Pick a Path Story

We are going to write a Pick-a-Path story for this image.
Find the link for your Google Doc in your e-mail.

Maths Links Thursday

Remember to fill out the sheet giving me three top tips.
What are the strategies for winning?
Is this really maths?

http://www.mathplayground.com/slidingblock.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_block_the_pig.html

Fractured Fairy Tales: Story Mapping

This week we are going to be using this great story mapping interactive from readwritethink to hlep us plan our fractured fairy tales:

Story Map

Kepler's Video on Friday, 14 October 2016

Fairy Tale Feasts

This week the 31 and Whaea Alice are exploring some of our favourite fairy tales and matching them with our favourite recipes. Here are some recipe websites that we will be using to search for the perfect match:

Kidspot Kitchen (NZ)

Kiwiwise recipes

Kid's health Recipes 

Kick Start your Writing

Check out this amazing starter from a REAL WRITER: 

As a class:

1. Listen to the writer - how do they get started? Why do they write?

2. Watch the great animation start to the story.

3. Fill out the story planner as a class.

4. While you are listening - gather WOW words you might use.

Next with a buddy:

1. Discuss what might happen.

2. Sharing one device, write the ending in your Google Drive. 

Expectations:

Your ending MUST be 5+ sentences long.

It must be finished and ready to share at the end of the session.

Locate the Alien!

Locate the alien by using co-ordinates in 4 quadrants. Click on this link to lean about how co-ordinates can go backwards by using negative numbers.

Link to game

Explain how this game works in a comment below. 

How not to errupt like a volcano!

We have been thinking about how it feels when you keep interrupting or words just errupt out of your mouth like a volcano.

Take a look at out t-shirts as they have some great advice to help.


Advice: How not to Errupt!

New Listen to Reading Site

Check out the Radio New Zealand site: Storytime Treasure Chest

Leave a comment and let us know what you think and we can add it to our SPRINT Team site.

Kepler 's Video on Tuesday, 2 August 2016

Where in the WORLD?

Do you know your way around the world? Where has Matt been?

How many oceans are there?
What is a continent?
What countries are in the continent of Asia?

If we are going to know where we fit in the World, we might need to do some finding out. Use this cool interactive game to gather all the information you need. Can you reach Level 3 as you add these details to your map.  Link here:

Tasks:
Label the 7 continents http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/World_Continents.htm
Label the 5 oceans.
Play the game:

But what are the countires?

Now: http://world-geography-games.com/countries_europe.swf

Use this game to add the labels for 10+ countries. Say 'give up' to get the answers or use atlas.

Try the game now with your map, atlas or from memory.

You are a winner if you can
Find 10+ countries on the world map.
Label the oceans and continents.

What are the Olympic Values?

This term, we are using the Rio Olympics to start our inquiry into Caring for People Around the World. This is a video from Great Britain a few years ago. Check out all the great Kiwi Kids News Olympics links.

We will be using the websites below in the next two weeks to help us with our inquiry, research, reading and fitness programmes:

http://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/
http://www.olympic.org.nz/sports/
http://www.olympic.org.nz/news/

http://betheinspiration.nz/

Welcome to Māori Language Week!

Our focus this week is about encouraging each other using Te Reo:

Click on this link to hear the phrase of the week..... (how many times can you use this phrase today?)

Karakia for food:

Here are a few new songs for us:

LEARNZ Field Trip Video

Searching for birds with Springston School from LEARNZ on Vimeo.

Kepler 's Video on Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Kepler's Video on Wednesday, 22 June 2016

BBC News Video Resources

Check out these videos to find out how to make the news.

Week 8:
What is the news & how to find sources...
Writing the news...

Week 9:
Writing the news...
Producting the news...

Kiwi Kids News

Check out this site for current Kids News.

Matariki Resources - Reading and Writing!

I have just taken over this post to use it with the Dynamic Thinking Readers.

I took this resource from the KidsedchatNZ blog. They have a Twitter chat each week but I thought we could do some research and answer these questions in our book... then even tweet them in summary form. 

