This week we have been continuing our work on reading and writing poetry. Please have a look at your child’s Seesaw to see their poem or poems. This week we have focused on diamante poems (shaped like a diamond) and ‘I am…’ poems. Most students have chosen to paint a picture which relates to their poem, then write their poem over the painting. In reading, we have been working on being accurate with our reading: asking, does this word make sense in the sentence? Does the drawing match the text? How can I figure out the meaning of the word by reading around it? And, of course, continuing to practise our other reading strategies, checking for understanding, reading voraciously and making predictions. We have had many discussion on what makes a good reader and using these strategies are a way to engage with our reading.
Cross checking our reading: When reading a book for pleasure or for information, chances are you will come to a
word or two you are unsure of. You probably will use the accuracy strategy of cross checking without even thinking about it, because it is second nature to you as a reader to read accurately. Accuracy is not second nature to children learning to read. It is something that needs to be taught using a variety of strategies.
Your child has been introduced to the accuracy strategy of cross checking. It is important to slow readers down when they come to a word
they don’t know and teach them to apply the strategy of cross checking so they are able to fix the meaning and not just skip the word. Cross checking requires a person to constantly think and monitor meaning. It is a strategy for ensuring the words and pictures read make sense and match the letters on a page.
In maths, we have continued working and practising our time understanding. We are learning about o’clock and half-past an hour, as well, as thinking about the duration of time. Please support your child in the skill at home by talking about how long an activity might take: riding a bicycle to the end of the road, baking a cake, playing a game of football, etc. This week, we have also reviewed the assessment we took last week to see where we have a good understanding and where we still have gaps in our maths conceptual understanding. The review offered us an opportunity to talk about what strategies might be used to solve problems, look at where we need to go next in our learning and celebrate what we have achieved.
And a reminder from the parent handbook: if your child is ill, please do not send her/him to school. Many children’s illnesses are very contagious. If in doubt, please contact the school medical officer. Several students have come to school this week with who are congested, who are coughing and look unwell. Your child learns best when they are strong and healthy!
Please see the poster for our charity drive for Takaful:
Please see photos here.