Over and out

Today was the last day of the school year and the last day of the existence of Rimu team, for now anyway. 
We have had a lovely year together. Thanks to all the students and families who have made the year so special. Enjoy your Christmas together and may 2015 bring many valuable learning adventures and experiences. Au revoir!

Technology and your body

 

Read about the effects on your spine here.

Life lessons from Albert Einstein

Moral courage

Be an upstander, not a bystander

Amazing Nature

Thinking; and acting thoughtfully

Buying clothes thoughtfully

Wisdom from kids' movies

Random acts of kindness 

Small changes make a big difference

You can be an environmental hero

Heroes don't just help people

What is a hero anyway?
Environmental heroes
More heroes

What's a hero?

A teenager's invention 

Deliberate practice

Deliberate practice is an incredibly valuable approach. What would motivate you to practise so carefully?

You can make a difference!

Division on a number line

An unusual aurora

Post by of Verona.

Thinking in Room 18

This is some of the great thinking students did today in response to the quote of the day.

Health Research

Some of the research the students are doing, so they will understand how to be healthy.

Shared Lunch

Dear caregivers/ whanau of Room 18 students.
As we are close to the end of Term 3 and our student teacher, Miss Toimata, finishes here this week, the students have asked to have a shared lunch. We would like to have it this Friday, the 19th . We appreciate any contributions you can make, but no lollies or drinks please. This is a shared lunch, not a party. A mix of savoury and sweet foods would be ideal. Many thanks.

Health and Nutrition activities

I have found these sites. Play some games, read some articles and see what you think. Is the learning helpful?


Nourish Interactive

Playnormous

Kids health

Blue Kids 

Writing for ourselves and others

Tips for young writers
The Literacy Shed
Writing blogs from the UK.
Why not visit and comment on their writing? Share a link to your own blog too.

Feeling creative?

Be the difference

Show next Tuesday

These students need to bring $7 if they want to attend.


Chloe, Akira, Sam, Patricia, Shannon, Nate, Ziah, Tyler, Kyah, Alexus, Lizzie

Today's feedback task

Blog feedback

Division flow chart

How different things are in other parts of the world.

Dangerous journeys to school.

Google classroom

Log in with your gmail address.
Go to this link.  Join our Google classroom. 
Use the code below to join.

yxs1vb

“Knowledge emerges only through . . . the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other.” Paulo Freire

Blood sugar and insulin

Checking in

I have been a bit slack with this blog lately.  I'm trying to help the students to develop their blogs and that's taking time. We talk about brains and learning a lot of the time and so I was delighted to find this link.

How your brain works

Some Inspiring Thoughts

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans...
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
(ONE)1 would be near death;
(ONE)1 would be near birth;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own a computer.

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.
And, therefore . . .
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!

Are fizzy drinks good for you?


Text structure questions


A) Remembering question: If you only read the first paragraph, would you know what this article is about?


B) Understanding question: Why do you think the reporter put that information at the beginning of the article?


C) Evaluating question: Create a T-chart showing the pros and cons of writing an article in this way. Do you think it's a good idea?  Why? Why not?

Maths night

Maths Competition Night

This is an outline of the competition night we will holding on Tuesday 12^th August from 7.00 – 8.00pm. 

Each team will put enter a team of 4 – 3 plus super maths whizz!

Round 1, 2 and 3 each student to answer 2 questions

Round 4, 5 and 6:  Work in groups with paper

Can call on Maths Whizz at any time. 

Round 1	Medium paced addition round where 5 numbers are called out in succession and student to add mentally 8 secs each.  2 questions per student 1 point for correct answer.
Round 2	Sprint paced addition – same as above 5 secs each.  2 questions per student 1 point for correct answer.
Round 3	Medium paced subtraction round where 5 numbers are called out in succession and student to add mentally 8 secs each. 2 questions per student 1 point for correct answer.
Round 4	Strategy Round:  Using paper the groups are given 5 questions (one after the other) and they are to show what strategy they would use to solve the problem.  They get 1 point for each strategy, maximum 3 points.
Round 5	Problem solving round:  Using 5 problem solving questions students to work out on sheets of paper  1 point for correct answer.
Round 6	Spatial Problem Solving using Leggo sets – a shape is made and placed under a container.  Each group to get a leggo set and will build the shape.  They will get 5 ‘looks’ at the shape for 10 seconds each and trying to remember the shape go back to their group and build it.  Total 5 points.

