Sunday, 14 August 2016
Goodbye Annabella!
On Friday we were very sad to say goodbye to Annabella. Her family is moving to Blenheim for an exciting new adventure. Don't forget to keep in touch Annabella, and we hope that you and Isabella enjoy making new friends and finding a great new school.
Hands Alive
On Friday the 5th August the Kawau team welcomed Christine from Hands Alive Puppet Theatre to perform a show and tell us a little about puppets.
After morning tea we went down to the hall and watched enthralled as Christine brought several puppets to life including a Gingerbread Mouse and cat as well as a family of puppet people. When the show had finished Christine came out and explained how she makes the puppets come alive. Then she chose several students to come and try out some of her puppets. She had a large range of glove and rod puppets.
Since then the students have been busy finding information, and comparing the different types of puppets. This week they will choose what type of puppet they want to make and will begin to design their puppet and decide on the materials they will need to create it.
We look forward to showing off our amazing puppet creations at the Art Exhibition in Week 8 of this term.
Hands Alive Puppet Show on PhotoPeach
After morning tea we went down to the hall and watched enthralled as Christine brought several puppets to life including a Gingerbread Mouse and cat as well as a family of puppet people. When the show had finished Christine came out and explained how she makes the puppets come alive. Then she chose several students to come and try out some of her puppets. She had a large range of glove and rod puppets.
Since then the students have been busy finding information, and comparing the different types of puppets. This week they will choose what type of puppet they want to make and will begin to design their puppet and decide on the materials they will need to create it.
We look forward to showing off our amazing puppet creations at the Art Exhibition in Week 8 of this term.
Hands Alive Puppet Show on PhotoPeach
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Welcome Back to Term 3
Welcome back to Term 3 and another busy term of learning. The newsletter that came home earlier this week had lots of information about our learning for the term and the special events happening across the school. These include an art and writing exhibition and our 60th celebrations.
Our inquiry for this term focuses on puppets from around the world, we will also be writing and sharing speeches. All students will start new Smart Words spelling books this term - please ensure you have filled in the notice that came home in the last week of term two regarding the books.
This term our sports focus is on gymnastics. The whole Kawau team will join together after lunch on Wednesday afternoons to do a rotation of different gymnastic activities. Here are some photos from our first session yesterday.
Our inquiry for this term focuses on puppets from around the world, we will also be writing and sharing speeches. All students will start new Smart Words spelling books this term - please ensure you have filled in the notice that came home in the last week of term two regarding the books.
This term our sports focus is on gymnastics. The whole Kawau team will join together after lunch on Wednesday afternoons to do a rotation of different gymnastic activities. Here are some photos from our first session yesterday.
Monday, 4 July 2016
Stardome
Today we had a wonderful visit to Stardome to complete our learning this term on our inquiry into the Solar System.
It was a beautiful day, so after arriving we ate our morning tea outside. We then split into 2 groups and the first group headed in to Stardome while the second group went to play on the playground.
Inside Stardome an education officer gave us a short talk about the Solar system, demonstrating in scale how far apart the planets are from each other and the sun, and also telling us about how the Earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits the Earth and how this causes night and day.
Next we split into smaller groups and were given 10 minutes to try and find the answers to a quiz on a tablet around the exhibits.
Finally, we went into the Planetarium and sat back to watch a show about an alien family trying to decide which planet they want to holiday on. After the little movie our Stardome educator brought up on the screen what the night sky above Auckland will look like tonight and pointed out some of the different clusters of stars.
After lunch, group one had their chance to play on the playground and then it was back on the buses and we headed back to school.
Stardome have given us vouchers for a free child entry to a planetarium show which will be given out to the students on either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.
If you'd like to do a bit of star gazing this week why not see if you can spot the International Space Station passing overhead? Check out the times it passes over Auckland this week here: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
A huge thank you to all the parent helpers who came with us, you're help was truly appreciated.
It was a beautiful day, so after arriving we ate our morning tea outside. We then split into 2 groups and the first group headed in to Stardome while the second group went to play on the playground.
Next we split into smaller groups and were given 10 minutes to try and find the answers to a quiz on a tablet around the exhibits.
Finally, we went into the Planetarium and sat back to watch a show about an alien family trying to decide which planet they want to holiday on. After the little movie our Stardome educator brought up on the screen what the night sky above Auckland will look like tonight and pointed out some of the different clusters of stars.
After lunch, group one had their chance to play on the playground and then it was back on the buses and we headed back to school.
Stardome have given us vouchers for a free child entry to a planetarium show which will be given out to the students on either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.
If you'd like to do a bit of star gazing this week why not see if you can spot the International Space Station passing overhead? Check out the times it passes over Auckland this week here: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
A huge thank you to all the parent helpers who came with us, you're help was truly appreciated.
