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Balloon Powered Car Heats

Today the class had our heats for our balloon powered cars. Each group had the chance to launch their car 3 times. We measured each launch and then took the greatest distance from each one to find out our finalists. Oscar & Cooper and Josh, Cooper & Ari have made it through. The final will be next week and the winner will race off against the winner of Room 11. Check out the individual blogs for more information.

Unusual Reading Spot Competition

Over the holidays take a photo of yourself reading in an unusual spot or pose. Email the photos to Mr Anderson or Mrs Cameron.

The Zone of Confusion...

It’s ok to be in the “Zone of Confusion”.

But what isn't ok is staying there...so how do we get out?

• Try it yourself
• Ask someone for help
• Think about what the question is asking you
• Write down your thinking - lets you see your thinking!
• Try something you think will work - have a go!
• Use your prior knowledge
• Try one of the strategies you know
• Try using a tool e.g. calculator
• Talking about it - talking out the problem helps us think.

Learner Maker of Learner Faker?

This week in class we discussed the difference between a Learner Maker and Learner Faker. We introduced the words and without any help from me, the class brainstormed what each of these might look like. We then discussed how important it is to be a Learner Maker and not a Learner Faker. We finished the discussion with a challenge.

"Each day you come to school you face a choice...to be a Learner Maker or be a Learner Faker. Which will you be?"

Learner Faker:

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Learner Maker:

Created with Padlet

Cats, cats and more cats!

This term we have began to learn about how to write persuasive text. A emotive debate about cats started after a discussion in the library with Mrs Cameron. We took the debate back to class and looked at some Gareth Morgan videos. Here they are...

Gareth Morgan - cats

Gareth Morgan - cats video 2

Some of the class were strongly "for" cats and some "against". We decided to try and persuade each other about whether cats should be allowed in New Zealand as pets or at all.

As a class we have looked at some examples of persuasive texts and decided on some features/criteria about what makes an 'effective' persuasive text. Here is what we came up with:

Features of a Persuasive Text:

• An introduction which says your argument
• A main point in each paragraph
• Ideas explaining each main point (P.E.E. paragraph = explain, elaborate, example)
• Emotive language - words that indicate feelings
• Personal opinions
• P.E.E. technique
• restate your argument in the conclusion
• persuasive sentence starters

We hope to post some of our writing on our blog in the coming weeks.

Poupou

We have finally finished our Poupou using the Te Ara Tika process. A lot of work has gone into these from start to finish. Please take the time to check these ones out...we would love you to leave a comment.

AWE Water Safety

Here are the key words and phrases (vocabulary) that has popped up this week in our water safety lessons at the aquatic centre.

Scull

Elbow high

Tread water

Pin

Float

Capsize

Straight as a stick

Log roll

Keep afloat

P.D.F.

Helmet

Little kicks

Water survival

Lane

Pull

Chin

Hypothermia

Sink

Tummy up

Underwater

Thumb by thigh

Glide

Hold

Rash shirt

Dive

Strokes

Stay together

Team

Above water

Look at ceiling

Tug

Energy

Chin bone

Tow

Pull chin

The Maori World of Art

Here is a quick snapshot of some of the art being created in Room 10 this term. We have used the ate Ara Tika process to research about Poupou and the special meaning behind them and the symbols they contain.

It is great that children have a choice about the medium they can use to present their art. They have total control over the process.

Grocery Raffles

Please remember to bring your grocery raffle items this week...

Food Drop for New Zealand Kayaker

Food drop for trans-Tasman kayaker

We are learning to make inferences in text.

9:59 AM Friday Jun 20, 2014

An urgent aid mission will get underway today to drop vital supplies to a kayaker attempting a solo trip across the Tasman Sea.


Scott Donaldson, left from Coffs Harbour, north of Sydney and was now about 500km of New Zealand's coastline, Radio New Zealand reported.


The 43-year-old from Hamilton has run dangerously low on supplies after his trip was delayed by rough weather and technical issues.


