2 Mar 2018

Year 1 Update – Wk 22

Friday 9th March – 1L Assembly

Tuesday 13th March Sports Day ( Please check and sign the e-notice)

Monday 19th March China Day ( rescheduled from before the school closures)

Friday 23rd March – 1W Assembly and International Food Fair

Thursday 29th March – Last day of term Easter Holidays start at 12:00

Monday 16th April – Back to school – Start of term 3

It was back to school this week after our extended break and time to remember where we were up to with our learning! Portfolios have been added to, library and reading books refreshed and reflections about learning have been discussed at the SLC.

I big thank you to all those who attended and took part in the learning activities led by the students. When looking through portfolios at home please remember not to remove or write on any of the pieces. Also please check out he evidenced e portfolios as extra things have been added there too. Portfolios need to come back to school by Friday 9th March.

1P finally got their chance to explore the wonderful environment at Ark Eden and were very lucky to be able to make new friends with the Water Buffalo.

Central Idea:

Plants and animals depend on each other for survival in their environments

Lines of Inquiry:

How plants and animals contribute to life on earth (function)
Ways in which livings things are all connected (connection)
How living things grow (change)

We are now working to develop our research and observation skills by looking carefully at the plants and seeds we have been growing, as well as learning to use Brain Pop videos and Big Universe to look for new information. It can be quite a challenge to remain focussed and avoid clicking on all our other favourite apps as we use the iPads to access online resources! We are continuing to explore our connections to trees and also the role of bees in our eco system.

Links for the online resources can be found by logging into The Beacon.

The weather is finally warming up and the sun is returning to us. The children are needing to be able to cool down after play and PE times. Please consider a few less layers and talk to your child about taking off jackets and jumpers when they feel hot.

If children would like to take part in designing a poster for the food fair please see the information below.

maths

We are currently revisiting the concepts of addition and subtraction. We have been playing board games and looking for new ways to apply our understanding of friends of 10 and other number bonds.

We are also consolidating the idea that we can jump forwards and backwards on a number line and represent calculations in formal equations using mathematical symbols correctly.

We have now set new tasks for the children to complete. Please spend some time each week exploring the different activities that we have set for the children. Under the ‘play’ section, children can practise their basic facts by playing games with partners from around the world. It is not intended that the children will do these tasks totally independently so please help your child to become familiar with the layout of Mathletics and how to go about completing the tasks.

World Maths Day at BHS

World Maths Day is a free, fun, online competition with up to 4 million students world-wide participating. The competition measures speed in arithmetic and numeracy skills on our Live Mathletics platform and runs for 48 hours and is open to all schools around the world. Students compete online with other students and top scores are displayed on a live ‘Hall of Fame’.

Will BHS be the World Maths Day champion in 2018?

On Wednesday 7th March children will have the opportunity to take part in their Maths Lessons. They will also be able to earn points until Thursday 8th March. Encourage your child to have fun with Maths and take part at home.

We are looking at writing to describe things we see and learn linked to our units. We continue to combine accurate pictures and careful colouring with labelling and words organised into full sentences.

We are encouraging the children to use the language and vocabulary they see and hear in the class room. They are also expected to be thinking and saying out loud what they want to write and then carefully think about the letter sounds they can hear.

In Reader’s Workshop, we will continue to support the work that Ms Jeves is doing with the children by encouraging them to make connections between what we are reading and their own experiences. When the children are making connections we use sentence starters such as:

* This reminds me of……

* I made a connection…..

* I remember when…..

* This makes me think of…..

Phonics

Unit 4 will start next week and the corresponding bookmarks will be sent home. When you are reading try to help your child notice these phonemes or keep a tally of the camera words you come across in their home readers or library books.

Phonemes: ll ff ss zz

Camera Words: you play this come my home

Not all words can be decoded phonetically. We call these tricky words, ‘camera words’ because children must learn them as though they were taking a photo of the word with their ‘mind’s eye’. They are encouraged to memorise the part of the word which is tricky.

