Newsletter Term 4 Week 7

Dear Parents,

We can't believe we that have only three weeks left at school for 2011. Our current and last Unit of Inquiry for the year is progressing well. We are all enjoying the opportunity to learn about different communities and making connections to our own.

Book Covering
A huge thank you to the parents that came to assist with book covering last week. What a massive job! There are still a number of books to be covered so if you can spare some time this Thursday from 1pm or any afternoon, please drop in and we will set you up to help us.

Work Experience Students
For  the past fortnight, Year 2 have been fortunate to have Year 10 students who have selected teaching  as their Work Experience with us. The presence of these students in our classrooms has been very positive.

Christmas Book Fair

Next week, we will be hosting a special Christmas Book Fair outside the Junior School Library. This fair will feature books from a local book vendor Mr Hubert Seow and will include both fiction and non-fiction titles that make wonderful Christmas presents for children as well as fun project ideas for the holiday period. Mr Seow kindly donates 10% of the proceeds to the Library to enable us to purchase new books. The Fair will be open from Monday 28 November to Friday 2 December from 8.00am – 4.00pm. Children will have an opportunity to purchase books in their Library times and parents may also attend at any time to make purchases. Please note that all payment will be by cash or cheque only. For further details and a list of some of the available titles, please see the flyer in this week’s newsletter.

Return of Library Books and Home Readers

The last day for Library borrowing for this year will be next Friday 2 December. All books must be returned no later than Monday 12 December. Home reading books will continue to be sent home until the end of Week Nine and must all be returned by Monday 12 December as well. Now is the time to start looking under beds and amongst the children’s toys to make sure that you are able to return all outstanding books by the due date.

Early Departures

Families who are planning to commence their Xmas holidays prior to the last day of Term Four are reminded that permission for such leave for their children must be sought in advance. Such requests can be emailed directly to me at sue_pike@ais.com.sg. Please be aware that reports for students will not be released prior to Wednesday 14 December (the second last day of term); hence, if you are leaving before this date, you must either leave a forwarding address so that reports can be mailed to you over the holiday break or, alternatively, you can collect them from the Junior office at the beginning of Term One, 2012. It may be possible for Learning Journals to be collected early; however, if these are not ready for collection, they will also need to be collected at the beginning of next year.

Unit of Inquiry

Central Idea

Communities are organised into systems and structures to meet the needs of the people.

The Year 2 classes have been engaged in, and excited about, learning about Medieval communities over the past three weeks. The doorway to Year 2 has been decorated as a castle and the classes are buzzing with news of Knights, Kings and Queens.
Want to try making your own coat of arms? Here are two sites shared by Ms Kennedy that the children have really enjoyed this week.


http://www.anonymous-movie.com/coatofarms/


http://www.alnwickcastle.com/flash/heraldry.html

AIS Feudal system! with King Bond

2LE Feudal system

Year 2 IT Challenge Day

All Year Two classes have now completed their IT Challenge Day. The completed movies can be found at this weebly site created by Darren Campbell.

 http://yeartwochallengeday.weebly.com/index.html

Meet the Staff -   Mr Andrew Holmes

Mr Holmes with his niece Emily

5 Facts about me

I have lived in Singapore for the past three years.

Morocco tops the list of countries which I have had the opportunity to explore so far.

I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, but have sold hundreds upon hundreds of copies of them! I worked in a bookshop during my university studies and seem to be suffering from some sort of association issue with this series!

I grew up in the Lower Blue Mountains which is about a one and a half hour drive West of Sydney.

A bucket list mission I have is to climb at least one mountain on every continent in the world – even Antarctica.  Three continents down!

Y2 Learning - Caught on Camera

Images from Sharing the Planet - How we can help the environment.

Bridie 2HA shows her poster on ‘Saving the Planet’

Noah, Ella  and Olivia from 2HA with recycled materials brought in from home.

Bridie, Charlotte and Max from 2HA with their posters for action.

