Term One 2014

What a fantastic term we have had in our new class of NE to Year 3. It has been a huge learning curve and adjustment for all concerned - teachers and students. Working in a confined space with 3 classes and teachers is challenging at times - not your own class or space. The noise level is quite loud sometimes but the children are adjusting to the numbers and learning to keep their voices low. Children are working collaboratively with each other with the Year 3 students taking on the role of leaders with ease - it is fabulous to see them working with and helping the younger students. We are lucky to have parent helpers come in to our class at literacy time and all children are reading most days with an adult.

Our classes are mixed. It is fantastic for all children as they are working with children of the same abilities in maths, reading and writing. The children are moving with ease between teachers in all these areas.

We are using Joy Allcocks Spelling Programme in our Year 2 and 3 classes to increase our children's awareness of language and spelling and hopefully transfer this to their writing.

This term in topics the class has looked at 'What makes our community special' and 'How can we bring the Buzz back to our community'. This is my Reading Recovery time so I miss out on these areas but it is fantastic to see and hear all the students are learning. I know there was concern that our topic would not stretch our older children but this has not been the case as they are the ones who are doing more research at home - finding out new and interesting facts  and bringing it back to school to share with all. 

We have looked at our reporting for our Junior Classes and  are changing to reporting 6 monthly and at the anniversary of their birthday. This will mean we are essentially reporting all through the year and will need to ensure we are a lot more organised. 

I am enjoying the challenge of working in our combined class and know by the end of the year as our numbers increase it will become more of a challenge for space.

I am finishing may Children's Lit papers this year and will be keeping busy in all my 'spare time' getting my assignments completed.