Our Noho Marae Experience

Last week Room 2 joined Room 11 for a very special trip to Owhata Marae at Hinemoa Point. We even stayed the night in the wharenui together; for some of us, it was our first sleep over! Not only did we have a fantastic end of the year trip, but we also learnt a lot about living under one shelter with others. It was great learning for our term four inquiry (Shelter Matters), and it helped us to practice the co-operative skills we have been learning all year in our thinking groups. Have a look at some of our noho marae photos :)

Pass It!

Whaea Aherai (Whaea Katie is sorry if she spelt it wrong) has been coming in to teach us ball skills. It's been lots of fun! Check out some of the photos Whaea Katie took on our new school camera!

Swimming Sessions

Kia ora!

We have 3 swimming sessions each week. Our time slots are:
Mondays at 11:30 am, Tuesdays at 1:30 pm and Thursdays at 11:30 am.

Look out for more blog posts coming in a week or so... I have had to order another ipad charger... it's currently flat with photos and videos that need to be shared!

Rheana's Learner Lead Reporting Experience

On Thursday the 22 September 2011 I went to learner led reporting. I was really NERVOUS all that week leading up to today but I got used to it and ended up doing really well. I really enjoyed showing my parents what I have done and learnt at school.

Written by Rheana

(will insert picture asap)

Sharing at Assembly

This week it was our turn to share our learning at our whole school Assembly. William, Matthew and Bailey Jade introduced our item... Madison, Spencer, Bailey T and Shaun shared their learning in writing and we finished by singing 'Bad Hair Day'.

Go team, go!

Sharing At Whole School Assembly 1 from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Sharing At Whole School Assembly 2 from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Draydyn's 'Getting Good'...

... at reading in te reo English. Draydyn started school in the Rumaki and has been doing all of his learning in te reo Maori until moving into Room 2 last term. He's making heaps of progress in reading, writing and talking in te reo English... and he knows it! Check out the video!!!

Draydyn's 'Getting Good' at Reading Te Reo Pakeha! from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Black and White Friday

Today is the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. We were all very excited and came to school wearing black and white to support the All Blacks. We love our All Blacks team and hope they win! Yay!

Go The All Blacks! from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Holiday Project Book Report winners

During the holidays Whaea Katie sent us a letter challenging us to take part in a class Book Report Competition. We had four winners (William, Caitlin, Ngakaupono and Mahalia), and out of them Mrs Stewart and Mrs King chose Mahalia as our over all winner.



It was pretty exciting for the four Room 2 kids to have their book report mentioned in the school newsletter and then go out to Whitcoulls with Whaea Katie, one sunny Sunday, to help Mahalia choose her competition prize.

All or the winners were given a book and then Whaea Katie brought everyone an early lunch at Mac Donalds. She grumbled to herself about not being at Starbucks sipping on a nice mocha (that's where she wanted to take them!).

Nest holidays Whaea Katie thinks more of her class will complete the holiday challenge!

Constable Neil with the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' programme

Over the last two weeks Constable Neil and Whaea Katie have been teaching us how to keep ourselves safe. We had lots of fun learning time with Constable Neil and we hope he'll come back to visit us soon.

Constable Neil - Keeping Ourselves Safe from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Captain Cashtastic

Today Captain Cashtastic from the ASB bank came to our class to teach us all about spending our money on the things that we need and saving a little too. Whaea Katie wishes she had of learnt this when she was six or seven... she thinks her bank account would look a lot better now!

ASB - Captain Cashtastic from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Shaun's first writing video

Shaun's First Writing Video from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Shaun worked really hard on this peice of writing and he stayed motivated the whole time. Room 2 are really proud of him.

Tynan's Trump Award

Congratualtions Tynan!

Tynan's Trump Award from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

How to get involved and 'follow' our blog

Here is the first video tutorial specifically to help parents and whanau navigate and use our blog. This one is all about becoming a 'Follower' so you can keep up to date with what's going on for us in Room 2 and so you can get involved and interact with us though comments, etc.

Untitled from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

* this video doesn't explain how to leave comments, but it is the 1st step in the process (a video specifically on posting comments will be up for you at the beginning of next week)

Sushi, sushi, sushi!

Kia ora!

We have been going more than a little ‘sushi crazy’ in Room 2 over the past few days.

To wrap up our ‘Celebrations’ inquiry unit, the children have decided they want to make the delightful Japanese cuisine. So, we have been pursuing a mini inquiry into sushi and the class have been doing a great job of directing a lot of their own learning in this time.

I’m going to post a few videos and photos of what’s been going on in class. Next week I’ll add another post with more info about the actual making of sushi (which will be happening tomorrow).

Thanks to all of you who have sent along $2 with your child to help out with the costs ~ it’s greatly appreciated.

