Thursday 30 March 2017

Week 8 Term 1

This week we were working in pairs to solve a rich task in maths. It went like this...
A farmer counted 28 legs in his yard. There were pigs and ducks. Eleven animals in total. We had to work out how many of them were ducks!
Some amazing strategies and knowledge was shared by all.



When we were finished some of us buddied up to play chess!


Reading not only happens at reading time but anywhere at anytime! I had the camera out at random times during the day....




There is always talk in the media about teachers in our 21st century learning environments being disposed of but I never saw myself being replaced by an Emperor Penguin!




Have a happy and safe week!

Saturday 25 March 2017

Week 7 Term 1

This week it was our turn to host Kahikatea syndicate assembly. Rosie and Kaitlyn did a superb job with Room 5 demonstrating impeccable manners!
Chloe and Moss shared their brilliant bee stories and we had three champions receiving certificates.




We are currently trialing some new stools for when we are working at lower tables. The stools help us to sit with a better posture than on cushions. A big thank you to Ian (Victoria's husband) who has made the prototype!


As part of our inquiry learning we have been looking at playing fair games, resilience and the ability to be a gracious winner and a good loser.
We played a game of Rob the Nest where the objective of the game is to 'pinch' balls off another team. We soon discovered feelings of frustration and what fairness looked like. At the same time there was plenty of laughter, squealing and support for one another!






During reading time these champion literacy gurus read a story about making a koru pattern with daisies. They were able to use their creative thinking to work out a way of replicating the pattern in the classroom using playdough!


These two boys were feeling very proud of themselves and excited for getting 100% of their spelling words correct and a massive improvement in their basic facts! As I have said a number of times to the children success comes through hard work and dedication and this is exactly what these two boys did this week. Outstanding!


Have a happy and safe week!

Friday 17 March 2017

Week 6 Term 1

Every Friday morning we do our spelling and basic facts. Here are some of us working on whiteboards to practise our words over and over again!


On Friday we celebrated Race Unity Day. We had various rotations around the syndicate experiencing different cultures. In Room 5 we played a game from Sri Lanka which Themika introduced us to. It was very similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey but involved an elephant. The children we blindfolded, turned around 5 times then had to estimate where the center of the elephants eye was.

Surprisingly Themika won! But Jule from our neighbouring class was a very close second. As it was St Patrick's Day we also had some entertainment after lunch from a group of very talented girls with some Irish dancing.

Have a happy and safe week!

Saturday 11 March 2017

Week 5, Term 1

Jo has been running 'Wheels Wednesday' at school. Children are free to bring their scooters, skateboards or roller blades. They are required to wear a helmet and to sign an agreement in regard to the rules.



This week at assembly we had three champions receiving certificates for their outstanding efforts with their work. Every other week our syndicate meet in the library for an assembly to celebrate our successes and share our learning.



Towards the end of the week we decided that it was getting too cold to swim. Therefore there will be no more swimming this term.

Have a happy and safe week!

Saturday 4 March 2017

Week 4 Term 1

On Friday Funday we had Discovery Time. A large body of research indicates that children learn best through developmentally appropriate, hands on, student directed learning. Discovery Time is a ninety minute, action packed, activity based programme. Held once a week, it provides opportunities for us to meet the diverse needs of students through well planned, structured, ‘hands on’ experiences. Children get a chance to take control of their own learning. They are motivated and fully engaged. Best of all, it is fun! The session begins with an introduction of the focus for the day. This will generally be linked to social and self- management skills. The children then select and participate in the activities, such as: skipping, construction, dress up, cooking, painting, puppetry, craft activities, co-operative games, water play, and so on. During the session the teacher takes the role as a facilitator: observing, providing feedback, asking questions and prompting students. The children are supported in their creative play and problem solving skills. At the end of the session the class comes together to share and reflect on what they have done and what they have learned.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Customize your own digital slideshow

Someone was very happy to have his peg off the chart and heading towards the teddy! 


We have a new couple of underwater mermaids in Room 5!



This week we were provided with some entertainment from some Room 5 children performing a play portraying the frustrations of ordering a pizza through an automated phone line.




Thank you to everyone who managed to come to goal setting interviews. Ten minutes seemed to fly by. If you have anything you need to discuss further please don't hesitate to come and see me.

Have a happy and safe week!