Year Two  CCA News  - Chinese Calligraphy

The students in this CCA have shown impressive commitment and determination to learn this style of writing. After much practice in holding the brush with the correct (and very unique) grip, the children have worked hard to perfect basic strokes such as heng, shu and dot. The students are to be commended upon displaying excellent focus and discipline. Mr Andrew Holmes

House Leaders

1859	1748	1790	1505
DERWENT	FITZROY	MURRAY	LACHLAN

Dates to Remember

Friday, 2 December	Year 2 lunchtime CCAs conclude
Wednesday, 7 December	Year 2 Medieval Day
Wednesday, 14 December	Presentation Day Concert 9am - 10am Class Parties 10.30 – 11.30am Semester 2 reports distributed

Ms Elle Ryan and the Year 2 Teaching Team.

Newsletter Term 4 Week 4

Dear Parents,

This week we begin our last Unit of Inquiry for the year, 'How we organise ourselves'. Parents may have noticed that the entrance to Year 2 has been decorated in the medieval theme.

Some information to assist at home is included below.



Central Idea

Communities are organised into systems and structures to meet the needs of the people.

What lines of inquiry will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea?

• People's needs
• The organization of our community
• The organization of a medieval community

Questions that will drive this inquiry

     What do people need?

     What is a community?

     How is our community organised?

    How was a medieval community organised?

   What has changed in communities over time?

Sharing the Planet - Unit of Inquiry

The children are preparing their summative assessment task to present their knowledge, skills and understanding of the unit. This unit is opportunistic in that it allows for initiated action by the children to identify an environmental problem either in the school, locally or globally and to act upon it.

Many children are preparing posters, PowerPoints, glogsters, writing letters to newsletters or the Principal in the hope of making change in the world.

Here is a sample of some of these actions.

SPCA project 2CO

View more presentations from

A Glogster prepared by Arkie in 2RY demonstrating his action to help the environment
.

Another action initiated earlier in the year by 2HO is presented below

2HO Action Project Filipino org, betans

View more presentations from

Transition to Year 3

The children began the transition process to Year 3 last week and most children have had the chance to meet a Year 3 Buddy to show them around the Primary School.

Read a Thon Recap

Hi Year 2 students and parents,

I promised that I would give some feedback to you following the Read-a-thon. I went to KaisKids in the holidays and had an incredible time meeting all the orphans, seeing the facilities and talking to the staff and Director of KaisKids. My family helped out with other AIS families there to support the Marsden Swim School to teach all the kids to swim and learn water safety. You should have seen the looks of delight on their faces. They loved it and it was such a treat for them to be in a swimming pool and also participate in some arts/crafts and play activities we organised. Their sense of fun for everything was easy to see! I attended assembly today and showed my journey on a PowerPoint.

 I passed on a number of your letters to the Director and she was so impressed with your caring messages and wishes as well as all the reading you did. She was blown away by how much money you raised. We spoke a lot about how it could be spent. It seemed like their main needs were in trying to develop a long term food source so restoring the chicken coop and getting chickens in for supply of food and eggs was a possibility, hiring a farmer to help develop the garden and buying more rice and other nutritional food,  was the priority.

Finally I must thank you. I finished my personal project on time thanks to all the teachers and YOU getting organised to  complete the booklets and hand the money in on time. I know it was a rush for some. I was thrilled with my mark and guess what? I won the Year 10 Personal Project Prize!  Also Smiggle have indicated that they want to be involved again so I hope to do the same again now that we have set it up.

Sophie Aitken

Year 10

House Leaders

The long awaited results for the athletics carnival are below! Go Derwent!

1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH
1287	1269	1251	1175
DERWENT	FITZROY	MURRAY	LACHLAN

The updated house points are now

1689	1618	1750	1505
DERWENT	FITZROY	MURRAY	LACHLAN

Meet the Staff -   Ms Kristen Harris

5 Facts about me

1. I have a gorgeous baby girl. Mikayla Krista-Lily Harris is her name.

2. I love travelling back to WA, where I lived for 5 years, to spend time with my aunts and cousins.

3. I love Christmas and look forward to it every day of the year. (Especially on the 26^th of December!)

4. I’m currently studying for my ordinary levels (O’levels) which will enable me to do my Diploma in early childhood and education.

5. Listening to music after a long day at work and diaper changing is a great way to relax!

Meet the Staff -   Ms Nazreen Mohamed

5 Facts about me

1. I love to cook and bake. My husband is getting fatter each day eating all my yummy cakes!

2. I enjoy playing Wii with my family.

3. I love kids and this is why I love my job. They never fail to make me laugh. They allow us to explore things that we tend to forget as we grow into adulthood.

