11/29/10

11/22/10

Seasons research

We have been looking on the internet to find out why the seasons change. We found out that it is all to do with the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it orbits around the sun. At different times of the year different parts of the world get more light from the sun than others.
The diagram from this site shows this clearly.
http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/weather/seasons.htm

11/20/10

11/8/10

New equipment in the Adventure Playground

On November 5 the whole school went to the opening ceremony of the new equipment in the adventure playground. Christine had the microphone to start with  and gave it to Jane Martin from the School Community Group. Jane told us how the Student Council came up with the idea and the Community Group paid for it.
Next Hannah from the Student Council sang a song called Ki Runga Rawa which was written by Kath Bee for Nelson Central School. After the song Jane and the student council cut the ribbons and the new equipment was officially opened.

11/3/10

Our latest Suter visit

Another awesome Suter visit!  
Room 3 went to see the Don Binney exhibition at the Suter. We spent some time looking at his art work in this case landscapes done in coloured pencil then Esther showed us some different ways to create effects using coloured pencils. We learnt about how to show smooth and rough effects and how to blend colours. 

10/17/10

Week 1 highlights - Grasshopper tennis and Jump Jam

Charlotte: On Tuesday Room 3 had our first session of Grasshopper tennis on the front field. We had to bounce the ball on the top of the racket, but mine kept falling off.

Jenna: I went to tennis with the rest of Room 3 and had a good time. We played a fun game called Bumper. You had to put your ball on your racket and bump other people's balls off while not dropping your own ball.

Ella D: Some days this week my class went to Jump Jam. We did some awesome songs like Witch Doctor and Candy Man. It was great fun.

Skyla: Yesterday we went to Jump Jam but because I was late for school I was only there for one song. I can't wait till next time.

Week 1 highlights - Museum

Eva: On Thursday we went on a Museum trip. We had to find sculptures all around town. It was a hot day and my legs got tired.

George: This week Room 3 met at the Museum for the Sculpture Trail. The Guardians and the High Flyers were pretty interesting. The others were the Anchor Rock, the Reef  Knot and the Gas Lamp. We also had tennis skills like patting a ball and bouncing a ball with our rackets.

Ella D: Yesterday (Thursday) my class went to the Museum. My group went all around town looking at some awesome sculptures.

Carleigh: On October 14 Room 3 went to the Museum. The activity was to find 10 sculptures around town. It was tiring.

On Thursday Room 3 went to the Museum. We had to find lots of  sculptures. We each got a clip board and a pencil. We went through town to the Southern Cross.

Jazmine: On Thursday we went to the Museum and went for a sculpture hunt around town. It was fun.

Krystal: Room 3 went to the Museum to go on a sculpture trail. We learnt that sculptures are made world wide and that every sculpture is the response to something..

Luke: Room 3 went to the Museum. We had to walk around Nelson to look at special art work. It was cool. I can't wait till our next Museum trip


       

9/9/10

Calendar Art


9/7/10

Youth Orchestra

It was Monday the 6th and we found out we were going to an orchestra. We lined up in firebell line and off we went. When we got there we were seated and then Joel started talking about the music the orchestra would be playing. When he had finished his speech the orchestra played a piece that was written by Beethoven. It was lovely. The next piece was a folk dancing one. It was very musical and joyful.
I lived going to see the orchestra and I hope we can go again soon.

Youth Orchestra visit

When I came into the classroom I saw it said Special Event on the board and that was the youth orchestra. After morning tea we went to the hall. Joel told us the instruments, they were cello, violin, drums, flute, trumpet and the clarinet. Next they played a couple of songs. One was changing from loud to soft  and one was wild and loud. I also noticed some people who used to go to Nelson Central School. Then we went back to class. That was a really cool orchestra.

8/23/10

More Suter recounts will appear on the writing blog over the next few days!

