The Importance Of Learning To Write Poetry
“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” – William Wordsworth
Poetry is known as a form of expression. It allows for one to get their feelings and thoughts out on a subject which we, the Year 2 teachers, find important for students to start doing at a young age. Poetry encourages us to connect and find meaning in our experiences. Teachers have experienced that poetry can have a positive impact on the social and emotional learning of young students. It may also offer them a new and creative way of thinking about something which is encouraged.
This past week we learnt about a Food Train Poem written by Julia Donaldson. This was a fun and creative way for our students to try recreating the idea of the poem using their own favourite foods. They came up with incredible Food Train poems and thoroughly enjoyed reading them out to the class.
The Food Train, poem by Julia Donaldson
THE FOOD TRAIN
COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE,
BREAD AND BUTTER, BREAD AND BUTTER, BREAD AND BUTTER,
BREAD AND BUTTER,
BISCUITS AND CHEESE, BISCUITS AND CHEESE, BISCUITS AND CHEESE, BISCUITS AND CHEESE,
FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS, FISH AND CHIPS,
SOUP!
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
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Being In The Moment To Build Inspired Students
Becoming overwhelmed is easy as we navigate constant change. Becoming inspired and excited by the very same, allows us other opportunities. This term, the year 4’s have been online and/or in class. Every day they enter the classroom, full of expectations and open to the joy of the moment.
It is delightful to see that their education and excellence is determined by enthusiasm and encouragement. This is because of a team effort between teachers, parents and our students.
Google Meets in a hybrid class, encourage moments of magic- as we have to create moments that resonate, whether we are together or not. Most are spontaneous as we aspire to give everyone an equal chance to take part and see…
e.g. suddenly my laptop becomes a webcam for science experiments:
Our hall display reminds us of Mrs Keyser – she wanted to remind us that together we can make something beautiful, and a pinch of fun makes it great.
Who knew that our Google Hangout chats this holiday, would help us in English…
And that a lesson on French knitting at the end of last term, would become an obsession.
Together is so much better.
Mrs Carey Schoots
Year 4 Teacher
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Writing About Harp Seals
This week in Year 1, we have been writing reports about ‘Harp Seals’ in English.
My students in class had to produce their own reports including information about their habitat, diet and appearance.
Students need continuous experience in writing. They need the chance to experiment using what they know about writing and the opportunity to apply and practise their developing skills and knowledge.
My class worked really hard, using mind maps and I am very proud of their efforts.
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher
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Learning About Nesting Shapes In Year 2
“Children are confident in spirit, infinite in resources, and eager to learn. Everything is still possible.”
This week in Maths class, our Year 2’s learned all about nesting shapes. Nesting shapes are shapes of increasing/decreasing size that fit inside one another. They are perfect for teaching children various skills such as, fine motor skills, coordination, counting skills, spatial abilities as well as problem solving skills.
It is wonderful to watch the students nest, stack and sort all while learning some important math concepts. When using nesting materials, students aren’t simply playing or building – they are experimenting, they are problem-solving and developing critical thinking skills.
We had some fun learning about what nesting shapes are and where we can find them in everyday life. We looked at measuring cups, cookie cutters and even some Russian dolls.
In one of our Maths lessons we got super creative and made some of our own Russian dolls. We coloured them in beautifully, paying specific attention to the detail on each one and how they would all fit perfectly into each other. What fun!
Siobhan Hendry
Year 2 Teacher
Back To School Is Cool!
After 3 long weeks of fun, fun, fun.
Our holidays are over and done.
Time to go back to school
And yes, this can be very cool!
A week of online learning you see.
(It’s really not for you and me)
But 3MG took it in their stride,
And oh my heart will burst with pride!
Each student on time every morning
Although, there was a little yawning.
Heaps of energy and full of beans!
Excited and very chatty it seems!
Lots and lots of holiday news,
A race to talk and share ensues!
But hang on Year 3, there is time to tell
Please hold your tongue and do not yell.
First a cube you must design
And then you’ll have your chance to shine!
On each face, you should draw
A holiday snap of what you saw
And when you’re done, a turn you’ll get
To roll your cube and then you’re set!
To tell us about that holiday snap
A chance to chat and chat and chat!
