Week 8 and 9 Term 4

Hello all
Well we are nearly there.
To say that this term has flown past is an understatement. It simply has vanished!

The boys have worked well to complete to assignments - Adaptations and Solar System.

We did our presentation on Friday for the Solar System task. On the whole the boys presented confidently and really knew their facts. Some boys did posters whilst others created models. The models were exceptional, however, it's important to note that the quality of the information in the boys inquiry books is even more important. It was also interesting to note that some models did not relate to any questions that the boys had developed. None the less they make lovely displays in our class.

Week 8:
Christmas Activities:

• We are beginning our Christmas activities in class. This means we will be doing Christmas based work in each area of the curriculum as well as making Christmas cards, decorations etc.
• One boy even had the idea of making wanted posters for the portfolio's which has been eagerly accepted by the other boys in the class
• For the wanted poster I have asked boys to bring in Christmas items eg. hats, reindeer ears, elf ears etc. The boys will use the props and a photo will be taken which will then become their photo for the wanted poster

Finishing Portfolios:

• We will be using some of our time this week to get the portfolios up to speed and ready to go home
• There are still some pieces of work that needs to be completed for the portfolio

End of year Celebration:

• The boys all have a note in their communication folder regarding the end of year party day
• We are going to Norwood bowling
• The boys are very excited
• When we return from our bowling adventure we will have a shared lunch and in the afternoon we will watch a movie
• Each boy has been allocated a food item (savour/ sweet) or a drink to bring
• Please refer to the back of the consent form for this information
• Please remember also not to make too much food as this often gets wasted and also not to supply to much sweets as this tends to cause a few stomach upsets by the end of the day
• Also please supply plate or bowl for the food item and a knife if it needs to be cut up
• I will have plates and cups and paper towels
• Also please be aware of the allergies in our class - nuts, gluten,egg and dairy ( I have already spoken with the boys this effects and they will make sure they do not eat anything that may upset them)
• The movie the boys have voted on to watch is Scooby Do Camp Scare - please advise if your son is not allowed to watch this movie it is rated PG

Secret Santa:

• Please refer to the notice in your son's communication folder
• If you have any questions please email or come in and see me
• This begins in week 9 with the boys finding out who they will be giving a gift of kindness too this Friday

End of Term:

• Term 4 finishes on the 7th of December at 1pm
• Boys will receive their reports on the day along with their portfolios
• Speech night commences at 6:30 in the Anzac Hall and concludes at approx. 8:30 - refer to notice that was sent home in week 7

Thanks and regards
 Nesha

Week 5,6 Term 4

Hello everyone,

What a great day we all had at Swimming Sports Day.
All the year 3 boys that I saw had a wonderful time and participated in the true spirit of the day.
Congratulations to Waterhouse for winning the day and Taylor for taking home spirit cup.
We are all a little tired today!

The boys did a good job on the Adaptation task. We had our presentation on Monday of this week. Each of the boys was assessed by a peer in the class. The talks were interesting and highlighted those boys that use their time well and those boys that leave things for the last minute.

We have a few weeks left of the term and in that time there is still lots of things we need to do:

Independent Homework:

• The boys have been showing me their homework sheets and from I have seen most, if not all,  have been doing some wonderful things at home. I hope they keep it up.
• If your son has not been as committed to the program please encourage them to complete a few Independent Tasks

Inquiry - Solar System:

• As the theme for this term has been independence the boys in 3S have been working on their inquiry into the Solar System, independently
• All you as parents should know is:
• that it is due in Week 7 on Friday
• 5 questions need to be done
• of the 5 questions only 1 needs to be answered in detail the other 4 can be answered in brief ( if your son wants to, if they want to go all out they can do that too)
• all draft work must be done in your son's inquiry book
• All boys are to work INDEPENDENTLY ( by themselves ) on the task
• At this stage all your son should have done is worked out his 5 questions and found websites / books / information that will help him answer the questions
• I have given the boys at least two hours a week in the computer room to work on gathering information and this will increase over the next two weeks
• I have asked all the boys to bring in all the work they have done so far at home - they will need to do this on Monday
• I have asked them to do this so that I can conference with them and find out what they know and what they have done on their own
• It is important that you let your son do this assignment on his own, otherwise it is not a true reflection of what he can achieve in year 3.
• It will give your son a wonderful sense of achievement and pride in their work if they know that what they hand up is entirely their own work.
• If your son is creating a model and would like help with dangerous things eg cutting wood, hot glue guns etc, then by all means help him. If he needs help to locate information, write out work, presentation, then politely decline to help him.
• This task is a culmination of their learning and it will help me determine the progress they have made this year.
• If you have any concerns please email or come in and see me.

