Sports Day, presentations, sleepover meeting and swimming

In Year 3 we have been working hard all term on our inquiry about how we express ourselves through art and other things. The children are in the middle of preparing their final projects and we would like to invite you to come and see them on Friday 5th February at 8:15am. This is their chance to show you the work they have done and explain their ideas.

Thursday 4th February is the Key Stage 2 Sports Day. Please remind them that they should wear their team shirts, and they need hats, suncream and water bottles.

After the half-term break, students will resume their swimming lessons in one of their PE slots. It will be on the same day they had it in term 1, either Tuesday or Wednesday. As before, they should bring their swimming gear in a bag with goggles and a towel. They should wear their normal school uniform, change for swimming and then change back into their uniform after swimming.

We would like to announce the dates of the Year 3 sleepover. They are Thursday 10th to Friday 11th March. We would like to invite you to an information meeting on Tuesday 23rd February where we will give you more information and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Fractions, 3MW assembly

This week we have moved onto studying fractions in Maths. In this unit, the students draw fractions of their own and say what fraction of shapes are shaded. They will also move on to finding fractions of numbers and solving word problems to do with fractions. Using fractions strips, they will identify equivalent fractions and convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers. For more information on this unit, please see the Year 3 website:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/subjects/numeracy

Some date reminders:

3MW Assembly is on Friday this week, (22nd January)
KS2 Sports Day is on Thursday 4th February

Expressing our Feelings

Last week we were very lucky to have a number of different arts teachers from across the school talking about and demonstrating how they express feelings through their art. Miss Lester and Miss Coulson talked about their own art as part of a workshop on Wednesday. Miss Merja played some very thoughtful and expressive pieces on the piano on Thursday, and Mr Evans did a drama workshop on Friday where the children expressed different emotions through body language. They gave us some great ideas that we are now using as part of our own classwork.

In Literacy we are using poetry as a way of expressing feelings. As part of their homework, the students have been asked to learn one poem from the Year 3 website so that they can do a recital in class. The poems they can choose from are here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/children-s-work/performance-poetry-videos-and-links

Friday 22nd January is 3MW's assembly where we will be sharing some of our work so far.

Another date for your diary is Sports Day on Thursday 4th February.

Happy New Year!

We hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. This is going to be a busy term, including some class assemblies and our Year 3 sleepover- more information to follow.

We have some new students starting in Year 3. They are:

Zlata Pustoshinskaya
Daniel Ottovedzhio
Aiyapon Promkuea Na Phattalung

As always, we hope everyone will make them feel welcome and help out where needed.

This term we are starting a new theme that we have not done before. The title of this theme is 'We Express Ourselves in Different Ways'. In this theme the children will be learning about how artists use their talents to express themselves. This is to include visual arts, drama, dance, poetry, music as well as other aspects of the 'Arts'.

In Maths we are starting a unit on division. By the end of this unit we hope that most students will at least be able to divide 2 and 3-digit numbers by a single digit. Mostly, this will be division using a number line. For an explanation of how it works, please see this page of the Primary Numeracy website:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/primarymaths/year-3/dividing-year-3

Photographs and Film afternoon

This is final week of term and students will finish school at 1pm on Friday. We are coming to the end of our Theme and they are spending a lot of time this week finishing their projects this week.

The children's photographs are scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) and so they should make sure they are in the proper school uniform.

Children should have received their activities forms for next term. Please make sure they are returned to school before the end of this week.

To celebrate the end of term, children will be having a movie afternoon on Thursday with popcorn.

Wishing you a good holiday and all the best for the festive season. School will resume on Tuesday 5th January.  Please remind the children to keep reading their books every day.

Loy Krathong and Multiplication

This week the main event is Loy Krathong on Wednesday 25th November. This is always a fun and colourful Thai festival and we hope all the students have their Loy Krathong costumes ready. We will be making the krathongs between break and lunch: 10:40 to 12:10, and everyone is encouraged to come and help the students put together their flower and banana leaf creations. There will be a Loy Krathong assembly in the auditorium at 1:30 in the afternoon. Parents are welcome to stay for lunch but need to have returned the RSVP sent out by the school office last week.

