Week 10 Term 3

Kia ora Whanau

City Gallery  - Demented Architecture

What a fantastic time we had at the City Gallery with the hands-on Demented Architecture exhibit. The children and adults alike were building great towers and intricate things. I was so impressed with the number of adults who managed to come and support the trip.
In the gallery classroom we made some patterns to stick on the back of some shapes we had drawn on earlier. Please enjoy the pics below...

Ready to lead us in Term 4 - Star Amelie

Hope the holiday break is going well. I am looking forward to hearing about the adventures you have been up to.

Naku noa na

Anne

Sophie hopes you are having a good break and enjoying the sunshine :)

Week 9 Term 3

Kia ora Whanau


Welcome  欢迎 to Shufen! She has come to Nīkau from China. Wonderful to have you here. I have already been impressed with the way Shufen is observing the other children and working out what is going on. I can see she has a great attitude towards learning.

            欢迎 Shufen

Art with Sanja

On Monday, Sanja worked with the children to design these tapa inspired modern Polynesian patterns. They look fantastic!

Polynesian Patterns

Thanks Phonak

Thanks to Frank from Phonak for arranging a free trial of a class sound system including this snazzy microphone. The students are loving using this to address the class.

Aryan is the Reporter on the spot!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

ITLAP day fell on a Saturday this year - but we were not discouraged! We used the opportunity to create a pirate character, make a hat and tell tall pirate tales. Come and see our nifty wall display.

Come aboard Nīkau and learn some Piratey words!

Star Student

Congratulations to Isla. We voted by secret ballot this week for the person we felt had acted the way a Star Student would and Isla came out tops! 

Isla shines again!

This weeks plan. Click below to see what's on for next week..

 Nīkau Week 10 Term 3

 

Week 8 Term 3

Kia ora whanau

Think Like a Scientist Inquiry:

This week we had a go at making a glass harp. We learned about the link between vibration and noise, friction and the effect more and less water had on the sound the wine glass would make.

Alex composes a tune.

 Students as Teachers

Part of MLEP (Modern learning environment practice) is about student's taking charge of their own learning. I was very heartened when Louie and Amelie wrote on the tracking sheet that they felt ready to teach others how to tell sort any number as odd or even. After a quick tutorial on how to present the workshop, they were away. Although they were the teachers of this workshop, they learned about how to engage listeners, how to check for understanding and the importance of making people comfortable and encouraged. Well done!

 Artsplash!

During this years Artsplash at the Michael Fowler Centre, many students from Clyde Quay had the change to exhibit their art. The Frida Kahlo inspired portraits looked amazing. Congratulations!

 

Some of the wonderful CQS art on display

Demented Architecture

On the 24th September (Thurs next week) we are off to the City Gallery to have a look at the Demented Architecture exhibit and create some of our own works of art! Thanks to all the parents that have sent back forms and can come along. If you haven't already, please pay $3 to the office to cover the cost of the Gallery educator and materials we use.

City Gallery Website 

Star Student 

Congratulations Dennis! It is wonderful to see you taking more and more responsibility for your learning. You have so many varied talents, it is great to have you in Nīkau.

Dennis is delighted to be Star of the Week!

Week 7 Term 3

Kia ora whanau


Kelly Sports

This week we worked with Matty on our striking skills. There are some pretty skilled soccer players in our class. It is wonderful to see the children becoming more confident and ball savvy each time we have PE.

A modified version of 'Sneak up on Grandma' using balls.

Pānui

One of the highlights of our mornings is the chance to hear and share from our classmates. I appreciate the variety. Well done students and parents for coming up with interesting and entertaining news to share.

Sam G demonstrates his latest riff!

Thinking like a Scientist Inquiry:

One of the experiments we did this week involved some rather large iceblocks. We but coloured water into gloves and froze them.

We wondered which part of the hand would melt first and made an hypothesis.

We also tried putting salt on one and watched in amazement as it cracked and pinged as water raced off it.

We also tried putting one hand in water. Which of the hands do you think melted the fastest and why?

Scientist closely observing before making their hypothesis.

Scientists survey the differences between the salty hand and the watery one.

STAR STUDENT:

This week's STAR is Locky. He has been a very enthusiastic Scientist and has impressed us with his well thought out ideas. Locky is looking for patterns and making connections between the new things he is learning and the things he already knows. Thanks for your friendly attitude! 

Locky is a STAR

Week 6 Term 3

Kia ora Whanau

Open Day

Thank you so much to all the parents and whanau that came to visit Nīkau on Wednesday. It was a very exciting time. The children were so excited to share their learning with you. I was so proud of the students. In their groups, they selected a science experiment they'd like to share with their parents (that may help you understand why so many experiments involved baking soda!) The groups worked together to organise the equipment they'd need and decide on who would do what, so that everyone had a role to play.  The teams practised until they felt very confident to share. We even had a go in front of our senior buddies from WanWan's class.

 Thanks to Sopho for taking some of these pics.

Special Guest Star

Dean (Kate's father-in-law) brought in a piglet for the children to meet. We were lucky enough to all get a chance to touch him. The children asked questions and many were delighted to see the piglet chewing on trouser legs and snuffling sleeves.

Pete the pig using Amelie's shoes for a scratch.

NZ National Anthem + Sign Language

Here is the National Anthem using all the official languages of Aotearoa. We have been practising this and hope to show off at the next assembly.

Click here: NZ Anthem

Magical Monitor

Some of you will have noticed we now have a screen we can Chromecast to (wirelessly project things from the computer to the screen). Thanks to Davin for installing this. We have been enjoying watching science videos on YouTube that relate to our inquiry, sing-a-long songs and energisers and calming activities on wet days.

Some children have suggested sharing links to some songs/activities they love here ...

(Warning: You may find these things annoying, headphones may be required)

The Library Song:   The Library Song

Jump Like the Bunny (energiser):  Jump Like the Bunny

Just A Boring Square Song (shape names to 10 sides):  Just a Boring Square




Star of the Week

Congratulations to Sandro. Two of the points made by the children were that Sandro gives people a chance and that he forgives them when they make a mistake. Very admirable qualities indeed. Thanks for being such a smiley student.

Sandro the Star!