ASHGROVE SCHOOL   

Upper Junior Learning Team

THE TEAM
This year our team consists of four classrooms with approximately 26 to 28 Year 3 and 4 students in each room.  We welcome Ms Green to our syndicate this year.  Awhina has done much relieving at the school last year so is known to the children.  it is also good to have Mat Jenkins down from the middle syndicate.  Our Learning Team looks like this:

2009 Value themes
In 2009, the following Values of Respect will be targeted for the whole year.

Topic Areas:

Term 1:
Establishing a classroom culture of Respect
Kia Kaha (Be strong) - An anti bullying programme

Learning Team Goals
Our focus remains firmly on literacy and numeracy; building on the solid foundation laid down by our Junior Teachers for the children in their earlier school years.  This year we are continuing to work on writing standards.

We will continue to be guided as part of our whole school focus in our quest for providing inquiry learning opportunities and the use of ICT this year.  As part of this, several trips and special learning opportunities are planned for the whole year.  The breakdown of such events is as follows:

TERM 1
Stu Duval - Storyteller.  Cost $3.50

Kia Kaha Programme.  No cost

TERM 2
Beginning our Inquiry unit on the ecology and environment of an area of the Ashley River
The Respect value will continue throughout this term too.
Our Arts focus for Term 2 will be on Music, with all children getting the opportunity to learn to play some musical instrument
- recorder
- ukelele
- percussion

TERM 3
Excitement always builds in this term as we count down to the Year 4 Sleepover and trip on that last Thursday of the term.  Planning and costing for this are yet to be finalised but we will certainly let parents know in plenty of time. 

Homework
It is very important to remember that children at this stage still need to be supported with their homework as they were in the early years, particularly with their reading; spelling and the learning of basic facts.  All four classes have a co-ordinated policy about homework - spelling, reading and basic facts to be done each night.  Only if there has been consistent completion of all activities in Term 1 will any thought be given to providing extension activities.

Fitness, sports and games
Fitness is done on a daily basis and physical education skills are taught as part of the curriculum.  Our weekly slot for Sport is on a Thursday afternoon from 1.25 - 2.15pm.

Learning Team Assemblies and Junior Choir
Our Learning Team Assembly is held fortnightly on a Friday at 11.00am. 
Junior Choir, will begin in Term 2.

Parent contact and Classroom Help
We welcome parent help in the classroom and are grateful to those people who have already made this commitment.  As classroom teachers we are also happy to discuss any needs your child may have throughout the year; but please take the time to make an appointment that suits us both.  That way the focus remains on the subject in hand and interruptions are kept to a minimum.

Upper Junior Syndicate Teachers

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Last modified: Friday April 04, 2008