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Author Archive for amanda.willett

Insect Fever Hits Room 13!

Posted on March 20, 2012 by amanda.willett

Caterpillars and praying mantis are causing quite a stir in Room 13.  Logan and Avraj, seen here in the photo, started all the excitement with their keen interest in insects from the school grounds.  They soon introduced a home for them in the classroom and before they knew it, everyone was interested.  Recently they have observed a chrysalis or two hanging in strange places in and around the tank.  We can’t wait to see butterflies emerge in a few weeks time!  What fantastic inspiration they have proved for our writing – watch this space for updates!!!!

Just look at this!

Just look at this!

Categories : Senior School

Fun with Metaphors!

Posted on December 5, 2011 by amanda.willett

Shoes

My family are shoes living out the back door.

My mum is high heels about to win a contest.

My dad is the gumboots ready to tramp on a baddy.

My sister is pump shoes all lacy and colourful.

And my brother are the sneakers that have just won  a  race.

By Nakita Rm 13

 

My family are shoes in a closet.

My family are shoes in a closet .

My mum is high heels going clonk clonk all day long.

My dad is dirty gumboots stomping on wet mud and grass.

My sister is a pair of jandals going flip flop flip flop all day.

By Abby Rm 13

 

Toolbox

Our   family  are tools  in   a   toolbox.

Mum   is  a   screw driver   fixing   up   the   mess. 

Dad   is  a  saw   doing   a   magic   trick.

Glenn  is  a  toolbox   to   hold   us   all   in.

Ashleigh is a hammer  trying to   build   us   a   house

and  me  oh I’m the nails to hold our family together 

By Katie Rm 13

 

 

 

 

Categories : Middle School

Art from Different Cultures

Posted on October 3, 2011 by amanda.willett

Guess who?

Guess who?

  

Aren't I scary?
Aren’t I scary?

                                                                                        

                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In many of the Middle School classrooms we have been creating designs in art, influenced by different cultures.  These African masks have been carefully constructed by children in Room 13.

 

Room 12 have been studying Aboriginal Art and here are some of their designs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                               

Categories : Middle School

Literacy Afternoon in the Middle School

Posted on September 14, 2011 by amanda.willett
A guided reading group

A guided reading group in Room 10

The literacy afternoon on Wednesday 14th September was a huge success with many parents visiting our Middle School classrooms.  Each of the 6 classes had something different on offer.  Some teachers had organsied a rotation of activities whilst others were doing something with the whole class.

An interactive story in Room 11

An interactive story in Room 11

The children in Room 11 had to listen and respond to an interactive story on the data projector.  The shark tale certainly captured their imagination!
It looks good!

It looks good!

It sure smells good!

It sure smells good!

       
.....and it tastes delicious!

.....and it tastes delicious!

The children in Room 12 were practising their powers of description.  This lucky class were treated to a slice of chocolate cake and they had to write about it using all of their senses.  The key to success was to “show” the reader what they were describing without “telling” them.  Not easy! 

Sculpting Characters in Room 8

Sculpting Characters in Room 8

The children in Room 8 had fun moulding their favourite characters out of dough.  They used their inference skills and imagination to decide what they would look like.

In Room 13 skills of visualisation were the order of the day

In Room 13 skills of visualisation were the order of the day

One of the groups in Room 13 had to read a story and then complete a picture to visualise what they had read – another important skill, to gain understanding from what they have read. 

Room 9 were exploring the world of advertising

Room 9 were exploring the world of advertising

How would you sell a product you didn’t even like!  That was the challenge for some children in Room 9 who had to decide on all the features of an advert to promote a tin of baked beans!  Close collaboration in groups enabled some interesting conversations to take place, to solve the task.
Categories : Middle School

Following a set of instructions

Posted on July 11, 2011 by amanda.willett

Recently, in Room 13 we had two visitors who taught us how to grow strawberry plants.  We had to follow a set of instructions and then record what we had done.  We had a plant each and over the last few weeks we have been watching their progress.  Some haven’t survived and we have been trying to think of reasons why, but others are growing really well.  We are wondering how many will actually produce fruit!  This was an exciting session for us and we thank those lovely ladies for coming into our class and giving us this opportunity. 

Easy does it!
Easy does it!

 

Pure Concentration!

Pure Concentration!

Categories : Middle School

Wow-a class band!

Posted on by amanda.willett

Room 13 are seen here, working hard in music with Dagmar.  We created a class band with students playing the keyboard, marimba, bells, xylophones and recorders.  Tevita and AJ are singing, “Hey good morning”, accompanied by the class band.  We even recorded our sessions onto a CD.  Do we have the makings of another NZ idol here?      

Categories : Middle School