Victorian Christmas - Shantytown

Ruma Kererū gathered booster seats, school bags, lunch boxes and with the help of parents and grandparents travelled to Shantytown today.  Once we had our safety briefing we all got changed into what the tamariki called "olden days clothes".  We got to make a Christmas card and we even decorated an orange that had a candle on the top.  We then walked over to the church and sang silent night.  We were really lucky to be able to be part of a Christmas play.  There was a grumpy king played by Lui.  Reid was Joseph, Iris was Mary and Cassidy was an awesome donkey.  There were three wise men and even an angel.  Tamariki had sack races, tug of war and egg and spoon races. Whaea Lisa and Katrina even joined in with the sack race.............. Enjoy the photos below.  I was extremely proud of Kererū as we were pursuing our personal best, treating others the way we would like to have been treated. Some tamariki stepped well out of their comfort zone on a day that delivered long-awaited sunshine.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make our trip a success.  Without your continued support, we wouldn't be able to have the experiences out in our wonderful community.

Term 4

Kia ora whānau and welcome to term 4.
We have lots happening in Rūma Kererū this term and look forward to sharing some fun times ahead.  Please take time to read the "what's happening" that is on the walls and doors in our class so you can get a decent heads up on the events coming up.  There will be forms coming home soon that will need to be returned for our trip to Shantytown.

Please always feel free to pop in and celebrate your child's learning or take the opportunity to talk to the teachers if you would like any of your questions/concerns answered.

We have our show coming up and would really appreciate parent helpers with getting some costumes made.  You are welcome to join us in the afternoon if time permits, Teachers and children will love to show you how you can help us get ready for the show and how we participate to make progress.

Swimming will start shortly and as Rūma Kererū are growing we will be swimming in two groups.  Keep an eye on our school newsletter for times and dates for when our swim safe program begins.

Dates to keep in mind:

28th October - Labour Day school is closed.
29th October - TOD (Teacher only Day) school is closed.
30th October - Athletics Day - postponement 31st Otober.

Ngā mihi nui

Whaea Lisa & Whaea Andrea

St Johns

On Monday we were lucky to have St Johns in our school.  We have been shown how to put someone in the recovery position.  We also got to learn how to dial 111 and speak to the operator when there is an emergency.  So many tamariki knew their address and could explain what is an emergency and what only requires mum or dad to help. All the children interacted with each other by role-playing and turn-taking.  Ka pai to mahi!

Planting seedlings and installing bug motels.

Rūma Kererū has finally managed to install the mug hotels after the rain cleared and the sun shone.  We have planted Alyssum and Cosmos seedlings and they have started to sprout.  Tamariki are hoping to attract ladybirds to their mug hotels and with the Alyssum and Cosmos we could be successful.  Fingers crossed we see ladybirds around the garden shortly.

Harold the Giraffe

This week Rūma Kererū paid Harold a visit.  We were learning about oxygen and our body. Brooklyn had the opportunity to be scanned by Harold and the photos below show how our bodies need oxygen and that plants need carbon dioxide.  For some tamariki it was their first time visiting Harold, Harold was very kind and made us all laugh.  Thanks Harold!!

Bugs not in Mugs... Observational Drawings.

During Term 2 we spent some time carefully observing various mini-beasts, and then making observational drawings. Yet again, the children have amazed us with their progress. They have learned so much about carefully looking, and drawing what they can actually see rather than what they expect to see. I have also learned some very useful tips about teaching observational drawings: 1. The bigger the drawing space I provide, the bigger and more detailed the student's drawing will be. 2. It's really hard to make observational drawings of speedy animals like centipedes and spiders. Snails are much more cooperative.
3. Drawings will be much more detailed if we spend plenty of time looking, chatting, noticing, wondering and discussing before we put pencil to paper.

Look at the progress you can see in these Before and After images (as in, before learning and after learning). First pictures were drawn on 2nd May, final pictures on the 12th of June. Gee these learners are quick!

Mug Bug Hotels, continued...

We have been pretty impressed with how faithfully the ākonga are able to follow their plans. This is a skill they are also developing in their writing - although in writing they make a picture plan and follow it with a written piece. But the theory is the same - that is, if you make a plan, use it! Just like these:

Mug Bug Hotels

Following on from Ruma Kererū mini beasts research and discovering, tamariki have designed their own Bug Mug houses.  All tamariki have been actively involved in designing and constructing their mug homes.  Below are some photos of the children planning the bug homes.  Once these are completed they will be installed in the garden area here at school.