Reading Task for Weeks 8 & 9...
1. Listen to the videos and look at the website - mking a brainstorm of notes.
2. Answer 2-3 of the questions in your book.

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. Different tribes celebrated Matariki at different times.  For some it was when Matariki rose in May/June. For others it was celebrated at the first new moon, or full moon, following the rising of Matariki. In the 21st century it is the new moon following the rising of Matariki that signals the New Year. This year Matariki begins on the 6th of June.
I think that it is awesome to develop our knowledge of our collective heritage and identity.  

This made me wonder.........in your opinion or culture, when is New Year?  So get your curiosity and wondering brains in gear and challenge yourself to ask..... Is today really today? Does everyone around the world have the same date and time, or calendar as we use in New Zealand.
But first let's learn a little more about Matariki.  

Here is the link Kiwi Kids News: Matariki
And some videos kidsvids.co.nz

This clip will help you learn all the names of the Matariki stars - enjoy singing along with Room 5 from Mahora Primary School- Awesome effort Miss Boaler and Rm 5



Answer two - three of these questions in your reading book:

1.  What does Matariki mean to you and your family? Share with us how you celebrate it.

2. How are you celebrating Matariki at your School?

3. Matariki is referred to as the 'Maori New Year'.  When do other cultures/religions celebrate 'New Years'?

4. Matariki has many different names around the world.  What are some of those names and countries?

5. Why do we measure time? Try and explain why there are so many different calendars around the world?

6. Discover what year you were born in using a calendar of your choice (Jewish, Muslim, Chinese).

7. Matariki is a cluster of stars.  Do you know of any other star clusters or constellations in our southern skies?

8. In your opinion is Matariki important enough to be recognised as a National Holiday in NZ, if so why? 

Takahe

Meet the Locals... Takahae

Link here

Check out this video to gather facts for your writing sample.
What paragraphs will you need?
What specific vocabulary can you gather?

http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/takahe/ 

Katie's Maths Video

Renee's Maths Learning

Tom's Maths Learning

Darcie: Where Am I?

I'm in a hot place with a lot of rice dish's.

Can you guess where I am if so I will tell you the answers in 2 days time!

Kepler's Video on Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Kepler 's Video on Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Kepler 's Video on Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Dynamic Thinking Reflection

Jack talks about how hard it is to look for different types of errors. Is the shape larger, smaller, incorrect or is there an extra dot. What steps should he talke and what strategies will help him?

Zac's Fluency Babble

Zac is practising reading his piece till it is smooth not like a robot.

Amber: Fluency Babble

Check out how Amber uses amazing expression when she is reading.
She even puffs to make the story sound right.

Dynamic Thinking Reflection

Check out the strategies that Tom has been using in Dynamic Thinking.

The slippery problem of eels.... on the radio

Check out the radio interview with Don Jellyman.

News article:

Radio interview: look for this symbol...

Can you become an author?

Stephanie Bowman wrote the book about longfin eels. Take a look at the video, flick through the book and gather some words for ideas.

This is your 100 word challenge for today!

Ngāti Moko Mārae

We are part of an area that belongs in the Taumutu Rununga. The Ngāti Moko Mārae is our Mārae.
We will be visiting and there are certain protocol or rules we must follow.

Link for the movie

There is a process for the pōwhiri:

1. Gather at the gate
2. Call on from tangata te whenua and response
3. Wait to respect the dead
4. Sit for speeches & waitata
5. Giving the koha
6. Hongi
7. Sharing of food



The Mārae


Language:

Maori vocabulary	English translation
Wharenui	Meeting house

Maori vocabulary	English translation
Manuhiri	Vistor(s)

Maori vocabulary	English translation
Tangata whenua	People of the marae

Maori vocabulary	English translation
Marae ātea	Area in front of wharenui

Kindness - Kepler's Video on Friday, 20 May 2016

Tui and Native Bird Resources

http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/gallery.html

http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/ Search 'Tui'

http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/tui/

All native birds http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/

Longfin Eels Resources

We are gathering all the information we can about these amazing 'indicator species'. Use these websites to gather your notes and add them to the google document connected here:

DOC website

Manaakai Tuna 

Save the Eel

Te Ara

Eel Life Cycle

Catching Eels

Forest & Bird

Fishing Rules

NIWA definition

NIWA Tuna resource

Note taking space:
Add your notes in this document as a shared resource for us all. :)

Trick for your tables

Take a look at this video.