 

What happens when we learn?

How learning works

Change your attitude and you change your life

Change your attitude

Appreciate everything you have and respect people who have very little.

Octopus cares for her young for 4 1/2 years

Do you think this is true for NZ families?

Created with Padlet

Kids doing speeches

TED talks

Word of the Day - Tuesday 29th July

define

dɪˈfʌɪn/

verb

verb: define;

1. 1.

   state or describe exactly the meaning of.

   
   

   • e.g. give the meaning of (a word or phrase), especially in a dictionary.

     "the dictionary defines it as ‘a type of pasture’

Word of the Day - Monday 28 July

explain
ɪkˈspleɪn,ɛk-
verb: explain;

* make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts.

Heading off to camp and having fun at school on PhotoPeach

Welcome to Term 3!

It's great to see the students again!  This week has been very busy doing the final preparations for camp. After several late changes to numbers, it was decided that one teacher would stay back with the students who didn't travel. They are all in Room 18 and today we had a great day together!
It sounds like the travellers have had a fabulous day too. They arrived safely; did some team building activities and their first rotation; saw a pod of dolphins; made sandcastles; had dinner and were going to watch a movie tonight.

Our learning in technology

What have we learned?

ASB Competition

Here's something fun to do with the family these holidays and you may even win something! ASB Bank money competition

Spot the animal pairs

Reversible animals  

Measles

Due to a case of measles in our school, students may only return to school after they have provided proof that they have had two inoculations. Those that haven't the injections need to stay at home in quarantine (not going out and about)  until 11 July, just in case they get sick too. 


Jump Jam has been postponed until next term.


For those of you who have now finished for the term, have fun and keep an eye on the Team Rimu blog for camp news.


Remember to work on your own blogs too. Other students worked on theirs in class today, and will get more opportunities during the week too. They have added pages including a page for links to learning activities. Check out the blogs of Lizzie, Steven, Logan, Shauntay, Ziah, Summer, Brontzin, Kendal and Aly, for ideas.

Conference Timetable

This link Conference Timetable shows all the bookings. Please remember the students will be released from school at 1.25 pm tomorrow.


Below is the letter sent home to guide the conferences.


I'm looking forward to seeing you all this week.
 

Room 18 Goal Setting Conferences 2014

Dear Parents/ Caregivers,

 

Thank you for making an appointment for a goal setting conference.

Other students may be running conferences while you are here. Please just find a space in the classroom for your own conference.

Your day is:       

Your time is:


If you cannot make this time, please come at any time between 2 pm and 5.45 pm  on Tuesday and between 3.15 pm and 6.00 pm on Thursday.

Your child will lead the conference. I will be available for discussion if required, however, the aim of the conference is that most of the discussion will be between you and your child.

If you have particular concerns, please make a time to meet with me privately.

The aims of these conferences are:

 To highlight strengths

• To identify areas to develop
• To set student goals for continued learning

Students will show you their Learning Journals and books..

At Maeroa we aim to support the students in taking increasing responsibility for their learning. This includes identifying skills which need development and setting clear goals. Each goal also needs a step by step plan of how to achieve it.

Please take time to look closely at your child’s learning.  Ask questions about:

• The purpose of the task.
• What they did well.
• What they need to work on.
• What SPECIFIC goals will help.
• How to meet those goals.

Technology and Arts teachers will also be available. Please feel free to visit them in their rooms or the library and see what your child has been doing.

I look forward to seeing you.

Yours sincerely,

Diana Bird

Class teacher

Some ads for Health topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGHRleZb6Kc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7KXAappcJM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEZWrKLAqKk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM3q0W_ogDw

Children's rights survey

Children aged 10 to 12 are being asked to fill this survey out. It's a great chance to be heard.  Children's rights

The fun begins!

Today the students began their blogs. Developing these is going to be great fun. Watch this space!

Any takers for this?