Mr Donaldson's wife Sarah has asked Taupo rescue pilot John Fennell to make a drop of much needed supplies.


Mr Fennell told RNZ Mr Donaldson had a radio but he would still be trying to find a small speck in a big ocean.


"The trick is actually getting the container of contents down right in front of him or beside him and they're in a little parachute so we've got to be very accurate.

"It will be a bit of a challenge for us," Mr Fennell said.


Mr Donaldson's wife Sarah said she was very concerned for her husband's wellbeing."
[He's] dangerously low on food...the water, he can actually hand pump the water, but it's really about the weather conditions and the lack of solar that feeds the desalinator that converts the salt water to fresh water," she told RNZ.


Ms Donaldson said a text from her husband last night said he was looking forward to the supply drop and looked forward to spotting the plane.


He was "very tough mentally" and was looking forward to finishing the voyage in a couple of weeks in Taranaki, she said.


Mr Donaldson had been at sea since April 19.


The trip was a "long time coming" and had required an enormous amount of planning, Ms Donaldson said.


"He's very keen to get such a large venture under his belt, he's very keen to knock off something this big."


Source: New Zealand Herald

Which Basic Facts are important to learn?

Woman flees for her life

Woman fled for her life from falling cliff

"I looked at my son and screamed at him to run." 

 

Lynzie Moseling ran for her life as a massive slice of crumbling coastal cliff came crashing down toward her.

The Hawera woman, along with her 16-year-old son Cory Oldfield, were enjoying a peaceful stroll along Waihi Beach when the wall of rock and sodden mud stopped them dead in their tracks on Wednesday.

"We were looking at shells and we both looked up at the same time because there was a rumble," she said. "We both saw the whole top of the cliff just slide.

"I looked at my son and screamed at him to run.

"I have not run that fast in a very, very long time."

Moseling said it felt like the whole cliff was chasing them.

"The noise was horrendous, it was just like being in a movie.

"I didn't know how much of the cliff was going to come down so we just kept running."

Finally feeling like they were far enough away the pair took stock.

"My son doesn't know how close he was to getting killed that day - but I do.

"I didn't sleep that night because if I hadn't left a note at home no one would have known where we were."

Moseling now has a simple message for people walking near those cliffs.

"Stay as far away as possible."

South Taranaki District Council properties and facilities manager John Sargeant said the landslide was a timely reminder the west coast cliffs were prone to collapse.

"People need to ensure that they stay away from the cliff face at all times," he said.

"This is particularly true for children hunting for fossils and shells."

Sargeant said because of the dynamic nature of the coastline, erosion was a natural occurrence often causing many tonnes of rock and mud to fall onto the beach without warning.

"The dangers of cliff erosion are signposted at Waihi and Ohawe as well as along areas where the coast is more prone to erosion such as Opunake.

"Where cliff falls do occur it is council policy to let nature do the clean-up work where high tides and currents will eventually wash the debris away."

- Taranaki Daily News

 

Our Show Not Tell Writing for Assembly

Show not tell from Brendon Anderson

CHARLOTTE CURD/Fairfax NZ

SEAL ATTACK: The seal which left an elderly man seriously injured after an attack on New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway this morning.

'Blood everywhere' in seal attack

 The elderly man attacked by a seal on a New Plymouth walkway today is in a stable condition in hospital.

A trail of blood was left on New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway this morning when the animal lunged at the 85-year-old man, who had been walking near the Belt Road Motor Camp at about 8.15am.

He was left with a serious leg injury and was treated by St John paramedics at the scene.

He was then transported to Taranaki Base Hospital in a serious condition.

Armed police provided a protective barrier while the man was treated.

According to the Department of Conservation an adult female New Zealand fur seal can weigh up to 50kg and a male 150kg.

Eyewitness Kevin Harvey, of New Plymouth, said the seal also lunged at him as he ran past.

He saw people attending a man on the ground and thought it must have been a cyclist who had come off.