Party Day:

• This will occur in the last week of the term
• The boys are taken out of the school to celebrate the end of the year
• A note will come home shortly with all the details about the day

Regards,
Nesha

Term 4 Week 1 and 2

Hello all,

Well it's term 4 and there are a lot of things to get through. So brace yourselves for the next few weeks.

Week 2:
Student Led Conferences:

• Wednesday 17th October at 3:30 to 8pm
• if you have not already booked your time on line, please do so
• both year 3 classes will be open and activities which the boys will lead you through will be available for you to do with your son
• the format this year is a little different to previous years - more emphasis is on the boys directing the activities and sharing their knowledge and understanding with you
• please remember to assist your son by asking open ended questions which will allow your son to demonstrate his learning

Year 3S Assembly:

• Wednesday 17th October at 2:10 pm in the Anzac Hall
• The boys have been given free rein in designing, producing and directing this assembly
• What I have seen so far is hilarious and really shows off the sense of humour and creativity that these boys have
• Not only are the boys comfortable with what they have produced they are extremely happy and can't wait to show off their talents!
• If you are free and would like to come along and watch please do so - you certainly wont be disappointed, if anything you will leave with a very big smile on your face!

Independent Homework:

• I hope the boys have explained this task to you and that all is under control at home
• I will be speaking with each of the boys on Monday (week 2) to find out what they did and what they will be doing for week 2.
• The homework is designed to encourage the boys to become more independent and to start thinking about doing things for themselves, what they learn now will always be of help later on

Week 5:
Swimming Sports Day:

• Your son has a notice regarding this event in his communication folder, please read
• I strongly urge you to pick your son up from the Norwood Pool after the event, as traffic back to school afterwards via the school bus may mean a late home time

Thanks and regards,
Nesha

Term 3 Week 10

Hello everyone,

Just a few notes about next week before it all gets too crazy.

Field Events Day:

• Only some boys are involved during this day
• It is a not a day for parents to come along to as it is not structured for spectators (some boys will be in the class and some boys will be on the oval)
• Those boys participating in a Field Event will need to wear their sports clothes for the day
• If your son is not participating in an event they will be required to wear their normal school clothes
• The day will progress as normal except that some boys will go out for certain events

Sports Day:

• Friday 21st September
• All boys to wear sports clothes - house top
• Boys can bring coloured hair spray - if they want to
• All year 3 boys have been given an opportunity to work out when their event is and they have been asked to write the event into their diaries
• The list of events on Sports day is displayed outside the Year 3 classrooms
• Boys are not to leave after their event but are encouraged to stay for the duration of the Day to encourage and support their house team
• Please remember that your son will need a hat, sunscreen and suitable food for the day. Yes lollies are lovely but the boys will require something substantial to keep their energy levels up for the races and novelty events
• If you are able, come along and watch your son compete
• Sports Day is a fun filled day with lots going on. The novelty events are the ones that really get everyone in the mood!

Regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 9 ArtsPaces Photos

Term 3 Week 9

Hello there

Just a quick note re ArtsPaces

• all boys to wear jeans and a black shirt or Tshirt
• this will follow the Andy Warhol theme
• the boys will be 'creating' in the year 3 classrooms
• there will also be an 'Art Gallery' for you to view of the boys work
• Feel free to dress to suit the theme on the night - we are going for the New York art look

Requests:

• if you have a lava lamp that you could lend us for the night that would be great - once again it will add to the ambience on the night
• also if you have 'painter's overalls' that either Mike or I (or if you have two that would be even better) could use, may we borrow them for the night?
• Please email me if you can help in either way

When the program is released I will update you with the times.

Thanks and regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 8

Hello everyone,

Just a few things to note:

No homework this week or next:

• Due to internal testing, Grandies Day and ArtsPaces there will not be any homework for the next two weeks
• Boys will still be required to complete spelling and mental but the work will be done in class
• Unless class time has not been used appropriately then some boys may be required to take their work home

Grandies Day:

• Each family should have received an invitation to Grandies Day
• The outline of the day is as follows:
• 10:45 -11:15 Morning Tea in Piper Pavillion
• 11:15 - 12:15 Classroom - short presentation in 3S classroom followed by looking at boys art work, a tour of the school, library etc

Show Day Friday 7th September:

• There will be no school this Friday
• Have a lovely long weekend

ArtsPaces:

• Wednesday 12th September Week 9
• More information regarding the night will be sent home as soon as a program is finalised
• Please let me know if your son will not be here on the night - as this is a compulsory event

Eye Testing:

• As you may be aware one of the boys in 3S has been diagnosed with having colour blindness
• This in itself is not a disadvantage but I just thought I would encourage you to have your son's eyes tested to determine if he requires support
• Signs of eye fatigue could include headaches, squinting, blurred vision
• Even if glasses are not required it may be a good exercise to have your child's eyes tested
• A behavioural optometrist would be an excellent person to get in contact with
• If you require names please let me know or simply go and to your local optometrist.

