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:

Created with Padlet

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.