A snippet of our Kapa Haka presentation at the library...

Kapa haka

Today the St Mary’s Kapa Haka group walked down to the library. We sung Ka Waiati, Haere mai, Te Waka and many more. Singing was really fun! I felt very nervous when we first got up but when we started the butterflies in my stomach flew away.

Later on we performed in front of the school. It was very scary when we all went on stage but then when we started to sing I wasn’t any more. After we had sung all of the songs we got some feed back from the audience. They said that we were very loud and clear.

Our costumes will be coming in three weeks. The boys are wearing a piupiu and a green stone necklace and the girls are wearing a blue dress with korus on it and a green stone necklace as well. We enjoyed performing on stage and at the library in front of an audience.

By Anahera and Michaela.  

My Holiday

On holiday my Mum Dad and I went to Queenstown and Lake Tekapo. In Queenstown we went Luging and drove up to the Remarkables Ski field but didnt go skiing. We went up on the chair lift though to check out the view. We were going to walk up through the snow to the viewing area but barely out of the gate my Mums leg fell into the ice. Then we had another attempt and after going a couple of metres up my Mum fell flat on her face. We decided we would not carry on even though I wanted to. We were wearing the wrong sort of shoes! 

The next day we packed up and went to Tekapo. It didnt take as long as I thought it would. I liked the place we stayed in because it was near the hot pools. 
The first day at Tekapo we went to the hot pools and we liked it so much we went back the next day too! We went snow tubing which was great fun and my favourite part of the holiday.
We also gave ice skating a go but that was not my favourite part. On the way back we stopped at a lookout and got great views of Mt Cook. (Below is a photo that I took).
Maggie (my cat) was very pleased to have us home and the first thing she said to us was FEED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Otago Soccer Trials

On Sunday I had trials for the Otago team in soccer. I had lots of fun. I got into the Otago team. I was tired after the trials
but it was exciting. I am the goal keeper.  There were lots of other goal keepers.  Soccer is one of my favourite sports. It was a challenging for me but it was lots of fun.

Josh and Callum would like to teach you to count to ten in Maori

Callum and Josh had a lot of fun making this.  We hope you try and repeat the numbers.  It would be great if you could count to ten in Maori.  Let us know how you go!

Bridget and Zara share a Mihi

Fun with Fractions

We are having great fun with fractions. We are using equipment, studyladder, paper to fold, magnets, counters, and we even used gummy snakes to share out evenly! Fractions really are fun!

Bottle Bivy Build

We have been working with a group of teachers around New Zealand to build a bottle bivy. You can check it out on the Bottle Bivy Build Blog or our class blog.

When we got to school on Monday the bivy had collapsed again. We do not know why? Maybe we didn’t have it balanced correctly, maybe the glue gets brittle in the cold over the weekend?
Today Zack’s dad came for a visit. He works for Ullrich Aluminium and he is very clever. He is going to help us with a framework to start all over again. We think it will be even better this time. What do you think?

Our wonderings…

This term we are moving off planet earth.  We are taking what we know already about Space and wondering!  Wonderings are our curiosity, things we are eager to investigate and learn more about!  We are using a Google Doc to share our wonderings.  As we develop a wondering wall, we will work as a class to investigate and take our learning further.  During this early start of our learning we continue to wonder and develop our curiosity.  Can you please have a look at our wonderings and let us know what you think?

Click on the question mark to watch our wonderings develop!

Paired writing…

In class we have been learning how to tutor someone with Jill. When we have a tutoring session  Mrs K  and Jill demonstrate for us and then we go off with our tutoring partners. Brya and I are together and so far we have written about a day in the life of an elephant, what we have done in the holidays and heaps more. We love it because it is a new way of learning.

By Mia

We are learning soooo much about the role of the tutor and the role of the tutee!  Can you see how focused we are on our writing?  What comments can you make about what is going on in these photos?