In Maths we will be moving on to multiplying 2-digit by 1-digit numbers, and also continuing their work on data handling and graph drawing. For an explanation of how to do grid multiplication, refer to the Primary Numeracy Website:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/primarymaths/year-3/multiplying-year-3

In Literacy the students are preparing their proposals for alternatives for the golf area. They will be using all the skills they have learned about persuasive writing to put together a persuasive text to try and convince people that they have the best proposal.

School Photos

The Year 3s will be having their photos taken on Thursday 10th December. This includes a class photo and individual photos.

Power Cuts

There will be unavoidable power cuts on Friday this week.

This week in Year 3

This week we are continuing with our inquiries into the changing school environment. Children are writing a proposal for their alternative ideas for the area that is being developed into the golf course. Their task now is to draw a plan of their new idea and write a proposal including a persuasive letter to say why their idea is better.

In maths we are looking at angles and saying whether an angle is acute, obtuse a right angle. We are also gathering data and presenting it in the form of a graph. Children will be using graphs to help them present their ideas in their proposals.

Loy Krathong

We are celebrating Loy Krathong on Wednesday 25th November (next week). Parents are welcome to help the children make their Krathongs between 10:40 and lunch. There is also a Loy Krathong assembly between 1:30pm and 2:30pm.

Music Lessons

Children have been given a recorder to bring home to practise with. They need to bring it to school the day they have their music lessons. These are:

3MW- Friday
3PJ- Thursday
3BL-Monday

ICT workshop tomorrow

This is a reminder that we are running a parents' ICT workshop tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:10 until 9:00. The objective of the workshop is to provide information about ICT in Year 3 and how to support your children at home. Also, if you have any questions about ICT in Year 3 please come along and we will do our best to answer them.

Changing Environments, Persuasion and Year 3 ICT Parents' Workshop

Thank you to all those who helped make a success of our very hastily arranged Halloween day. We had lots of fun and the children looked stunning in their costumes. There are a few photos here:

https://drive.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/folderview?id=0ByHAeDlCKdaHSnVFSFlRS1Yxak0&usp=sharing

Our current theme is Changing Environments where the children are looking at how things change and why they change. This is a geography theme in which, this week, the children have been studying maps and plans and looking at Google Earth. There is more information here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/themes/locating-ourselves-and-others

In Numeracy they have been using coordinates and compass directions linking to our theme. More information here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/subjects/numeracy

In Literacy we have been studying persuasive writing including persuasive letters, adverts and structure arguments. More information here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/subjects/literacy/persuasive-texts

Year 3 ICT parent workshop

We would like to invite you to a Year 3 parent workshop on ICT.

Date: Tuesday 10th November
Time: 8:10am until 9am
Place: 3MW classroom

In this workshop we will take you through some of the different applications we use in Year 3 with particular emphasis on how to access them and support children at home.

Other dates:

Football tournament on the 6th and 7th November.
Primary Library pyjama party on 4th November. Places are already filled for this.

Parent consultations, cross country and teacher training

This week sees parent consultations all week. If you have not yet booked an appointment then please do so using the online booking system.

We intend to have the cross country run on Wednesday as was planned last week. Children will need their colour team kits, hats, sun cream and water bottles. Also, a reminder that they should bring a change of clothes just in case they need it. 

Friday is a training day so students should not attend school. 

This week we are exploring the changes that have happened around school over the last few years. This will form an introduction to our theme 'People change their environment for different reasons.' 

Children will have an extra numeracy sheet included as part of their homework so they can practise the addition and subtraction skills they have learned. 

Cross country is postponed

We have had to postpone tomorrow's cross country event due to the pollution. We will try to schedule the event for next week.

Cross country and parent consultations

We have come to end of our Light and Shadow theme and we are very pleased with what the children have learned and the enthusiasm they brought to this topic. We are now going to spend this week focusing on our Literacy unit of Spud Murphy and preparing the ground for our next theme that we previously called 'Locating Ourselves and Others'. In this theme the children learn about maps, plans and atlases, drawing their own maps and using them in meaningful ways. We are changing the focus of the theme this year to include the big idea 'People change their environment for different reasons.' This is not an environmental theme but a study of changing environments and landscapes and the reasons for change.