Test out the challenge during CHOICES. Does it really help with those hard tables. Have one buddy with a calculator and one using their fingers.

Practise to build pathways

We were finding out that you need to practise something heaps of times for it to become a habit or to become an expert.

Check out the team practising how to build card towers.
We got better after we learned some strategies and practised for a couple of days.

Tegan: Reflection

Rylan: Reflection

Student Reflection

Paris's Reflect

Endangered Animals - Sea Turtles tbc

Can you answer these questions?
Put your answers in a comment below.

Where is the Sea Turtle's Home?

How big are they?

How many species of Sea Turtle are there in the ocean?

What are the Sea Turtles threats?

Where do Sea Turtles lay their eggs?


www.worldwildlife.org

Reflection: Kyle

Aria: Reflection

Conservation - What can we do to help?

Check out the website below.  Forest & Bird Website 

How can we help conserve our endemic birds, plants and animals?
Write your answer in a comment with your name attached.

For example:
Allana: Trap predators like rats, stoats and wild cats.
Allana: Get your cat fixed so there are not lots of kittens that go wild.

Top 10 Extinct Animals

Check out this video then see if we can add the facts to the list below...

Top 10 extinct animals:

Add these details.... Number  Creature Date Reason

10. Giant Sloth   Ice age - 10,000 years ago, humans in North america & climate change

9. Baiji     2002 last died pollution of river due to population expansion

8. Cave Lion 10,000 years ago - ICE AGE, humans moved into their caves

7. Irish Elk 11,000 years ago, too snowy - no food

6. Elephant Bird, 17-18,000 Human activity, hunting, eating eggs

5. Quagga 1850's , hunted



Springston School in 10 years time...
Pond with insects, lizards and native frogs.
Willow bird cave so we can watch the birds with posters.
Lots more native trees and bushes so we see fantails and tui at school.
Chickens at school so we can use up our scrap food.
Lizard habitat.
Monarch butterfly learning area.
More people walking to school to help[ global warming.
Plant up our creek with native plants.
Tree house to watch birds.
A little river to play in.
Eels in our creek.
More trees around our bike track.
School cat & other animals.
Litter free.
Lots of grass to play on.
School animals.
Vegetable garden.
Bird feeders.
School picnic at Chamberlains Ford
Planting at Chamberlains Ford

Dead as a Dodo

We have no stuffed dodo or live ones to look at. David Attenborough and his team used animation and other tools to represent what we think it looked like.

Gather some ideas ab be ready to write a 100 word challenge....

Kiwi Research websites

Here are some useful website to start your research on Kiwi

http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kiwi/facts/

https://www.kiwisforkiwi.org/about-kiwi/kiwi-facts-characteristics/?gclid=CM-Uybznt8wCFQujvQodZmoNFQ

Use the key words on your research page to help you.

Dynamic Poppies

Check out the poppy wreath made by the Dynamic Thinking Team. The leaders found out how to make poppies then helped their team learn too. They didn't say what to do. They asked questions.... What implicit clues or instructions can you see on the page? What do you think you need to do next? Does yours look like the model? What needs to change? We have given this wreath to Adele to lay at the Springston Anzac Parade.

Dynamic Poppies

Dynamic Poppies

Dynamic Poppies

Dynamic Poppies

Dynamic Poppies

How Term 1 has gone!