Leading Jump Jam

Today we led jump jam because the year 7’s and 8’s were at technology. We danced to Mambo #5, Hey baby, and the new song Keep on moving. These are some of our feelings about Leading Jump Jam

I was excited and pumped up. I learnt a lot. And I had a great time and a great experience. I can’t wait for my next turn. – Zara

I was really excited.  It was really fun. I liked being the leader.  I can’t wait to my next time.-Georgia

Doing Jump Jam was really fun and I had a lot of energy going in to it. I was excited. I hope I have another opportunity to lead again and I am so relieved that I got it right.-Ciara

On the Marae…

We have been learning with the Maori NIE for Maori language week. (NIE stands for Newspapers in Education.) We acted out visiting a Marae. It was lots of fun. First of all Sam did a haka. We walked forwards and Sam put down the koha.  The tangata whenua picked up the koha.  We sat down and we were greeted.  We sang.  We spoke.  We greeted each other.  It was interesting because we have only been on a Marae once.  We would like to visit one again.

Counting down to London Olympics 2012

Today was an amazing day in class.  For Funky Friday time we prepared for the start of the London Olympics 2012.

Today room six made a wall which was to do with the Olympic Games. First it was a plane old wall but soon it wasn’t, because room six decided to decorate it with pictures of either people who are starring in the Olympic Games or words that describe it. This afternoon I bet it would be all filled up with more facts and pictures.     By Lorie

It was great to see the wall grow…

We are excited to follow the results!  Mason has started a page in the wiki to record results as they happen.  We have also downloaded the London Olympic Result apps onto our devices.

Olympic Games Opening

What an amazing celebration – the opening of the Olympic Games.  We all learnt so much about Britain.  We loved the journey through time.  The music was really cool.  Some of our very favourite parts were Mr Bean playing and the “Queen” parachuting in.  We have been watching the Olympics a lot this weekend.

Mason has started a wonderful record of Olympic results on a page in our wiki!  Well done Mason.

New Zealand has made a fantastic start.  Glen Snyders set a New Zealand record in the swimming – 100 metre breaststroke.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray set a world record time in the heats of rowing.

Kiwi athletes get a surprise visit from the Queen.

We need to really think about the messages in the Olympic Games… everyone is gathered in peace to compete. It was very exciting to see all the teams parade in. How exciting to see this is the first Olympics with a female competitor from every country.

It was so special to see the lighting of the Olympic flame. It is so symbolic to see a copper petal from each country all burning together.

There were so many wonderful moments in the opening ceremony. What was your favourite?

Life long learners…

Today we helped our teacher Mrs K! She is presenting her first ever IGNITE talk! This is a talk to ‘ignite’ an audience.  Mrs K was really nervous.  She presented her talk to us and we were able to give her so much feedback and feed forward.  She was very grateful for our help.  She was able to take our suggestions and present to her e-teach friends.  She was much more confident!

Last term we all prepared speeches for our annual speech competition.  It was a lot of fun.  We have now decided we will have a go at mini ignite talks.  We will all present something from our space learning…

What a wonderful learning journey we are on together.

Kurt - we are so proud of you!

After school today I had a visit from a parent of a child from Room 3.  This parent told me how Kurt had given her son $2.00 to spend at the cake sale on Friday because he didn't have any money of his own.  Kurt, this young boy will remember your kindness for a very long time.  That was a very kind act.  We are so very proud of you!  

Skyping with Melville Intermediate

Today we had a Skype session with Melville intermediate school.  We talked to two girls from the te ao upurangi class.  We showed them our mihis. At first we had a chat with them and asked some questions about Maori language. We had a talk for about their Maori language, their waiata and their karakia.  At the end Bridget shared her mihi. We had alot of fun.

We told the girls they are amazing ambassadors for their school.  They are fluent Maori speakers and they helped us with our pronunciation.  Mr Webb and his amazing class help us with our pronunciation and our mihi.  They have been recognised nationally for the wonderful work they do supporting Maori language learners across New Zealand.  You should check out their amazing blog!