Thanks and regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 7 and 8

Hello everyone

Well after all the excitement of Book Week the boys are enjoying a relatively calm and back to routine week.

There are a number of things we are working on at the moment - least of which is getting ourselves organised for ArtsPaces and Grandies day.

Grandies Day:

• Thursday 6 September
• Invitations have been taken home by the boys and hopefully given to Grandparents
• The boys are going to do a little presentation and as a result some have volunteered to bring in props for us to use.
• The presentation will only be very short and just something for the amusement of the Grandparents that come
• There will also be something in the Anzac Hall for the Grandparents before they come to the classes

Show Day Off:

• Friday 7 September is the school's Show Day and the boys will not be required to attend school on the day

Adapt to Survive:

• Is the new unit of inquiry that we have begun
• The boys did a reflection on the last unit Art Mirrors life today and we will be discussing the concepts of adaptation and change

ArtsPACes:

• Wednesday 12 September
• We have begun compiling our various pieces of art work which will be put up in the Art Room on the night.
• The boys have all created some very unique pieces which reflect their individual style and personality
• The main feature of the night will be the boys creating a piece of Andy Warhol inspired art
• The boys have all finished outlining their faces and have been experimenting with various programs on the computer to create Andy Warhol images
• A program we have used is called GIMP which is a free download which you can use at home - give it a go

Problem of the Week:

• The boys were given a new problem of the week today
• Already some boys have completed it
• Give it a go yourself and see how you go

Regards,
Nesha

Term 3 Week 6

Hello everyone

Week 6 is Book Week!

The boys are very excited and they are all looking forward to 'dressing' up on Friday for the Parade.
I have spoken with the boys about not going over board with their costume and to make sure that their costume relates to a favourite book.

Also on Friday we will have a Poetry Recital afternoon. The year 4 boys together with the year 3 boys will have an opportunity to recite poetry. Should prove to be fun, as the teachers and Mr Andary will also be participating.

It is an informal recital aimed more at exposing the boys to different forms of poetry. I have given the boys the option of either memorising their piece or reading it. The boys have also chosen either a partner or a group to be a part of.

Cross Country:

• Thursday 23rd August
• Hopefully you all have received the notice regarding Cross Country this Thursday. Hopefully the weather is good and the boys will be able to run.
• The event begins at 1:45pm when we all assemble on the Oval and then we walk across in House Teams to the Park 15.
• Please refer to the information on the sheet that was sent home regarding when the races will be run eg. 2:15 2km race for 8,9 and 10 year olds
• Year 3 boys will be dismissed at the usual time of 3:30
• Please advise me if you have not received the information note

Grandies Day:

• 6th September 2012
• Invitations have been given to the boys today - please make sure that they are handed on to Grandparents

Thanks and regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 3 and 4

Hello everyone,

Well by now the boys have really settled into the term and to say that we are a little busy is an understatement.

Art Mirrors Life:
Through our inquiry into Art Mirrors Life we are preparing the boys for ArtsPACes. This is a biannual event that showcases the Arts at PAC. This year the year 3 boys will be involved in something a little different. We are aiming to get them to create a piece of art work on the night! Fingers crossed it works. We may change our minds before then!

To support their development in Art we are looking at various art forms within the classroom. This week we will be looking at Picasso and in particular his line drawings involving the use of a continuous line. Should prove to be very interesting. I am looking forward to seeing what the boys are inspired to create.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at other artists including Matisse, Van Gogh and Warhol. Other artists may even be included.

If you have a particular flare for art and would like to come in and do some art work or even help out let me know, and I will arrange a time when you can come in and do some art with the boys.

Spelling:

• I have changed the due date for spelling. It is now due on Wednesday.
• The spelling assignment each week has also been changed slightly to include a class activity.
• This week we are continuing our investigation into Greek and Latin base words.