And when your news has come to an end,
You’ll have to listen to your friend!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
Welcome Back To Term 3 2021!
The Year 6 teachers are incredibly excited to be back at school and starting lessons with our students! Even though we are online, we can still feel the eagerness and commitment resonate through the screens from our Year 6 students. It is lovely to see their faces and hear them contribute to lessons just as they would in class.
This week, the Year 6’s entertained our lessons by showing us their new pets that graced their homes over the holidays!
During Science, we started learning about Electrical Conductors and Insulators and we were able to see an impressive circuit presented by Year 6 student, Juliette East.
We giggled when I shouted “selfie” to take a picture for the Newsletter.
The students also opened up about missing everyone during the holidays and that they were happy to be back.
It was a great first week back and we are all looking forward to the rest of the term. The Year 6’s have a lot in store for Term 3 and we look forward to sharing this with all of you as we progress.
Brittney Hakime
Year 6 Teacher
Here are some great tips and tricks I know I have definitely learnt from my students to make an online lesson a little more interesting:
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Year 2’s Rock Online Learning!
We sometimes tend to underestimate our children’s ability to adapt to change and forget how resilient they are. The dreaded ‘online learning’ loomed over our heads during the holidays. Would we? Wouldn’t we?
Of course, I can only speak for us teachers and have no idea how much effort, bribing or even begging, parents have had to resort to, to ensure their children are online and also complete their work daily. So, our heartfelt thanks go to all the parents, grandparents, family members and friends who are supporting the children during this process.
I have really enjoyed the one-on-one chats I have had with my class over the last few days. In a classroom situation, often there just is not enough time to listen to every child’s story or viewpoint.
Yes, it is stressful for parents and teachers alike, but if I compare Term 3 now, to the hard lockdown during Term 2 last year, I think we have all come a long way.
We look forward to welcoming our students back into the classroom and sincerely hope it will be sooner than later.
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
Holiday News
The winter holidays are often a challenge for many parents especially when there are rainy days. However, the Year 1 students enjoyed the time at home and had lots of fun.
Usually on the first day back at school, they love to share their news with their peers, but could not do that with online learning. Instead, they have practiced their writing skills and wrote about the highlights of their holiday.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
Shadow Puppet Shows
This Term the Year 5’s explored shadows in Science.
Did you know…
“A shadow puppet uses a silhouette to represent the puppet. Long ago, people recorded their history by telling stories. This was before writing was invented. In ancient China and Indonesia, storytellers used shadow puppets to help tell stories. Each Village’s storyteller was known as a puppet master. When he put on a show the whole village would watch. He used his hands and even his feet to make a puppet move. He also added noise effects.”
Year 5NM delved excitedly into the task of planning and preparing their own shadow puppet shows. The students wrote play scripts filled with adventure and mystery. They creatively cut out silhouette characters and props for the setting of their stage. They used bed sheets as their screens and torches, headlamps and lampshades as their light source. It was a massive task of planning and rehearsing to get everything ready.
Storylines included tales of forests and challenges, camp adventures and under the sea mermaids. Careful thought went into the character design. Students were able to manipulate the size of the shadow by moving the silhouette characters closer or further away from their light source.
Lots of fun and excitement was had by all. Well done Year 5!
Nadia Mahomed
Year 5 Teacher
Working With Clay
“There is a relationship between sight and touch, something about eyes being able to see through the fingers touching the clay, about fingers being able to feel what the eyes are seeing without the fingers actually touching it.” – Jose Saramago
During the Term, our Year 2 students learnt about Manipulating Materials in Science. The students were enthusiastic and showed an eager attitude towards this concept, so to end off the Term, the Year 2 students were given some clay to manipulate into making a small bowl, which they would later paint if they wish to.
Clay plays an important role in developmental growth in students from a young age. Manipulating (squishing, squeezing, pulling, pushing, etc.) helps develop a student’s large and small muscles, fosters eye-hand coordination, builds on fine motor skills and it helps teach to them the ability to focus.
The use of clay with infants and toddlers allows for discovery of body awareness as it provides a tactical experience. The older the student gets, the more creative he/she may find themselves when manipulating clay which is extremely important for the developmental growth of all students.
“Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.” – Thomas Kempis
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