This will help us decide what to change for Term 2:

What is working:
The Zone is a great quiet place to get books and chill - Poppy
We are loving having Dynamic Thinking and the Thinking 30 - Jed.
I loved doing a LEARNZ Field Trip - Alex
Having maths ability groups and the fun week we had in week 11- Aria
Having our reading and writing groups the same so we don't get lost - Jack
What we do at Kapa Haka Time - Brigid
We are using quieter voices - Sjaak
We get to go to different classes for puberty - Robert
Spelling groups are working and we are getting our pen licence - Molly
Getting the chance to do Kapa Haka.

What is not working:
Stationery going missing - Jed
Hogging the rope swing in the playground - Darcie
Wasting working time - too much chatting - Rylan
We are not using the Anger Chart as well as we could - Phoebe
Swearing in class and the playground - Kim
Sitting too much on the mat - Rosie
Jump Jam - not working well.

What to change:
More swapping with the rest of Sprint Team.
Task checklist to keep us on track.
More 'hands-on' activities.
Set up a plan for supporting 'hitting hands'.
Focus on being in the Waka and be consistent with consequences.
Make guidelines on how to keep the new playground safe and looked after.
Use the Strike Book better.
Give out more Sprint Stones and Gottchas - have a KID Gottcha Spotter for the week.
Get two members for the Student Council early next term.

Kepler's Video on Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Bad Hair Day for Cancer Society Fundraising

Wow, what a day. Exciting and a little nerve-racking to have 3 Kepler-ites up there, being Adventurous and making a positive difference. Let's use these videos as inspiration for our writing this week!

Reflection - Taylor

Kepler's Video on Friday, 8 April 2016

Life Cycles: The human aging game

Today, the year 4's are looking at the stages of the human life cycles.
We are going to use this quick game to get started.

Science Kids

Have a go at home!

100 word challenge

I can see the silent moon glowing in the night sky. And I can see a big rusty ladder going all the way to the moon. And a little girl going up the ladder and the trees are watching her silently I went to the gold field of grass. I went to go up the ladder so I went up a bit but the trees said don't go up so I went back down. And the girl was not here she was up the ladder and I said come back down and the trees said to but she didn't come back down.

From Kyle

Rosie - sticking up for our local river

Are you brave enough to stand up for our environment?
Do you care that our rivers are full of pollution?
Rosie and her dad are in the news about keeping our Selwyn River clean.

Check out the news report:

100 Word Challenge 1

Climbing at night by Caitlin:

The wind was howling and I could hear the wolves howling to the moon. I couldn’t get to sleep so I went to the window “hmm” I said looking out, “what's that?” I went outside to look at what I had seen. Was it a ladder? As I was walking towards it the sky was gloomy and the moon seemed a little faded. I started to run towards the ladder the paddock looked a bit empty and I could hear cascades from the forest. As I went to touch the ladder it felt rough?... To be continued!

100 Word Challenge 1

It was worth the risk!

My hands grasped white as I peered straight up to the moon, glowing hazily. It was beaconing me. Hanging like a treasure in the night sky.

I took a deep breath and made the first step up the swaying ladder that reached up into the inky blue.

The ladder had appeared amongst the swaying golden corn early that morning, as the silent shadow trees watched. They had seen this before but I was happy to ignore the village stories of missing children. I had dreamed this was going to happen. In my dream, what waited for me was well worth the risk.

Allana

Amber's Writing

This is Amber's iReflect.

Kepler's Video on Thursday, 31 March 2016

Kepler's Video on Thursday, 31 March 2016

Kepler's Video on Thursday, 31 March 2016

Kyle's iReflect Week 9

Frida's iReflect Week 9

Ben's iReflect Week 9

Darcie's iReflect Week 9

Tegan's iReflect Week 9

Kepler's Video on Friday, 1 April 2016

Math Strategy: Jump through a tidy number

How has our use of the computer changed?

Before we could e-mail...... how did you get connected? Who could own a computer? What did they use a computer for?

This is what sending an e-mail used to be like. You would have to plug in the phone and modem then dial the computer before it connected - with the dial phone.

What did the printer look like?

Email was "simple really" in 1984
How to send an email. It's simple really.

