Room 3 Happenings 2010

The Final Week of 2010!

2010-12-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

This is our last blog entry for this year. It has been a great year with a great class. As with the beginning of any new year, I am as nervous as the new year 7 students who follow me from the hall on their first day. Why am I nervous? Well, I never know these 30 new students and I am always nervous about meeting my class and hoping that I will be able to teach them to the best of my ability and that they will reach their full potential.
This year I have been so lucky with my class - what a great bunch of students. I really hope they have enjoyed their year as much as I have and that they will go on to have a successful year next year in Year 8.
Finally I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.
Good bye from Room 3

Week 9

2010-12-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

The production was awesome. There was films, and performances on the stage. It was awesome. My favourite was Room 13 because they found someone in the rubbish bin then at the end there was a surprise. The teachers dancing to Dyanmite. It was awesome!
By Tim

Week 8

2010-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

This week we have been finishing off our last amazing race tri. This week we visited the U.K. It has been more of a challenge than other weeks because we are not studying one country but 4 (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). For the roadblock teams have to perform; an Irish jig, speak in cockney slang, sing the Welsh national anthem and recite poetry. We have also been finishing our class movie (Clay's big adventure) with everyone pulling together to make the movie, which will either be shown on Monday 6th or Friday 10th of December in front of the school.
By Christian

Week 8

2010-12-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Over the past week in Room 3, we have been working on our movie that will be shown at this week's assembly. It is written by kids, performed by kids and filmed by kids. We have worked really hard on it and have done well. We even choreographed a dance! But it's all pretty hush right now so I cna't say much more about it. The only thing I will say is that you will be upset if you miss it. Apart from that, last week was quite average, but as we near the end of the year I'm sure that something exciting is just around the bend.
By Alyssa

Week 8

2010-12-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

On Friday the Year 7's performed their productions to the Year 8's. Some classes did these on film, on stage and even on film and stage. When we finished there was a twist at the end. The Year 7 teachers thought they cold have a little fun and did a remix thing to Dynamite. It was hilarious! Everyone thought it was AWESOME!
By Jazz

Week 7

2010-11-30T16:21:00.000-08:00

Elvis is about to tell us where he is, and the Bermuda Triange council is about to tell us why it isn't a square, the phantom is taking off his mask, the full captain's log of the Marie Celeste has been found, Stonehenge blue prints are being revealed, Jack the Ripper is telling us who he is, the chicken is telling us if the egg bet him or not, a five year old is saying why he doesn't eat vegetables, the pope is confirming whether there is a god or isn't a god and the aliens are about to tell the meaning of life. Suddenly the video stops and a voice says, "Dr Kaligula and Clay are needed. Now!" As I walk down the corridor I can hear gasps of amazement, shock and horror, it was going to be a long day of filming.

By Grant

Week 6

2010-11-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

This last week we have been working on Room 3's production, including writing, designing costumes, choreographing and auditioning for the characters. The characters and actors are: Clay (Christian), Dr K (Grant), Gent (Ariana), Suzie (Anna) and Clay's father and brother (Josh and George). I'm pretty sure I can't say anything else but it will be awesome! We have only just started to film but hopefully it will be finished by Friday.
By Catherine

Week 6

2010-11-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

It's been a cool week because the hot air balloon and the road show and the really cool assembly. I've got to admit, it was pretty cool.
By Chance

Hot air balloon!

2010-11-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

Very exciting today at school. A hot air balloon arrived at school and was set up on our field. It was fun to watch it being set up and then it floated up - only about a couple of metres off the ground. It was far more fun that doing school work!

Week 5

2010-11-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

We have done a lot of things this week, making clay terracotta warriors, doing chopstick challenge and doing 2 maths sessions on Tuesday!
This Friday we had a lot of fun making clay terracotta warriors and the chopstick challange. Especially the clay terracotta warriors, it was a lot of fun. We only had 25 minutes to make 5 clay warriors or 4 warriors and 1 horse. Mrs G gave points to the group with the best crafting and best details. CHALLENGING ISN'T IT? Well, everyone had tried their best and everyone did a good job.
We also had a chopstick challenge after that. Each person in your group had to pick up the chopstick, pick up 5 jellybeans (not in 1 go) and drop them into the other bowl. If you drop the bean you have to go back and try again. Again, everyone tired very hard. It's easy to tell that basically everyone practised very hard. There's only a few seconds of difference between first place to third place! The best thing is: everyone gets to eat a jellybean after that!
These are some if the things we've hardly done before. We wiosh we could have another fun day like this.

By Kevin

Week 5

2010-11-17T16:18:00.000-08:00

Kiaora. In tech at the moment I am in Hard Materials where we are making candle holders. I'm making a New Zealand icon and it's made out of number 8 wire which is obviously wire, that you can bend into shapes, which is perfect for me and my koru. Also in Room 3 at the moment we are slowly putting together a production. It is about a boy called Clay eho gets captured by Dr Kaligula. You will have to see it to know more.

