What+we+are+learning+in+Term+3

Reading - all children are in ability based reading groups working on integrating strategies needed to read fluently with good understanding. As a class we share a big book to focus on text features such as punctuation, rhyming, blends and word meanings. We also have a serial story in which we try to read a chapter a day.

Writing - this term we are continuing to write recounts of events such as "My Weekend" and will also be experimenting with writing information reports. We will be working towards rereading our writing and editing or 'fixing' up some words for ourselves.

Maths - all children are in ability based Numeracy groups working on strategies for solving problems. Number knowledge is a big focus this year for the junior school and is taught to both the whole class and to each child's numeracy group. We will also be learning about measuring length, mass, area and volume during the term.

Oral Language - Listening - recognise good listening skills and begin to think of questions to ask. Speaking - look at the audience, speak clearly with a loud voice. Heath and Social Studies - Fire Safety - ways to be fire wise and looking at the role of fire fighters.

P.E- Skipping and Gymnastics/motor skills programme - Fitness is Jump Jam on Mondays and Fridays and Hearty Fun on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

Inquiry Topic - "Discover" with a science focus looking at the weather and seasons. We are due to finish the Immersion stage where we have "become experts" and are beginning to ask questions regarding what we would like to find out more about. We will then move to the Research stage. A big focus will be on differentiating between questions and statements and also questions that are fat or skinny - ie require an answer of more than a few words. Art - Fabric and Fibre, with lots of weaving, sewing and working with wool. Music - we will be reading and clapping rhythms. Te Reo - Naming objects around the room and using simple phrases. We will also be learning more waiata (songs).