classes - middle syndicate

Welcome back to a new school year. The first term is always a busy one with children settling into the Syndicate, summer sports and swimming. Our main unit for this term is ‘Pre-European Maori’. Children will be focussing learning about Maori culture in the past.
Religious Education	We begin the term with our prayer module and a combined Religious Education/Health topic ‘Myself and Others’. Jesus is our strand topic with the focus being on how Jesus gives Himself in the Eucharist.
Mathematics	Statistics - this unit allows the children to learn about their classmates and record some of this information in tally chart and graph form. Addition and Subtraction. After their pre-test, children are grouped and taught at their level. The unit ends with a post test for each child.
English – Reading	Reading activities include Probe testing, word study, comprehension, time lines, story maps, retrieval charts and Venn diagrams.
English –Writing	Recount - During the first half of the term children will be writing recount stories. Poetry - Children will then focus on different types of poems.
English – Oral	Children will be giving and receiving messages, speaking about themselves and introducing others. Linked to the ‘Myself and Others’ unit, there will be role plays. Children will also discuss Rules and the need for them, both at home and school. They will also talk about the significance of their desk covers.
English – Visual	Our focus will be linked to activities outlined in Reading. Emphasis will be placed on layout, composition, size of font, and use of colour.
Social Studies	Children will be learning about the Maori culture in the past.
Science	N/A.
Physical Education	Thursday is our sports day where we focus on summer sports and small balls skills. Swimming - All children will work to improve their swimming skills.
Health	Myself and Others – this unit, at the beginning of the year, will focus on developing and strengthening friendship skills within the classroom and across the syndicate.
Technology	N/A.
Maori	Linking to our Pre-European Maori unit, the children will examine the Treaty of Waitangi. They will also learn a Mihi - how to introduce themselves in Maori.
The Arts – Visual Arts	Our visual art is linked to our ”Myself and Other’ study. Children will draw a self portrait of themselves, using crayons and dye. They will also design koru patterns.
The Arts – Music	Children are learning to explore and share ideas about music from the Maori culture, through singing.
The Arts - Drama	Our focus is exploring the elements and techniques of drama, based on a Maori legend.
The Arts – Dance	Children will learn to demonstrate body awareness, space, time and energy through a Maori dance.