New Zealand loses a treasure - taonga

Yesterday on the 23rd of July Margaret Mahy sadly passed away. She died in Christchurch. She has written more then 100 books. They are all very great to read. They suit all ages. You can read them whenever you like. Today in Room6 they read The Moon and Famer McPhee. It was a finalist in the children book awards. It was a really good book because of the describing words used and the awesome pictures of animals on the pages. Brya and Chelsea like all of the books but mostly The Witch in the Cherry Tree and Adventures of the Robber pig. Laura likes The Lion in the Meadow but she mostly likes the three legged Cat and The witch in the Cherry tree. Everyone around the world will miss Margaret Mahys new books but they will have her old books. Margaret Mahy was famous for her writing and the pictures that go with the stories. In St Mary’s School library they have lots of Margaret Mahy stories. There is a great range of chapter books for the older kids and picture books for the younger kids. You will be sadly missed Margaret Mahy.

By Chelsea, Brya and Laura

Today our whole school gathered in the foyer and we remembered our wonderful author. We talked about her books and shared her most recent award winning book, The Moon and Farmer McPhee. Check out this wonderful site to find out all about our fabulous author! What is your favourite Margaret Mahy book? We were really interested to look at the two copies our school has of her first book, A lion in the meadow! The hardback copy was published in 1969 and the paperback was published in 1996. One book our parents grew up with, the other we grew up with. The story is the same but soooo much has changed. The book, the print, the illustrations have all changed over the years but the story has always been a favourite.

Fun With Fractions...

We are having great fun with fractions. We are using equipment, studyladder, paper to fold, magnets, counters, and we even used gummy snakes to share out evenly! Fractions really are fun:

10 aside tournament

Today the year 6, 7 and 8’s played a soccer game in Sunnyvale against Green Island. The game was twelve minutes each way. We didn’t start very well because Green Island got a goal in the first few minutes. But we made a comeback scoring two goals in as many minutes. We got another goal just before half time. It was a little bit tiring because we had to go up the field and then back down the field.  We scored four more goals in the second half. We won seven to two. It was so much fun. I can’t wait to do it again.

Josh

                

Today the yr 6 ,7 and 8’s had a soccer game in Sunnyvale. When we got to Sunnyvale we had some kicks at the goal. When the game started I was midfield. The whistle blew at the ball went straight to the opposition teams goal. We had so many attempts at the goal but we didn’t seem to get it in the goal. Finally it got close to the goal but the opposition stole it off us and they got it down to our goalkeeper Alex. Suddenly they kicked it and they scored. We knew we had to make a come back and we did. They score was one all.

We were playing so well. It was halftime and we were ahead. After half time I was off for a few minutes. When I got back on the field I was not tired so I sprinted to get the ball and I got it. I was really close to the goal but I missed. The final score was 7-2 and we won. We all played a great and we were proud of our effort.

Laura

RIP Margaret Mahy

What a sad day - Margaret Mahy died today! 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10821682
What is your favourite book? 
What could we do this week to celebrate this amazing author?

Our Global Collaboration....

Kia ora from New Zealand.  We feel very privileged to be hosting this blog this week.  

http://passtheblog.creativeblogs.net/

This week is Maori Language week where New Zealand really celebrates te reo Maori (the Maori language).  The theme this year is Arohatia te Reo - cherish the language.  

We are excited to share a little of our country, our culture, and our language.  Each day we will try to share a new phrase with you.  Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey!

Kia ora 

One day...

Midnight-
I went up to my owner Zara. I whined softly in her ear. She woke up. Well I think she did. She patted me vaguely and rolled over.

Dawn-
"Woof woof” Zara wakes up. She stumbles out of bed. "Here's your food "mumbles Zara. Yum! Left over roast. Absolutely delish. I scratch on the door wanting out. Zara wanders out of the lounge to the door. ‘CREAK’ I’m out.

Mid Morn-
Zara and I are on a walk around the park. My head turns; I sniff ‘DUCKYS’ I think to myself. Yay! What fun. I am off my leash. A big SPLASH. I’m in. The ducks flap their wings furiously quacking their little heads off. “Oh Dawn “sighs Zara. She heaves me out. I shake the water off my fur violently. It goes everywhere. Luckily Zara is in a good mood because she just spotted her friend.

