Learning Specialists

ICAS Mathematics Testing

Last year, a large number of Kalinda students from Grade 2 to Grade 6, participated in the University of New South Wales ICAS testing.

At Kalinda, we offer this assessment as an opportunity for students to extend their problem-solving skills and to challenge themselves in Mathematics. This year we will be running the ICAS Maths assessment on Monday 31st August.

Each student that participates receives a certificate and an online result report, with top performing students receiving medals.

If you are interested in entering your child in the ICAS Maths assessment this year, please read the attached notice which has details of how to register. For any questions or queries, please contact Ms Anderson.

Maths Puzzle

This puzzle was published in the last newsletter. Did you have a try at working it out?

How do you add eight 8s to get to 1000?

The answer is, of course, a bit of a trick!

888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1000

Well done if you worked it out!

Ms Anderson

Learning Specialist and Numeracy Co-ordinator.

Help! My child doesn’t want to read

Does the idea of reading send your child running for the hills? Do they find it as daunting as going to the dentist? Is it a battle? We want home reading to be enjoyable, and never a chore or battle between parent and child. As teachers we sometimes field questions about what to do with children who wish to avoid reading at all costs! Getting to the bottom of why they don’t want to read is the first step to figuring out how to encourage them to read more.

But before a battle ensues and you ask questions that help us to fill in the gaps as to why your child is a reluctant reader, take a deep breath, find a comfy corner of the couch and sit and read to your child. Children need to listen to good reading role models who help to take them on a journey that inspires them to love reading. 

The following are some simple suggestions that might help you understand your child’s reluctance:

Common Sense Media:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/reading/how-can-i-encourage-a-reluctant-reader

All about learning press:

https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.com/motivating-kids-to-read/

Children’s author, Emilie Buchwald said, “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents!”

If your child is a reluctant reader – Read to them!

If your child is a reluctant writer – Read to them! After all, books are full of the most glorious vocabulary.

Dani Thomas

Learning Specialist and Literacy Co-ordinator