Cultural Groups
This term we have spent half an hour most Fridays learning a new dance as part of our Year 2 and 3 Cultural Groups.
From Kapa Haka to Pacifica, Line Dancing to Folk Dancing, Chinese Fan dancing to Indian dancing with a bit of Poi and Maori Sticks for good measure the students have learnt lots of different moves. This has been great for fitness, understanding other cultures, co-ordination and team work amongst other skills.
Last week we got together in the hall to perform what we had learnt so far and show our friends our fab moves.
Here are a few photos of some of the performances.
From Kapa Haka to Pacifica, Line Dancing to Folk Dancing, Chinese Fan dancing to Indian dancing with a bit of Poi and Maori Sticks for good measure the students have learnt lots of different moves. This has been great for fitness, understanding other cultures, co-ordination and team work amongst other skills.
Last week we got together in the hall to perform what we had learnt so far and show our friends our fab moves.
Here are a few photos of some of the performances.
 |
| Kapa Haka |
 |
| Chinese Fan dance |
 |
| Line Dancing |
 |
| Poi |
 |
| Maori Sticks |
Friday, 1 July 2016
Monster Art
This term Mrs Dawe has been working across the Year 3 classes on a fabulous Monster Art project using fabric and paint.
The art is looking amazing, and the students have also produced some great writing about their monsters.
Today I sneaked in to class to see how the students were getting on and was really impressed with their attention to detail and creativity.
Well done Room 20, I can't wait to see the completely finished pieces.
The art is looking amazing, and the students have also produced some great writing about their monsters.
Today I sneaked in to class to see how the students were getting on and was really impressed with their attention to detail and creativity.
Well done Room 20, I can't wait to see the completely finished pieces.
Literacy Learning
As part of our literacy time we do warm ups that get us thinking about words. This includes spelling, vocabulary, word families, blends, prefixes and suffixes, and much more.
On Wednesday the students really got their brains working when I challenged them to think of new words to replace the words big and small in the following sentence:
The pumpkin was big but the pea was small.
They certainly rose to the challenge thinking of lots of words they could use instead.
On Thursday we looked at plurals and how we change word endings when there is more than one of an item. We talked about how there are rules to help us know which ending to use, but there are also words that are exceptions to the rule.
Here are photos of our fabulous thinking.
On Wednesday the students really got their brains working when I challenged them to think of new words to replace the words big and small in the following sentence:
The pumpkin was big but the pea was small.
They certainly rose to the challenge thinking of lots of words they could use instead.
On Thursday we looked at plurals and how we change word endings when there is more than one of an item. We talked about how there are rules to help us know which ending to use, but there are also words that are exceptions to the rule.
Here are photos of our fabulous thinking.
Monday, 27 June 2016
Help!
Hi Parents and Caregivers,
I have a request and a warning for you today.
If any parent is available in the morning to wipe over desks and / or sharpen pencils I would really appreciate it. I am also on the lookout for a kind book helper who would be able to spend 20 minutes a week putting our returned readers away in the resource room. This could be done after the bell has gone in the morning or before the bell goes at the end of the day.
If you are able to help please see me before or after school or drop me an email. Even if you could only do once a fortnight or once a month that would be great.
Warning! Warning!
We have had cases of both "Hand, foot and mouth" and "Impetigo (School Sores)" at school. Although not in our class both illnesses are highly contagious and students shouldn't come to school if you suspect they have either of these illnesses.
Please be on the lookout at home for the symptoms which can be found here:
Hand, Foot and Mouth
Impetigo (School Sores)
Thank you
I have a request and a warning for you today.
If any parent is available in the morning to wipe over desks and / or sharpen pencils I would really appreciate it. I am also on the lookout for a kind book helper who would be able to spend 20 minutes a week putting our returned readers away in the resource room. This could be done after the bell has gone in the morning or before the bell goes at the end of the day.
If you are able to help please see me before or after school or drop me an email. Even if you could only do once a fortnight or once a month that would be great.
Warning! Warning!
We have had cases of both "Hand, foot and mouth" and "Impetigo (School Sores)" at school. Although not in our class both illnesses are highly contagious and students shouldn't come to school if you suspect they have either of these illnesses.
Please be on the lookout at home for the symptoms which can be found here:
Hand, Foot and Mouth
Impetigo (School Sores)
Thank you
Friday, 24 June 2016
The Case of the Missing Fleece...
It's been a lovely warm afternoon and our day ended with cultural groups, so fleeces were abandoned left, right and centre.
Mrs Ye and I picked up a lot of fleeces that were dropped on the floor in the bag area and left behind, and I found several more in the classroom.
They are now hanging on their owners pegs waiting for Monday morning, one peg has 3 waiting to be be collected!