Midday-
“Hi" says Zara cheerily. “ Hey there gal you’re a bit wet eh aren’t you? “Replies Mae “You bet “says Zara. I sniff at this new dog. She is a golden lab. I am a golden retriever. When we get to our eating place (Banks Peninsula) all I can smell is food. I can mainly smell chicken. ‘Sniff sniff ‘Yum. My tummy turns upside-down just thinking about the chicken sandwiches. My mouth drools. I need a chicken ... anything. Zara is talking to Mae; Mae’s dog is chasing the ducks. I can go. My head turns to check one more time and I’m off. A man wearing a bright T-shirt and shorts had one of the most ginormous sandwiches in the world. (Of course they were chicken) My time was now, he was about to take a bite. I leap into the air, knocking the man down as I go but getting the sandwich. I run away from the man and quickly wolf down the food before anyone can take it away from me.

Mid afternoon –
Zara is apologizing to the man in the bright T-shirt and I have been scolded. I don’t know why though because the man in the bright T-shirt thought it was funny! Zara actually told me quietly that she wasn’t that annoyed with me. She said she laughed loudly. She just wanted to look responsible. We go to Oak Wood. Butterflies are flying everywhere. Me and Mae’s dog ( Annie ) stare at them intensely. WE can’t contain our excitement anymore. We jump up and try to get the butterflies. No luck though, they are too quick and fast for us. We give up in the end.

Evening –
We were supposed to have a quiet evening tonight but it didn’t quite turn out the way we had planned. Mae came over for tea and then some new person moved in next door and was making a humongous racket. (They were obviously having a huge party, we heard the clinking of bottles) I nuzzle under my soft blankets. I close my eyes and go to sleep...

The MAGIC of the kidney table in action..

We love the kidney table! For many many reasons or is our favourite learning space....

Georgia's story

In the holidays we when to Naseby.  We stayed with my nanny. We went skating and on the luge and to the snow park.  It was hard on the luge because we had to steer the opposite way to what you are going.  You had to lean towards the wall. We also went skiing in Tekapo at Round Hill. It was my first time. I went skiing with two of my uncles, my aunty and my dad.  It was lots of fun.

PHOTOS

Maths

On the 18th of July room 6 had an exciting maths time because we all shared what we did at maths time. I'm in the Pythagoras and we learnt if you times 9.0876 by 10 the answer would be 90.876 because there is one zero on the end of ten so you move the decimal point one to the right. If you had to times 9.0876 by 100 you would get the answer 908.76 because you move the decimal point two to the right. If you had to times 9.0876 by 100 the answer would be 9087.6 because you move the decimal point three to the right. We also learnt about that division is a mirror of multiplication. For example if you divide 623.49 by ten you would get the answer 62.349 because their is one zero on the end of ten so you move the decimal point one to the left. If you had to divide the same number by 100 you would just move the decimal point two to the left because there are two zeros on the end of one hundred and if you had to do the same number again by 1000 you would just move the decimal point three to the left because there are three zeros on the end of one thousand. We learnt a lot at maths time and then shared what we learnt to the class.

Paired Writing

We had another paired writing session today.  We are learning soooo much about the role of the tutor and the role of the tutee!  Can you see how focused we are on our writing?  What comments can you make about what is going on in these photos?

Fun with vowel sounds....

This afternoon we had a learning with words session with Jill.  We looked at vowel cards and had a whole lot of fun making words.  It was very interesting to isolate the vowel sounds… We learnt a whole lot about the sounds in the words…

 We worked with the long a vowel sound.  We used journal stories to be detectives to search for words with the long a vowel sound.  It was really challenging.  We kept finding words with a in them, but when we said the word the a did not make the long a sound. 

Check out all the different sounds spellings we found for the long a sound.

We came up with two very important messages!  Stop looking for letters... Start listening for sounds...

 We hear sounds.  We write letters.

Mrs K.  has made a google doc for us to add to!  I wonder how many letters we can add tonight in the correct columns?

What was a success today?

What was a challenge?

What do we need to do more of?