May 1st 2017
Team Moana – Term Two Newsletter
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome to Moana students and whanau. Term one was extremely busy and we hope you had a chance to relax,
recharge and have some family time.
Learning Programme
The literacy programme for this term initially looks at persuasive writing (speeches) and then focusses on
information writing and reading. We learn about content and planning, structure (sentence structure and
paragraphing), vocabulary and language features, as well as revising and editing. For reading, our learning looks at
an author’s purpose, strategies to aid comprehension and enjoyment, plus how a text is structured and how we can
relate it to our own writing.
Our speech topics this year are:
a)
We care too much about the way we look
b)
Caring for a pet makes you a better person
c)
Winning is not as important as participating
d)
Advertising is a bad influence on our food choices
e)
My perfect holiday would be…
f)
We have become too dependent on technology in everyday life
The above concepts in reading and writing work well with our major inquiry for the term, Change in our
Environments. Our key understandings in this inquiry are that:
●
Anything can change
●
Over time change occurs to people, places, and technology
●
Students can develop and investigate questions to find out about change over time
●
Students can imagine possible futures based on their new learning
●
Students can recognise differences that environmental change has made to their own lives
●
Students can include family and whanau to investigate change over time
●
Students can present their learning to others in an effective, creative and interesting way
Our curriculum links for this Inquiry are science, social studies and health, along with literacy and maths.
In mathematics, for the first few weeks we continue to study statistics and probability, then move onto
multiplication and division strategies. Students will also be maintaining number knowledge and working on personal
maths goals, both at school and at home.
Home Learning / Excellence Awards
Our Home Learning programme continues this term. In Team Moana the students are required to read for at least
20 minutes per night and record this in their diary. We ask parents to sign the diary weekly and return it to school
on a Friday. This allows parents to see and discuss their child’s class and personal goals for the week. Students are
also asked to complete either a spelling or word study task and may have some maths work set by their teacher. All
students have personal maths goals for the term and are asked to work towards these, either by using Mathletics or
other programmes available online. Many students in Team Moana undertake the optional school home learning
programme https://www.russley.school.nz/homework.html This programme incorporates an Excellence Award
badge. Our Home Learning is designed to have our students acknowledge and take ownership of their own learning.
Interchange
Interchange continues this term. Students will rotate through lessons in Science, Music and Te Reo / Tikanga.
Second Languages
In terms two, three and four the team will rotate around introductory Spanish, French and Japanese. We look at
basic language skills and investigate the culture of these nations. If you have any expertise in any of these
languages and would like to help out, please let us know. Arigatō, merci and gracias!
Winter Sports
Winter sport begins on Friday 19 May. Trainings will be held weekly at lunchtimes. We ask that students turn up
promptly for training and have a change of clothing – not their uniform! We require students to go to their games
on Friday with their gear, a water bottle and a jacket for warmth.
ICAS Exams (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools)
A number of these assessments are scheduled for this term. You will need to have previously registered for these.
Dates are: Digital Technologies - May 25, Science - May 30, Writing - June 13, Spelling - June 14.
Devices at school
Students are enjoying the increased opportunities that the new Chromebooks are providing. We are using them for
literacy, maths, publishing, presentations and research. Students are using them appropriately and respectfully, as
are those who bring their own devices to school.
Devices at home
We know that devices are now ubiquitous and our students have never grown up without the internet or at least
one family member having a device of some sort. It is our responsibility as adults to ensure that devices are used for
appropriate reasons and that we actively monitor what they are doing on their iPad, cellphone or console. Below
are some ideas to assist parents:
● Regularly check the history of internet searches on devices, including cell phones.
● Collect their devices and put on the kitchen bench when it’s time for bed. Using devices in bed can inhibit
sleep patterns. (Why do children need a cellphone / device in the bedroom?)
● Be “friends” with your child on all their social media sites, especially if they are using Facebook, Snapchat,
Instagram or something similar. (Did you know that Facebook’s guidelines are that users must be over 13?).
● Check whether the games they are playing have a social media component.
● Set time limits for device usage.
Hats, Drink Bottles and Uniform
We continue our high expectations that Team Moana students follow the uniform code for Russley School and set a
good example to younger students. In the winter terms sunhats are not required at school. If you are unsure of the
clothing items please enquire at the school office or search the school website.
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or require further information. You can contact your classroom
teacher by emailing them on the addresses provided. We look forward to working with you during Term Two.
Yours sincerely
Team Moana Teachers
Room 1:
Room 2:
Room 3:
Kari Visser
[email protected]
Phil Innes
[email protected]
Brooke Young [email protected]