Monday 25 April 2016

Bug Day

On Thursday 14th April the junior syndicate had a bug day. We started our day in the hall. We sang bug songs to our family members, paraded around in our costumes, and Room 3 played on the glockenspiels. After the parade we went back to our classes. In Room 3 we took turns presenting our insect assignments to our guests. After morning tea, each class rotated through the classrooms to appreciate others' artwork and stories on display. We spent the afternoon doing arts and crafts and watching bug cartoons!





Measurement with popcorn

WALT create and use units to measure area, volume and capacity. 

I can use non-standard units (spoons, cups, bowls) to fill a container and count the number used. 

I can recognise the need for a standard unit of volume. 

We used popcorn for this measurement lesson. Miss Watson found a container that went up to 3000ml (3 litres) (We did discuss that ml is usually used for measuring liquids and that we could have used grams, but this was the only container available from the resource room that day). In our table groups, we predicted how many kernels it would take to fill the container up with popcorn. Our predictions were all very close! (we may have done a practise run). After the experiment we ate all the popcorn... Miss Watson made more so we could have a second helping :)





Well done Niv!

Niv has been going Marrzipan drama classes and here he is as the cheesemaker in the end of term play. We have all noticed how much confidence Niv has gained over the past year and will enjoy watching him continue to grow. 


Ways to assist with reading in Room 3

Below are some tips for reading with your child at home. The photos show some work we have been doing in term one to improve our comprehension. By having to answer questions about the text (directly stated or inferred) students realise they need to read for meaning and think carefully about the story. 

1.     Tell the child what the title is called and discuss its meaning and the front cover page.
2.    Prior to reading look at and discuss the illustrations on each page (Familiarisation).
3.    Have the child start reading. If they are reading magenta, red, yellow, or blue level books, they will track the words using their finger.
4.    What to do when a child doesn’t know a word:
·      Make the sound of the first letter. Sound out the letters.

·      What could this word be? (In context with the story) what would make sense? Does that look right?

·      Check the illustrations. Is there a clue?

·      Can you read the rest of the sentence or start the sentence again to check if that makes sense? (Self-correction)

·      Does that look right? Does that sound right? Does that make sense?

·      If they are still struggling you can tell them the word.

5.    Children that are fluently reading on orange, turquoise, purple and gold level books can start to use expression when reading aloud, particularly when using inverted commas (speech/quotation marks) and exclamation marks.
6.    Good readers re-read the text to gain a better understanding. They also take note of any unknown words to ask about later.
7.    Comprehension:  What was the story about? What happened to…? How do you think….? Why do you think…? What would happen if…?
8.    Making a personal link: Has that ever happened to you? What was your favourite part?
9.    Read with your child, to your child, and have them read to you. Enjoy yourselves and make reading a fun activity!







Measurement with water

WALT order and compare containers by volume and capacity.

I can predict which container holds the most water.
I can compare the volume of two containers.
I can recognise that different shaped containers may hold the same amount of water. 

We were split into small groups. Each group was given different sized and shaped containers. We had to work together to predict which containers we thought would hold the most water. We then went outside to put it to the test. We rotated to four different stations, measuring and comparing. At the end we sat down as a class and shared our findings. 





April Fools!


On Friday 1st April Miss Watson wrote on the timetable: spelling test, maths test, writing test, science test, reading test, history test, AND finish at 3.30! Here you can see Phoebe and Kaia looking very concerned... After the 9am bell and roll check, Miss Watson finally asked the class what the date was. Sienna knew it was April Fools Day but it still took a few kids a couple seconds to realise they had been fooled! Coco and Olivia were the most relieved as they had been stressing about that history test since they arrived!

Sunday 3 April 2016

Shore to Shore Fun Run

"Shore to Shore is the North Shore's largest 5km run with over 6,000 participants. The run starts at Takapuna Grammar School, heads along both the picturesque Takapuna and Milford beaches and ends at Milford Reserve.

This event brings together the North Shore community and supports local schools by providing them with an opportunity to raise funds for much needed sports gear."

As you can see, a few students from Room 3 participated. Even Lenny the lemur joined in on the fun!

If any parents have photos to share please send them to Miss Watson's email.