''There was blood on the ground everywhere and obviously [the seal] had attacked the walker.''

He threw a few stones at the seal in an attempt to scare it back onto the rocks.

Harvey said he's seen seals on the walkway before.

''They usually come towards you a bit then back off, but he just kept on coming.''

The Department of Conservation recommends the following to ensure your safety around seals:
* Always stay at least 10m away.
* Do not disturb seals. Don't make loud noises or throw objects near them.
* Keep dogs and children under control around seals.
* Never attempt to handle seals as they can be aggressive.
* Do not drive vehicles any closer than 50m from seals.
* Flies are often attracted to the natural secretions around the eyes of seals. This does not mean the seal is sick and is not a cause for concern.
* It is natural for mothers to leave their pups alone while they return to sea to forage. Please do not disturb or move solitary pups.
* If you are concerned about the safety of a seal, please contact the Department of Conservation immediately on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

- Taranaki Daily News

Other related readings:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10108259/DOC-and-armed-police-guard-attack-seal

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10108917/Man-attacked-by-seal-expected-to-recover

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10109594/Seal-victims-fitness-saves-day

Wonderopolis

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Duck shooter shot in the buttocks

Duck shooter shot in the buttocks

A duck shooter is nursing minor gunshot wounds to his backside and leg inflicted while hunting with friends.
Queenstown Police acting sergeant Feleki Uhrle said the man was with three friends at Paradise Valley in Glenorchy yesterday when the incident happened.
"He claims some pellets ricocheted off something and hit him."
St John Ambulance spokesman Ian Henderson said they were alerted at 6.05pm to the incident, and an ambulance was sent to the Glenorchy Hotel.
"I don't know if this is where the incident had happened or not, however this is where the patient was located."
The man, in his 40s, had minor wounds, he said.
"From what I can tell, the incident had happened earlier in the day however an ambulance wasn't called until some time later. The patient was assessed at the scene, but we didn't transport him anywhere as his injuries were minor."
Queenstown police are investigating the incident.

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10007663/Duck-shooter-shot-in-the-buttocks

SLC - Questions

These are the people in the class that have not done the Student Led Conference yet. These are their questions to the people that have...

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SLC - Our thoughts

Our school has been doing Student Led Conferences (SLCs). These are our thoughts after our very first time doing them:

Created with Padlet

Things that Trip us up when Reading

Blogging in Term 2

Our Class Blogs

We have discussed how to take the next steps with out class blogs - how to make them more interesting, put more posts on and get people reading them. Here is the thinking from our class discussion...

Why do we have blogs?

• To share our learning
• To show people what we have improved on and see where we are at
• To show the skills we are learning
• To show the topic we are learning
• To get feedback about your learning

How should we be using our blogs?

• Think about what you post. Is it appropriate?
• Keep personal details off it.
• Don’t put too many gadgets on it.

What types of posts should  we put on our blog?

• Holiday events
• What we are learning at school
• What you have been doing in your free time.
• Sports results e.g. rugby, netball, interschool etc
• Spelling results
• Free writing from home/school
• Anything you want to show that you have improved on
• Puzzles
• Websites - you want to share
• Something you have made
• Achievements/Proud of
• Facts about topics you are interested in
• Recipes
• Likes/Hobbies

What is not appropriate to put on our blog?

Violence, Swearing, Rude things, Abuse to other people, Certain gadgets, Blackmailing/Threats, Racist, Advertising on someone elses blog, T.M.I., Scams, Gossip about others

How can we make our blogs more interesting/exciting?

• Colour
• Daily/every second day posts
• Change the name of the blog
• Humour
• Better gadgets
• Not just school work
• Ask some experts on blogging
• Creative learning - books, humour, videos, reviews, movies, games/puzzles, information that the students find interesting, event explanations, audio
• Some information about yourself
• REALLY REALLY VISUAL

When can we post to our blogs?