Our Suter Trip

"Finally the day has come" I said to my Mum. This was the day to go to the Suter. I had been waiting all week.
When I had finished my breakfast I cleaned my teeth, put my shoes on and my Mum drove me to school. When lunchtime came Room 3 got to have an early lunch since we were going to the Suter. Once we had finished we played until Sue called us to come and line up. I lined up with Ella M.
On the way I nearly tripped over a rock it was lucky I didn't fall. When we got there Esther told us about the rules and what we were going to do. The exhibition was called West and East. I think the pictures were very nice. Inside we had to sketch 3 things that we liked in the pictures, then we went upstairs to the theatre room where there were bowls and clay. First we had to get the clay and make the shape with it.Then with the clay we scratched it, wet it and wiggled it to make it stronger. I was nervous about how mine was going to turn out, but at the end I liked it and I was proud. It was the best Suter trip this year!

8/20/10

Soccer Skills on Pyjama Day

Although it was fine when we went out for soccer skills the ground was soaking because it had rained hard the night before. To complicate things further most of the class were in their pyjamas because it was Pyjama Day! We must have looked quite odd!
We had our session on the concrete which turned out to be just fine. Jordan took us for the session and we learned lots of skills. Hopefully next week we'll get to play a game!

8/19/10

Change, Change, Change

Our new topic is called Change, Change, Change. It is all about the chemical properties of things and the changes that occur when things are heated, cooled or mixed. Today we watched a movie that told us about the different structure of the molecules in solids, liquids and gases. We learnt a lot from that movie.

6/20/10

Around Room 3



Left or Right click and drag to move the image.

Museum Visit

Last week as part of our Matariki Celebrations we visited the Museum and found out about traditional Maori children's games.

6/8/10

More recounts on our Writing Blog.

Cross Country

"Mum and Dad.It's cross country today" I said.
Then I had to wait for 5 races - boring! While I was waiting I was playing with Dylan and Aiden.
Yes, it was my turn to race. As I went up to the starting line my legs were shaking. Next Dave told us when to go.
BANG! We were off. I was in first place. "Dad, don't flash the camera in my face" I thought.
"Ow mam it's the zigzags"
As I went zooming round the corner. I looked back and Logan was right on my tail. I was so scared he was going to overtake me so I sped off as fast as I could. I had to go up the steps as well. Then I went zooming down the hill.
The wind was blowing in my face making it cold.
Right after that everybody could see me so they were cheering for me.
Oh no, Logan was coming! I sprinted off as fast as I could. Yes I came first!

6/3/10

Cross Country

6/2/10

Recounts about our Suter Trip

See more of the children's recounts about our Trip to the Suter on our Writing Blog.
Click on the link at the side.

Our trip to the Suter

It was cold on the way to the Suter but I was glad to go. First we counted how many wood art works there were, how many paintings and drawings there were and how many shell art works.
After that the class made flowers. I think my one was the best because I got a pipe cleaner, cut out some fabric and I was off and going. I twisted some of the pipe cleaner around some fabric for the leaves. Then I chopped up some ribbon for petals.
I think it was the most exciting exhibition ever - so far at least!

Mille Fleurs at the Suter

5/24/10

Character dress ups

Last Friday Room 3 had a dress up day. Lots of people were Hermione off Harry Potter. I was a Death-eater off Harry Potter, Aiden was the Lightning thief. Later that day Room 3 had a shared lunch.

Dress up day

On Friday the 21st of May Room 3 had a dress up day. Most of the boys dressed weird and most of the girls dressed up as Cinderella or witches.
When it was lunch time we had same good food for a shared lunch. I would like too have another dress up day.

5/22/10

Book character day

On Friday Room 3 had a book character day where we dressed up in characters from books. Almost everyone participated. We also had a healthy shared lunch so it was a really enjoyable day!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

5/10/10

Different types of Rocks

In our Inquiry topic about Vanishing Earth we have been learning about different types of Rocks and the rock cycle. here is what one group found out.

There are 3 kinds of rocks .
Igneus Rocks: Igneus rocks are formed by fire and the heat when volcanoes errupt and the liquid rock comes up to the earth's surface then becomes solid.
Sedimentary Rocks: Sedimentary rocks are formed when mountains get old and pieces break off and form lots of layers which are pressed together.
Metamophic rocks: Metamophic rocks are made when igneus or sedimentary rocks are changed by heat and pressure.

Pictures using paper weaving

Last week we wove a background using 2 different shades of blue to look like the sea. Added seaweed and a border then added our fish. These are the resulting pictures.