2012 Calendars

Untitled from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Kia ora parents and whanau!

The Rotokawa School Fundraising committee will soon be getting our students’ 2012 calendars published. This is your opportunity to purchase a lovely calendar, personalised with your child’s artwork. Keep them to treasure, or give them away as a gift.

They make a perfect gift to send to whanau not with you this Christmas (as they are reasonably inexpensive to post nationally or internationally).
I have posted a video with photos of your child holding their calendar art just in case you can’t make it into school to see them for yourself.
If your child is not in the video, they are either away today, or they have not finished their artwork. I will display their picture separately on this post when they have finished.

The calendars can be ordered through the school office for $6 dollars (each) and orders need to be placed before the 12th of August.

Thank you for supporting the school!

Katie

Caitlin reads to her class

Untitled from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Beautifully read Caitlin!

'Individuality' ~ by Kath Bee ~ sung by Room 2

Untitled from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Awwww, how cute!

On Monday, we were just about to start the roll, when we noticed Vision arriving late. Surprisingly, there in Vision's arms was a cute little fluffy bundle. Whaea Katie couldn't believe her eyes! She had to blink a few times before realising the bundle was moving! All of Room 2 waited quietly on the mat for Vision to get closer.

“Hello you and you,” said Whaea Katie.
The whole class starred at the cute little bundle of fur and realised she was holding a puppy!



Vision told us that her dog Brandy had puppies a few weeks ago. Vision, Rhythm (her little sister), Jason (her little brother) and her father and mother, brought the puppies into see their classes for a short visit.



Vision explained that the puppy didn't have a name yet. We suggested that she call him 'Pupsy' in the mean time.

Thank you Vision for bringing your puppy in to meet us!

Room Two and the Chocolate Factory!

Chocolate Molding from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Well, did we have a treat today or what?

Whaea Delwyn and her daughter came to school today to teach us about molding chocolate. We watched Whaea Delwyn make bars of chocolates, with yummy fillings in them. We also got to make our own chocolate molds with dark chocolate and white chocolate (that had been mixed with different colours and flavours).

It was as if we were in our very own chocolate factory.

Yummy!!!

Farewell Mana

Today it is Mana's last day with us at school. He is off to live in Australia and we are going to miss him heaps!



Goodbye Mana, we hope you have a great time at you're new school in Australia and an awesome 7th Birthday.

We know you'll make heaps of new friends at your new school.

We'll miss you!

Kia Kaha,
Love from Room 2.

Farewell Mana from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

William reads to his class

William Reads 'Hairy Mclary' from Whaea Katie on Vimeo.

Cross Country Placement Awards

Today at our whole school assembly the students who came in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in our school’s Cross Country race (in their respective year and gender categories), were awarded with their certificates. It was pretty exciting and there were a few students from Room 2 who proudly clutched onto their certificates as the school cheered and clapped their achievements.

Whaea Katie took this photo back outside our class after the assembly; unfortunately Te Aronui had already disappeared off home, so he's not in them (sorry Te Aronui). Well done to everyone in Room 2 who participated in the Cross Country, but here is a special mention to our classes quickest legs… well done guys!!!

Hip, hip, horary, Draydyn's seven today!

The organization and party shenanigans continues!



Celebrating birthdays with parties sure can be a lot of fun, but they are definitely a bit of work to organize too (as we found out). But I have to say, I think we all did a fantastic job... don't you agree?

More photos:

A special thank you Whaea Jeanette, Whaea Holly and Whaea Tui who helped us with the baking!

And another special thank you to everyone who was just mentioned along with Mrs Stewart, Carol and Whaea Ngakari who were special visitors at our party!

Room Two ~ the PaRTy planners!

This week our 'Celebrations' inquiry has been focused on planning a birthday party to celebrate Draydyn's 7th birthday.

At the start of the week, we had our thinking caps on, trying to decide where we would go next with our inquiry. Somehow the topic of birthday parties came up and Draydyn explained it was his birthday at the end of the week. Room 2 found this fact very exciting and decided we should work as a team to plan and organise a class birthday party for him as a part of our 'Celebrations' inquiry.

Take a look at what we got up to...

Team Work

The Room 2 students are learning to work well in a team!

After seeing ourselves work in our thinking group, we made up success criteria for working well together in a team.

We are learning to work well in a team (learning intention) by making sure...