Mental:

• Remains the same

Problem Solving:

• During first and second term I gave the boys some challenge activities which engaged them in solving problems with more than one solution.
• This term we began with the 'Play dough' problem. The boys all contributed excellent ideas which showed lots of mathematical thinking and planning. I was most impressed with the level of commitment and enthusiasm that the boys showed.
• We had a great time on Friday working out how to divide the play dough evenly and then make stress balls. Lots of fun.
• This week the boys have been asked to create a flag for the Olympics. They have to use their understanding of fractions to create a flag that reflects a fraction accurately. We had lots of discussion in class today about it.
• It will be interesting to see what sort of flag each of the boys create.
• Also this is a task you can talk to your son about but please let them work out the design and justification for themselves
• The flag is due next Monday the 6th of August

Fitness:

• Please remind your son to bring their sport uniform to school on Monday for our fitness session
• I will print out some photos and display them outside our classroom if you are interested in viewing them
• All the boys enjoyed the first session and were engaged and participated in each activity with enthusiasm.
• The main complaint from the session was that Tug of War was tough because the teams weren't even - boys and competition!!

Australian Maths Competition:

• Those boys that nominated to be a part of the Australian Maths Competition will be undertaking the competition this Thursday at recess time.

That's about all for now.
Thanks and regards,
Nesha

Term 3 Week 1

Wow! What an amazing start to the term.
The boys have all been fantastic, very confident, relaxed and so eager to get stuck into work.

The week has also flown by, we have done a lot of work on our new inquiry topic 'Art Mirrors Life'. This is an interesting topic because it allows the boys to explore various art forms that are different to what they are normally exposed to. The response from the boys has been very positive.

Some things to remember for next week:

Homework:

• Mental and Spelling will continue as usual.
• I am trialling something new for spelling this term. More group work and a focus on more individual selection of words.
• Mental will remain the same.

Fitness on Monday

• On Monday 23rd July, 6th August and 20th August the boys will be involved in the InBody Health and Fitness Program
• Boys are required to bring their sports clothes to school on these days. Please remind your sons.

Old, Old Boys Assembly

• 27th July we will be participating in the Old, Old Boys assembly which will be held in the Anzac Hall at 10:30

Book Week

• Week 6 will be Book Week

Enjoy your weekend.
Regards,
Nesha

Term 2 week 9

Hello everyone

It's hard to believe that we are at the end of another term.
3 weeks of holidays and then we will be into term 3!

The boys have all worked steadily this term and all have improved in their work ethic quite considerably. I have also noticed a change in maturity as well as a more diligent approach to class work.

For the final week of this term we will be working on the following:

Cross Country:

• Thursday 21st of June
• Boys will be required to participate in the Cross Country
• There was a note that went home a few weeks ago please refer to it to determine what will be needed on the day

Portfolios:

• The boys will be finishing off pieces of work and compiling their portfolio
• Please take a moment to go over the content with your son when he brings it home

What's on your Plate:

• Instead of mental and spelling this week the boys will be working on an assignment
• The assignment will require them to select a food item and trace the ingredients back to where it came from and what materials / systems were needed to create it
• Once the boys have compiled their information they will put all their ideas onto a mind map
• We will be using bubble.us - feel free to google it and have a play
• I have asked the boys to collect all their information ready for Thursday / Friday
• We will also be discussing the difference between needs and wants with regard to consumable items

Some information that you will need to read:

InBody Health and Fitness:

• A note will be coming home today with regard to a fitness program that the year 3 boys will be involved in
• The program centres around creating a healthy body to support and sustain a healthy mind
• InBody Health and Fitness will be running the program a link to their site follows: http://www.inbody.com.au/
• Nick and Sarah have designed a special program to suit our boys. The focus will be on coordination, skill development as well as team skills.

Balimo Community School - 3S take Action:

• A bit of background information - 3S have spoken about raising funds to purchase livestock for an underdeveloped community. Thanks to Estelle Chapple we were given another alternative - a community in Papua New Guinea.
• Estelle put us in touch with Alison Dundon an Anthropologist for Adelaide University
• Alison came and spoke to the boys about PNG and Balimo - the talk was extremely well received by the boys and they were all very enthusiastic to do something for the Balimo Community School
• As a class we spoke about what essential items the children in this community might need for school  and a list was compiled.
• The boys have been very committed to this idea and have helped me compose a letter that will be coming home tonight.
• Essentially what they boys would like to do is compile some items, in a back pack, that can be sent to Balimo School, that the students there can use.
• The boys decided on items that they think could be found already at home
• They will require your help to collect the items

Thank you for your support during the term. Need I say, we have another hectic term ahead in term 3.

Term 2 Week 7, 8 and 9

Hello everyone

Hope you are all well and ready for holidays. I know the boys certainly are counting the days.

New Inquiry: What's on your plate?

