Knowledge Net!

Are you aware that your student has a login for our knowledge Net system at school?

This is an online environment that staff and students are using for things like notices, calendars, file sharing, internet links and e-portfolios. This is just the start and we are gradually learning the benefits to this, for learning, as we go.

Did you know that Room 12 uses K.N as a 'Virtual Classroom' that provides links to online learning objects, information for their Tri Team projects (including assessment matrices that tell them what I am looking for) and homework details for the week.


ALSO - you can go to the spelling page, click on the link to our 'spelling programme' file and see EXACTLY what is required. (Power to the Parent!)

Basic Facts Ladder

We have recently started using the school's new Basic facts ladder as our maths homework.
I have explained how this works, with the class, and even asked for clarifying questions..... however!

I am also aware that messages get 'garbled' on the way home. (I actually believe that there is an information WOLF that eats this info between school and home - this explains where notices go!)
Below is a copy of the ladder which has a text box outlining it's process. Like a ladder, the students start at the correct step for them and move up as they progress.

Once your child has mastered a step - practise in the car, while brushing teeth (hard to understand, maybe) I will be able to quickly test them before school, during, at lunch etc. It's really fast - hopefully their progress will be too.

Click on the image to get a larger view.

Your student has this glued into their Homework books and will be excited to show you! Their starting level is highlighted.

QNews Reporting!

We have started an Oral Language focus for our Literacy time - using expression! We are learning how to select texts and decided to combine this skill with a short, tw0 to three day inquiry that resulted in a 'Qnews' item at our news desk.
Andre is a reporter on the scene of a volcanic eruption! His team reported on some incredible information about volcanoes. Ruby J and Sarah investigated the different kinds of Rabbits. Did you know that there is a tiny rabbit called a Pigmy?



Robert is reporting at the news desk. Afterwards we gave him some feedback about his use of expression and what he could get better at for next time.

Kiwi Team Racing Visit

We had the replica 'Kiwi team racing' car visit school today!
Justin told us about how this racing team, that races in the V8 series, trains young NZers to race in Cars.
It was awesome to have a sit in the car and even honk the horn!

These are some pics for our science experiments. We are investigating the forces in motion!

QNews Photos!

Stephanie is testing the way gravity works on different size and weights of balls.









Catlyn is testing the air resistence of sizes of paper.














Here she is dropping them to the ground and timing them.












Riccardo and Kris (hiding behind his paper...) are reading their 'findout' to the class. They are News Readers at our Qnews desk. They described how amazing crocodiles are.

Week 3 - Term 2

Welcome back to our Blog! we've had a transition time between this and Knowledge Net (which we are using for our 'in-class' learning). I've decided to keep this blog active and use it, primarily, as a 'window' into our class for Parents, caregivers, students and friends.

I have sent a group email to the Parents of Room 12 (using the address from the Facts Sheet) that notifies you of an updated post. It also has a link which you can click that will bring you through your internet browser!

If you would like to be removed from this group, or added, please let me know - either by email, letter or in person.
I'm always happy to meet parents after school (for quick catch ups) or we can make a time after schools on Monday, Thursdays and Fridays.

Look what we've been doing over the past three weeks! Click on this link to go to 'Flickr', a photo sharing host - online! (Click on slideshow, once there!)