Printmaking

This term for art we are focussing on making prints. The first step to this is making the printing plate out of cardboard. This took us two sessions as it is very important to get the layers right so that there is some definition to the print. The children were amazing - they listened carefully and put into practice everything that they were taught. The real proof of this was when we started our crayon prints - they turned out great. They learnt to always use the crayon on its side and to always use long strokes of the crayon in the same direction.

Welcome Back

Hi everyone and welcome back to the last nine and a half weeks that make up the school year. That really doesn't seem like long enough for us to get all that we need to do done. We started the term by getting straight into maths (addition and subtraction), reading, athletics and making a printing block for our printmaking sessions.

This term for the first 4 weeks we have a first year student teacher in our room. Miss Gemma Stopforth is on her first teaching placement and I know you will all make her feel welcome.

Here are some photos of our athletics session on jumping.

Jessie and Jake with Badges

Peaks Of Achievement Badges

This term we have 5 children from our class receiving their Peaks Of Achievement badges. Congratulations, Hannah, Abby, Jessie and Jake for getting your silver badge which means you have met 20 of your goals. Also a huge congratulations to Madison for achieving 30 of her goals and getting her gold badge.

STAR test

Last week in class we had our STAR test. This is a standardised test throughout New Zealand that tests the children in reading. The test is given in March and now again in September (same format - different paper). This time around I have 6 children who scored either 43 out of 45 or 44 out of 45 which gave them a stanine score of 9. This is an amazing effort and I am very proud of them.

It is tough sitting tests and all the children tried their best. If you would like to see how your child got on then please call in and see me and I can show you.

Not pictured is Scott who also got a stanine 9.

Science Day

Science Day was a huge learning curve for the children. It was a chance to do some "hands on" experiments and to use equipment that they had not seen before. We learnt that not all experiments work first time - and sometimes they just don't work. Our silly putty would just not mix together - but it was lots of fun trying out different things and as Callum said "experimenting". Next door in Room 5 the children learnt about meths burners and tripods and they looked at how different substances burnt - they tested jelly crystals, salt, sugar and chocolate. It was very smelly - but lots of fun and some of it tasted great! The question we were trying to answer was "is the change in the substance reversible or non-reversible?"

We're Back!!!

Well- after the events of the last ten days or so it is great to be back at school and get back to a normal routine! Today we did discuss our feelings about the earthquake and what positive things we did during it to keep ourselves safe. We have also been drawing pictures of something we saw or know about the earthquake. As well as this we have had a discussion on what to do if there is another quake or aftershock during school time.

Apart from this we carried on as normal - we got back into maths, reading, spelling, poetry and writing. We also had our athletics skills session today and it was lovely to be out in the sun. The focus for this session was on hopping and balance as a lead up to learning the long jump when they are older.