Congratulations to the following children:

1P – Ethan Chan

1L – Lulu Kam

1W – Hilary Yip

Information Literacy – Ashley Chan

BHS Dance Off 2018

Our BHS Dance Off has been postponed until after Easter. Our student council will be sharing more information next week. Important things to remember for the Dance off are:

To have fun
You perform in groups or solo
Your dance should be around 1 minute
heats for the competition will take place at various lunchtimes after Easter
there will be a lower school and upper competition

You can support your child by helping them create and rehearse their dance.

Hiking in Hong Kong

If you fancy getting out and about this weekend. See the article below from Little Steps Asia. We would love to see some photos of the children enjoying the great outdoors!

Cooler temperatures means that it’s time to hit the hiking trails and explore the great outdoorswith the whole loveable gang. Whether you’re hiking for the first time this season or a regular on the trails, we’ve rounded up the best Hong Kong hikes to enjoy with your children. Hikes are all ranked based on difficulty levels: Little Legs (toddlers) for ages 2+, Young Hikers 9 (kids on up) for ages 6+ and Stroller Friendly for babies that need a stroller. Now pack up your water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent, and let’s go!

TAI LONG WAN: YOUNG HIKERS (Age 6+) – New Territories

Many first hikes happen on this popular Sai Kung trail, which offers up picturesque scenery while winding through a dense forest that passes by deserted traditional Hakka Chinese houses along the way. From Sai Kung town, take minibus NR29 to Sai Wan Pavilion and follow the signs pointing towards Sai Wan. It’s a flat road with a few inclines that is more suitable for active kids. Everyone will enjoy the white sand beach at the end of the hike.

Tai Long Wan, http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/tai-long-wan. Food is available for order in Sai Wan and Tai Long Wan – so no need to pack a lunch!

What is Nearby? Why not visit the secret Sheung Lok Stream waterfalls while you are there? Click here for our video and more information.

DRAGONS BACK: YOUNG HIKERS (Age 6+) – Hong Kong Island

Take your tykes on this popular hike that brings you through Shek O Country Park and some of the prettiest terrain in Hong Kong. Not only is it a smooth journey with few inclines, it’ll also afford for plenty of beach time afterwards at Big Wave beach. The entire trail will take between two to four hours; bring sunscreen, a hat and a camera to snap photos of the pretty scenery. Click here for tips and directions.

Dragon’s Back Hong Kong Hike For Kids, http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/dragons-back-kids

What’s nearby? Enjoy lunch in Shek O after the big hike! Kids will also enjoy the awesome beach – it’s gorgeous.

LANTAU ISLAND: YOUNG HIKERS (Age 6+) – Lantau Island

There are numerous trails across Lantau, but test out the easiest one first and see how the family copes. The 6km trail starts at Mui Wo ferry pier. Follow signs leading to the Trappist Haven Monastery. The trail goes off-road along the water’s edge before arriving on the other side of Discovery Bay at Nim Shue Wan ferry pier. Reward your little rascals with lunch at a waterfront restaurant along the boardwalk or hit the beach.

Lantau Island Hike For Kids, Website

Mui Wo (Discovery Bay) to Lantau With Kids, http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/family-hike-discovery-bay

What’s nearby? So much! Go camping at Long Coast (advanced planning required), dine and play at Mavericks, beach eats at Bathers, or ride bikes and enjoy vino at The China Club in Mui Wo. There is also cultural fun on Lantau too with the Big Buddha and Tai O!

PO TOI O: YOUNG HIKERS (Age 6+) – Clearwater Bay

The three-hour-long journey may seem daunting at first but the flat terrain winds through the Clear Water Bay Golf Course and offers pretty vistas that stretch out to Clear Water Bay and Sai Kung. Residents of Clear Water Bay know this hike well, and the added cultural value of a visit to Tin Hau temple makes the long hike worth it. Take the MTR to Cheung Kwan O and then minibus 103M along Clearwater Bay Road.