• Thank you to all of you who sent in a photo of a meal
• As a class we went through the placemat assignment, which essentially is an A3 sheet with four questions which relate to the inquiry unit.
• Your son will be bringing his 'placemat' home and may ask for your help with finding out where certain foods come from, or even what some foods are made up of eg pasta
• Please help him out as best you can
• From the 'placemat' each boy will select one type of food to trace back to it's origin
• They will do a flow chart using prezi (if possible) to show the progression of the food item
• This is an interesting inquiry unit and the boys should take a lot from it

Homework

• I have noticed that some boys are not completing homework, especially spelling.
• As ample class time, is given to spelling and mental, I believe that the boys should be able to complete the work set
• Also the quality of work from some boys is beginning to drop - neatness in presentation and handwriting especially is declining.
• Could you please speak to your son about maintaining the quality of his work

Thanks for your ongoing support.
Regards
Nesha

Term 2 Week 5

Well breathe a sigh of relief NAPLAN is over!!!

I congratulate all the boys on their efforts and the attitude with which they approached the assessments. All boys had positive attitudes and took each test in their stride.
Now we can move on to more 'funner' (as the boys would say), things.

Cross Country

• 24th May
• Time: 1:35 - 3:30pm
• Year 3 boys will be dismissed from class as usual. If you are attending the event and would like to take your son home afterwards before dismissal, please follow proper procedure and sign him out at the Prep School front office.
• If you would like to attend the event you are welcome to come along and cheer on your son. Please note attendance is not compulsory for parents, but it is for boys.
• Presentations will be made on Friday following the event
• Please make a special note of the letter that came home with your son regarding expectations and what to bring to the event.
• If your son did not bring home a letter please let me know - they were given out at the start of the week.

Chapel

• 3S will be presenting Chapel on Friday 25th of May so please come along and support your son
• Our theme for Chapel is Humility
• The boys have made up their own prayers, plays and a benediction
• They will also lead the Chapel in singing the Prayer of St Francis

Homework

• Will resume as per normal next week - I'm sure the boys are looking forward to this!

Brainteasers

• I will aim each week to put up a brainteaser in the class - written on the board
• I hope to engage the boys in discussion and also in some verbal problem solving
• They may come home and ask you for an answer - try not to give it to them, let them work it out
• The brainteaser may take the form of a written sentence, picture puzzle or may even be a maths problem
• Let the fun begin!!!

Thanks and regards
Nesha

Term 2 Week 3 and 4

Hello everyone,

Well the boys have settled back into school life remarkably well. They are working well on all tasks and are enjoying what they are doing.
We have had a very productive 2 weeks of term 2 with homework being completed on time - boys are showing excellent time management and organisational skills with regard to this.
Along with homework, class work has really improved. The boys are really trying hard to improve their handwriting skills, setting out of work and the content of what they write. All very positive!

This week and next:

• NAPLAN is here!
• Please don't worry too much about the NAPLAN - the boys are all coping with it admirably
• As I have said from the beginning of the year the boys and I have approached it in a manner that is not threatening and if we can say - FUN!
• I have emphasised that the NAPLAN is just like any other test and it will have some tricky questions to try and catch them out but nothing that they can't handle.
• Over the last few weeks we have looked at how to answer questions and what NAPLAN will look like
• This week we will actually be working through NAPLAN booklets from previous years. This will allow the boys to become familiar with the structure/ format of the assessment and hence it will not be so daunting when they do see it next week. We will aim to do some work on the NAPLAN each day - nothing to strenuous though.
• SO let your son approach the assessment in their own way.
• Remember that the assessment is not the be all and end all of assessments!

NAPLAN is scheduled for week 4.

If you have any queries please let me know.

Kind regards,
Nesha

Term 2 Week 1 and 2

Hello everyone and welcome to Term 2.

I sincerely hope that all of you had a restful break and are ready for all that Term 2 has to offer.

As we have had a broken week - due to a Public holiday - I have not given the boys the set homework of spelling and mental. This will all begin in earnest in week 2.

Homework Thursday 26 April:
For homework tonight however, I have given the boys a comprehension to do based on our inquiry topic - Give and Take. The comprehension is called the 3 Blind Men and the Elephant. It is a short task but the boys will need to answer each question in full sentences. The task is to be done in their English books.

Homework week 2:

• You may notice a change in either the spelling or mental that your son brings home next week
• I have restructured the spelling and mental to cater for the different abilities of the boys.
• I have also sat down with each group and explained the expectations and what will be required
• Please also keep in mind that as the boys become more proficient they will be able to move between groups

Homework time allocation:

• I just wanted to emphasise that homework should only take 25min per night
• If you refer to the post Term 1 week 4 and 5 it clearly sets out the expectations for homework
• Also remember that homework is a means which allows the boys to develop their skills with regard to organisation and time management

Inquiry Topics:

• We will be inquiring into two topics this term.
• The first is called Give and Take and the central idea is -'Listening to other people's perspectives and communicating our own points of view help us to understand each other.'
• This is a very important topic because it actively encourages the boys to view the world and situations not only from their point of view but from some one else as well - in other words - to walk in someone else's shoes.

