From the Knitting club

Knitting Club

We had such an overwhelming response to our knitting club in the first week and we would like to thank all the children who attended. Thank you also to the teachers who came along and assisted us.  Thanks Anne Maree and Luisa. Also a big thank you to Hebo’s mum who came along to help. 

Trying to cast on and instruct many children how to knit can be tricky.  Parents and grandparents are welcome to come along on, Thursday’s at lunch time 11.10 and 11.40 am, and help.  If your child is interested in knitting can you please send them along to school with a pair of knitting needles and wool (we have some supplies but they were limited on the day).  It would be a great help if parents could cast on (about 40 stitches for a blanket square) and knit a couple of rows to start your child off.

Thanks again for your support

Jessica and Sia

Literacy in the 34 neighbourhoods

Writing

Persuasive text, connected to our Inquiry into change, has been a literacy focus through term One and is continuing. This has involved the children in researching the following opinion prompts:

"Which animal is the best survivor?"

"Smartphones are the best."

"The suburb of Carlton used to be better."

"Bacteria is bad"

The children have each used their research findings to write an argument in support of their opinion. Throughout the process the children continue to be supported to use the features and structure of a persuasive text.

Each week the children have a personalised writing goal to focus on.

Research (Reading and Writing)

Students have been challenged to research the above questions and statements by locating key information, including videos and written texts, to further their understandings. There has been much discussion around effective researching strategies and text evaluation.

The research skills we have been working through are:

·        Developing appropriate questions.

·        Using a range of resources (books, websites, interviewing, video).

·        Identifying key information.

·        Note taking.

Research is embedded in our inquiry approach and the children receive ongoing support with developing the necessary understandings and skills.

Reading

In addition to the reading of texts in both print and digital formats during research workshops, the children also participate in small group targeted sessions. The main emphasis of these guided reading sessions is developing reading fluency and comprehension. Serial Reading and Book Talk focus on literature appreciation.

We are most grateful to the many parents who lead a Book Talk group. Your support is invaluable. Book Talk is continuing in term two – please let us know if you would like to be involved.

1 to 1 Re-imaging

Dear parents,

 

During the first few weeks of term two, the school's ICT technician will commence reimaging all year four, five and six student 1 to1 MacBooks. This process will result in all 1 to 1 MacBooks in the school having the same software and settings which will ensure a more efficient 1 to 1 program and reduced technical issues for students.

 

The reimaging process will delete all data that is stored on the MacBook so it is essential that all student data and work is backed up on a USB stick or external hard drive before the computer is reimaged. Please note that 'Time Machine' backups are not an appropriate backup format for this process. (please see Keith should you require more information about this)

 

We are asking that parents ensure that their students data is backed up as soon as possible so that the reimaging process can run quickly and smoothly and loss of student data can be avoided.

 

Thank you,

 

Keith McNeill

1 to 1 MacBook Coordinator

Sapphire's School Holiday

I'm feeling blue; how can I have a holiday too?

Help!  Sapphire's weekend and vacation calendar has disappeared from its usual place near her tank, and I can't remember who volunteered to take her home these holidays! 

If you are able to provide a home for her these holidays, please let me know tomorrow.  I will have her ready to collect after school (at 2:30).

Thanks everyone.



Maths Games Night

The teachers in your child’s neighbourhood will be conducting a maths information night on Tuesday the 6^th of May from 5 to 6pm.  The information night will be held in your child’s neighbourhood and will focus on how games can be utilised for developing conceptual understanding in number and enumeration.

The maths night will build on the parent information night presented by Professor Di Siemen last term.  If you were unable to attend on that night, you can access the Professor Siemen’s notes by visiting your child’s neighbourhood blog. 

During the information night, explicit links will be made on the kinds of misconceptions that the games might expose and provide interpretations of what different student responses might mean with some practical ideas to address particular learning needs.  Games encourage students to talk about and share their ideas in a cooperative atmosphere. The night will also explore questions techniques that parents can use to allow their children to further develop their thoughts.

We look forward to seeing you there.  It promises to be both an informative and fun evening.

Warm Regards,

Tim Aris