Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Week 3 Term 2

Kia ora Whanau

Inquiry: What is an Animal?
We are learning about animal habitats. This week we explored Clyde Quay School as a habitat. What animals live here? We used magnifying glasses and went out to explore with our scientist eyes. We are learning to develop our skills of observation.We saw birds, many insects and even a mammal or two.

Science knowledge is based on data from observations of the natural physical world. We gather data by using our senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell - to make observations. Making careful observations often includes measuring something. Observations are influenced by what you already know. (Paraphrased from http://scienceonline.tki.org.nz/Introducing-five-science-capabilities/Gather-interpret-data)


Sammy thought he had found a worm, but on closer inspection he noticed lots and lots of tiny legs.

Finding creatures who share our space is exciting!

Close and careful observation happening with Carly.

Watch out behind you, Sandro! I see a reptile!


Discovery Time
This Friday we started our second Discovery time choice. These pictures are from Ella's Science Experiments group.

Milk, food colouring and dishwashing liquid! Amazing patterns






 Star Student

Toby is our Star Student this week. Congrats!

This week's Star Student is Toby. It is fantastic to see the positive attitude you bring to Nikau. We enjoy that you are someone who includes others and are so keen to help. Toby is doing an excellent job of being a leader this week. He is acting responsibly and being a good role model to other students.



 Have a great week :)



Our special guest from Friday

Did you know...
Dalmatians are born white without spots


Sunday, 3 May 2015

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.





Monday, 27 April 2015

Week 1 Term 2

Kia ora koutou


My apologies for the lateness of this week's blog post. Unfortunately, I have been away for the second half of the week. Please excuse the short post.


STAR STUDENT


Ted the Super STAR!
Well done Ted! You have shown yourself to be a responsible member of Nikau. We appreciate you kindness, sense of humour and sporty talents. I am impressed at the way you don't give up and are so keen to share your learning with others.



WHAT DOES LEARNING LOOK LIKE?


Guest star photographer Amelie took some candid pictures this week of teaching and learning happening in Nikau. Fantastic to see such engaged learners in literacy time.




WHAT IS AN ANIMAL?


Reading to learn more about Bats!
 We started our inquiry this week, asking the big question "What is an animal?"

Ella has performed a diagnostic interview with each child to see how much they already know. We will continue to grow in our knowledge of the animal kingdom and be focusing on the way scientists classify (group) animals.

We look forward to an upcoming trip to the zoo on Tuesday 12th May (Cost $10 including bus).

Carefully taking note of the features of animals.


Friday, 3 April 2015

Week 9

Kia ora Koutou and Happy Easter


We Have Moved...

The team in Nikau have now relocated into the hall ready for Term 2. We had our first day sharing the space with Kowhai on Thursday and it went remarkably well. We have set up distinct spaces including a common area to share in the middle. It is exciting going forward and planning to make the most of the opportunity to teach and learn in a team environment.


Farewell Nanny Piggins

This week we completed the first Nanny Piggins novel and learned a little about the author R. A. Spratt. It is a funny and engaging series you might like to check out of your local library for some holiday reading.



Letters from the Past

Ella brought in a Nikau letterbox this week that contained letters from the teachers from a year ago. The children then wrote a letter to their future selves. We look forward to receiving these in the future and seeing how far we have come in 2015.


Sammy sending Future Sammy an encouraging note

How do you use maths?

Tom's dad, Steve, came in on Wednesday to talk to us about how he uses maths in his job. The children were very interested and asked lots of great questions. Thanks to Steve for taking the time to come in and share with us.





Self-portrait Painting

When I was four I took off down the road and tried to walk to school. I had my pram and my dollies and was reported to be insisting I was "Going to gool, going to gool!"  all the way down the country road we lived on. Why was I so keen to get there? Because I thought you got to paint every day at school. It is still something I love to do and share with children. What fun to be creative and a great way to finish a great term!


Weetbix Tryathalon

Congratulations to all the children who took part in the Weetbix Tryathalon last weekend. An impressive contingent from CQS took part and Nikau were well represented. Well done.



Star of the Week

Congratulations to Eleanor for being awarded Star Student this week. We appreciate your kindness and playfulness. What a great leader you will be for the first week of Term 2. The children of Nikau value you and the way you greet us so warmly every day.

Eleanor sparkles her way into the Star Student role.


The Lorax

Another highlight of this week was reading the Lorax by Dr. Suess to the children. Many were familiar with the story and we used the themes in the book to reflect on the things we care about. We thought about creatures and things that cannot speak for themselves. What would you speak for if you were a lorax?