By Georgie

Week 5 and our Amazing Race!

2010-11-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

This week we have visited China. The Blue team were feeling quite pleased about this country as Kevin is a bit of an expert on China!
Our Roadblock this week consisted of 2 parts.
The first part was making terracotta warriors from clay. It was lovely working on our clay figures today - sitting outside in the sunshine. Have a look at the photos to pick which team had the best warrior army!
The second part of the Roadblock was the chopstick relay. This involved each team working as a team to transport jellybeans by chopstick from one bowl to another. Very funny to watch!
Next week we visit Germany and we will be using some of our German language skills in the Roadblock.

Congratulations!

2010-11-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

A huge congratulations to Grant - the winner of the Year 7 Speech competition.
It was a fiercely fought battle! The standard of all the contestents was extremely high.
We are all very proud of Grant and his achievement.

Week 4 and our Malaysian Visitors

2010-11-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

This week for our Amazing Race Homework we were all set to go to South Africa (in research not in person) when we were told we were doing Malaysia instead. I was quite disappointed as I have heritage there and so our group would have cleaned up the points that week but, on the plus side, the reason we did Malaysia was because of the year 7 classes had Malaysian trainee teachers for a week. Our class (Room 3) had two guys, Dean and Daus. Not only were they great sources of information for the Amazing Race but they were very nice and also they taught us to dance Malaysian style. I don't think we did a very good job of it but you can look up the professionals on you-tube. The week went by quickly, them sitting at the back of the class or wandering around getting ideas for their classes at home during maths, reading and writing, and joining in during P.E. sessions. They were a big help and we wouldn't have had such a good project without them. We said good bye on Friday and took some photos and they gave us a very interesting book on the world. Then they hopped on their bus and they were gone and left us with lots of knowledge of Malaysia and knowledge of how to dance Malaysian style ( not necessarily well however!)

By Jess

Week 4 and the Amazing Race

2010-11-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Our Amazing Race has taken us to New Zealand, U.S.A. and Italy so far. On Monday we completed the Roadblock for Italy - the pizza challenge!
Each group had to design a pizza and consider which ingredients reflected the flavours of Italy. We then put our masterpieces together. Yum (although I'm not convinced about the octopus pizza!)
This Friday I am looking forward to the groups performing their Malaysian cultural dance and/or song.

Week 3 and our Ross Creek experience.

2010-10-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at Ross Creek on Wednesday. It was heaps of fun and there were a few tired looking children on the way home.
Thanks Room 3 for a great day out.
Here are some photos from our day and next week Zade is helping me to upload a movie segment from the day.

Week 3 - Ross Creek

2010-10-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

One beautiful, sunny morning Room 3 went on a morning walk down to the wilderness, also known as Ross Creek. A kind, old man named Pete from Adventure Masters, took us on a journey through Ross Creek with the help of some parents. We were split into 3 groups: the Tool Guys, the Cheetahs and the A Team. Our 3 challenges were Orienteering, Rap Jumping and the extreme pain of the Team Challenge dah, dah dah...

The Team Challange - Pete takes us around the whole of Ross Creek carrying a kayak for 1 whole hour. We had to face EXTREME PAIN going over and under things, through creeks, through trees. It was fun but really tiring. Our other challenges were not so hard. The Rap Jumping was funny because the guy was talking then all of a sudden he fell over. Mikayla and I were laughing so hard we nearly cried. It was so hilarious.

We all had a great time, we pretty much came out of our comfort zone with the team challenge.

Well done to Mrs G for coming even though she was sick.

By Ariana

Week 2 - Athletics

2010-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday was Athletics. I was in the U12 girls. We did high jump with Mrs Garthwaite, Mr Martin and his high jumping hat and Miss McGregor. My favourite was the shotput.

By Kara

Week 2 - Athletics

2010-10-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in the Under 13 boys athletics team. For athletics we did hurdles, shot put, sprints, high jump, long jump and hurdles. It was really fun and it wasn't a bad day. I was very good in sprints and came 1st, 2nd, and 2nd. People who are very good in something and come in 1st or 2nd will compete in the North Zone Sports. Everyone I know had a great time and had their fun workout for the day. Hopefully it encourages more people into sports and get really fit!

By Fabian

Week 2

2010-10-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

This week has been so busy with Athletics and Teachers' Only Day. The Teachers' Only Day gave the staff a chance to discuss and reflect on the things that we do here at Balmacewen. With life so busy at times it is great to have time to stop and reflect. I came away feeling more motivated and aware of what I need to be doing to provide the best possible learning experiences for Room 3.
Next week also promises to be busy with our class trip to Ross Creek!

