[mcacmartin]

As I'm sure we all know, school systems differ the world over. What my children are learning in school here is, I'm sure, very similar as far as the basics go but there are bound to be differences in other areas.

I'm told (by a variety of sources) that the school system in NZ is ahead of where they are at in school here in Canada. I wonder if it's not so much a case of being "ahead" so much as in a different place in their learning, with a different style of teaching.

For example, my daughter has just started Grade 1 here. She'll be going into Year 2 in NZ. She reads at a much higher age level, she does well at math etc....but I wonder if there are other things that you all have done to help your children prepare for the differences? To give them an edge as they enter a new system?

It's going to be odd for me to get used to the school year running from Feb to Dec....but that's easy. I just don't want the adjustment to be any harder than it has to be for my daughter.

[peebles16]

Meg my son is in Year 2 at the minute and although I can't comment on the Canadian system I can give you a bit of an idea of the work my son is doing in his school :yes Focus is much more on reading, writing and spelling here in NZ (my son didn't do a lot of writing as such in first year of school in the UK). Whilst they have reading schemes here they are mix of fact and fiction books and he is now working at comprehension of the stories and ability to recall etc. Maths there are just moving into doing basic fractions and haven't yet started times tables. Writing - he is expected to write a story of at least 6-8 sentences. Spelling - he gets a list of 12 words home at the beginning of each week to learn. They seem to be assessed at least once a term - nothing too formal or instrusive. The Ministry website www.minedu.govt.nz should provide you with links to curriculum and team-up - bear in mind new NZ curriculum is still at implementation stage for schools :)

Okay have waffled a bit :o
HTH
Karenx

[mcacmartin]

Wow....fractions eh? Oh boy.

She can write stories that long no problem, and spelling seems to come naturally. Simple addition and subtraction seems to be ok. Maybe we'll keep working on that and go from there.

Thankfully she's like a sponge for information and LOVES to read and learn. This should make it easier.

I'll check out that site. Thanks!

[Sam B]

Don't worry too much. There are children at different stages in every classroom, and if she's bright, she'll soon pick up any areas she hasn't done. There isn't loads of pressure on children here. She could practise walking in barefeet and swinging upside down on monkey bars as well though! Being able to swim is valued.

[mcacmartin]

Oh yes....I have to remember to go register her for swimming lessons again. Hanging upside down from monkey bars is a favourite pastime of hers. She's really looking forward to being able to be outside all the time still. Very outdoorsy kids I have :) Can't complain there.

And we are ALL looking forward to walking around barefoot. None of us likes shoes. I pretty much live in jandals year round right now because it's the closest I can come to barefoot without slicing my foot open in the city.

She'll be in a small school, and that'll be great I think.

Soooooo looking forward to living in a small town.

[Tia Maria]

You've hit the nail on the head by saying its a different system and as Sam B has mentioned there tends to be a wide range of abilities within a class so she'll soon find her feet.

My son is year 2, turned 7yrs this year, (other classmates have just turned 6yrs, hence the difference in abilities), he does:

Reading - Captain Underpants to Roald Dahl, he also does Lexile ( https://www.mylexile.co.nz ). A lot of emphasis put on question asking and comprehension. Not just, 'What did Mary lose?' but more like, 'How did Mary feel when she lost her lambs?', and, 'Why do you think the lambs may have left?'

Maths - He's up to times tables and has also started halves, quarters etc - nothing too scary it seems to involve a lot of cutting up of fairy bread. :)

Handwriting - working on getting it neat

Spelling - Words from 'house' to 'Wednesday' (list of 12 like Peebles16)

Writing - working on using more adjectives

Also projects like, growing lettuces, speeches, learning new sports skills and investigating news.

A couple of other good things to do when she starts - go in as parent help - it gives you great insight into whats going on, even if its just a couple of visits. Join a sports team, this will enable her and you to make friends. Get hold of a class list and start having a few play dates.

Cheers

Tia