Week 2 Term 2

Kia ora Whanau!

STAR OF THE WEEK

So pleased to acknowledge the hard work Rashmi has put in to being star of the week!

Rashmi was named Star Student this week. Her peers were not at all surprised as they have noticed Rashmi's growing confidence. Those of us who have read her stories know she loves to write and is so keen to teach others the skills she has learned. Thank you Rashmi, for making our classroom a smarter place and sharing your thoughts and skills with us.


INQUIRY ... What is an animal?

We have been finding out more information about how animals are sorted into groups based on different characteristics. We have been sifting and sorting information and trying to make sense of the way scientist classify (group) things.

This is a sorting activity called a Silent Card Shuffle. A table showing different types of animals and their characteristics has been cut into a puzzle. Without talking, students rearrange the puzzle until they get to a point they all agree that the puzzle is completed. The students were really engaged and worked as a team, taking turns and at the end we talked through the reasons we'd placed pieces in different areas. 

Look at the concentration.

As each child has a turn, their team mates are evaluating the moves they're making.

 

ZOO TRIP

The Junior Whanau are very excited about our trip to Wellington Zoo. Thanks to all the people who have returned slips, paid money at the office and especially those who have volunteered to come along as parent helpers. We would not be able to go without the support from our fantastic parent community. It is not too late to come along. If you have not seen the note with the details, let me know and I can send another one home with your child.

POETRY FOLDER

As part of out reading programme, we have a clearfile that gets a poem and or song words added to it each Friday. There has been an increasing number of students who are forgetting to bring back their Poem folders after the weekend. I would appreciate it if you could help your child locate their Poem folder and send it back to school before Friday. Thanks

DISCOVERY TIME

It has been a fun filled two weeks of Discovery time on a Friday.  This week I got to work with some enthusiastic film makers who practiced the skills of recording, acting, directing, writing part of a story. We could have carried on all day! So much to learn and have a go at.  The children I have spoken to have been very positive about the groups they've attended such as sewing, bush walk, art, game making, dance, magic, junk construction etc. It has been great being able to have the Student teachers (Ella from Nikau and Kate from Harakeke) included so we can offer even more experiences to the children. If you have any feedback going forward about Discovery Time, please let me know. I would be very grateful to know your thoughts.