It's not over when you lose, it's over when you quit!

This morning in Room 11 we talked about never giving up.  Mr. Brock showed the class the video clip below which shows Derek Redmond in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.  He did not give up even after suffering a very painful injury.

What do you think?

Stereotypes

In class this morning we talked in length about the boy in New Zealand who was not allowed to go to school as his hair was too long.  The class decided that this was unfair and that we should not judge people based on what they look like on the outside.

We also talked about first impressions and how this can have an effect on what people think of us.  Maybe that was the lesson the school were trying to teach the boy with the long hair?

Mr. Brock remembered a video he had seen when he was a boy.  He has put it on the blog below.  Have a look.  Your comments would be most welcome.

Discovery Group's visit to McLaren Falls

Mrs O'Donoghue went on a trip to McLaren Falls with a discovery group from Room 11.  Have a look at the presentation they made!!

Marmite

In class we tried two different kinds of Marmite.

The British Marmite which here in New Zealand is called 'Our Mate."

And the New Zealand Marmite.

Which one do you prefer and why?

Talking Penguins

Have a look at the picture.  Imagine these penguins are having a conversation.  What are they saying?

Follow the story plan we have been using in class and see what you can write about.

Collaborative Learning in Maths

In maths today we worked collaboratively to find out our halves and doubles.

The boys challenged the girls to see who could complete the task first.

Who do you think finished first?

A True Friend

Read this piece of writing and see if you can answer the questions.

A True Friend

What is a true friend? A true friend says what they think their friend needs to hear even when they know that their friend may get angry. A true friend doesn't leave because they are afraid to be with you. A true friend doesn't leave when the fun stops and things get uncomfortable.  These are just of few of the values that real friends hold dear. In short, a true friend recognizes the value of the friendship and holds it sacred.

1)     What do you think someone might have to say that could make someone angry?
2)     Why might someone be afraid to be with their friend?
3)     Use a dictionary to find out what the word ‘values’ means.
4)     Use a dictionary to find out what the word ‘sacred’ means.
5)     Describe a time when you were with a friend and it got ‘uncomfortable’.  What did you do?
6)     List 6 ‘values’ that friends should have.
7)     Write about a time when a friend did something for you.
8)     Write about a time when you did something for a friend.
9)     What could you do to make a new friend?

Making Friends

Read the poem.  Can you answer the questions?

Making Friends

Before you became a friend of mine 

We knew each other for quite some time 

I hate to say we wasted a year and a half, 

I'm glad we can now look back and laugh. 

It's funny how things turned out, 

I wish I could say I never had a doubt. 

Truth is, I'm proud to say, 

You and I have come a long, long way. 

1)     How long had they known each other?

2)     Why does the author say ‘We wasted a year and a half.’?

3)     Look in a dictionary to find out what the word ‘doubt’ means.

4)     Look in a dictionary and find out what the word ‘proud’ means.

5)     Think of a time when you had a ‘laugh’ with one of your friends.  What happened?  What was so funny?

Best Friends

Have a look at this poem.   Can answer the questions.

Best Friends

I remember my first day of NE,

When I sat there and cried for my mum,

You came over and sat next to me,

And we’ve been best friends ever since.

1)   What is the title of this poem?

2)   What do the letters ‘NE’ mean?

3)   Why do you think the author ‘cried for my mum.’?

4)   What made them become best friends?

Number Sequences.

Have a look at some of these number sequences.  Can you work out the rule?  They get harder as you go.

 - LOOK IN THE COMMENTS.

Place Value - Large numbers.

We have been learning to say some very large numbers in maths.  Check out some of these comments.

Worm Farm

Room 11 have lots of pets.  They are responsible for looking after thousands of Tiger Worms.  Tiger Worms are really good at breaking down fruit and vegetables to make a rich nutrient filled soil which can be used to feed plants.

This morning Fletcher, Te Rau Aroha and Lucah fed the worms with lots of apples which had gone a bit soft.

The apples need to be broken apart first so that it is easier for the worms to eat them. - The best way to do this is to stamp on them!

It was a fun job and completed very well by the enthusiastic worm farmers.

Changing our class environment

This term the children in the Taranaki Syndicate have been set the task of deciding how they could make a difference to their class environment.
Using Lane Clark's S.W.SW. chart we were able to look at the strengths and weaknesses of last years classrooms. From this we are able to choose the elements which will make Room 11 the perfect environment for learning.

Unfortunately the board work was a bit messy, (It was a big class brainstorm) but the writing in blue shows you what the children in Room 11 want to change to improve their class environment.  We shall keep you posted on what changes we make and how the transformation goes!

C.O.P.E. Challenge

As part of the C.O.P.E. challenge in the Taranaki Syndicate, the children are encouraged to visit the Historic Village in 17th Avenue.
Kyra, Maia and Izla took part in a dance class there last night and decided to find out about some of the history of Tauranga and New Zealand.

Here is a picture of the three girls with a carriage from a very long time ago.

What kind of exciting things can you find at the Historic Village?

Year 4 Camp

On Thursday 13th and Friday 14th February the Yr 4 children took part in an over night stay at the school.  The children slept in tents, ate burgers and took part in many different activities.

We were visited by Officer Mark Chapman and Nitro from the Police Dog Unit.  They showed the children, teachers and parents how well trained and clever police dogs are.  Mr. Brock got quite a scare when Nitro managed to jump to the top of the climbing wall.  It had seemed like a great hiding place, but Mr. Brock did not know that police dogs could fly!

If you were at the Year 4 camp (child, teacher or parent helper), what was your favourite memory?