Term 4 - Week 1

2010-10-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

The last term of the year. The year has gone so quickly! This term is a busy term but hopefully a sunny term too. We have been enjoying the beautiful weather this week and managed a couple of games outside as well as some athletics practises.
This week we started the Amazing Race as our homework focus for this term. I am enjoying the enthusiasm and motivation everyone is demonstrating. Keep it up! Look forward to some varied and interesting Roadblocks over the next 10 weeks. Remember too, there is a quiz each week about each country.
We are also into speeches. Today we started our impromptu speeches and next week we will begin deciding on the topic and writing a well crafted 3 minute speech ready to present to the class in Week 4.

ASPIRE

2010-10-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Georgie and I left the school grounds to head out to NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Instead of focusing on the babies we decided to focus on the nurses. So we got some help from the class and we put together a care package full of baking. We walked out of NICU feeling happy because they said they have never had something like that happen before.
Mikayla
(Here are some photos from our visit.)

Long Beach

2010-10-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

On Friday the 10th of September Room 3 had a fantastic trip to Long Beach. Our class was split up into 3 groups: rock climbing, exploring the cave and sand sculpturing. It was a very fun day, there was even a dead sheep near the cave! And I found a sheep's skull.

Gene

Milford Track photos

2010-09-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Milford Track

2010-09-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

David was lucky enough to miss 2 days of school to walk the Milford Track last week. He had a great time and shared lots of his highlights with the class. He didn't seem overly excited about sleeping in huts with rat poo though!

ROCK CLIMBING AT LONG BEACH!

2010-09-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

Friday of Week 8 saw Room 3 rock climbing at Long Beach. What an awesome day we had! The sun was shining and everyone was busy but very relaxed. My favourite quote of the day was "This feels like a long weekend!"
I was so impressed with the effort everyone put into the rock climbing - even those who were less confident.
A huge thanks to the parent help. They were sensational and helped make the day the success it was!
Now here are the photos.

Week 7

2010-09-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Week 7 was a great week! Room 3 started working on our ASPIREs and a few people got badges! This term, our ASPIRE is about health agencies and what we can do to help them. Everyone has to finish and ASPIRE. We create a big question and then find ways to answer it. Hopefully our ASPIREs will be absolutely brilliant this term. Speaking of great achievements, in Friday's assembly, a lot of badges were given out for different things. There were sports badges, Australasian badges, Robocup and Science Fair badges. Many Room 3 students received badges and hopefully by the end of the year, all Room 3 students will have at least one badge.

Alyssa

Mrs G's update for Week 7 and looking to Week 8

2010-09-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

We have been putting in quite a lot of work into our Puberty unit and ASPIRE. We have discussed a number of health agencies and working on our big question for our ASPIRE. Our focus for ASPIRE is: "What challenges do these health agencies face when? and how can we help?"
I was impressed with the quality of the homework this week. More time and effort was put into work and research. Thank you for the effort. I have appreciated it!
We have continued with our hockey skills for P.E. and have started to use our skills in games. The skills are developing well.
Our persuasive writing is developing well. There are some high qualtiy pieces of work developing well and over the next couple of weeks I will include some on the blog.

This coming week we have our rock climbing trip to Long Beach to look forward to. Fingers crossed the weather stays fine for us! Thank you to parents who have offered to help. I will send home information about the day this week - the activities, the groups etc. In class we will discuss the safety aspects of the day so we are fully prepared. In the event of bad weather I will ring More FM to leave a cancellation.

Last note: Best wishes to Kara - she is representing Balmacewen in Christchurch this weekend at the Robocup competition.

Mrs Garthwaite

Week 7

2010-09-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

This week we have been learning about health agencies and where they are based. We have also been learning about puberty. On Friday we had this awesome drummer come and play music for us.

Riley

Week 8

2010-09-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

This week we had a special assembly with Drummer Dylan Elise who had a huge set up on the stage complete with cow bells. There was a big screen up on the stage with a view of inside of the drum set. He included us with drumming and got us tapping out a beat. Dylan had many cool tricks with the drum and it was very awesome.

Catherine.

Week 7

2010-08-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Last week we had the adventure of dissecting a rat with the help from Jono. It was fasincating looking at the internal workings of a rat. There were a few pale faces but everyone handled the experience well.
Letters have gone home about our next trip out of the classroom. Our trip to Long Beach to do rock climbing is Friday 10 September. It is a great day out.

This week we will finalise our ASPIRE questions. This term's ASPIRE is based around health agencies and what challenges they face.

WEEK 6

2010-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

We have all had an epic week of training. It's now all over, we have all tried hard so we can have a good week just relaxing and resting. Good work to those who got in the top 20 and great work if you got in the top 12.
By Jeremy

WEEK 6

2010-08-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday Eddy, Grant and I went to a writing workshop with Ken Catran, a kiwi author. It was really cool because he read some of his stories to us, helped us with writing stories, and told us about how he got the ideas for his books. One thing I remember that really stands out is that he was the first writer for Shortland Street! How cool is that? I don't know about the others, but I had an awesome time!
By Kara

WEEK 6

2010-08-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Dr Phil is coming?

