Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Week 5

We’re at the halfway mark already, how quickly the time has flown by! It was fantastic to see everyone looking so beautiful and handsome on Monday for their first school photos.

We will be starting our Inquiry Unit ‘Responding with Wonderment and Awe’ at the end of this week which will take us through to the end of term. During this unit the students will be able to observe and explore many science activities to learn more about how things might work.
Some things they may explore are floating and sinking, yabbies, cars and ramps, juggling with scarves, musical instruments and shaving cream. It is essential that they have their art smock (labelled clearly with their name) so they may participate in all of the activities.

PMP
PMP (Perceptual Motor Program) provides activities designed to improve children’s perceptual awareness through motor skills. It enables children to become more efficient users of their bodies and it enhances their learning readiness. Activities include body awareness, eye/hand, eye/foot co-ordination and balance and ball skills.
We will be running activities from this program on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings until the end of term. A huge thank you to all of the parents who have volunteered their time to help us run this. It is only with your help that it can work.

Home Reading
Each child now has their Home Reading bag. They are a bright gold yellow and have reading record books inside (the Yellow Book). Please keep a daily record of your child’s reading in the Yellow Book. There are instructions on how to fill it in on the first few pages of the book. Please make sure you write in the date and title of the book every day.

Butterflies
We can’t believe the changes in the caterpillars over the weekend! Last week they were very hungry caterpillars and we could see them moving around and hear them munching on all the leaves. Over the weekend they have been busy preparing themselves for a phase of transformation called the chrysalis or pupa stage. This is where they are transforming from caterpillar to butterfly. They are stuck to the side of their container and not moving much or eating any more.
I wonder what will happen to them next. Do you think you know?

Notices
We’re still waiting for some notices to be returned
Please return notices to the classroom teacher as soon as possible for:
· Parent Helper Term 1 form
· Permission form for child’s image to appear in the newsletter, website or class blog
· Religious Education permission form – if this form is not returned it is assumed that your child is participating in the program.

Hope you have a fantastic week!