Homework Diary 2008

Dear All,

the homework diary is finally here. Please pass me $2 through your child tomorrow so I can purchase the homework diaries for the whole class from the bookshop.

ICT Enrichment - PowerPoint Classes

Dear All,

the ICT Department has arranged for the P2 level to attend PowerPoint classes from next week onwards. The sessions will be conducted in the computer labs for 2C at 4.00- 5.00 p.m. on every Monday.

This programme will commence on 28th January and will go on for 8 weeks.

Important Concerns

Dear All,

I am sure that the letter from the school has reached you by now. There are several concerns that were brought up.

• Continual Assessment

Take note that the CA is only for the P6. P1 to P5 will not have any CA. You can get more information from the school website.

• Photocopying Cost

We are asking for $25 per pupil to defray the printing costs incurred.

• Individual Photographs

Please pay $2 for the photos. These photos are being used for several purposes in class [refer to letter].

• CNY Celebrations

The schooling hours will be from 7.30 - 9.30 a.m. Please ensure that your child has a hearty breakfast as only the drinks stall will be opened. I will be updating you soon on the things that your child should bring to school on the 6th Feb 2008. Please also note that the CNY celebrations will coincide with the Total Defence Day.

More Updates

Dear All,

there is a letter from the school given out today. This letter informs of Continual Assessment, payment of printing cost for worksheets, Chinese New Year schooling hours and payment of individual and class photographs.

There will be Show and Tell next week. The topic is "What I Want to be When I Grow Up". Please help to prepare your child. It would be great if your child does not read from their cue cards anymore.

Photo Taking Schedule

Dear Parents,

there will be an individual photo taking session for the pupils tomorrow, 22nd January and class photo taking on Friday, 25th January. Please ensure that pupils wear their school uniform on both days but pack their PE attire in their bags.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Updates

Dear All,

By now you should have received these documents.

1. Spelling Dates Letter[ to return reply slip to me]
2. Travel plans form [for the CNY period]
3. Gym form [ need to return edusave form and $15 for Singapore citizens, $65 for foreign students]
4. Speech and Drama form [ need to return edusave form and $20 for SIngapore citizens, $30 for foreign students]

Some forms and payment have already been made but there are some which are still outstanding. Thank you for your cooperation.

Buddy System

Dear All,

The kids really had fun buddying the P1s. I can see some of them really take care of the little ones and go to lengths to make sure their new friend fit into the school environment. I am so proud of the responsible kids!

Let's Talk

Dear All,

There are three important books for English that you need to know about.

1. Let's Correspond [blue journal]
This is basically a journal where pupils are required to write on a certain topic fortnightly. Teachers will not be marking for marks and certainly not in red ink. This book serves as a communication tool between teacher and pupil. It also serves as a form of outlet for expression for the pupil.

2. Let's Explore
This book is a vocabulary bank. It can serve as a thesaurus for words that have been learnt or exposed to in the course of the unit. It also can be a bank of phrases of expressions for certain feelings, actions and etc. This bank would certainly help your child in his/ her writing.

3. Let's Create
This book is Written Expression but only the name has been changed. The purpose of this book is still the same. As mentioned in the previous post on MLEA, the 3rd step of writing process which is also the individual writing; will be done in this book.

I hope I have cleared some questions and misconceptions about the books' purposes.

White Space

White Space is has been introduced in KCPPS since 2007. Some of the platforms that have been used in KCPPS are Learning Centres Approach, Drama in the Classroom, CNA: News in the Classroom, Shared Book Reading Approach and MLEA.
In the lower primary level, we are currently employing the Learning Centres Approach, Shared Book Reading Approach and MLEA. The P2 children would be exposed to different Drama Conventions as the EL Sylabus progresses.

Learning Centres Approach/ MLEA
This approach involves the teacher setting aside 3-5 periods of the day. In this approach, pupils are allowed to move from 'station to station' in their groups to complete group-based activities. This approach allows the pupils to learn interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills.
MLEA is a 3 step platform. Firstly, pupils are facilitated by teacher to write a class-dictated story. Ideas on the topic are contributed by almost everyone to write this story. Secondly, pupils go into their groups to write their own version of the story. Thirdly, pupils will write a story on the topic individually. Usually, teachers might incorporate the 2nd step of MLEA into the Learning Centres Approach as well.