On black Friday Dr Phil aka Jess's dad came to talk to us about the body as he is a doctor. We learnt a lot of things like your vision is at the back of your brain and if you took 7/8 of someone's liver, it will grow back in 3 months and still be fully functional and lots more.
Remember to vote for Balmacewen at erinsimpsonshow.co.nz
By Anna

Week 5

2010-08-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Cross country week! All our training will be put into action this Friday. The cross country will start after interval on Friday. Everyone has been training hard and seeing results as their running times are improving - some by 4 minutes!

This week we have welcomed a new Room 3 student. Welcome to Kevin.

Also this week we have been focusing on persuasive writing. We have discussed stating our point of view clearly in our introduction then elaborating our main points in the following paragraphs, using supporting evidence to strengthen the argument. Then using our conclusion to restate our point of view. We have also discussed using emotive language to help persuade.
Homework this week includes a writing task. This gives an opportunity to practise the writing skills.

I am looking forward to wonderful homework this week as last week's was disappointing. I am looking for completed work, which is tidy and easy to read and shows evidence of effort and thought.

This week we have been finishing off the Body topic. A huge thanks to Dr Phil Blyth who came to speak to Room 3 on Friday. We learnt heaps!
We have just started our Puberty unit yesterday. It promises to be fun!
Next week we will have a go at the Rat dissection.

Week 5

2010-08-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

This week we had Dallas come in for Balmac's Les Mill's training. Two weeks ago Dallas came in and taught us jabs, uppercuts and huge swinging punches. This time we were taught double jabs and ab punches. It was superbly spectacular. It's a great way to get fit, and have fun, all at the same time.

David

Week 3

2010-08-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy week this week. It was a great turn out last night at Open Night. Thanks to all those in Room 3 who came back to school to help!
We have been working hard on the body and covering how our body works. Next week we are fortunate to have Dr Phil Blyth coming in to talk to us about how the body works.
Some useful websites for information about the body are:
* www.e-learningforkids.com
* www.getbodysmart.com
* www.kidshealth.org
* www.brainpop.com

We have been training hard for cross country which is in Week 5.

Have a look at the following website - www.fabostory.blogspot.com It is written by several well known authors and it is designed to encourage young writers to contribute. Last week Sophie from Room 7 had her chapter accepted and added to the story. Check it out and have a go!

Next week we will have the Scholastic Book Fair at school - located in the library. Feel free to browse and buy. I know I will be there lining up at the door Monday morning ready to buy books for my boys but also keeping an eye out for a new book for our class library.

Week 3

2010-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

On Thursday morning we played dodgeball with Room 11. It was Highgate and Chapman vs Lynn and Shetland and we won both games. The Room 11 left but Room 10 came in. We had a game against them. We won one and they won one.
Eddy

Week 2

2010-08-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

We all know that we have been training hard for the cross country run. Room 3 is getting a guest from Les Mills gym to take us for a fitness lesson and we are all excited!
Jeremy

I am so excited about today because it is the first session with Les Mills school of fitness. OMG! this is so much fun, it keeps your heart pumping at teh same time you're working out and getting fit.
Sasha

Term 3 - week 1

2010-07-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! The last 2 terms have just flew past. There have been lots of exciting things happen like camp, mufti day, a free pool swim and lots of other things that have been a blast. We have recently changed technology groups and I am now in sewing with Miss Vernables, which I'm sure will be a very exciting experience. Hope you all had a good holiday.

Georgie

Week 10 - almost Week 11

2010-06-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Wow! Science Fair is over.
Well done to all of Room 3 for a fantastic effort. It does take a lot of time and effort to complete one but it is worth it when we can share the final results.
Room 3 prize winners are:
Grant McNaugton - Environmental value of a fruit label.
Alyssa Parks - Using science to make the stairs safer.
David Pask - Hovercraft.

Highly Commended are:
Jason Stewart - The tomato patch
Vincent Rozenberg - How heat escapes
Jeremy Burgess - Salt and Ice.

Class awards:
Fabian Andriessen - Why does a hot air balloon go up?
Oliver O'Brien - Talking to plants.

A very pleasing result for Room 3!

Week 10

2010-06-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

This week has been stressful but a happy week. Science Fair is finally finished. There were lots of great designs and topics, some were not so great but then we can learn next time. This last week we have been writing imaginative recounts. Some kids in Room 3 are very MAGICAL! Also last week the Year 7's started to learn about Matariki, there were about 6 groups. I did the poi with Mrs Tasi-Cordtz. It was awesome. We did Poi E off the movie BOY.
This is Ariana signing out, and go SHETLAND!

