Term 4

Well the final term is well under way! Last Friday we had an awesome Calf and Lamb day. Super!

Class Speech Finalists (My Hero)

Together with the rest of the Middle and Senior School, the children in Room 19 have been working on writing speeches on heroes. They have all done really well. As a class we learnt how to write and deliver an effective speech. Our teacher, Mr L modelled a speech for us, as he wrote one as well. Mr L’s hero is John Key. Last Thursday and Friday each of us had to present our speeches and Mr L judged. Five of us now go through to the Speech finals this coming Wednesday in the School Hall. We wish then the very best of luck. You can read Clara, Nicole, Kaci, Jaden, and Victoria’s speech below...

My Hero

A Speech written by Clara

I am about to tell you about my hero. She has short, blond hair and is 60 years old. Her favourite meal is roast beef and vegetables. She loves helping people and giving a hand to the elderly. She is my hero- Nana is my hero. She prefers to be known as Shirley around her friends and mates. As you’ve probably guessed by now, nana is MY hero, my idol and my number one. Over the next couple of minutes, I aim to inform you about nana and why she is so popular, a role model and my hero. Along the way, I hope to share some of the lighter or funny moments you won’t know about my amazing and helpful nana.

Nana was born in 1944. Her parents’ names were Len and Audrey Bray. Her favourite pet is a dog. Her favourite television programme is Shortland Street. She lived on Awanui Road when she was a little girl. Nana has a sister whose name is Aunty Maureen. When she was little she had both a cat and a dog. She was born in Kaitaia Maternity Hospital. Some of her friends’ names are Jan, Julie, Jean, Tess and Dot. When she went to school, there was a pot belly stove in the corner to keep the class warm. One of her teacher’s was called Mr Holmes.

Nana used to live in Wellsford, but now lives in Orewa on Centreway Road. She works at the community house, where she does not get paid. She sells second hand toys, jewellery, furniture, cutlery, cups, plates, books, puzzles, DVD’s, clothes and materials for charity. She really loves helping people and is nice and amazing. In the summer time, nana likes to go for walks on the nearby beach. She loves dolphins. Her favourite colours are yellow and blue. Nana is also loving and often gives us yummy treats. She lets my brother, Nathaniel and I stay sometimes.

Nana really, really, really loves us and shows this by giving us lots of kisses and cuddles. Nana is my hero, she is not just nana, she is my hero, and I love her…GO NANA!

My Hero

A Speech written by Nicole

I am about to tell you about a hero, a family man, a funny yet very helpful guy. He is a plumber too. Ian Douglas Watson or dad around me is an average New Zealander and I LOVE HIM. He is cool. As you’ve probably guessed by now, my dad or Ian Watson is my hero, my role model and number one idol. Over the next couple of minutes I aim to tell you about the real Ian Watson, why he’s so funny and cool. Along the way, I hope to share some of the sad and lots of funny moments in my dad’s life.

My dad grew up in Wellsford, in School Road, in a green house. Today that green house is still there! He loved making robots with his brother. His school was across the road and he could walk there.

My dad has done some funny things at times. Once he accidentally poured water into his tea instead of milk! He also put half a cup of salt in my birthday pikelets instead of half a cup of sugar! Even his bike seat fell off the back of the car when we were going camping. There is one sad thing; however, he got a bad burn from something once.

Now I’m going to tell you about my dad and what he likes. He is 45 years of age. He loves watching trains leave. His favourite things to watch on TV are war programmes, like “The Pacific”. His favourite animal is a pig (now, that’s weird!) and my dad is really funny. My dad is a plumber, as I told you all before. He works hard every day to get money to buy food and that’s the best reason why my dad is a hero to me. My dad plans in the future to earn lots more money and maybe even move to a new town or city.

I’d like to state again that Ian Watson is MY hero. To be a hero, you need to have the right characteristics and a good attitude. I hope you have now learnt a lot about my dad and why he is my hero. Thank you for listening.

My Grandad, a Hero

A Speech written by Kaci

I am about to tell you about a person who is quite old, nice and quite quiet too. He’s a hero…my grandad or poppa as he likes us kids to call him. As you’ve probably guessed by now, my grandad is my hero, my number one. Throughout my speech, I aim to tell you about the memories through my grandad’s life and just why I think he is my hero.

My grandad was born in Wales. When he was living in Wales, the war came around. That is World War 2. Then grandad moved to New Zealand to live here. He lived with his parents until he was…ah…. I have no idea! Eventually he met his wife, they got married and lived in Auckland. They had a child whom they named Geoffrey Jones- my dad’s dad. At that age, I think he started making awesome boats. He used to make them under his house where he also kept his tools. Later, he stopped making boats for some reason, I think this was probably because of his back.

A couple of years later, Grandad moved with his wife to a nice, cozy house in Auckland. I think it was because of the rain or something. When we went one day to visit him, we had no idea where he lived, so I’m guessing it was quite a long way from Wellsford. Grandad rarely comes and visits us, but that’s probably because he is so old.