1. Each member of the team takes on a job

2. Each team member listens actively to the person sharing

3. Everyone is included (everyone shares and listens to each other)

4. The team perseveres to get the set work done

Karakia Mo te Kai

Karakia Mo te Kai
Whakapaingia ēnei kai
Hei oranga mo ō mātou tinana
Whāngaia ō mātou wairua
Ki te taro o te ora
Ko Ihu Karaiti tō mātou kaiwhakaora
Āmine

In English:
Bless our Food
As well being for our body
Feed our spirit
With the food of wellness
For Jesus Christ our Healer
Amen

(I will add a video or recording asap)

Karakia Tïmatanga ~ prayer to start the day

Whakataka te hau ki te uru,
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga.
Kia mākinakina ki uta,
Kia mātaratara ki tai.
E hī ake ana te atākura
he tio, he huka, he hauhunga.
Tihei mauriora.


For those of you who may be interested, here is the English translation for this karakia:

Cease the winds from the west.
Cease the winds from the south.
Let the breeze blow over the land.
Let the breeze blow over the ocean.
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of glorious day.

Ready, set… go!!!

Today we had our whole school cross country. Everyone in Room 2 felt like they had put in their best effort... well done us!

Thank you to all of the parents and whanau who came along to support us!!!

Before School Jobs

When we get to school, before the bell rings, there are a few things we need to organise so we are ready for learning.

First we need to hang up our bag in our outdoor cloak bay area...



Then we can go in to class with our homework bag, give our teacher a big smile and hello, change over our fluency reading book and pop the homework bag into the right box.



Its then time to put the chairs down, put our equipment caddies on our thinking group tables...



... and sharpen the pencils...



On Monday mornings we also make sure our new homework sheet is stuck into our homework books.



Then, we are ready for our day of learning.

Lights, camera… action!!!

“Lights, camera… action!” was the theme of our Scholastic Book Fair this week. And we had a great time celebrating reading during our Book Fair, character Dress up day parade (even though it got very chilly!).

Afterwards we went back to our warm and comfy classroom with Room 9. The big kids from Room 9 spent time with us, reading us stories and talking to us about books (some of us even read a book or two to our big buddy too!).

Our 'Celebrations' Inquiry

This term our whole school are focusing on the topic of 'Celebrations' for our inquiry.

After a bit of research and thinking Room 2 decided that the word 'celebration' means:
when we remember a day or event (that is special to us) though some sort of activity of festivity.

Funny... it's only one sentence, but it took us quite a lot of exploring and thinking to figure it out!!!

Some of the celebrations we know of and want to learn more about are:
Easter, Christmas, Birthdays, Valentines Day, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Anniversaries, New Years, Halloween.

We will be learning about much more too!

Stay tuned to see what questions and learning we have around our 'celebrations' theme.

A Message from Whaea Kath

Well done boys!

Sweetie came to stay for a day

Today, Summer brought her really cute bunny 'Sweetie' into school. Sweetie spent the day learning with us in class. It was lots of fun having her visit and learning all about how rabbits need to be handled and cared for.

It was especially cute seeing Sweetie eat her carrots at lunch time, while we were eating our lunch too.

Thank you Summer for bringing Sweetie to spend the day with us!

Whaea Katie's Teacher Inquiry

* Warning: this is a 'teacher talk' blog post (for those of you who are interested, do keep reading).

Just as Inquiry is an important part of your child’s learning at school, inquiry is also an important factor of effective teacher pedagogy and practice. The cycle of inquiry assists us in the investigation of: assessing our student’s needs, researching and applying different strategies (to cater for their needs), evaluating the effectiveness of those strategies, and figuring out ‘where to next?’



Ministry of Education (2007). The New Zealand Curriculum for English-medium Teaching and Learning. Wellington: Learning Media. Also available at: http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum

This term the teachers at school will all be engaged in their own teacher inquiry about our student’s learning through inquiry… clear as mud, āe?

To be a little more specific our inquiry will be focused around the question: 'How do i know my children are learning through inquiry?'

I am really passionate about teaching inquiry and believe that if inquiry is authentic and student driven, it’s not only really exciting and engaging (for both the students and their teacher), but it also assists students in developing the competencies needed to be information literate and lifelong learners.

So, my brain has been tick, tick, ticking away about the direction I want to head in with my own teacher inquiry. And I think I’ve finally sorted out what I’m focusing on!

Long story short (well as short as my ‘wordiness’ will allow for), I have decided to focus on researching and applying strategies to assist my students in developing effective collaborative skills (or as we’re calling it in Room 2 – team work).

This is really important from my perspective, as I believe students in this age range should be experiencing learning through a method of both whole class guided inquiry and more independent, small group inquiry. And in all honesty, my class need to develop the skills to allow them to be effective team members, so they can get the most out of their learning in group situations.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress throughout the term, through the page ‘Inquiry Learning’.

Wish me luck!

Welcome to our little corner of the web!

Kia ora koutou, and welcome to Room 2's learning hub on the net!

We really hope you enjoy our sharing throughout 2011. Please get involved and comment on what we are up to if you can, we would really like your input!