Week 10

2010-06-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

"5 blades, 6 on a bad week. 25 blades!"
Grreat, Mr Henderson was yelling at us again, well nobody taught us how to use a coping saw without breaking the blade. Anyway, in hard material tech we are making shields that represent our names, we drew a design, cut it out, sand it and paint it and pretty it up.
In art tech we are making 3D houses and doing a collage on top of them.
At textiles we made paper (coloured, smelly or otherwise) and last but not least- food tech or cooking, we make some biscuits or a smoothie or something along those lines anyway.
Jess

Week 10

2010-06-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

Over the last week all the year 7 classes have been learning about Matariki (the Maori New Year). Here are some of the things they did:
Haka-
A Haka is a Maori war dance performed before battle to scare the enemy and warm up, it involves slapping ones body and chanting loudly.
Poi-
The poi is a ball in the end of a string, that is waved around one's body. Pois were used to strengthen wrists.
Flax weaving-
Flax is a long thin leaf growing on a flax bush. It is often weaved into many different shapes.
Kai-
Kai is the maori word for food, this group prepared a hangi lunch for the Year 7's.
Observatory-
The observatory group focused on the constellation of Matariki and went to the observatory to see it.
Museum-
This group went to the Otago Museum and went to the Starlab (an inflatable dome with stars inside) to look at the constellation of Matariki.
Stick Games-
The maori stick games involve clapping sticks together and passing with a partner sitting opposite.
Art (Number 1)-
On large pieces of material a combinatoon of Matariki and Nigel Brown art was painted.
Art (Number 2)-
After being assigned to a page of a story the people repainted the art on that page and then put together in a photo story.

Grant

Homework - Week 9

2010-06-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

This week for homework I need to see:
* Your results and conclusion written up. Remember your conclusion links back to your hypothesis and results. You should also include some of your scientific background information and how this helps explain your investigation.
* Your introduction - what made you choose this idea/investigation?
* Presentation. We discussed on Friday how to set it out and to make clear headings.

Remember this is the last week. The Science board must be completed and at school by next Monday at the latest. We start presentations next week.

Week 8

2010-06-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

This week in Room 3 we have been working hard. It has been a wet and miserable week. We have been publishing our Tim Tam Slam on the computer and working on our Shoot Out rules.

Chance

Week 8

2010-06-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we went on our Mega Maths Month free swim. It was a blast. I think people of the public were surprised how many kids there are at Balmac. People went on the hydro slide. When we got to the top after a long walk up to the hydro slide, there was Mr Herden, waiting to torture us with prone holds and push ups. Finally after he was finished with torturing us we got to go on the hydro slide. After that it was off tothave a dunk with my mates in the wave pool. The walk down was a bumpy walk but the funniest part was when Fabian walked intoa post box, hehe! The walk back was the most challenging, the stairs are as steep as Baldwin Street, but it was an awesome time. Thanks Balmac!

Ariana and Georgie

Week 7

2010-06-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

TIM TAM SLAM

Aim: To make a Tim Tam into a straw!

Materials:
Tim Tam x 1
Cup of Milo (prepared)

Method:
1. Grab the delicious chocolately Tim Tam and the warm cup of Milo.
2. Bite off the diagonal corners of the Tim Tam.
3. Gently lower a corner of the Tim Tam into the Milo.
4. Firmly suck up the Milo at the other corner and when the Milo is in your mouth, "SLAM" the whole Tim Tam in your mouth and eat!

Ariana

TIM TAM SLAM

Ingredients and Equipment:
1 Tim Tam
Your mouth!
A cup of milo already made.

Method:
1. Bite a top corner off the Tim Tam and bite the bottom corner off.
2. Sit the cup of Milo on a table, lower your Tim Tam carefully into the milo still holding on to it.
3. Suck through the Tim Tam like its a straw. The moment you feel the Milo come through, shove that sugary goodness in your mouth.
4. Chew politely and swallow, then go around telling everyone how great it tasted!

David

Week 7

2010-06-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

This week Room 3 did Tim Tam Slams and they were good! A Tim Tam Slam is where you use a Tim Tam as an edible straw. As you eat it, it melts in your mouth for a delicious treat.

Room 3 have been learning about States of Matter and irreversible and reversible changes, ie chocolate - when you melt then freeze it, it doesn't change the material itself.

Jason

Week 7

2010-06-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ROOM 3 STUDENT.