4/26/10

ANZAC postcards

Last Friday we wrote Anzac postcards. We had to pretend we were a young soldier who had left home for the first time to go and fight in the trenches on the other side of the world.
We had to write a postcard home that said what it was like, and how we felt about being there.
Then we put an address on it and drew a stamp in the corner.

Anzac movie

3/29/10

How plants adapt to their habitats

In our Inquiry about Plants we have been ACQUIRING information about how plants adapt to particular habitats.
In grassland areas:
The roots go deep so they get as much moisture as possible
The trees there have thick bark to protect them from fire
The grasses have narrow leaves which loose less moisture
In the desert:
Plants store water in their leaves or stems
Some plants have no leaves or small seasonal leaves
Long root stems spread out or go wide into the ground to absorb as much water as possible
Stems have a waxy coating to help reduce water loss
In Tundra areas:
The plants are low growing because there is little soil or they grow in clumps to protect them from windy conditions,
Some plants are covered with a type of hair to keep them warm
In Tropical Rain Forests
Some plants exist on top of others in order to get to the light,
Special roots help support the plants because of shallow soil,
Drip tips on leaves and smooth and waxy flowers help shed excess water
Plants tend to have shallow roots and epiphytes (plants that grow on others) absorb water through their aerial roots,
Some plants collect water in a central reservoir.
Plants that grow in water:
Have flexible stems so they can move with the current
Have air bubbles in their stems so they can hold themselves upright in water,
Have leaves and seeds that float on the water surface
The roots are needed only to anchor the plants.

3/22/10

Our visit to Waimarama gardens

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

3/14/10

Productive plants

As part of our Inquiry unit on plants we have been looking at what we already know about plants. This is the first part of Acquiring the information we need. Each group made their own Inspiration mind map of what they knew about plants and these ideas were combined to make one class brainstorm. This is the result.
Plants

3/10/10

Our swimming sports




Last Friday Kahikatea had our swimming sports. There were 22 events. We felt really nervous because there were lots of adults there watching us. Some of the events were swimming widths and lengths, the underwater swim, handstand and star fish displays, piggy back races and the relay. After the races we felt exhausted.

3/6/10

Swimming Carnival


3/4/10

Our Suter Visit

When we went to the Suter this week we learnt about the Art of Janice Gill. We tried the technique of adding white to the centre of our shapes to give them depth.

3/1/10

Our Identity presentations

We have been working on our Inquiry into our Identity. The key idea was

"We can identify many groups in our community"

Our Rich task was to

"Create a presentation that reflects an understanding of who I am in the world."

We have been looking at which groups we do belong to.

Here are a couple of our presentations.





2/22/10

Our classroom charter

In the first couple of weeks of this term one of the important jobs we did was to set up our classroom charter.
The first stage was to have another look at out basic rights and responsibilities under the Convention for Rights of the child particularly those that relate to school.

Our Rights:

To Learn

To work and concentrate

To listen

To be safe and have fun

To have friends

To privacy

Our Responsibilities:

To be at school on time

To not disturb others

To let people listen

To keep safe

To share and play nicely

To look after each other

To look after our things and our school

To touch only our own things

Then we made up classroom rules to reflect these Rights and Resonsibilities.

Take care in the classroom and playground.

Listen to the person who is supposed to be speaking.

Respect people, their privacy and their wish to work undisturbed.

Include others where you can.

Keep noise levels to an appropriate level.

Check with the teacher before you leave the room.

Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.

We agreed on the following rewards and consequences:

Rewards:

Smiles and praise.

Group and class points.

Stickers, prizes and certificates.

Freetime.

Certificates from Teacher and Principal.

Letters and calls to parents.

Consequences:

Warning.

Loss of group points.

Loss of privileges.

Time Out.

Time Out (another class).

Deputy Principal or Principal (contact parents).

2/8/10

Our classroom

Room 3's blogging rules

When publishing our work on the blog or commenting on others work we need to:

* Not make inappropriate comments or ones that might upset people.
* Keep comments positive and relevant.
* Do not put anyone's last name or contact details on the blog site (including your own).
* Try to put nice photos of people on the site. Ask people's permission if you want to use their photos.
* Get someone else to check your spelling before you publish your work.