Story writing competition

Food for thought. Any comments?

The Amazing Race on PhotoPeach

Washed ashore

Washed ashore consists of sculptures made of debris cleaned from beaches that had washed ashore from the Pacific Ocean. The exhibit heightens awareness about marine trash and plastic pollution and has the added attraction of a musical element “Buoy, Beat ‘n Bop” where the sculptures can be played as percussion and chime instruments. The exhibit opens on Saturday, May 24, 2014 and runs through Sept. 21.

Check this out mathematicians!

Calculating by drawing lines

The Beauty of Pollination

Our thinking about writing

Discussing the sort of work writers need to do, and how hard it can be to write well! Week 1 of Term 2

 The students' thinking.

A quote from my book "What Readers Really Do."

Golf Lessons started in Term 2 on PhotoPeach

Flight posters at the end of Term 1

See the photo display below.

Class PMI about the static images.

PMI about the research task.

What do we need to do next time?

Hot air balloon visit in April

Hot air balloon visit on PhotoPeach

Sand Art

This was in the NZ Herald. Something for you to try next time you're at the beach!

dear diary, by Connor

Dear Diary, Today was the most murder day at school! marie didn't speak to me all day. I grosely forgot my homework for math class. My new friend troy isn't talking to me anymore. And to top it all off, I forgot my lunch, so I had to borrow money to buy lunch. I hate borrowing money, I hate forgetting my homework, and I hate it when my friends don't talk to me! FUDGEBUCKET!!!! I hope tomorrow is a better day! Dear Diary, Everything was much better today. marie wasn't mad at me; she was just upset because her parents would not let her go to a party. She was poked toward everyone. My math teacher said she'd only take one point off my homework because this was the only time I'd ever forgotten anything. She said everyone makes stupid mistakes sometimes. My new friend troy is talking to me. He was just busy helping out a sick friend. He had to gather all of his friend's homework. My friend who loaned me the money for lunch yesterday said I didn't have to pay him back, because I had loaned him money for lunch a while ago. I hope every day is a good as today!

Connor's thing

miko: Did you try out for the dog in the school play? connor: I wanted to be harry potter, but I didn't get the part. I don't know why. I wore happy cups on my toes and measly kittens on my eyes. Then I jogged my fingers and sang “hallelujah.” When I finished, Mrs. bird dug on the stage and told me I didn't get the part. miko: You must have felt sad. connor: Not really. Mrs. bird told me I could sleep the curtain. That'll be a blast!

Connor's story

The fishtale is an animal that has red fur with green spots on its noses and arms. Its tail is shaped like a(n) shirt which it uses to swim socks. An adult fishtale may weigh more than 102934 pounds and stand over 1823743 feet high. The fishtale can be found only in Aotearoa and Japan. Although its favorite food is biscuits, it also likes to eat oceans. If you ever see a(n) fishtale, be sure not to ever sing “numb.” That song makes it aggresive. Instead, give it a few biscuits and be on your way.

Can you believe this?

The Divine Dolphin

No, it’s NOT Photoshopped

Surfing a wave filled with ocean trash
Photo by Zak Noyle

It’s a remarkable photo taken by senior photographer at Surfer Magazine, Zak Noyle. While at first glance it seems that a bit of photo manipulation was used to make the image a bit more surreal, but that’s not the case. The trash you see floating alongside the surfer is the real deal.

It’s a sad but true depiction of pollution littering our oceans.

Noyle snapped the photo while on location in Java, Indonesia. In this part of the world, many towns have virtually no organized garbage collection infrastructure in place. Consequently, much of the human-generated trash ends up in local waterways and oceans.

This isn’t a localized problem, however. Trash litters lakes, rivers and oceans all over the planet.

If you haven’t heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, you may not realize the global scope of the problem.

The Garbage Patch is located in the Pacific Ocean between the Western United States and Eastern Asia. It’s an area of the Northern Pacific Ocean that contains exceptionally high levels of plastic particles, toxic waste and floating trash.

Decomposing ocean trash introduces toxic chemicals into the sea, which is then ingested by fish and other wildlife. We eat the tainted fish. Needless to say, it’s unhealthy for us and marine animals.