Please keep up to date with the Blog and become a member.
Regards
Nesha

Term 1 Week 9 and 10

Hello everyone
Well we are almost there - the end of the term.
I must say the change in the boys from the start of the year to now has been incredible. More focused, enthusiastic about learning and wanting to do their very best. A credit to all of them.
The boys are really starting to be accountable for their behaviour and for their learning which shows that they are growing up and becoming independent young men and learners.

Just a couple of things for the next week or so:
Parent Teacher Interviews:

• If you have not booked a time on line please do so.
• If you cannot remember your password details please contact the Prep School office and they will be more than happy to help you.
• As the interviews are only 15min in duration and Monday night seems to be very full, I will be sticking to the time limit.
• If you have any questions or concerns then we can schedule another time for early in Term 2.

Portfolio:

• You will receive your sons portfolio at the Parent Teacher Interview.
• Please go through the portfolio with your son. Each of the boys have done a task card for at least two activities.
• There is also a sheet for you to fill in as feedback for your son and how you think he has progressed.

End of Term:

• Term 1 ends on Thursday the 5th of April at 1pm.

Look forward to meeting and talking with you all next week.

Finally just wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter and a wonderful holiday. It has been a big term and I'm sure the boys are looking forward to a well deserved rest.
Have a safe and happy holiday.

Warm regards,
Nesha

Term 1 Week 8

Wow is it week 8 already - time sure has flown this term.
There are a few things happening in the next few weeks that need to be put into your diaries or calendars.

Program of Inquiry:

• The boys and I had a discussion on Friday and we made a decision regarding the P.O.I inquiry task.
• The boys decided that this week Friday the 23rd of March would be a great due date for their projects.
• On Thursday your son will bring home the poster he has been working on in class - all his own work, just to do some last minute touch ups eg colour, fix up spelling etc. I do not anticipate that they will begin their poster again. Please also remember it is the boys OWN work that I wish to see.
• I have conferenced with each of the boys and together we discussed elements that need to be added to the poster. You will find the information on the back of the poster with my signature and date I spoke with your son, along with some dot points regarding his poster.
• On the whole all the boys have worked well to do this task. Some however, have struggled with collecting information and even listening to constructive feedback.
• As this is their first major project it will be all about what they learn with regard to time management, listening to feedback and how to tackle a project. All these skills will help them when they come to do the next inquiry unit.
• Also please remember the boys DID NOT have to make a model of their invention.

Harmony Day:

• On the 21st of March it will be Harmony Day.
• All boys are asked to wear an Orange shirt along with their sports shorts and sneakers for the day. Boys in Wastford can come in their House Top.
• The Prepartory School will be involved in various class activities to raise awareness of Harmony Day.

Noah Ponniah Farewell:

• As some of you are aware Noah Ponniah will be leaving us on Wednesday to live in Melbourne.
• The boys decided that a Farewell Party would be a great idea.
• So on his last day which is the 21st of March, 3S will have a class party in honour of Noah.
• All the boys have a note in their diary about what they will bring, that is, either a savoury or sweet dish or a drink for the party.
• Can I please ask that the plate of food you supply be kept small - we do not want too much wastage and if your son is supplying a drink that it be kept to 1litre.
• Any unsued drinks or food may be sent home with your son.
• Also be aware of the boys who have allergies to various ingredients including egg, nuts, wheat, sesame and dairy. Please do not feel that you have to make sure that your food does not include these ingredients, just let me know so that I can make sure the boys in question do not consume these foods.

Reminders:

• The boys have begun revision in class for a combined 2, 10 and 5 timestables test this Friday.
• Encourage your son to learn his tables at home as well
• Also remind your son to learn his spelling words throughout the week and especially on Thursday night.
• Easter Egg Raffle booklets and money to be returned as soon as possible.

Parent / Teacher Interviews:

• These interviews are scheduled for week 10 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Notes will go home as soon as they are available giving you information about the process of booking a time.

