Wow... we only have one more month to go, less than a month actually. We have been working on our computer skills and getting used to using google classroom, THen there is science... we have really enjoyed using the 'House of Science' kits. We have also focused on learning more coding and working on improving our writing skills, especially punctuation!
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Wow! The school show is just around the corner! Thursday night to be exact, and I have green spray paint all over my hands to prove it!
What is 3 minutes long, features 10 different things, and requires precision timing? Our item... a 'talent showcase' that the students might just pull off on the night since we have been practicing so hard...maybe. They are certainly going to give it their best, and really that is all I ask of them - that they do give their best effort. Our item is very busy and energetic, so please be patient with your child if they are feeling tired, and ensure they get a good rest on Wednesday night. Hopefully you have your tickets, I believe there is a few left. Either way, please make sure your child is there to perform in our item. In between show practice, and singing, and show practice...we are busy reviewing our learning for the year and refining our writing. We have testing and science week coming up, there are trips for various groups of children, and we will be preparing for the end of the year events. Check your newsletters for details. We have a museum trip coming up soon and we will need some helpers, please look out for the details. Well, I am off to paint the other side of the taiaha...I thought I would get in a quick blog update instead of watching paint dry! What a busy term! Students have been doing testing, seen 'The Wiz' production, started winter sports training, been working on maths problem-solving and improving their writing skills. We have also been working on learning to make careful observations in science. As part of our Turangawaewae study, we have been learning about our local and geothermal environment. All students need to hand in their homework each week, read 20 minutes each night and practice their times tables.
Well, it's official - we are now a GAFE classroom! We have been very busy learning how to use Google apps for education, and working on collaborative and individual projects through our Google Docs and slides.
Below is a 'screenshot' of a file Shae completed, using the format of an explanation, on "What is a good scientist?" We are working on using good vocabulary and structure, as well as appropriate punctuation. March is already well under way and we have exciting events like camp, the Minstral show, choir auditions and so much more. On top of that, there is 'packet free' Tuesdays and Pita Pit Fridays!
I am half way through my MINDLAB digital leadership course (32 weeks!) and the students are settling into routines. You can help them at home by helping with homework, reading to them and helping them learn their times tables. The kiwikids news site has some great articles if you can access it. The room 12 Whizkids have come up with some great designs for jewellery that features UV beads. They will be putting up blog posts and pictures soon. It is amazing how quickly the UV beads change colour and that, even on a cloudy day, the UV light can affect them. I hope you have made it through the summer without feeling the effects of too many UV rays. Also, Twylar and Egypt did a sun and shadow investigation. Check out their blogs to see what they discovered! Kia Ora parents and caregivers...
We had a great duathlon on Tuesday afternoon. Congratulations to all students who participated and gave it their personal best. Both Nelson and Freyja competed as individuals! Camp is coming up fast and it is important that students return notices and money asap. The due date for these is March 1st (next week). There is also a parent information meeting re camp next week in Rm 11, which is especially important for parents who are likely to supervise. Look out for the weekly newsletters and any notices so you can be informed. Happy New Year to all parents and families!
Room 12 2016 is settling in well, and learning about procedures and expectations. Our Class expectations are: We will... LEARN LET OTHERS LEARN ALWAYS TRY OUR BEST SHOW RESPECT (with our words ad our actions) BE RESPONSIBLE (for our words and actions) Our Cornerstone Values for Term 1 are RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY and DUTY. I think these tie in quite nicely! We will have a lot of learning taking place this term. Check out the class welcome newsletter, or check back here next week for more details. We are amazed that the term is nearly over, and with it, 2015.
Room 12 is working on 'finishing well' in all areas, and I am very proud of the students and their considerable efforts this term. It has been an exceedingly busy term. Te Aroha H-F (1st equal - with another Malfroy student, in the 10 yr old girls high jump, and Ariariterangi (1st 100m 10 yr old boys) were fantastically successful at the interschool athletics and are off to the regional finals. We wish them all the best. They, and several other room 12 students were acknowledged at our school sports prizegiving ceremony. Dalton received most improved 2015 Hockey player, Jade received most improved 2015 Football player, Hannah was MVP in her miniball team, and Freyja received most improved in hers. Ariariterangi received MVP in Rugby, and Jorgia (along with her sister) won an MVP award too. Full details will be in the newsletter! Our Celebrating Success Assembly is on next week too, and we hope to see you there. In the meantime, we had our 'big day out and about,' learning all about safety in our community, how to use the public library, what people at the council do (and how council keep Rotorua beautiful!), and a swim at the amazing blue baths. Since then, we have been busy reviewing the work we have done over the year (especially in maths and writing. Students have also been working on discovery projects about NZ places, and disasters, and festivals around the world. Jorgia has presented her model and poster about the "Beehive" and Te Rongopai has shared what she learnt about the Tangiwai disaster. We are looking forward to the other presentations, models and demonstrations to come, including the 'Festival of Lights (Daniel and Tiakitai), La Tomatina (Rongomai and Dontay), a 'Water Festival' at New Year, in South East Asia (Trent and Dalton), ice festivals, and many more. Students are also reflecting on their time at Malfroy, and early finishers are turning these into claymations (animated videos, made using still photos). In the midst of all of this learning, students have been applying problem-solving, creative thinking, evaluation, and collaboration skills to develop original board games. This has proven to be quite a challenge, and I am impressed with the ingenuity and persistence that they have shown. They had to make a rough prototype and test it, and modify it before moving to the development stage. They are working on time-management too. Year six students going to RIS have met their classes, and have the Graduation Ceremony this week. Year five students will meet their new classmates soon too, and find out where they will be next year if they are changing rooms. During this time, they will receive their stationery lists for next year, and find out about senior camp in 2016. All in all, there is a lot going on, so please check your newsletter thoroughly this week. Some are feeling a bit sad, but all are excited about next year too. I have finished reports and they will come home early next week. I am pleased with the progress students have shown, and their results reflect their often considerable efforts. Malfroy, room 12 class of 2015... you're a great group of students, keep up the good work, and remember to keep doing your personal best! Please note - the articles from the daily post refer to my class as the Utuhina Warriors. It is in fact the whole senior team, not just room 12!
So... the blog might look like there is not much going on but... we've been super busy! The reunion performance was great! In fact the whole reunion was great. Then we have been learning all about nutrition and healthy food choices and getting ready for the art gallery on Friday. We've also been trialing a new maths programme on top of our usual schedule. You might also have seen some of the students in the daily post tonight and on the Rotorua Lakes Council website, as we finally got to help put the signs up and clean up some more rubbish (thanks to Marc Spijkerbosh, Mark Paget, Jim Ward and Monica Quirke from Rotorua Lakes Council). See the Utuhina Warriors website and links to the daily post article, editorial and Rotorua Lakes Council website (including the video of Ariariterangi talking about the Utuhina Warriors project... please note, I was really proud of Ari - he only had about a minute to prepare what he was going to say!
Some senior students (from the Utuhina Warriors group) have also met with councillor Janet Wepa to help give their ideas about Rotorua, the future and sustainability. |
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