Grandad is my hero because he never gives up and always tried again when things didn’t work the way they should. He is also my hero because he gives me candies and lollies often and plays with me, even though he’s quite old and can’t really walk.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls I hope I’ve given you more of an understanding about why my grandad is my hero. Thank you for listening.

My Hero

A Speech written by Jaden

He’s what some call a popular man in Hollywood. He’s rich, powerful and an awesome skater. He’s a hero – John Rodney Mullen or Rodney Mullen as he prefers to be called. Everyday he skates at skate parks, towns and cities. As you have probably guess already, Rodney Mullen is my hero, my number one sports star and over the next couple of minutes I aim to inform you about the real Rodney Mullen- what makes him so popular, famous, so awesome and of course MY HERO. Along the way I hope to inform you about Rodney Mullen’s past.

Did you know that Rodney began skating in 1972 when he was just 5? Hey I bet you didn’t know that! That was like 38 years ago. Today he even gives away skateboards to keen fans. Now that is a good thing about my hero.

In 1991, Rodney got married. I bet you didn’t know that either! My hero, Rodney travels to different countries to skate, like he did in 1998. He went to China to skate at the SMP Skate Park. While riding his skateboard, Rodney Mullen did a trade flip, landed and snap…his board snapped!

I believe heroes are caring, sharing and generous people. Rodney Mullen is one such person.

In conclusion, I hope I’ve informed you about the life of my hero Rodney Mullen and just why I think he is a hero. Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, thanks you for listening.

My Hero

A Speech written by Victoria

Bola everyone! Did you know that most friends have a hero and that normally it’s a famous person? Well, I have something different in mind. Oops, I forgot to introduce myself…my name is Victoria. Anyway, back to my speech, a loyal and caring friend…hero…of mine is Zoe Stokes. She is my number one, my idol and my trustworthy friend. Through this speech, I hope to tell you just why Zoe Stokes is MY hero.

Zoe first lived in Auckland in 1999, now that was also when I was born, but five months before her. Anyway three years later, Zoe became a big sister. Her little sister was a girl; of course, thank GOD that it was a girl! Four years after her little sister, Skyla a strong and cute born called Jake was born. We shall thank god again for that lovely child…Anyway by then Zoe was living in Wellsford and such a lovely town it is too.

In later life, she met me- glory is wonderful! With the touch of a finger we became friends with each other, it was like we were meant to be together. The things that Zoe helps me with mainly are that she cheers me up, she helps me stand up for myself but most of all she’s a wonderful and loving hero and she’s MY hero.

I’m sorry folks but this is where my wonderful speech ends for today. I hope that by telling you about my hero Zoe Stokes, I’ve shown you what a hero really can be.

New TV for Room 19

Yesterday I went and brought a 21 inch TV for my class. This will be well used for listening comprehension, research and our ELF Fridays beginning very soon. I'm so excited and so should the children be as well.

I've also brought more cardboard and got this all ready for all those new sets of flashcards.

Last week of Term 2 ahead...see you tomorrow!

Mr L

End of Week 8

Last week I asked the children to do some creative thinking - and posed some BIG Questions....

Some responses were:

How would life be different if people could only get from place to place by walking?

You would have very sore legs from walking everywhere...Aleesha

You would take a lot longer to walk to school. If you went to say Wellington, you'd have to take sleeping bags, food, pillows and plenty of water because it would take a week or so to get there. If you had to walk you would not be able to go to another country...Tamara

Disease would not travel so far. People would tend to live in villages and grow all their own food.
People would be fitter. New Zealanders would not be able to travel to other countries or the north or south islands...Olivia

How would life be different if the sun never set?

You would never go to sleep and school would go on forever.... Nicole

There would be no light to see...Dahlia

Nocturnal animals would not be able to feed. Trees would not be able to convert CO2 into O2, that means the air would not be cleaned. The tides wouldn't turn and the seasons would not change. Olivia

How would life be different if you were a bug?

It would be hard to live inside a house... Nicole

Being really tiny you may get eaten by another bug...Chae

You would have less chances to get food...Connor

I would have to live outside. I would have to worry about people standing on me and would have to find my own food. Also BIRDS EAT BUGS! By Tamara

You would be worried about being squashed by something big. You would not be as clean as you are as a human. You would have to get used to living in a colony, and working very hard to collect food, build a house and care for thousands of babies! Olivia

How would life be different if there were no gravity?

You would be floating everywhere... Nicole

You would float away and die...William

You would be floating around in air, you might float into space, and you would die there because there is no oxygen. You wouldn't weigh anything without gravity...Clara

How would life be different if the sky were green?