Thanks and regards,
Nesha

Addition Information

Hello everyone

Just to clear up a few misconceptions:

Machine Mania assignment:

• The boys and I have talked at length with regard to a due date for this assignment. As yet we have not set one. It is certainly NOT this Friday.
• We will discuss as a class a suitable due date
• The boys all know that they DO NOT have to MAKE a machine. The alternatives as we discussed in class were: draw a detailed picture of your machine with labels or make a simple model using lego, cardboard etc. This model should not be big or working - it should be very simple
• Most boys have chosen to keep things very simple and have drawn a complex machine, they are now working on putting labels on the diagram to show the various components and simple machines used.
• All work has been done in class either on an A3 poster format or on powerpoint. I have therefore been able to track the progress made by the boys and how efficiently they have been using class time.
• All boys were given a criteria sheet with a Rubric explaining what exactly needed to be done (this should be in your son's communication folder). An example poster is on our board. As a class we went through the expectations for this task.

Lost on an Island:

• This is a FREE Time activity.
• If a boy has finished all class work and they have spare time they work on the Lost on an Island activity.
• There is no due date for this task - I anticipate that most boys will take quite a considerable time to complete this task as it is only done when all other work is completed.
• This activity is a class activity not for homework.

Chapel:

• We have Chapel this Friday
• Some boys have lines that they need to rehearse in their diaries. Please help them pronounce difficult words. These lines do not need to be memorised.

Easter Egg Donation:

• The P&F are having an Easter Egg Fundraiser. Please support this cause by donating as many Easter Eggs as you can.
• There is a box in our classroom awaiting your donation

Regards,
Nesha

Term 1 Week 6

Hello everyone,

Well Clipsal is over and a BIG thank you to all our parent helpers. It was wonderful to have you along for the day. The boys loved Clipsal and thoroughly enjoyed walking around with you and taking in all the wonderful sights.

Chapel
This week the boys in 3S will be rehearsing for our Chapel service which is this Friday (9th of March). If you are free and would like to come along to the service it will be in the Chapel at 8:50am approx.

Our theme for the service is Education - Thinking Globally and Acting Locally.
I have already shown the boys a youtube clip by Sarah McLachlan called 'World on Fire'. The link follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0O2LMqnHGg
This clip shows the allocation of money for various uses throughout the world. It also puts into perspective what we spend money on and what other less fortunate people need money for. It is a very moving and thought provoking video. This clip will also be shown at Chapel.

Homework
It is excellent to see that most boys have got into the routine with homework. For the most part homework is all about establishing a routine and being able to use allocated time efficiently. Most boys use class time extremely well, so much so that they complete most, if not all, their spelling in class - hence no homework. Others are still learning to use their time wisely.

Pancake Day
Tuesday 6th of March is Pancake day. The boys will all be given their Pancakes in class prior to recess.

Sport
Currently the boys are doing table tennis which is in the Gym. So when you come to collect them on Thursday at 3:30 you will find them all in the Gym.

Well that's about it for this week.

Thanks and regards,
Nesha

Term 1 Week 5

CLIPSAL!!!Yes it's that time of year when Clipsal fever hits. As you all are aware the year 3 boys will be visiting Clipsal on Thursday 1st of March from 9 to 12:30approx.
I will send out an itinery so that everyone knows and understands the expectations for the day.
Just a reminder though, as it is Thursday the boys must come to school in school uniform and bring their sports clothes to change in to.

I have also been inundated with offers of support which means that on Thursday we will have lots of little groups wondering around Clipsal. This will be valuable as smaller groups will allow boys to find out more about all the goings on. If possible if you are one of the many helpers, can you bring along a camera - this will be beneficial as the boys will be asked to locate as many simple and complex machines as they can. A photo journal of all they find would be excellent.

Also please encourage your son to go onto Study Ladder when he has a free moment at home. It is a very useful website for building literacy, numeracy and NAPLAN skills. It is also free!
http://www.studyladder.com.au

Also on the 29th of March (Thursday) will be no homework day. This is an initiative from the Community Action Group. As an alternative we would ask the boys to perform an act or task of kindness for someone else. This can be recorded in their diaries on page 98 as part of their efforts towards their Community Action badge. An act of kindness could be anything from washing up the dinner dishes, sweeping / raking up leaves, washing windows for elderly neighbour etc.

Also if you have not become a follower of the blog please do so. I will continue to send out emails to remind you that the blog has been updated.

Regards
Nesha

Term 1 Week 5

Hello everyone
Next week for homework the boys will have spelling as usual but they will NOT have mental - that will be done in class.
Instead they will be doing a mini assignment on Cars.
Work with your son to determine how cars work - what are the mechanisms that make up a car - simple machines etc.
Have fun with it.
The boys can write the information they find out on the sheet itself.

Also a big thank you to those parents who have offered to help with Clipsal.