• Anytime
• Daily blogging time
• At home
• Ask the teacher...can i put this on the blog now?
• Free writing
• Own time
• Lunchtimes

Tupare

Tupare Gardens Virtual Tours

This week most children are ready to seek review from others on their online tour of Tupare gardens before making final changes. Then their tours will be ready to share with the wider audience using a QR ( Quick Response) code to direct viewers to the tour.

We brainstormed some ideas on exactly what to give feedback on. This is what we came up with...

• Information - is there enough?
• Is the information actually correct and accurate?
• Does it have at least 3 of the base criteria?
• Does it have the yawn factor? Or does it have the magic 5% factor?
• Does it have correct spelling, grammar and punctuation?
• Have we used the correct vocabulary for the purpose of the tour?
• How good was the tool we used to make the tour?
• What did we think of the layout and design?
• Is there too much reading?
• Colours - do the colours we have used make it easier to read/view?

Apostrophes - SPLT Group 1

We are learning to use apostrophes in the correct place.

Our prior knowledge:

• Used in shortened words = taking out a letter and putting in apostrophes
• Usually used before an ‘s’

Our Key Questions…

• What are the main rules for apostrophes?
• Where are apostrophes used?
• Why do we use apostrophes?
• When do we use apostrophes?

The Task:

Use our search skills to find and read about the rules regarding apostrophes.

Decide on the important rules and write into our own words. Add these rules to our personal SPLT document.

Create a (short!!!) Google presentation for the rest of the class that teaches them about the apostrophe rules.

A great website we have found is...BBC Skillwise Bitesize

More P.E.E. writing - Abbie's

I am learning to P.E.E. in my writing - have a main point/topic sentence as the first sentence, then I elaborate. 

Tupare gardens is a public garden in New Plymouth. Tupare has a river at the end of the gardens. There is a swimming hole in one part of it. The swimming hole is really deep. The river has a very fast current and there are some steps to get down to the river. The river is called the Waiwhakaiho. There are eels in the river that come out at night. The eels normally live at the end of the swimming hole by the bank. Tupare gardens are recommended by local people. If you like to look at gardens, this is the place to go.

If you are curious about Tupare gardens go to this website http://www.trc.govt.nz/tupare-home/

Written by Abbie

I am learning to P.E.E. in my writing - have a main point/topic sentence as the first sentence, then I elaborate.

The Cascade Cliff

Here you will explore of the amazing history the Cascade Cliff at Tupare Gardens. The Cascade Cliff took 4 winters to build and some rocks from the Waiwhakaiho River made the stone in the Waterfall. The Cascade Cliff was named after a good friend of Russell Matthews his name was Cliff. The waterfall was made in winter because Russell Matthews had to build roads in the summer. The water flows when the tide of the river is high but when the tide of the river is low then it doesn’t flow as much water. The water from the river is the water from the Cascade Cliff so the Cascade Cliff’s water comes from the Waiwhakaiho river. The water flows underground to get to the Cascade Cliff. 

By Eliala

Cascade Cliffs Cascade Cliffs is a  small waterfall in Tupare Gardens. It was built in the winter because Russell Mathews had work in the summer. Cascade Cliffs took 4 winters to build. It got its name from Russell Mathews good friend who thought that Cascade Cliffs was a good name for a waterfall. The rocks from the waterfall came from the Waiwhakaiho River. There are rings of rocks with water in them what makes the Cascade Cliffs.

Here is a web sight to see the Cascade Cliffs:

http://pommepal.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/tupare-house-and-gardens-pc-sx40-038_4000x3000.jpg

By Emily

SPLT - Singular into Plurals

I am learning how to make words into plurals.

Plural = words that mean 2 or more of something

Singular words = there is only one!

Singular = goose

Plural = geese

S = mouse

P=mices? no it’s mice

S=fish

P=fish

Can you think of any others?...

Questions…

• What rules are there about using plurals to spell words?
• Do we need to know all the plural spelling rules or just a few?
• What are the most important rules?