Term 1

 Welcome to Term 1 in Room 5.  It was great to meet with everyone last week.  Please bring back your signed chromebook agreements and the Korero Mai sheet that everyone took home. 



If you have filled in your reading log, please also bring that on Tuesday.  Use a piece of paper if you have lost the log.

A few important reminders - you must be wearing a mask inside at all times.  Please also ensure that you have a full bottle of water on your desk as wearing a mask can make you feel very thirsty.  And of course, everyone needs a hat when playing outside.

Please make sure you bring a book to school for quiet reading times.  It can be any book of your choice.

Homework in Room 5 is very simple.  I expect everyone to read for a minimum of 15 minutes every day, and to do Mathswhizz for 15 minutes each day.  There will also be a spelling list coming out once the programme is up and running.   In addition to that, please make sure you are learning your times tables.  Everyone in years 5 and 6 needs to have a good working knowledge of the times tables.  Below are some tips for families to help at home.  I will add more during the term.


Commit to a time. Sit down with your child when both of you are ready to make a dent into the subject. If you are preoccupied with work or if your child is too tired or hungry, learning won't occur as quickly as you want it to. Sit down for 30 minutes and don't allow any distractions for either of you.

·         Energy and enthusiasm are very important for both of you. Turn off your cell phone(s), TV, and sit down at the dinner table with some munchies and attack those numbers.

·          

Do speed drills. Now that your child is familiar with the entire chart, drill them. Drill them over breakfast, during commercials, and for a few minutes before bed. As you progress, get faster and faster and faster.

·         At the beginning, start in order. As you get more and more convinced that they have it down, start mixing it up. They'll slow down initially but then should spark right back up to where they were.


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