Arrive at school and things are full on, starting with the roll and reading, which consists of reading a story or article in a school journal, commenting and filling out a worksheet.
Then comes writing, in which (at the moment) is completing and publishing some procedural writing aobut a game called Basketball Shoot out, a new class fave (other than Stopball). After that is interval, and then Maths and some kids shoot off to Maths Extension and have fun while learning (it's a miracle!). That lasts about an hour and then its onto something like singing or fitness/run around Bishops Court. This is a quick period as Maths takes such a long time.
Lunch is next which is usually sprawling on the floor cackling with Fabian and David or shooting hoops with Jazz, Mikie and Georgie.
After lunch we have a variety of activities including Tech, House sports, maybe some P.E. and some times a game with another class. Then the bell goes and we let out that breath that we realise we have been holding onto since we woke up this morning and stagger home, ready to hit the sack.

Jess

Week 6

2010-05-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Kara's comment:

This week Room 3 are on Assembly and for our theme we are doing, "Has Room 3 Got Talent?" The assembly presenters are Amy and George. The host is Sasha as Mrs Ryan Seacrest and the judges are: Josh as Randy Jackson, Eddy as Simon Cowell and me, Kara as Ellen DeGeneres. We are all really nervous, especially Mrs Garthwaite! I hope it goes really well, I'm so excited.

Eddy's comment:

Last week Room 3 hosted assembly. We had only been practising for one week. We had never been through it without stopping until the real thing. My favourite act was the Zumba ad. I think we did really well.
Thanks.

2010-05-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Fabian's comment:

Room 3 went to the Orokonui Centre to take photos with our cameras. First 2 people there explained how to walk quietly so the birds won't fly away. We started walking around the beautiful forest taking beautiful photos. We leant all these angles of taking the photos. There were Tuis, Bellbirds, Kakas, Fantails and loads more! We had a competition of the best photos. It was misty and the mountains were stunning! At the end we went back in the bus with smiles on our face. It was awesome and Room 3 had a great time!

2010-05-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

Amy's Comment:

Miss Blois is a teacher from the University. She came and taught us for 2 weeks. She told us about digital photography and Netball. We learnt lots of tips for shooting and passing, now we are really good at netball and we are using these skills on the court. With photography we went to Orokonui Ecosanctary and got amazing photos. It was very hard to say goodbye but she gave us the next book in the series we are reading but most of all she gave us lots of great memories.

2010-05-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

Week 5:

We are still busy with Science Fair.

Homework this week:
Publish your Introduction(optional), Aim, Hypothesis and Method.
Continue with testing and take notes and photos of what you observe.
Remember to allow for fair testing and try and test 3 times to ensure you get the same results each time.
Review your research - are you understanding the science behind your investigation?

Laast week we visited Orokonui Ecosanctuary. What a great trip! Here are jsut a sample of the awesome photos we took:

2010-05-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

Week 4 Homework:

Science Fair:
This week for homework I need to see:
- your plan for your experiment. Remember to write the equipment you need and the steps for the experiment. (Procedural writing)
- remember to allow for fair testing - you need to test 3 times - do you get the same results each time?
- take notes of what you observe.
- take photos of your experiment.
- this week start your testing.
- conduct your interview as another source of information.

All of this information should be stored in your Science Fair folder and should be coming to school most days and returning home most nights.

Continue using the timeline of what you need to get done and by when. This will help you manage your time better.
You should have quite a lot of information in your folder by now.

Hokey-pokey!

2010-05-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

Science Update:
Here are some photos from our Hokey-pokey experiment. We discussed the chemical changes we saw and how when the baking soda is added, it releases a gas. The gas(carbon dioxide) can't escape the sticky mixture - it creates bubbles and expands.

2010-05-04T22:12:00.000-07:00

Rerm 2 Week 3:
Back into Room 3 news.
We continue to be busy with Science Fair, maths, procedural writing etc.

This week Rachel Blois from Dunedin Teachers' College has joined us for a 2 week posting. She has been working with Reading and Maths groups and is going to be doing several photography sessions with the class.

Science Fair:
It continues to be busy but I am quietly impressed with some of the ideas that Room 3 are developing. Now we need to continue researching for background information and look at how we can write the information into our own words. By the end of this week I would like to see evidence of background research, an aim and a hypothesis ( what do you think is going to happen and why)

By the end of next week the method for the experiment should be completed and the actual experiment should be underway.

We are busy with our mega maths month. Remember we need to become faster and more accurate with our times tables. Our class average is 64%. I would love to see it increase to at least 80%. So practise, practise, PRACTISE!

Next week we begin learning and using our multiplication and division strategies.

Today we did the Floating Tea Bag experiment. It was very cool! On Friday we will do another science experiment. Look for some photos of our work.

2010-05-04T22:11:00.001-07:00

Term 2 - Week2
Ooops!

More Room 3 news next week!

2010-04-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Term 2. The big term focus is the Science Fair.
We will be working on our big questions for Science Fair over the next 2 weeks.

