Maths with a Twist

Maths is not a lesson every child enjoys, so we decided to try something a little different to get a grasp on the concepts of area and perimeter, adding and subtraction of decimals, money and budgeting. The task was to design a tiny house, furnish it and make sure everything fits in. Students needed to ensure they had the basics; an oven and hot plates, bed, cupboards/storage and a bathroom.

I can honestly say I have a classroom full of great shoppers! Shouts of "Yes!!" were heard every time the students got to "shop" online and find a bargain. Parents should be excited at the skills these students have - they are great shoppers and fantastic bargain hunters!!!

With a home measuring 7m x 3.5m x 3.5m not a lot fitted in, so decisions had to be made about what to insist on and what to give up on. Budgeting skills were fine tuned and the results were great. At the end of the unit, I asked the students to fill in a survey to see how they enjoyed this project, and I'm pleased to say than more than 90% of students not only loved doing maths this way and wanted to do it again, but also said they felt like they learned more doing it this way - GREAT NEWS!!!

Oral Language - Science Experiments

For Oral Language this term, students have been performing a science experiment to the class. Each day we have a student who prepares and presents an experiment and then discusses the science behind the experiment. This week we one that stood out - it was well prepared, very well presented and left a lasting impression on many students. These experiments don't need to be complicated, the idea is to give the students something to talk about, to give them the chance to do something WHILE they are talking and as such, take their minds off the fact they are speaking in front of the class.

This particular experiment is Jess Sheppard's "Walking Water". Jess presented this very clearly to the class, and it was so vibrant and interesting, that I wanted to share it. Try it at home....it is easy to do.

Fill 3 of 5 glasses with water
Add different food colouring to those three glasses
Between those three glasses, place 2 empty glasses.
Using paper towels, folded and trimmed to fit, place one between Glass 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5.
Leave for as long as you can (ideally 1/2 day or overnight).

The results are amazing..all glasses should have the same level of water and the two empty glasses will be filled with coloured liquid. The colour will depend on what colour the two glasses either side of the empty glass were.

Our Class is Shrinking

This past week has seen two of our class members move away. We said farewell to Jade last Thursday, as he has moved away to Dunedin. I will really miss Jade's presence in the classroom and his quick wit. This Friday we bid farewell to Daniel Barber too! Daniel is heading a little further afield, across to the West Coast to Westport. Daniel is a really awesome student, and I will miss our early morning conversations and hearing about the latest book series Daniel is reading. Good luck to both of you boys, and keep up to date with our class via our blog!!!

And a fabulous finish to the Week!!!

Kutoa Project

A huge thank you to those parents who baked some amazingly delicious treats for our Bake Sale. I can now tell you that we raised $412.60 for our Compassion Project.

I am so proud of this class - their Assembly Presentation was amazing yesterday and they are truly showing a great deal of compassion and empathy towards others. They are beginning to understand the problems these children, who just want to play and be children, are facing.

Room 5 have signed on to the Kutoa Project for a four month period - keeping the spirit of caring and sharing going for the rest of the school year. We raised so much money that Mrs Penn's class (Room 6) are now joining us on their own Kutoa Project - so this is even more exciting. The remaining money will be put towards our Compassion Boxes, to help provide necessities to those in our local community who, though no fault of their own, could use a boost. These boxes will be our next project and more about those soon!

Once again, thanks to all those parents and students who baked, and to those Year 7 and 8 students who managed the crowds at our cake sale and to Mrs Reid for buying the most treats, and to all our school students who supported us - you have made a difference!!

Great start to the week

Busy week ahead, sorting out parts for our Year 7/8 Production and some Cross Country running. It all got a bit too much for one student, who I found, with a good book, having some quiet time! With the upcoming International Languages Week, maybe he is polishing up on his vocab!

Mid week Cross Country - the weather stayed fine for our Annual Cross Country run but it did get a little chilly! Great running Room 6! I am proud of you all!

EPro8 Challenge

On Monday evening two teams from Rosebank School took part in the EPro8 Challenge! What a challenge it was - with teams from all over the district competing to build some amazing, technical items! Teams had 2.5 hours, and a trolley full of interesting components, to complete as many challenges as possible, and these were NOT easy!

Rosebank can be very proud - with Room 5's team taking out first place and our team (Shania, Jahnae, Hugh and Brooklin) taking out a very credible 3rd equal placing!! We are proud of you all - it was a new experience and you didn't give up and worked so well together as a team!

What a fantastic opportunity and we look forward to having another go at it next year!

Concentration!

Discussing a plan of action

An "Engineering" trolley for our "WISH LIST"

More bits to add to the projects!

WE ARE A STUDENT VOLUNTEER ARMY!

ROOM 6 AND ROOM 5 ARE JOINING FORCES!

We are combining our strengths - and becoming a Student Volunteer Army! We had such fun with the Maggi Pop Up Kitchen (and congratulations to Lillie B, Macie, Lily P and Kaylee for making the semi-finals!!!), that we are now taking part in the Student Volunteer Army.

We have formed smaller "platoons", groups of five students, who have come up with some ideas on how we can help in the community. Our groups are going to target areas of the community where they think they can best help and we are going to be gathering items to make "care packages" for a variety of circumstances.

We have been talking in class about problems that people face within New Zealand and overseas, such as hunger, homelessness, poverty and growing old. Students will be meeting together to come up with ways in which they can help out and show some compassion.

Our troops have heeded the call, our army is forming and our work is just beginning! Stay tuned for more news from our Volunteer Army and how they hope to help women, children and animals in our community. School is not just for learning about numbers and how to read and write - we can also learn about compassion and empathy.

Roll out Troops!!!! Let's get this started !