Volcano Science!

This term we are looking into VOLCANOES! We are going to be learning some scientific skills and building our knowledge and understanding of volcanoes and their processes.
We began our unit by looking at some pretty magnificent photos of volcanic action and then did some brainstorming. We jotted down all the stuff we already knew and also all the questions/ wonders we have about volcanoes.

Gymnastics has begun!

This week we have started our gymnastcis PE focus. Check out our 'beginning' skills.

Lets gather some ideas for this year's speeches.

Nga Hakinakina -Sports!

Today we finally had fun playing each other's Te Reo games! It was awesome to see what other teams had come up with and what they had created. There was such a range of games -snakes and ladders, The Chase, Cludo, Mazes, and even spinning wheels. We reflected on others' games creating a PMI then feeding back our thoughts about their game, how clear the instructions were and the general make-up of the game.
This was a really good way to learn our vocabulary!

Halcombe Card Competition!

This morning we are helping our little buddies with brainstorming ideas, and planning their picture for the Halcombe Card Competition. Already there are some awesome pictures coming along! Stay tuned for the finished products!

Sunset Silhouette reflection art

Last week we created these piece of art. We looked at what happens on the horizon when the sun goes down. We noticed that when there is water in the fore ground, the light often reflects onto the water. We also noticed that things such as trees and boats turn to silhouettes when the light is behind them. Using paint we worked hard to create some blended pieces showing different types and colours and reflections that appear when the sun goes down. 

Dancing at the Disco!!

On Friday night, we danced the night away at the disco! We all had such an awesome time breaking out our moves and having a few sweet treats! Thanks to the Year 8s from Kauri house for organising such a cool night!

Check out our moves!

Rippa Rugby!

We had a great time with Miss Simpson learning some rugby skills and then playing some games of Rippa! Thanks for a great afternoon Miss Simpson!

Finally.... Winter Sport Rotation!

Today we finally made it out for our winter sport rotation. It was pretty chilly but we still had a good time doing some dribbling, passing and shooting! Thanks for taking us Miss Jeynes!

Its time to come and cut some SHAPES!

Learning to 'USE EVIDENCE'

Today we learnt about a new science capability 'Use Evidence'.

We explored a range of evidence about recycling, the process, and using plastic to create energy. We picked out and identified key information and ideas. Following this, we were given 5 thought bubbles of statements about main ideas. We then had to either agree or disagree with the statements and provide evidence from the information that supported our decision. Whilst this was difficult at first, we soon got the hang of it and then had a go at writing our own thought  bubble statements. We swapped our statements and repeated the justification process.

We then had a lengthy discussion about what were the skills that we used and learnt about during this activity that showed our 'using evidence' science capabilities. We all reflected on and wrote an explanation about the skills we had used. 

Week 7's Plastic observing, inferring and wonderings!

What house hold plastic will float?

Last week we 'Engaged with Science' by conducting an experiment to see what house hold plastics would float and which would sink.
We learnt about fair testing, how to write a scientific report and how when variables change, it can influence the results of the experiment.

In the first experiment we tested which plastics would float and sink in water that was still and not moving. When we repeated the experiment we made the water move representing the waves and currents in the ocean. Interestingly the results were very very different.

Here are some examples of our reports, conclusions we made and data we gathered. The students did very well to relate their findings to the big picture of plastic pollution in the oceans.

'Dear Jacinda' Poetry

We were inspired by a poem written to Helen Clark by a student sharing their thoughts about the plastic problem. We decided that we would write our own.