Term 1 Week 4 and 5

Hello all,
Given that week 3 was the first 'real' week of work, the boys worked well  to complete their set homework pieces. Some teething problems were encountered with regard to work expectation and time management, but over the next couple of weeks all this should work itself out as all the boys get used to the routine and working as year 3s.
The boys are excellent in the mornings. They come in and set up their books for the day. However some are still struggling with establishing routine and organising their time in class and at home.

On the whole I am very pleased with how well the boys have made the transistion from year 2 to year 3. With regard to work and behaviour expectations the jump is a big one and most have coped amazingly well. Some have excelled.

Please read the following information for the upcoming weeks.
Regards,
Nesha

Reminders:

• Must have a novel in class each day for Independent Reading
• Bring P.E. clothes to change into for Monday
• Wear P.E clothes on Thursdays
• Year 3 boys finish sport onThursday at 3:30pm
• School hat must be at school and worn at Recess and Lunch and when sport is played outside for Term 1 and 4

Clipsal:

• The year 3 boys will be touring the pit straight and visiting Team Vodafone on Thursday 1st March.
• Consent forms will be sent home shortly
• If you are joining us on the day and have already prepurchased a ticket OR if you have not prepurchased a ticket you can still buy a ticket on the day for $39 - please let me know either way, as I need to finalise numbers and work out groups for the day
• Also remember to complete a Stat Dec Form - these are located in the Prep Office
• Also emails will be sent out to the parent helpers with information regarding the format of the day and their roles
• The more parent helpers the better as small groups can be formed which will benefit the amount of information and sights that the boys take in

Homework:

• Spelling is due on Friday -
• one to one and a half hours is allocated for spelling on Monday and a half hour is allocated on Tuesday during class time
• boys should be completing 5 dictionary meanings, 5 sentences (for words different to the dictionary meanings), 2 LSCWcH, ONE activity from the detailed list and ONE activity from the short list.
• In total ONLY 5 activities are to be completed each week ie dictionary meanings, sentences, LSCWcH, detailed activity and short activity
• All activities are to be completed in spelling books
• Boys are encouraged to take pride in their work and write neatly and set out their work neatly
• In total 2 hours and 40min  is allocated for spelling (including 10min each night for homework) - approx. 30min per activity (school plus homework time)
• Boys are asked to revise on Thursday night for their spelling test on Friday
• Mental is due on Thursday -
• half hour on Tuesday is allocated for mental homework and any free time that the boys may have in class
• 10 min each night (30min total)
• 1 hour in total for completing mental (30min class time plus 30min homework time)
• Timestable booklet -
• Boys are to work from this book IF they finish all other work and have spare time during the week
• The timestables book is used to revise for Friday tables test

Timestables Test:

• This Friday the boys will be tested on their knowledge of the 2 and 10 timestables
• They have been asked to revise for the test by going over the Timestables booklet and independent testing

I appreciate that this is a lot of detail, but I feel its important that everyone is on the same page.
Thanks for taking the time to read the Blog.
Regards,
Nesha

Week 2

We began our Program of Inquiry topic at the end of week 1.
In order to get the imagination and sense of discovery sparked in the boys, I showed them various
you tube clips. The boys were all fascinated by what they saw and the classroom was a buzz with discussion.
One of the clips shows Theo Jansen who makes all sorts of amazing 'beasts' that use natural energy to power them.
Also Rube Goldberg was an engineer turned cartoonist who created some amazing 'inventions' - similar to the Wallace and Gromit style of gizmos.
I also showed them a music video which highlighted the concepts of Rube Goldberg.
I have attached the links so please feel free to watch, peruse the sites and have a great discussion with your son about the wonderful world of machines and crazy inventions.
The main point that the boys need to understand is that everything has an impact on something. If one essential element in all these inventions was left out, none of them would work.

With regard to our Machine Mania unit of inquiry the boys in year 3 will be going to Clipsal on Thursday 1st of March. I have already sent an email regarding buying your tickets off the school website. Just remember these tickets need to be purchased by the close of business on Thursday 9th Feb.

Finally any information you have about your son and camp would be appreciated. Please send any medications to school that have not been supplied so that they will be ready to take on camp.


http://www.rubegoldberg.com/?page=bio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSKyHmjyrkA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

Above is an image of a Rube Goldberg Alarm Clock

Week 1 Term 1 2012

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the new school year. Sincerely hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday and spent quality time as a family having lots of fun!

2012 will prove to be a busy year - as they all tend to do these days.

During the first week we have had new boy interviews, the boys started year 3, Parent Information night and then we have swimming at Annesley and we go on Camp - all in the second week!

Please refer to this blog on a weekly basis as I will be posting all information relating to class and year level activities. So become a follower and keep up to date with everything that is going on in your son's class.

Regards,
Nesha