Last week, 3MW set up their personal blogs. You can get links to all the student's blogs here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/children-s-work/children-s-blogs

Other year 3 classes will be starting their blogs soon.

In Numeracy we are moving on to the study of grids and coordinates in preparation for the new unit of work. In Art we are going to complete the lanterns the children started, using the collage techniques they have learned. 

Wednesday morning is the cross country run. It starts first thing and continues until break. The children need their colour teams kits, hats, water bottles and sun cream. Could you also please pack a complete change of clothes just in case they need it.

Next week there are parent consultations running throughout the week. The details will be sent home this week. 

Chugging along...

This week, children are continuing to learn about light and shadow. They are pursuing their own research by choosing and answering questions from this list:

• How do our eyes help us to see? 
• When does the sun make the longest shadows?
• Can light bend? 
• Can we make different coloured light?
• Can we make a rainbow? 
• Can light travel through objects?
• Can we see round corners? 
• Can we make a shadow with sharp/fuzzy edges?

The students are going to prepare a way of communicating their findings towards the end of this week.

In Numeracy we are continuing addition and subtraction. There are some new videos on the Primary Numeracy website explaining one of the addition methods we teach the children. Find them here: 

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/primarymaths/year-3/adding-year-3

In Literacy we continue with Spud Murphy. The children will study the characters in the book and compare them to each other.

Students have started to make their lanterns where they will practise their collage techniques.

Teacher training day on Wednesday

This week sees the continuation of our Light and Shadow theme. The children are researching the answers to their own questions about light and shadows using the ipads and books from the library.

In Art we are starting to make paper lanterns using tissue paper. This project combines what the students have learned about collage with our theme on light.

In Numeracy we have begun to tackle column addition and the children are learning to set their work out clearly and in an organised manner.

In Literacy we are starting the new class reader of Spud Murphy. Information about this book in on the Year 3 website:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/subjects/literacy/spud-murphy

The school is closed for students on Wednesday 23rd September. This is a training day for all teachers.

Fiction, adding, taking and Wai Kru

We are continuing our theme of Light and Shadow this week with the students beginning their own enquiries into a particular question about the theme. Questions they could investigate include: how can we see around corners?; can we make light of different colours?; does light bend?; and, when do we have the longest shadows? amongst others. Children will make greater use of the iPads and Year 3 website to follow their own lines of enquiry, as well as using the classroom equipment to do practical experiments.

In Numeracy we are moving on to addition and subtraction. This will initially focus on reliable, rapid mental methods to ensure the children's understanding, moving on to written methods later.

In Literacy, we have come to the end of the Owl who was Afraid of the Dark. We are continuing to read and respond to a number of good story texts with a view to developing a deeper understanding of a range of genre.

We are just starting to use the website quizlet.com for homework practice. In your children's accounts there and many quizzes and games that focus on spelling and mental maths.

Children will celebrate the Wai Kru assembly on Friday. All parents are invited to attend at 1:45 in the auditorium.

Light, shadows, collage and adding

The Year 3 teachers would like to extend a heart-felt 'thank you' to all of you that have helped to make the start of this year so smooth. We are all very happy with the way our classes have settled in and are looking forward to a productive and fulfilling year.

This week in Literacy we will continue with our class story The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark. In Numeracy we shall be moving on to addition and subtraction which will include mental and written methods. Please refer to the Year 3 website for more information about these units.

We are also continuing with our Science theme of Light and Shadow. As a part of this topic, the children will begin to learn how to conduct a fair test by controlling variables.

In Art, we shall begin a unit on collage. Part of this work will involve a study of the translucency of tissue paper.

Please remember, the Year 3 website is our one-stop place for information about the work in Year 3. The stars of the week are posted here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/stars-or-the-week

Welcome to Year 3

It has been a fantastic start to the year for Year 3! We have really enjoyed getting to know the children this week and are looking forward to a fun and productive year.