Shared Book Reading
This involves reading of a big book with the class. This lesson can be a tool to teach grammar, vocabulary or social emotional based/ pastoral care lessons. After several readings, a follow-up activity can be used to reinforce lessons learnt.

Drama in the Classroom
Drama Conventions are used to engage pupils in this activity. This platform encourages pupils to think independently, cultivates feelings of empathy and widening perspectives.
We have White Space once every 2 weeks or more specifically, once for every topic.

Taken from MOE Website [http://www.moe.gov.sg/speeches/2005/sp20050309a.htm];
Our basic approach as we go forward is to go for more quality, and less quantity. We will focus on quality of learning, quality of CCA and community engagements, and the quality of the whole school experience that the student goes through. We will seek to cut back on quantity - careful and calculated cuts - so as to provide more 'white space' in the curriculum, space which gives schools and teachers the room to introduce their own programmes, to inject more quality in teaching, or give students themselves the room to exercise initiative, and shape more of their own learning.'

Show and Tell

There will be a Show & Tell week for each unit covered in the English syllabus. Show & Tell provides a platform for pupils to share information with their friends as well as build up their oral skills and self-confidence. Six pupils are scheduled for each day in the week. The pupils have written down in their notebook which day they are going to do their Show and Tell a few days ago.

As we are currently on the unit, 'The Things We Wear', the Show & Tell topic for next week would be 'My Favourite Attire/Accessory'. Pupils are to bring an item in relation to the topic and speak at least seven sentences about it.

Some areas to pay attention to are:

• Clarity of speech
• Content (Number of sentences) / Prompts needed
• Usage of complete sentences
• Posture and eye contact with audience

Updated timetable and spelling list with contextual cues

Dear All,

There is an updated timetable for the class. There has been minor changes and shuffling of the periods. Please take note.

I have given the class a new list consisting of the spelling words for Term 1. However, this list is a bit different because the words are included in sentences. The sentences are meant to let your child learn the words more effectively instead of rote learning. Please go through the sentences with your child. They don't have to memorise the sentences.

Documents to Note

Dear all,
your child has been issued a few documents today. Please take note.

1. Term 1 Spelling List [ Please keep list carefully. Spelling starts next Monday.]
2. Swimming Meet Form [ Those interested please drop off the reply form in box in front of General Office.]
3. Gymnastics Edusave Form [ Please fill up without mistakes and correction pen/ tape marks in pen. Return tomorrow.]
4. Insurance Protection Scheme Information Letter [Please take note in case any claims need to be made.]

Have a nice evening!

Appeal for Donation of Books for 2C Reading Corner

Dear All,

I would like to start a reading corner for the children soon. This corner will hopefully cultivate love for reading in our kids. I would like to appeal for donation of 'unwanted' fiction books/ non-fiction book to the reading corner for our kids.

Hopefully the books can be of different reading levels to cater to the children's reading abilities and preferences.

Please pass the books to me through your child or to the general office [ attention to Miss Junaina].

Thank you very much for your generosity.

Change in School Hours

Dear All,

I would like to emphasise that lessons start at 1.00 p.m and end at 6.30 p.m. on Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri.

On Wednesday, lessons start at 12.30 p.m and end at 6.30 p.m.

A New School Year

Dear All,

There are a few issues that I would like to touch on.

Child's Well - Being
I hope your child is adapting well in class and school. If there are any problems or concerns; especially now that the buddy system is ongoing, please alert me so that I can address them.

Administrative Matters
As mentioned in my personal letter given earlier today, I would like to collect all necessary books and files as soon as possible. Please also take note of the difference in school hours as compared to last year. I hope you will make the necessary arrangements as of next week. Lesson proper will start next week too.

Spelling list will be given at a later date.

Since there is no homework diary for the time being, please ensure your child has a notebook to copy down the day's homework and special instructions. I will be using the notebook/homework diary on a frequent basis.

Blog Matters
As I enjoy taking photos, there will be regular photo updates whenever there is an event or activity that the class engages in.

Feel free to leave comments at the end of each blog entry or on the tagboard at the right side of the blog. Alternatively, you can email me at junaina_leman@moe.edu.sg if you have any queries or suggestions. You can also call me at my direct line, 63516175.