Celebrating Matariki

We have been learning about Matariki in our class.  We learnt that it is a group of stars that marked the beginning of a new year.  You know it is the beginning of the new year when the first new moon rises after the stars appear in the sky (you can only see Matariki for a part of the year).  To celebrate Matariki we made fried bread, we learnt how to sing "Twinkle twinkle little star" in Maori and we reflected on the year past and the year to come.  Here is a slideshow of some of our learning.

Basic sight words

These are some of the basic sight words you are learning. It is important to look at the first and last sounds of the word to help you read them.

Abiram says:  I have learnt how to sound words out.  I think I need to keep practising my words in the back of my homework book.

Adding and subtracting sets to 10.

"I am putting the beans on."

Term 2 Writing

I have been writing lots of stories at school.  I can draw a picture for my brainstorm and then I use my alphabet card to help me find words and sounds that I need to write my sentence.

Abiram says:  I think I am good at hearing the sounds in words.  I think I need to practise my finger spacing some more.

Fun in the pool

"I am learning to get into and out of the pool safely. I am getting more brave at getting my face wet. I am trying to float on my back with a noodle."

Term 1 Writing sample

I am learning to:
-use a plan for my writing
-write and use a range of simple words using my phonic knowledge
-read as I write to make sure my writing makes sense.

I know I am successful when:
-my picture illustrates my writing
-I try words on my own
-I have read my writing and it makes sense.


Abiram said, " I like to do pictures. I need to know letters."

Term 1 Reading

We have been learning how to read books in our classroom.  We know that we need to point to the words when we read and we can look at the pictures to help us work out what some words say.  Here is a video of me reading.

W.A.L.T read basic sentences.

Success Criteria:  I can recognise some basic high frequency words.

                                I can point to the words when I read.

                               I can use the picture in the story to help me read words I don't know.

***Please note:  This video was recorded using the application "photo booth".  It mirrors the image which is why the video shows everything from right to left instead of left to right.