This week we have been making healthy wraps as part of our work on keeping healthy and looking after ourselves. Follow this link to see the photos of the children at work; this link is also posted on the Year 3 website:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByHAeDlCKdaHQnlDMkxMRUluUTA

Our first major theme of the Year is 'Light and Shadow'. You can find information about this theme on the Year 3 website here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/themes/light-and-shadow

Our first Literacy Topic is The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark. There is information and a youtube video here:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisphuket.ac.th/year3/subjects/literacy/the-owl-who-was-afraid-of-the-dark

Biblionasium

This year we are not using a written (paper) reading record. Instead, the students are expected to log the books they have read and comment about them on the Biblionasium website (www.biblionasium.com). Their login details are in the fronts of their homework books. Also, like last year, the children will get a homework grid every 2 weeks with different activities on for them to do at home.

Ipads

You may be aware that we are encouraging children to bring their own ipads this year to help them with their school work. This is not a compulsory scheme but it will help the children to become more independent and give them greater access to the technology. There seems to be a misconception that the ipads need to be wiped before they are brought to school. This is not necessary because the children will never be using them when they are unsupervised during the school day. A letter about this was sent out last year- if you would like another copy of the letter then please feel free to ask me.

Dismissal

From Monday, the students in Year 3 will be collected from the bottom of the library stairs at the end of the day. 

Meet the teachers evening

An important date for your diary is the meet the teachers evening which is Wednesday 2nd September at 2:45pm in the Year 3 classrooms. Any questions you may have about Year 3 can be answered at this meeting.

The end of Year 2!

This is the final post from us on the Year 2 blog. This blog will turn into the Year 3 blog next year and at the start of the year you will be asked to resubscribe. 

On Wednesday we had our pyjama, popcorn and movie party. The children chose the movie they wanted and settled down, all snuggled up. It was great fun!

Everyone should have received the school report, yearbook and next years class list this week. The children were asked to write down the friends they would like to be with next year and this was our starting point for the class lists. It is not an easy job and we spent around 8 hours putting the new classes together so we hope everyone is happy.

We are sad to say Goodbye to Sofia and her family today as they leave for new adventures in Canada. We wish them all the best and hope they keep in touch.

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all parents for the lovely gifts that you have given us. We really feel appreciated. Thank you all also for your support throughout the year in everything we have done. And finally an ENORMOUS THANK YOU to all the children for their hard work.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday.
See you in Year 3!

Into the final week of Year 2

Over the past week the children have been being authors and illustrators, inspired by Jeff Brown and Eric Carle. They have also been creating some fabulous poetry in the style of Kennings. Kennings are Old Norse poems in the form of a riddle. 

Tissue paper collages inspired by Eric CarleEditing has been an important part of our story writing. The children have been giving each other feedback on their stories, saying two things they think their friend has done well and one thing they need to do to improve their writing.                

Working hard to edit.

Giving feedback

Key stage 1 Assembly this Friday featured a visit from Captain Pat of the Ixdos. The children enjoyed a talk from the captain about the latest changes to the boat. He talked about the recent additions which include non-slip decking, funnels, the solar panel and a bath!

Well Done to The Stars of this Week!

The final week of Year Two is going to be a very busy one!

On Tuesday afternoon we will be going to the Primary music concert featuring singers, pianists and much more.

On Wednesday Year Two will have their Pyjama Party. Children may come to school wearing pyjamas or change at school if they prefer. They may bring a pillow, teddy bear and blanket if they wish too. We will be having popcorn with our movies. There is no need to bring more food. Please ensure that children have their PE kits in their bag to change into after the party.

School reports will be sent home on Wednesday. If you are leaving before Wednesday please see the school office.

On Thursday there will be an assembly followed by a talent show. School will finish at 1:00pm.

Activity forms for next year will be being sent home this week. Please return them as soon as possible. There is the option for Key Stage Two children to join  the Production Activity meaning they will perform in the show in December. Please read the note below regarding this.