4. I'm close to my sister who is 10 years younger than me. We will miss each other if we don't talk on the phone for a day!

5. I enjoy swimming and eating.

Specialists in the Spotlight - Music

Our Year 2 Music classes have been exploring the musical concept of Pitch. Pitch in music refers to how high or low music sounds.

Our Yr Two students now have a good understanding of reading, writing, singing and playing the pitches So and Mi.

Over the coming weeks our students will be making conscious the pitch La. La is one step higher than So and on our 2 line staff is represented above the line.

Ask your Yr 2 student to sing and hand sign this So-Mi-La pattern for you.

Can they make their own one?




Specialists in the Spotlight - Library

Library News

Star Author

Mo Willems

The children in Junior School have been fascinated with our latest Star Author - Mo Willems.

Mo Willems, the son of Dutch immigrant parents grew up in New Orleans. He began his career as a writer and animator of ‘Sesame Street’ where he earned 6 Emmy Awards for his work. His debut book, ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ became a New York Times Bestseller and won a Caldecott Honor in 2004. His ‘Knuffle Bunny’ and ‘Elephant & Piggy’ series have also won numerous awards. Mo’s books have been translated into a myriad of languages and birthed Carnegie Medal winning animated shorts and theatrical musical productions.  

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Many children have made connections with their Unit of Inquiry and have also taken action by making their own books in response to what they have learnt - with Mo Willem’s inspiration.

Mo Willems links below.

http://www.gomo.net/page.php?name=Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V10jhsNIMI8&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h2RpX7-FzM&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2z3icceRX0&feature=player_embedded

Specialists in the Spotlight  - PE

Year 2’s have been involved with a unit on Gymnastics  since the beginning of term. They have used the big trampoline for bouncing and body shapes, the mini tramp for vaulting, the small floor mats for static shapes and strengthening activities, the beam for balance activities and the long floor mat for floor routines, rolling and cart wheels. They will finish the unit with a sequence of moves on the floor that show form and balance. Year 2 will finish the year with a unit on Netball.

Year Two  CCA News  - Scrapbooking

The children have been busy putting together their scrapbooking albums using photos of their family, pets, friends and holidays. They are having a lot of fun being creative and they are doing a super job. They share their ideas with their friends and help each other along the way.
Ms Su-Lin Marshall

Year Two  CCA News - Craft

Sixteen Year 2  Craft CCA students have been enthusiastically making some wonderful creations using needle and thread, scissors, felt material, ribbon, glue, cushion filler, beads and buttons this semester.

Several have even been inspired to make some of their own great creations at home!

The girls’ level of ability, creativity, productivity and patience have been amazing and they have worked so well together by regularly inspiring and assisting each other.

Ms Mel Bailey

Dates to Remember

Friday, 25 November	Final Gross Motor sessions for 2011
Friday, 2 December	Year 2 lunchtime CCAs conclude
Wednesday, 7 December	Year 2 Medieval Day
Wednesday, 14 December	Presentation Day Concert 9am - 10am Class Parties 10.30 – 11.30am Semester 2 reports distributed

 Parent Education -
Lia Gould -Junior Counsellor

Managing your worries lessons kicked off last week with 2HA, 2RT, 2TU, 2CO and 2RY. The other Year classes completed this program last term. All the classes enthusiastically discussed the top ten list of things that kids worry about; including dogs, the dark, mum and dad fighting, and natural disasters. Lots of anecdotes and stories were exchanged as students decorated their Worry Folders.  These folders will hold all the work that we do and will come home at the end of the 5 week course.

In Week 4 we start discussing how to stand up to your worries by answering back to the Worry Bully and not letting him push you around.  Each student will make a Worry Bully to bring home which will hopefully stimulate conversation in the family about the different strategies you use to reduce worries.

If you would like to pursue more information about children and anxiety, check out the following resources.

·        What to to do when you worry too much, by Dawn Huebner.

·        What to do when you dread your bed by Dawn Huebner. 

·        Helping your anxious child,  by Ron Rapee. 

·        Website for Macquarie University’s Child Psychology Clinic:

http://www.emotionalhealthclinic.com.au/

Ms Elle Ryan and the Year 2 Teaching Team.