Other things happening this week:
- Nigel Brown art - art that tells a story about us.
- Maths - finishing Measurement, starting Number Knowledge, assessing our Addititon and Subtraction strategies.
- English - looking at Procedural writing and reviewing our recounts from last term.
- P.E. - finishing our small ball unit and getting ready for large ball skills next week.
- Reading
- Spelling
Phew!
I am looking forward to seeing homework this week and reading your opinion on ANZAC day. How are the ANZAC biscuits going?
Great to see so many students buying poppies ready for Friday's assembly.
Also we have a photography lesson to look forward to on Friday.

Term 2 - Week 1

2010-04-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

2010-03-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

WEEK 9!
The last week of Term 1. A very fast and furious term but also very successful! A huge thanks to all my students for giving everything a go this term and for just being an awesome class. I am really looking forward to Term 2 with my class. Also a huge thanks to parents: helping on camp and class trips but also for your support for your child and support for the school.

Here are some samples of Room 3 Powhiri recounts:

To this day I still hear the Haka, feel the movement of the ground and also hear the Karanga. (Zade)

All I felt on the day of the Powhiri was 100 butterflies bursting out of my chest. While we were walking I had millions of questions in my head, like what is going to happen? (Cody)

I finally felt a part of Balmacewen and being welcomed into a huge school is amazing. (Ariana)

I could already feel the goose bumps coming and the Powhiri hadn't even started. (Catherine)

The silence was sudden and unexpected. The boys stood around protecting the girls in the middle. There was the call, "Haere mai, Haere mai." The Powhiri had begun. (Jeremy)

As we slowly crept down the driveway and flowed into the hall, tension started to build up inside me. We were greeted into the hall by a powerful Haka. I was nervous, BUT wow, what a performance! (Eddy)

Scorching! We stood there being cooked by the hot afternoon sun. The sound of the Karanga wafted around our ears like smells to our noses. It had started! (Jason)

The year 7's had a formation of the boys in a horseshoe protecting the girls in the middle and the Year 7 teachers with us. You could smell the burning rubber on the soles of people's shoes. The sound of the shoes on the concrete sounded like a rush of people going to a gigantic shoe sale. (Shaniia)

The sun was blazing outside and I really don't want to go outside in the open. It was perfectly shady in here. Anyway I had no choice, I had to go. So I slung myself out of my chair (very miserably). (Mikayla)

We walked into the hall to the Haka. The Haka sounded like rolling thunder. (Chance)

As soon as we entered there was a tsunami of noise. (Grant)

As I strolled into the hall, my jaw dropped. I was stunned at the sheer volume by the proud haka. It was a scene of red jerseys everywhere I looked. (Gene)

My ears tingled. The time has come, we're doing a school powhiri! My heart was pounding. Room 3 anxiously walked to the hall. (Fabian)

We were like sheep, being herded, what were we about to do? What were the teachers going to say? Why were we doing this? We were about to find out.... (Jess)

2010-03-24T16:23:00.000-07:00

Watch our Science Fair slideshow!

2010-03-24T14:52:00.001-07:00

2010-03-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

Week 6:
Time is flying as we approach the end of Term 1. However there is no time to slow down as we still have heaps to do!!
Otago Early Settlers Museum Trip:
It was a great day out visiting both the Milford Art Gallery and the Museum. We learnt alot about early Dunedin and how both early Maori and Scottish settlers viewed this region. We dressed up as early settlers on the Philip Laing - one of the first boats to Dunedin. We role played how we would have travelled to Dunedin and explored some of the hard ships faced by those early settlers. We are using some of this knowledge and experience to help with this weeks homework. I am looking forward to reading your application letters to the New Zealand Company! Remember these are to be displayed so put time into publishing and presenting.

This week we have started a Reading Log incentive chart. We will record the chapter books read both here at school and at home. Once certain goals are reached then stickers will be earnt. Once 4 stickers are reached then there is a reward of 15 minutes FREE TIME!
This will help build up reading mileage but it will also be very cool if we can share the cool books we are reading.

This week we started learning to play the marimba for music. A great start.

Next week we will start into our Inquiry for the rest of the term. Our big question is: HOW ARE WE SHAPED BY OUR PAST? We will look at forming questions around this big question and investigate to find answers. We will also be using interviewing as one form of research.

Next week:

Swimming on Tuesday 16 March from 9.30 - 10.00
Parent Interviews - Tuesday and Wednesday
Swimming Sports - Friday 19 March ( a notice has come home about this)

Here are some photos from our Musuem trip last week:

2010-02-28T19:10:00.001-08:00

Camp:
Here are some of the camp photos. It was a great time with fine weather and lots of fun activities. This week we will be following up with completing our camp booklets for homework. The camp booklet is due on Friday. We will use the Daily Timetable page to help with our camp recounts which we will work on next week in class.
I would also like to do a camp display including photos, camp recount, funny stories and art.
It would be great to have a visual reminder of our camp time as well as a written reminder.

