Junior Whanau Picnic

Junior Whanau Picnic was a really great opportunity to meet parents at the start of the year in an informal setting.

Numicon

The junior team is embarking on the Numicon maths teaching programme. It is an English system based around the manipulation and visualisation of shapes. I'm very interested in the results.

First part of 2017 Attestation by team leader Angela Donlon

Time:  9:40-10:30

Observation Notes:  Reading with the teacher, 1 group doing handwriting in books, 1 group doing clay modelling in the classroom and then other groups in shared space with teacher and activities as well.  Noise level working buzz, the teacher is able to focus solely on the reading group she is working with as the other groups are engaged and know what their job is.  Shared space has teacher at jelly bean table with a guided reading group, one group at table doing handwriting, and another group with blocks.  The shared space has a library area set up for quiet reading.  The working groups are all aware of their roles. 

Discussion Notes:  Matt Liley has moved into teaching this year level after many years teaching in senior school.  He has embraced this challenge with such positivity he has a very pleasant manner with the children.  Great questioning with guided reading group, building in vocab and allowing for time to answer, prediction and also he is feeding in new language, and reviewing CAPs in the group sessions.  During this observation all the children were very good at managing themselves with independent rotation activities, routines are set and well established this is vital as means the teacher is uninterrupted with instructional groups. Puzzles, Handwriting, Teacher.  Each teacher seems to have 3 reading groups each.  Transition times smooth and children are able to move to the next activity without prompting.  All children are assigned numbers for books so all systems are being followed.  Teacher proximal praise, good redirection of one child who was taking a little longer to move to next task, used redirection in positive tone and child responded immediately. 

William behaviour and learning

6 Year nets coming up Hannah,Aleigha,Tamati, Danica,James and Sienna concern as got 8 weeks to get these children to green.  (Summer effect) even though book sets, sight words and homework books and spoke to parents. May get to blue but not hit green. 

Oscar, Aamir, Ari,James,Issac, Alicia,Foster, Royce and William are close watch for behaviour

Significant number ESOL Gege, Cassandra, Aurora, Aamir,Emmie, Sienna as they speak Africans at home,

The teachers use the shared space so they can split for reading instruction, shared book, phonics, maths and writing.  This means management of noise and space is well organised.  The classroom is very organised all storage is labelled so all children can manage resources.  A large mat space is set up in the classroom for all whole class mat times and learning.