Clearwater Bay Hiking With Kids, http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/hike-feast

What’s nearby? Click here for the Clearwater Bay Guide! Be sure to eat at Po Toi O after your hike.

TAI TAM RESERVOIR: LITTLE LEGS (Age 2+) – Hong Kong Island (Southside)

If you can’t keep your kids’ attention spans for longer than an hour, then perhaps the scenery along the Tai Tam Reservoir trail will. Starting at Parkview, the trail weaves through a picturesque journey with mesmerizing views of the Southside. Halfway through, the trail splits with a flight of stairs leading up to one of the toughest hikes in Hong Kong – The Twins – which winds up in Stanley, while the other smoother path takes you across the Tai Tam Reservoir.

Tai Tam Reservoir Trail With Kids, Website

What’s nearby? Stanley – head here for lunch!

LAMMA ISLAND: LITTLE LEGS (Age 2+) – Lamma Island

Make an afternoon out of it by taking the entire bunch over to Lamma for a leisurely stroll around the island. The flat and easy Family Trail finishes off at the beach, where you can splash around before pulling up seats at one of the Chinese seafood restaurants at the pier, such as the scrummy Lamma Hilton Shum Kee Seafood restaurant among many others. Catch a ferry from Central Pier No. 4. The journey is approximately 25 minutes.

Lamma Island Hiking With Kids, Website

What’s nearby? Eat seafood by the sea at one of Lamma Island’s fantastic alfresco restaurants.

POK FU LAM: LITTLE LEGS (Age 2+) – Hong Kong Island

From Central, take a bus or drive up to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road and walk along the flat, tranquil path that leads through the greenery and offers a breath of fresh air above the city. With lovely views of the reservoir and Lamma Island from afar, this easy walk is just what you and your little ones need to blow off some steam.

Pok Fu Lam Hiking With Kids, Website

What’s nearby? Picnic by the reservoir or head into Cyberport for lunch!

BOWEN ROAD: STROLLER FRIENDLY (Age 0+) – Hong Kong Island

Take your car up to Bowen Road and park it, or grab a cab to drop you and your wee ones off. The trail is short and sweet, plus you simply can’t beat the city views while walking along the shaded, lush path. The popular trail is a prized spot for runners – including moms that run with strollers in tow – and can be just the place to burn off that extra, post-natal chub.

Bowen Road Fitness Trail, Website

What’s nearby? A visit to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanic Gardens is always perfect.

THE PEAK: STROLLER FRIENDLY (Age 0+) – The Peak

Take the tram or one of the numerous buses up to The Peak Trail. Although it’s touristy, the flat road is a breeze for strollers, and the looped, shady path offers spectacular views of the Island. Plus, there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants where you can change your bub and enjoy lunch with top views of the city we love! Another option to take up or down from the Peak is the famous Morning Trail – easy for strollers and toddlers.

The Peak Trail, Website

The Morning Trail, Website

What’s nearby? Hong Kong’s best playground at the peak! Visit Mount Austin Playground for views, play, and picnic fun. Lunch at the Peak Lookout is kid-friendly and offers nice views.

SHEUNG YIU VILLAGE: STROLLER FRIENDLY (Age 0+) – New Territories

Go for a leisurely hike and learn about Hong Kong history on this stroller and little-leg-apt trail, situated in Sai Kung Country Park. The paved trail is shaded, and there are varying degrees of difficulty to choose from. Start in Sheung Yiu – for those with prams, walk to the museum, those with young kiddos can loop around Tai Mong Sai Road, and those with older children can head out to High Island Reservoir.

Sheung Yiu Family Walk, http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/sheung-yiu-family-walk

What’s nearby? Visit Sai Kung after for a meal by the sea or a play in the square.