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

Poetry Anthology Evaluation...

POETRY ANTHOLOGY EVALUATION

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As part of our writing programme we have been writing poems. Your child has followed set poetry forms to complete their own original poems. Could you please take some time to look at this work?  I am very impressed with the great ideas and thoughts that have come from the children and hope you will be too.  Could you also take some time to follow this simple format to mark your child’s work?  They have written and will present their work knowing you would be looking at it and assessing it.

Authors Name: _____________________

Requirements ( did they complete?)	Please tick if completed
I Wish Poem
Cinquain Poem
Diamante Poem
Countdown Poem
Alliteration Poem
Quatrain Poem
Alphabet Alliteration Poem
Acrostic Poem

Marking Key:     Excellent       Very Good              Good            Poor

	Parent’s Mark	Student’s Mark
Title Page
Contents Page
Illustrations
Headings
Borders
Handwriting
Editing
Use of Colour

Comment on any poems you particularly like, or ideas/thoughts presentation etc.

Many thanks for taking the time to do this marking.  I hope you have enjoyed looking at your child’s work as much as they have looked forward to sharing it with you.

Mr. Isherwood

Reciprocal Reading

Over the last 7 weeks, we have been learning how to use the Reciprocal Reading Model.

The purpose of Reciprocal Reading is to facilitate a group effort between teacher and students as well as among students in the task of bringing meaning to the text.  Reciprocal Reading involves the teacher and students in reading, talking and critically thinking about a text. The text should be instructional, at a level that has some challenges for the students but where most vocabulary can be read correctly. Initially, the teacher takes an active role in leading the discussion to improve the comprehension of the material being read. This collaborative, problem-solving dialogue involves talk that is purposeful and relaxed and provides opportunities to expand, explore, and extend.

Once students have gained an independent application of the strategies, they can take on the 'teacher' role.  In summary is supports students’ to make meaning from text as well as monitoring their reading.

You'll see some videos of two groups reading without me, and a video where we have a learning conversation about the Reciprocal Reading Unit we have just completed. 

Poetry

We started talking about poetry today, as we're about to start an exciting poetry unit and each child will create their very own Poetry Anthology.  Have a listen to some of the four-line poems that the children made...

More fabulous poems will be shared here soon.

Ka kite, 

Mr. Ish

Hello Everyone...

This week I have been doing some of the assessment that I will use to guide me when I write National Standards Reports in a few weeks. This includes the amazing writing that is being completed now, maths testing, spelling testing,  and STAR reading. I will also be doing some reading tests over the next week.



THE PTA MONSTER FAIR: WOW! It's just around the corner!  We have been busy preparing our stall, 'SSUEG' (that's 'guess' backwards!).  The stall is all about guessing, and it'll be lots of fun, so please be sure to come and support the children - they've done a power of work.  Also, there's a roster for our stall (see below). Each child has a time slot where they will 'man' a 'sub stall' within our stall.  I will be on the stall for the time that the Fair is going, however, I have a slot on the 'Dunk the Teacher' late in the piece. Thanks to Antonia Luthi for helping out! 

If you are able to assist, please drop me a line.  I'm sure the Monster Fair will be an absolute blast! I look forward to seeing you all there on Saturday.


Want a chat? Come on in. 
Mr Ish.