Images like Noyle’s trash-filled barrel wave can help raise awareness about responsible waste removal and what needs to be done on a local and global scale to ensure trash ends up in landfills and waste-to-energy facilities rather than our beautiful oceans.

The photo has already taken the Internet by storm being shared countless times on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook, and being picked up by major websites like Huffington Post and GrindTV.com. Please share/pin the photo to help keep ocean conservation in front of the masses. Every little bit helps

Thank you

To the students who organised themselves really quickly to do Your mission.  

Thanks also to those who took a little longer and a lot of reminders, but still achieved it before today. 

Finally, thanks to those who did it today. Although it was past the deadline I am pleased you made the effort and some of the pictures were adorable, so I really had to publish them!

It looks like planning and organising skills will continue to be a focus for our class for quite some time!

Lunar eclipse

This was a photo I took just before the eclipse tonight.

Camp forms and deposits

URGENT! Camp forms went home on April 3rd. 10 students have still not returned their forms. These are due back on Thursday the 17th along with a $50 deposit. Students have been regularly reminded and asked to write on their hands to be sure the message gets home. If you have lost the form, please just write a note saying whether your child plans to come and arrange the deposit asap. 

This is a real test of your child's planning skills - something we are constantly working on!! 

Can they get the newsletter home quickly?
Can they remind their caregivers as much as necessary? 
Can they return the forms quickly?

Lizzie's photo

Summer's photos

Steven's photo

Ziah's photo

Chloe's photo

Flynn's photo EASY!

Patricia's photo

Libby's photo

Jessica's photo

Aliyah's photo

Ranui's photo

Connor's photo

Your mission...

...should you choose to accept it (and I hope you will) is to strengthen your planning skills (and have fun being creative.)

After my training session today, I have been asked to achieve something with my class, using technology. This is the task I have decided upon.

The task.
Read all these instructions before you view the link. Then you will know what you are trying to achieve.
1.View this link: Finding Momo.
2.You will need a digital camera, a soft toy and good ideas. (You may use a pet instead of a toy, if you have an obliging cat or dog, but be KIND. Do NOT scare your pet or force it to do something it doesn't want to do) .
3.Think of a place you could hide the toy or pet so it is difficult to see e.g. will you camouflage using colours, shapes, or will you just put the toy in an odd place? (Look at where Momo hides and that may give you some ideas.)
4. Hide the toy.
5. Experiment with different ways to take the photo?. Which way shows the full setting and disguises the toy best?
6. Choose your photo.
7. Load the photo into our blog using the instructions I have given you OR email it to me at dbird@maeroa.school.nz OR bring it to school on a memory stick and upload it there. 

This is what I want you to learn from it.
WALT make and carry out plans.
SC 1. We will read and interpret the instructions correctly.
SC 2. We will use the instructions to make a plan.
SC 3. We will check our plan accurately follows the instructions.
SC 4. We will carry out the plan.
SC 5. We will recheck we have done everything we were meant to do.

I'm looking forward to your brilliant (and entertaining) ideas. This should be fun!!

Please reduce waste

Camp newsletter

Please see the Team Rimu blog for the  First camp newsletter.

Skills For Adolescence - Life stories

We drew timelines of important events in our lives and then compared them.

WALT see how our lives are like each others.

1.      Everyone remembered really bad and good things (especially bad).

2.    Most people have had close calls (been very sick or had dangerous accidents etc).

3.    People have remembered birthdays.

4.    Everyone has things in common.

5.     Most people have had dramas e.g. floods, deaths, breakups.

6.    Most people have visited and/or lived in lots of different places.

7.     People remembered special information about their birth.

Why learn this?

Because WALT see people as people – not objects.

1.      We don’t feel like we are the only ones to have faced problems.

2.    We can help each other out because someone who had already handled a problem might have ideas to help others.

3.    We can become closer to each other when we understand each other.

4.    When we understand others we can be more forgiving and include other people more.

Reflection on our flight research task

Fabulous thinking by the students of Room 18!

This was the shared reflection about the science research.

This was the first draft of success criteria we might use for the next science research task.

This was the shared reflection about the static image the students prepared to display their research.