This year’s KS2 production will be an adaptation for children of Gilbert and Sullivan’s famous operetta “The Pirates of Penzance”. Set in the West Country of England this musical comedy requires a large cast, including a chorus of well-brought up young ladies, a chorus of pirates and a hilarious chorus of policemen – so lots of roles for boys and girls!! Rehearsals will be on a Monday and Friday, and to take part you must attend on both days.

What a performance!

This week the children were outstanding in their performance of 'The Goblin Next Door'. We were very proud of each child as they sang, danced and performed with such amazing confidence. Well Done!

We would also like to thank the wonderful parents who made all the costumes for the show. It would not have been the same without your hard work. Thank You!

Here are a few photos

Take a look at the Facebook page for lots more photos  - click here

On Friday this week we had a visit from a Shark Guardian. He gave out the very important message that sharks should be protected and explained why. Each child has a leaflet about this.

Also on Friday 2CC engaged in a skype meet up with a Year 1/2 class in Para Vista School in Australia. The children classes asked each other questions. They told 2CC about their Claymation Project and their chicken farm! 

A huge WELL DONE to this weeks STARS OF THE WEEK!

Dates for your Diary

Monday 15th June - Year 2 visit Year 3

Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th June- IXDOS visits

Tuesday 23rd June - Music Concert. Auditorium

Wednesday 24th June - Year 2 Pyjama Party, bring pyjamas, pillows and teddy bears!

Thursday 25th June - 10:40 Talent Show.  School finishes at 1:00pm

The Run For Hugo

The Year 2 children did themselves proud this morning at The Run For Hugo. They persevered and kept running for the whole time. Many learned that starting off fast when running long distances isn't always the best idea! Hugo himself even joined us at one point, pushed along in his chair by Hayley.

After the run we went back to our classrooms for a cool down and a Maths lesson! We worked out how many kilometres we had run as individuals and as a class. This is what we found out...

2CC ran 174 laps. That's 43 ½  km  WOW!

2KG ran 151 laps. That's 37 ¾ km.  WOW! 

2JS ran 125 laps. That's 31 ¼ km. WOW!

And the total run by the Primary school was...
3808 laps,  that's  952 km, equal to 22.6 marathons!!!

Well Done to all the children, teachers and parents that ran.

The distance that each child ran has been recorded on their sponsor forms which they have all taken home. The children can now start collecting the money and bring it in to school as soon as possible.

Many of the children have been quite emotional about supporting this event. As they have learned more about Hugo, his amazing character and strength and his needs, they have commented on how they feel and how much they want to help. It really has been very moving.


The Goblin Next Door

All is quiet in The Fairy Dell for the moment....

but on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30pm the stage will be alive with music, acting and dance as Years 1 and 2 perform The Goblin Next Door.

Please come along to the Primary Hall and watch the amazing show!

REMINDER- Children need to bring their blue PE shorts to school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Our Year 2 UPSTANDABLES!

This week for assembly each class was asked to choose their most upstanding citizen. This is someone who consistently acts in an upstanding way, helps others and makes a real difference. We have seen and heard about so many upstanding acts this term from so many children, it was hard to choose. However three children have really stood out this term as being super upstandable! Here they are...

CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU and WELL DONE to our UPSTANDABLE citizens.

Visiting IXDOS 

On Tuesday 16th June and Thursday 18th June Year 2 children will be visiting The IXDOS Schooner again to see the progress that has been made thanks to our fundraising event. The children have already seen the solar water pump which will be on board but there are many other improvements thanks to all our efforts.

Any parents who are interested in coming along are most welcome. We will be visiting IXDOS at 8:10am. We will let you know shortly which day each child will be visiting.

Dates for your Diary

8th, 9th, 10th June - The Goblin Next Door. 1:30pm  Primary Hall

Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th June- IXDOS visits

Tuesday 23rd June - Music Concert. Auditorium

Wednesday 24th June - Year 2 Pyjama Party, bring pyjamas, pillows and teddy bears!

Thursday 25th June - 10:40 Talent Show.  School finishes at 1:00pm