Saturday, November 15, 2014

Decoding Strategies

We use these strategies to decode and cross-check our attempts when we don't know a word ......

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW

Decoding Strategies

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Supporting School Maths

Kia ora, Parents and Whānau,
Thank you for supporting your child's maths learning at home.
The New Zealand Curriculum guides your child's teacher in planning the mathematics that your child learns in the classroom. So when you've visited you child's classroom, you will have seen that there is much more to maths than just remembering times tables and learning addition and subtraction facts.
While these are still very important, your child also needs to be able to see patterns, to locate themselves and find their way, to know about the shapes that make up the spaces around them, to measure things, to tell the time, and to understand graphs, facts and figures that are so much a part of our world now.
Above all, they need to be able to use the maths they know in everyday situations. That's why your support is important and appreciated.
So please don't hesitate to ask your child's teacher about how you can best help your child.

Here are three resources to help you connect with the maths that is happening in the classroom.

Maths tips by year level
This collection of pamphlets describes what children in each year level do in maths at school, and gives some ideas of how you can support your child's maths learning at home.
Click on the link for your child's school year:

Using e-ako maths at home
A short introduction to a series of interactive maths lessons developed to support New Zealand children's learning. 


Number Knowledge activities
Activities to help develop your child's number knowledge. They include related vocabulary in Te Reo Māori, and many of them include versions with key questions translated into Māori.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

What is Discovery Time?

Discovery Time is a ninety minute, action packed, activity based programme. Held once a week, it provides opportunities for teachers to meet the diverse needs of students through well planned, structured, ‘hands on’ experiences. Students get a chance to take control of their own learning. They are motivated and fully engaged. Best of all, it is fun!
Teachers are saying... “It puts balance back into the curriculum.” “It puts students in charge of their own learning.” “It’s a chance to stand back and really observe your students.” Students are saying... “It’s the best part of the whole week.” “You learn to challenge yourself.” “You get to do stuff that you have never done before - you think you can’t do it, but you can.” The possibilities are endless...

Cain's Arcade


A 9 year old boy who built an elaborate cardboard arcade in his dad's used auto parts store is about to have the best day of his life. This movie inspired a movement of cardboard & creativity in kids around the world.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Helping your child to read at home

The National Library have a great on-line resource that helps parents to encourage their children to enjoy reading at home.
Click here to view their resource.