Sounds

• Elephants: new sound – ph.  You can watch the next episode of alphablocks by clicking here.
• Tigers and Pandas: new sound – ng.  You can watch the ng episode by clicking here.

Maths

Using the numberlines that have previously been sent home please try taking away 1 or 2 .   Parents: please remind your child that taking away 1 simply means we take 1 step down the numberline.  To subtract 2 we take two steps.  For a greater challenge you could try using the SPLAT square and use it to subtract 1 or 2.  Click here for the SPLAT square.

You could also try singing our current favourite subtraction song to help your child learn more about subtracting 1.  You could use family members, cuddly toys or fingers to be the monkeys.  Try emphasising to your child the sum that is happening at the end of each verse e.g. ‘there were 5  monkeys, take away 1…that makes……4!’  This is a fun way to encourage subtraction in a very visual way.

5 little monkeys

Five little monkeys sitting in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be and…SNAP! He ate the monkey for his tea.

Four little monkeys sitting in a tree…
Three little monkeys sitting in a tree…
Two little monkeys sitting in a tree…

One little monkey sitting in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be and….SNAP! He ate the monkey for his tea.

Possible extra challenge: we have recently tried changing the words of some of our favourite subtraction songs.  For example,  ‘…as quiet as can be and SNAP! He ate 4 monkeys for his tea.’  This helps introduce more complex taking away sums in a way that does not present too much challenge.

Please write a note in the reading record to confirm the homework has been completed as this can impact upon the follow up that is required in class.  Many parents are forgetting to do this and I am often unaware of who has completed their homework.  Thank you. 🙂