Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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

Friday, July 20, 2012

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