It would not be very different... Nicole

The sky would match the grass and trees and blend in...Aleesha

The water would be green and it would feel different. It would be cool because lime green is my favourite colour...Clara

It would be hard to see the green grass...Andre

I think nothing would grow...Grace

The sea would be a different colour. Sunsets would be a different colour. Oliva

The world would be changed and green. There would be no colour and things would look gloomy...Miriama

If you were on the ground and playing rugby, you'd be hard to see on the grass...Caleb

Writing Modelling

Monday 10th May
My Weekend
My last weekend was an interesting one for several reasons.
It all started on Friday afternoon, when I stayed back at school to do some work for next week. Whilst working, I heard the lovely Miss Crawford practising her singing for the fashion show that evening – she sounded awesome! I finished around 5pm and went home to feed Jessie. She was excited to see me and nearly broke her chain when I approached her. I relaxed with a cool orange juice at the end of a long day. At 5.45pm, I went to the School Fashion show, which was at the Golf club. I was early so I sat in the car for 5 minutes dancing away happily to the music of Mamma Mia. I had no idea what do expect. I knew nothing. I spent the next 40 minutes talking to the deputy Principal, while sitting in a throne like chair. We felt like the king and queen of England!

Pictorial Pepeha Week 7 Homework

Electricity Test soon. Do you know the answers now????

Baking muffins - some photographs

Here's a taste (excuse the pun!)

Making Banana Triple Chocolate Muffins

Today we helped make banana triple chocolate muffins as part of our procedural instructions unit. I learnt that double paper cases would have prevented some muffins from being slightly deformed but overall the experience was positive. Photos to come as having problems uploading these at school.

Some of the children's comments follow...

What went well:
Eating the muffin mixture (Chae)
Everything went well (Nicole)
Mashing up the banana (Andre)
That I helped (Grace)
That most of the people joined in (Kaitlin)
That the muffins didn’t explode! (Kaci)

What did not go so well:
Sharing the bowl around (Chae)
That some people made a mess (Aleesha)
Spilling the mixture (Nicole)
Pouring the mixture in the muffin cups (Victoria)
The pouring (Kirsten)
Not knowing how to read the ingredients (Seven)
That some boys got very chocolaty (Miriama)

What could be improved:
People having manners when they could have the rest of the mixture (Eru)
A few people got a bit bossy (Olivia)
That it wasn’t so messy (Olivia)
Don’t put in too much mixture (Connor)


Describe the taste:
It tasted like chocolate, bananas and chocolate chips (Chae)
The muffins were delicious because the chocolate chips were dissolving in my mouth like sweet candy floss (Aleesha)
The chocolate dribbled down my throat (Nicole)
The muffins tasted like real chocolate and rich banana- it was like the chocolate and banana were melting in my mouth (Sonja)
It tasted like chocolate fudge (Mathew)
They were so nice I felt like singing (Seven). Seven, why didn’t you sing then?
It was delicious when the chocolate melted in my mouth (Grace)
It tasted like a creamy chocolate, swirled up like caramel tasty chocolates – mmm, yummy (Corrina)

More Sharing...

Some children sharing their Expressive Writing...

Today & some writers

Mr L’s place…

Not that I spend much time behind the desk!

Models for Electricity Topic

Your child is making a model of something that is electrical, e.g a fridge. This is what we have so far…

Stay safe around Electricity

Check out our completed booklets. Well done children!

Expressive Writing

This morning we did our weekly recount writing, looking at paragraphs and conjunctions and also types of sentences. I modelled my writing on the whiteboard…

Then we wrote, here is some of the kids work….

Mihi to learn by Friday end of Week 6 Term 2

Week 5, Term 2

This week:

1. Soccer Fun day on Wednesday so please return your permission slips

2. Banana Triple Chocolate muffin making on Tuesday 18th May

3. Art this Thursday morning

4. Cross Country day is this Friday

5. Start thinking about speech topic: My Hero

Danish Heart Baskets

During Week 4, Term 4, as part of our procedural writing unit, I got the children to read and follow instructions on how to make a Danish Heart basket. Many made them, but some will require further practise at following instructions.

SAMPLE LAYOUT WRITING JOURNAL

SAMPLE LAYOUT WRITING JOURNAL

· (Miss a LINE BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS; write on each line as if publishing something). Feelings- put these in!

· Proof read and check your spelling carefully as you write and also at the end.

· Add a colour picture at the end of your writing!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday 10^th May

My Weekend

Last Weekend was an interesting time for my family and I because we did several things.

Firstly, on Friday afternoon…

Later on….

I also got to…

I had a great time, and I can’t wait until next weekend.

Informal Letter Writing

We have been learning how to write an Informal Letter. We wrote these letters for the purpose of thanking the parents who assisted us on our recent trip to M.O.T.A.T. Some of us have written to the educator at M.O.T.A.T.

We have learnt how to…

1.Correctly address an Informal Letter

2.Set our letter out with a three paragraph structure

3.Sign off our letter with the words, ‘Yours sincerely’

Practise and write a signature.

Week 5 Homework…

Here is your homework for this week. It was superb to see 14 of you hand in your homework last Friday, and this is up from 9 the previous week, so that is just fantastic. Hopefully we can improve on 14 for this week!

Welcome to our new blog site

Hi everyone,
In the weekend I attended a course with some other teachers on Literacy. One workshop looked at websites to communicate between home and school. What a wonderful idea I thought! So here we go, the start of a wonderful class blog site. Keep checking back regularly for loads of new content.
regards
Mr L