Jump Rope for Heart!

Yesterday, we participated in the Jump Rope for Heat Skip-a-thon challenge. It was organised by Team 3 to raise money for the Heart Foundation. Check out some of the action shots...

Fakalofa lahi atu...

Hi all, 

Fakalofa lahi atu! (great greetings to you)

Welcome to Week 6 of Term 2. We have another fab-tastic week ahead of us with our learning, gymnastics continuing at Olympia andschool assembly on Friday. Who will be awarded a Principal's Award this week?????

Speaking of awards, each fortnight I'll be awarding a stash of funky certificates to children who have been 'successful, switched on learners'. Congratulations to Sarah, Zoe, Ollie M and McKenzie who all were awarded a certificate last Friday. 

Along with these certificates, I'll be awarding a special certificate to someone who will become the 'Super Kid of the Week' This child will be chosen at the end of the week to be my special helper/P.A and be able to sit on the mat in style amongst the cubes. This week Arien was awarded the 'Super Kid Award'. 

Week 5 blurb...

Kia ora everyone, I hope you all had a fab-tastic weekend! I could get used to these looooonnng weekends! This week we’re continuing with our learning, including, our procedural writing unit, "I Think That Means..." in reading and  our funky inquiry unit, ‘Going, Going, Gone!’ I’ve been so impressed with the children’s focus and enthusiasm for learning. A huge congratulations to Room 11’s first ever ‘Times Table Champion’, Mac. He successfully defended his title four times before the persistent McKenzie pounced. On Thursday, when Mrs. Fowler popped into Room 11, McKenzie was crowned the new ‘Times Table Champion’ of Room 11 by beating Mac in a closely fought match. Speaking of times tables, I can't stress how important it is for your child to know them. This knowledge is required across all strands of mathematics, so improving your child's accuracy and speed with them now will help them not only throughout the year, but their entire school life. I have many suggestions for helping you as parents so please, don't hesitate to ask. Also, below is one of many online numeracy resources (please click on the tab 'Numeracy Information & Websites' for more) that you can use with your child to support them with their learning.  Table Trees I'll always aim to put a summary of important news and information on the weekly home sheet (homework sheet). Have a great week, everyone! Mr. Ish

Hello Everyone...

Yes, siree Bob, we've had such a busy week in Ruma Tekau ma Tahi (Room 11):

• Finishing up our Addition and Subtraction Unit,
• Designing our Class Quilt,
• Learning how to write a procedural text,
• Getting stuck into our 'class play',
• Learning how to use "I Think That Means..." in reading,
• Learning about how the Habits of Mind can power up our learning muscles,
• Getting 'stuck' into the Glue Game,
• Starting our new topic/Inquiry, 'GOING, GOING, GONE!',
• Enjoying listening to our Class Novel, 'Ratburger'

Again, thank you to all of you who have come into Room 11 and introduced yourselves. I look forward to getting to know you all better as the year progresses. 

Also, I'm going to slightly 'revamp' homework. Please have a look at your child's book on Monday and talk to them about my expectations. If you've got any questions, or queries, please just pop into Room 11, or flick me an email: dean.isherwood@russley.school.nz

While I'm thinking about homework, here are a range of basic fact problems your child needs to be able to completed by the end of Year 4. If they can do these sorts of problems they will be achieving AT STANDARD.

Groupings within 100 35  +      = 100 45 +       = 100 85 +       = 100 19 +        = 100 58 +        = 100 100    –  75  = 100    -  15   = 100    -  95  = 100    -  26  = 100  -  64  =	Hundreds adding to 1000 300  +      =  1000 800  +      =  1000 100  +       =  1000 600  +       =  1000 500  +       =  1000 1000    -  700  = 1000    -  900  = 1000    -  200  = 1000    -  500  = 1000  -  400  =	Addition Facts to 20      16   +  3  =      8     +  5  =      6     +  8  =      7     +  9  =      8     +       =  15      13  +     =  17      4   +      =  11      9      +      =  15      14  +      =  19
SUBTRACTION FACTS TO 20 16   -  3  = 12  -  4  = 14  -  5  = 17  -  8  = 11   -  3  = 15     -        =  7 13  -       =  6 16     -       =  9 14     -       =  5 18  -       =  9	Multiplication Facts  (x2, x5, x10) 2     x  5  = 8  x  2  = 6  x  10  = 5  x  7  = 2     x  9  = 3     x  10  = 4     x  5  = 7     x  2  = 9  x  10  = 8  x   5  =	Division Facts (x2, x5, x10)         6    ÷   2  =        30  ÷   5  =        70    ÷  10  =        18   ÷   2  =       45   ÷   5  =        80       ÷  10 =       14       ÷   2  =       15   ÷   5  =       20       ÷  10 =       25   ÷   5  =

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Term 2!

I hope you have all had a fantastic holiday break and that everyone is refreshed, relaxed and ready to get stuck into learning.  As you'll be aware, this will be my first year teaching at Russley School. Prior to winning a position at Russley, I taught at Kaiapoi Borough, St. Albans, and a fabulous six years at Paparoa Street School as a classroom teacher and the Director of the Paparoa Sports Academy.  I love teaching all areas of the curriculum, but have a passion for Physical Education, Mathematics and Reading.  I am committed to providing a secure, caring and positive learning environment in which each child is encouraged to realise his/her potential and acquire skills essential for a lifetime of learning.

I've had a great holiday break with my son, Flynn and my wife, Tamsyn.  Flynn's 21 months old now! 

A huge passion of mine is surf life saving.  I coach and sweep the North Beach Open Men's Crew.  We won bronze at the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships earlier this year.  If you'd like to have a look at some surf boat racing, click on the links below:

Mr. Ish

Hello Everyone...

I just want to say "THANK YOU" to all the parents of the wonderful students in Room 27. You have been supportive, you have challenged me to explain things to you, you have asked questions, you have helped when you can, you have sent in food and other strange things when they have been needed, you have signed homework books every night, you have greeted me with smiles.

In short, you have been everything I could have hoped for from the parents of the wonderful children I have taught this year. I firmly believe that 'Your child's education is not a spectator sport'.

Thank you for a wonderful year. Have a relaxing/exciting/pampered/creative holiday (you choose the one you want).

Kind regards, 

Mr. Ish