Students please remember all your belongings at the end of each day. Parents, please encourage your children to check they have everything - there is even a helpful list in the bag area to remind them.
Here's hoping Monday morning isn't too cold, as these fleeces are having a little weekend gathering at school!
Mrs Ye and I picked up a lot of fleeces that were dropped on the floor in the bag area and left behind, and I found several more in the classroom.
They are now hanging on their owners pegs waiting for Monday morning, one peg has 3 waiting to be be collected!
Students please remember all your belongings at the end of each day. Parents, please encourage your children to check they have everything - there is even a helpful list in the bag area to remind them.
Here's hoping Monday morning isn't too cold, as these fleeces are having a little weekend gathering at school!
Happy Hello and Fond Goodbyes
We recently welcomed Brooklyn to Room 20 and he has fitted in really well with our class. It's great to have you here Brooklyn!
Sadly we said goodbye to Jane today who is moving away from Torbay and starting a new adventure in Tauranga. We will miss you Jane, but we are sure you will have a fabulous time at your new school. Don't forget to keep in touch via this blog!
Here's a little reminder of the sensible bunch of class mates you are leaving behind.
Oh wait, no, HERE is a little reminder of the sensible bunch of class mates you are leaving behind!
Foodie Friday
Today we have had a "Foodie" Friday.
We started this morning in maths. I brought several oranges in and sat everyone around one of our tables.
I held up an orange and asked what we would call it as a fraction. "A whole" came the resounding answer so we wrote 1/1 on a piece of paper and put the orange down. I then asked what fraction would I have if I cut the orange in two. This time after cutting we talking about how they needed to be equal size pieces and how we would write a half. We also talked about what the 1 and the 2 meant i.e. 1/2 is 1 of 2 equal size pieces.
We did the same with more oranges cutting them into thirds, quarters, fifths and tenths and lined them all up on plates. We discussed which piece of orange would be the best to eat if you were hungry, and looked at how the denominator (the bottom number) gets bigger as the size of the piece of orange got smaller.
Then we ate the oranges!
Next, I drew some shapes onto pieces of paper, and after naming each shape, I divided the shapes to show different fractions. I then counted out amounts of marshmallows onto plates and we talked finding a fraction of a set e.g. if we had 10 marshmallows and had to give half to one person and half to another how many would each get? We used mathematical language to show that equal sharing is the same as dividing, and we talked about how we can use multiplication to help us find the answer.
Then we ate the marshmallows!
Then we made cones out of paper and went to morning tea.
Finally, after morning tea I asked all the students to sit down with their writing books and listen carefully to the sounds they could hear, and to use their other senses to write words in their books. Meanwhile, out of sight, I opened a bag of popcorn kernels, filled up a popcorn machine and started it up. Soon the students guessed what they were listening to as the popping sounds started.
After the first lot of popcorn had popped, I made a second batch with everyone able to see the popcorn popping. Their task was then to write about what they saw, heard, tasted, touched and thought as they were listening and watching. When they had finished they got to get their paper cone they had made before morning tea and get it filled with popcorn.
Learning is always easier when it is fun, and I think we've done a little bit of both today!
Some snippets of our writing:
"It looks big and puffy. The popcorn is jumping." - Rihana.
"I heard a packet rattling. I heard beans scrunching. I see popcorn popping out. It tastes yum and it is crackling." - Kai
"I heard popcorn exploding. I wondered why we had popcorn." - Mayer
"I see the popcorn machine going. I see popcorn popping in a bowl. I touch yummy delicious popcorn." - Bede
"I can see the popcorn excited to get out. I touched the super rough surface of the warm popcorn."
- Julia
We started this morning in maths. I brought several oranges in and sat everyone around one of our tables.
I held up an orange and asked what we would call it as a fraction. "A whole" came the resounding answer so we wrote 1/1 on a piece of paper and put the orange down. I then asked what fraction would I have if I cut the orange in two. This time after cutting we talking about how they needed to be equal size pieces and how we would write a half. We also talked about what the 1 and the 2 meant i.e. 1/2 is 1 of 2 equal size pieces.
We did the same with more oranges cutting them into thirds, quarters, fifths and tenths and lined them all up on plates. We discussed which piece of orange would be the best to eat if you were hungry, and looked at how the denominator (the bottom number) gets bigger as the size of the piece of orange got smaller.Then we ate the oranges!
Next, I drew some shapes onto pieces of paper, and after naming each shape, I divided the shapes to show different fractions. I then counted out amounts of marshmallows onto plates and we talked finding a fraction of a set e.g. if we had 10 marshmallows and had to give half to one person and half to another how many would each get? We used mathematical language to show that equal sharing is the same as dividing, and we talked about how we can use multiplication to help us find the answer.
Then we ate the marshmallows!
Then we made cones out of paper and went to morning tea.
