TERM THREE 2010
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I hope you and your family are well rested after the two week break.
Our Inquiry Topic for Term Three is: What are MACHINES? Children will explore a variety of simple machines; identifying their purpose and how they work. With their knowledge and understanding of machines, they will design and create a moving toy.
Maths:
This term we will be working on Fractions, Proportions and Ratios. Cooking, baking, craft work and telling the time from analogue clocks are great ways for children to work with fractions in context. I also recommend that the children use www.tutpup.com to continue to practice the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.
Writing:
The writing focus for Term Three will be – Writing narratives. They will learn to describe; a setting (e.g. forest, beach, castle) and characters. We will also look at the structure of narratives – setting the scene, the complication, the resolution and the ending. Reading to your child and helping them to create mental images from the rich descriptive language will support their learning in this area. On the back of this newsletter are some reasons why we should continue to reading to our children as their get older.
M Block’s Craft and Activities
This has become a bi-annual event for our Block. It has proved to be very successful in the past and allows the children to be exposed to different hobbies and interests. Thank you to all the parents who have given up their time to be part of this year’s programme.
Parent Helpers
We have been very fortunate in having some regular parent helpers in the Block. The staff appreciate these people who give up their time to assist with classroom programmes as what you do really does make a difference for both the student and teachers. If you would like to become a parent helper for Term Three could you please contact your child’s teacher.
Kind regards
Nicki Stempa
Here are some compelling reasons for reading aloud to your older child.
To Increase Understanding and Enjoyment
Most parents naturally ask questions to check under standing when sharing a book for early readers, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This same skill can be used when reading aloud a more advanced book, such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, to an older child. At age 10, as at age 3, children can hear and understand words and concepts that they could not possibly read on their 
own. More difficult books may contain more excitement and vivid description than the books children might be able to read independently. These books expand vocabulary, increase knowledge, and develop enthusiasm for reading.
To Give Real-life Context to a Story
Talking about a story helps a child understand how what was read relates to real life. You can stop at intervals to clarify what is happening, discuss what the youngster might do in the main character's place, and ask him or her to predict what might happen next.
To Check for Mistakes
As your child reads, you can listen for hesitations and for skipped, added, or mispronounced words. You do not need to point out minor errors that do not change the meaning of what is being read, unless one type crops up repeatedly. If a larger error in meaning is made, allow the child to finish the sentence. Without prompting, children will often correct their own mistakes. If mistakes happen too often, choose an easier book.
To Share the Sheer Joy of Reading
During parallel reading, the child and the adult silently read the same piece to themselves and at their own pace. The adult determines stopping places where the two can pause, discuss, and recite favorite parts. You'll both enjoy the excitement of an unfolding story, and comprehension will improve through discussion.
An important tip: Choose high-quality literature to get started. You might also try pairing a book of fiction with a nonfiction book on the same topic. Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Harper Trophy, 1973), and Prairie Visions, by Pam Conrad (Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1998), are a good example of a fiction-nonfiction pair. This makes for an unbeatable combination that will have your child begging for more books to read on his or her own and with a partner.
About the Author
Mary Rose has more than 30 years of classroom experience and has taught kindergarten, 1st and 4th grades. She earned her undergraduate and masters degree from Marshall University and received an Educational Leadership Certification from the University of Central Florida. She has been a long-time contributor to Storyworks and Instructor magazines. Mary Rose currently teaches fourth grade at Lake Sybelia Elementary School in Maitland, Florida, and conducts reading and writing workshops around the country.