’t go into “tech industry” careers they will need digital technologies skills, knowledge and capabilities to fully participate in society.
A digitally fluent person can decide when, why and how to use specific digital technologies to perform a specific task or solve problems. A digitally capable person uses technology to find a solution. eg. checking on line before going to a movie rather than arriving at the theatre to find it fully booked.
This isn’t about teaching students how to use digital devices, it’s about giving them an understanding of computer science principles and programmes. This will enable them to learn how to design their own digital solutions and become creators of, not just users of, digital technologies. We are not funding digital devices as a result of the curriculum change.
Schools and kura can integrate the Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content into their teaching and learning programmes from 2018. It will be taught from Years 1-10, with the option to specialise from Years 11-13.
Date for the diary: End of year celebration. Monday 9th December. More details will be e-mailed out during the term.
This term also sees Te Reo, JSPA, athletics day, swimming, mindfulness, oral language, news, team work ..... the list is endless but so much fun!