Finally, after morning tea I asked all the students to sit down with their writing books and listen carefully to the sounds they could hear, and to use their other senses to write words in their books. Meanwhile, out of sight, I opened a bag of popcorn kernels, filled up a popcorn machine and started it up. Soon the students guessed what they were listening to as the popping sounds started.
After the first lot of popcorn had popped, I made a second batch with everyone able to see the popcorn popping. Their task was then to write about what they saw, heard, tasted, touched and thought as they were listening and watching. When they had finished they got to get their paper cone they had made before morning tea and get it filled with popcorn.
Learning is always easier when it is fun, and I think we've done a little bit of both today!
Some snippets of our writing:
"It looks big and puffy. The popcorn is jumping." - Rihana.
"I heard a packet rattling. I heard beans scrunching. I see popcorn popping out. It tastes yum and it is crackling." - Kai
"I heard popcorn exploding. I wondered why we had popcorn." - Mayer
"I see the popcorn machine going. I see popcorn popping in a bowl. I touch yummy delicious popcorn." - Bede
"I can see the popcorn excited to get out. I touched the super rough surface of the warm popcorn."
- Julia
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Sneezesafe Update!
It has been almost 3 weeks since we started our Sneezesafe experiment with our buddies in Room 7.
Yesterday, our buddies came to see us to find out what had happened to the bread. We began by reminding ourselves of the video we had watched and what was the best way to stop germs spreading. Then we looked at out slices of bread. It took almost 2 weeks before the bread started showing signs of germs, much longer than we thought, but most likely due to the fact that the slices of bread were all in sealed bags.
First we revealed the bread that hadn't been touched...
No obvious difference from when it was put in the bag!
Next we revealed the bread that was touched by Brianna in Room 7 after she washed her hands...
Small areas of mould growing on one edge of the bread.
Finally we revealed the bread that everyone in the class touched. This was the one the students predicted would grow the most mould, though I'm not sure they expected this!
The bread is blue, green, yellow and even black in places!
Mrs Buchanan has reported that all her class are now coughing and sneezing into tissues and elbows, so fingers crossed they'll be less illnesses this winter!
Yesterday, our buddies came to see us to find out what had happened to the bread. We began by reminding ourselves of the video we had watched and what was the best way to stop germs spreading. Then we looked at out slices of bread. It took almost 2 weeks before the bread started showing signs of germs, much longer than we thought, but most likely due to the fact that the slices of bread were all in sealed bags.
First we revealed the bread that hadn't been touched...
 |
| Front view |
 |
| Back view |
Next we revealed the bread that was touched by Brianna in Room 7 after she washed her hands...
 |
| Front view |
 |
| Back view |
Finally we revealed the bread that everyone in the class touched. This was the one the students predicted would grow the most mould, though I'm not sure they expected this!
The bread is blue, green, yellow and even black in places!
Mrs Buchanan has reported that all her class are now coughing and sneezing into tissues and elbows, so fingers crossed they'll be less illnesses this winter!
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Skate Stars
On Friday Room 20, with a few added extras from Rooms 17 and 21, had our turn on the ice rink set up in the school hall as part of the Ice Skate Tour.
We met Robin, who was in charge, and he told us a few safety pointers about the boots and the blades. Then the boys lined up and swapped shoes for boots, helmets and gloves. A group of senior students were there to help us get our boots on quickly which was great. It wasn't long before the girls were also getting their skate gear and then we were on the "ice".
There were a few wobbles, a few falls, some holding on to the side and some zooming about happening all at the same time.
Once everyone was skating Robin stopped us to practice getting up when we had fallen down and to make sure we were all going in the same direction.
I was really impressed with how the students helped each other out, skating round with students who were a little unsure, and helping those that had fallen back on their feet.
Soon the music and the bubbles were pumping and we were having an amazing time, with lots of smiles and laughter in evidence. We had just enough time for a group photo before it was time to finish and change back into our shoes in time for lunch.
Well done Room 20!
We met Robin, who was in charge, and he told us a few safety pointers about the boots and the blades. Then the boys lined up and swapped shoes for boots, helmets and gloves. A group of senior students were there to help us get our boots on quickly which was great. It wasn't long before the girls were also getting their skate gear and then we were on the "ice".
There were a few wobbles, a few falls, some holding on to the side and some zooming about happening all at the same time.
Once everyone was skating Robin stopped us to practice getting up when we had fallen down and to make sure we were all going in the same direction.
I was really impressed with how the students helped each other out, skating round with students who were a little unsure, and helping those that had fallen back on their feet.
Soon the music and the bubbles were pumping and we were having an amazing time, with lots of smiles and laughter in evidence. We had just enough time for a group photo before it was time to finish and change back into our shoes in time for lunch.
Well done Room 20!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)