Counting in 10's

The tamariki are learning to count in 10's. Add numbers to tens frames and even using counting in 10's to solve addition problems.

 Shay is very excited to figure out that 3 tens frames is equal to 30! Very clever.

"Because I know it's 10 and because there are 3 of them, it becomes 30 like 10, 20, 30!"

Hohepa counts 10, 20, 30 then 1, 2, 3, 4, and then it has to be 35

Well done, tamariki! 

Who do you value? Having Healthy Relationships

In Room 3 the teacher received some feedback that some children sometimes feel a bit sad after school. We have decided that a way that we can have 'Healthy Relationships' is to value one another. We decided that valuing one another meant that we show our appreciation. We act of DO something to show that others are important to us.

That means we have to act on our good feelings! Not just the sad ones.

Project Based Learning 
Project-based Inquiry is a learning style that puts the children in the drivers seat. The teacher gave us a mini project. Can you make something for someone (one person picked an animal) to show them that you value them?

The children were interested in making cards and painting pictures.  There were some really creative ideas like making a bunnny cake and making a doggy bed! Because these children really valued their pets! How cool!

Kaitlin makes her puppy a new bed

Some children explore water colour

Other children make cards in interesting shapes and sizes

 

Maya makes a bowl for her bunny, it's going to have some tasty treats inside

The freedom to explore and express ourselves helps us to solve problems using creative thinking skills.

Ka Pai Ruma Toru! 

Writing with all of our Senses

The students in Room 3 illustrate a poem each week. The children read the weekly poem and think about the vocabulary and language in the poem. The children work independently.

While they paint we can listen to sounds that cue our imagination and help us to visualize. 

Next, the children discuss vocabulary and record it in their Little Dictionaries. This is a great time to hear from others and help to build our ideas.

Next, we plan together. This is a great way to support one another. Next, the children write.

We decided to check back on our work. We talk about what makes a narrative. We talked about what we had done well. We also talked about what we had missed out, and how we would improve.

Measurement Standard Units

What we learned 
The children in Room 3 learned to measure in centermeters. Incidentally we also had to make sure that we could count in 100s!

Action 
We started off by measuring some classroom furniture. We measured the chairs and the tables. We used meter rulers and small 30 cm rulers. Sometimes we even had to add the numbers together!

How we Learn 
Some children were so excited to figure out how to use the ruler on their own. Some preferred to work with the teacher and others slowly joined up with other children to work in their own groups. These natural and student-led decisions help to build confidence and ensure children feel supported.

Application 
Can you measure the length and width of the netball court?
"No way!"

The children counted in 100's then we went out to the court. We used a 100 cm ruler to count and measure the court.

The children work together really well. They communicate and count together, it was great! 

How do you Value others?

In Room 3 we had a celebratory return to Term 3. The teacher asked her mum to make us all a rainbow cake! Because it is a favorite "color" of the Room 3 children.

We were learning that we can show people we value them by doing nice things for them.

 We have a special surprise coming up for someone who is special to us and that we value.

The cake had a beautiful rainbow swirl. 

Sammy was very interested in the cake. She asked, "How is the colour made?"

The children have decided that we need to call Mrs Harrison (Ms Harrison's Mummy) to ask her how she made the Rainbow cake. 

Google Forms for Assessment

The tamariki in Room 3, and in fact across Paihia School, are becoming involved in the global and e-learning environment. The children recently participated in a Whare Inquiry in term 3.

Inquiry is a mode of learning that seeks to put students in the drivers seat when it comes to their learning. The children and the teacher (kaiako) work together to formulate questions to drive the learning. We research, discuss and learn about a topic in a way that interests the students.

This process also involves formative (before) and summative (after) assessment. The cool part is that we can bring just as much creativity to the assessment process as we can the learning process. When the children arrive back from Term 2 holidays we will complete this in class.

If you (parents) would like to try this at home, with your child, by all means give it a go. This is the first form I have made which is pretty exciting!  The information is sent through to my school e-mail.

So, be patient and give it a go.

Are you a Reading Warrior?

If you are interested in doing a little bit of extra reading at home, and in the holidays check out Reading Warrior. This series of stories are kiwi written and published. They look at themes and ideas specific to our Tamariki here in Aotearoa.

Enjoy!