2010-02-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

Week 5:
Camp was awesome! A huge thanks to parents who helped with camp. It does not happen without your help and I enjoyed the company and support of the parent help.
Also: thank you to all the parents who came out on Thursday night to share a meal and game. The children really appreciated it and I was impressed at the turn out.

This week I will try and get some camp photos added onto the blog as well as some for display in Room 3.

Also this week we have our trip to the Early Settlers Museum and Milford Art Gallery on Tuesday.

2010-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

Week 4:
Camp Week!
This week we are getting organised for camp. We leave on Wednesday 24 and return on Friday 26 February.
Fingers crossed for fine weather as we have heaps to do outside. We have gone over the Things to Bring list several times so hopefully everyone has every thing they need. I have just completed the Activity groups and organised the transport groups there and back. We will have to organise tent groups on Monday.

2010-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Week 3

We have continued with our reading and maths groups and have settled well into work. I am very imppressed with the thinking and discussion that is happening in group sessions. Keep it up!

Word of the Week:
This week we are looking at 2 words: Migrate and Immigrate. These words fit in well with our Identity topic.

Topic:
We have discussed what it means to be a New Zelander. What qualities make us special?

Camp:
We have begun to prepare for camp with permission letters and offers of parent help. We will go over camp goals and expectations over the next few days.

Camp Competition:
I am looking for an amazing camp booklet title page. Design a camp title page - include Room 3 camp 2010 somewhere on the page.
Entries to me by Friday. And yes there will be a prize for the winning entry!

Homework:
Complete the "It's all about me" work and research an important date in New Zealand history. Remember this is to be displayed.
Due Friday.

Student Voice:
This week we have been doing graffiti art and putting them up on a brick wall and also our class expectations:
R - Respect
I - Initiative
C - Common Sense
E - Effort
It has been a very fun week back at school.
By Amy

Maths:
This week we have been doing Maths on decimals and also we have been doing maintenance for everyday basic facts and knowledge.
Reading:
For reading we have used flipcharts off the interactive board. Also reading about cockroaches (ewww!) Kehu, Sir Edmund Hillary and Follow the Gold (chinese gold miners). After reading we do an after reading activity.
Writing:
We have been doing recounts for writing and so far has been successful. To present we have no recounts as yet but we will have some pages after camp and the powhiri.
By Zade F

2010-02-09T00:09:00.000-08:00

Week 2

What a great start to Term 1.
I have been very impressed with how well everyone has settled into Room 3.

Swimming:
This week we start swimming.
Room 3's swimming times are:

Wednesday 10 Feb 12.30-1pm
Wednesday 17 Feb 12.30-1pm
Tuesday 9 March 9.30-10am
Thursday 11 March 10-10.30 am
Tuesday 16 March 9.30-10am

We will leave school half an hour before our lesson begins to ensure we are on time. After the lesson we will have 15 minutes free swim in the wave pool before getting dressed and heading back to school.

Please remember to pack your swimming gear including towel for these days.

What is happening in Room 3 this week:

This week we begin our small ball skills for P.E. Again - please remember to bring your P.E. gear everyday.

Technology is on Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Meet the Teacher is on Wednesday 10 February from 7-8 pm.

This week we start our Maths and Reading groups. Next week we will start our Spelling groups and Writing groups.

Word of the Week:

Our word of the week is: Procrastinate.

We will discover what it means, type of word and how to use it. The aim is to increase our vocabulary!

Music

Today we started our class music session learning the ukulele. I thought we did pretty well!

Remember to bring in Music notices by Friday.

Homework is due Friday. Remember to ask if you are unsure about homework and I am looking forward to seeing some great work this week.

Room 3 Comments:

What did you think about last week?

What are you looking forward to this term?

Thank you Zade for visiting and writing a comment. Looking forward to reading more comments from Room 3.

2010-01-31T20:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the class of 2010!

What an exciting year lies ahead for you!

My name is Anna Garthwaite and I have been teaching since 1994. It feels like a long time but I have varied my teaching with teaching different age groups and teaching overseas for 4 1/2 years. I have taught in London and Kuwait as well as in New Zealand.

I am married and have 2 sons - Ben and Harry. Ben goes to Kaikorai Primary and Harry goes to Daycare.

What to expect:

During this first term we are very busy. There is time to settle in and to become familiar with classmates, me and other teachers and the school grounds.

We also start swimming next week (I will send a letter home about this).

We go on camp week 4 (Wednesday 24 Feb - Friday 26 Feb)

We have swimming sports on Friday 19 March and a trip to the Early Settlers Muesum.

I will add an entry every week on this blog and by next week, I will have 2 blog monitors each week who will write an entry about their week.

I will add photos of things we do and this year I would like to include some examples of great work. I may even add some homework competitions for you to participate in.

This year is all about you making the most of opportunites, making friends, challenging yourself, achieving success and most importantly enjoying what Balmacewen has to offer you!