First shown on the Thames TV programme 'Database' in 1984

Dynamic Thinking - organisation

Jed and Nate explain how we organise books in the library. This is so we can find them easily. Imagine what it would be like if they were just dumped in a pile on the floor!

Tegan's Reflection

Check out Tegan's thinking about her maths.

Rylan's Reflection

Rylan is excited about learning how to make those tricky spelling words out of clay. I'd love to know how this is helping him with his writing.

Rylan - don't forget to complete the other sections of the iReflect sheet.

I statements

MEDIATION in the playground:
How do you tell people you are angry without HOTTING UP the situation?

Check out this movie on how to use 'I Statements'.

What are the rules:

1. Focus on their behaviour not..... what you can see or hear or feel.

2. State how it has affected you. I feel.... when.....

3. Tell them what you want instead.

Avoid words like ALWAYS, EVERYONE, EVERY, DELIBERATE - no blaming words.

Drama challenge:
Run through the problem with blaming words then try again with I statements. What has the best result?

Problems:
1. Sally keeps taking your pencils.
2. Tom keeps hogging the rope swing on the playground.
3. Tony always wants to sit on the special chair.
4. Anna always leaves you out of the game.
5. You always miss out on getting an iPad.
6. (What are some more problems you have?)

Phoebe's Reflection

Sam's Reflection

Darcie's Reflection

Max's Reflection

Jack's Reflection

Katie's Reflection

Lexie's Reflection

Confident Kids

Dynamic Thinking - organising

We looked at how things are organised. They are organised in the classroom and in the library.

Dynamic Thinking - organising

Nate noticed that it is very important to have things organised if you want to find stuff or to do your learning.

Dynamic Thinking - organising

We noticed the different ways that the library is organised so that we can find things. Do you know what the numbers are called that Non-Fiction books are organised into?

My Digital Footprint

It is really important to think before you post on the blog.

What you put on your blog.
1. Kind Words
2.  My School work
3.  Writing
4. Things about learning
5.  Nice photos

This way when people search for my name, they will only find 'nice' things.

By Molly N

Our Digital Footprint

What you put up on the Internet will stay there forever. Make sure you think before you post. What digital footprint are you leaving behind?

Math Strategy

Jump the Number Line:

Kyle and Jack explain how they used a number line to solve 37 + ? = 75

They used a tidy number then jumped through the tens. They remembered to add up all the jumps to find the answer.

In the Waka!

In the Waka - by Jed

Hanmer Springs Camp

I went on the bus were going to Hanmer ‘’ I said to Poppy .We stopped in Amberley for morning tea then we went back on the bus then we all saw a  sign that said Hanmer springs

We got to our cabins and set our beds . After they called Halberg, Moller we went to see what we were doing .We were going to the pools we walked  to the pools. We went to the lane pool .My toes went in the freezing cold water.Then we got out and walked back and had tea then we went to bed.

The next day we did the water full walk We started at the bottem and made it to the top I was so tired after we did mission a possible .we did challenges it was fun.The last day we did tree climbing I tried my best and I got half way but then I wanted to get down.Then we headed back me and poppy were talking and talking in the background . Suddenly I heard the screech of the bus I said to poppy were at school .

I loved so much I got excited to see mum when we got back to school.

Hanmer Springs Camp

“ Woo Hoo “ we’re on the bus I said to my BFF Charlotte. Charlotte and I chose a seat in the middle of the bus. We could tell it was the middle of the bus because there were stairs down to a emergency exit In Front of us. Charlotte and I chatted and played games until we hit Amberly. We got of the bus and had some pringles and then we jumped back on the bus. We carried on to Hanmer Charlotte and I continued to chat and play games. Out the blue, I started to hear clapping and singing, I looked out the bus window and saw a sign that said hanmer springs. We’re in Hanmer I said!

We plopped our bags on the grassy playing field. We had to play on playground until all the cabins to were ready. We found out that Charlotte Lexie and I were in cabin s8. Then we found that we were going to the hot pools. I went back to the cabin to pack . Later on we Arrived at the pools, some instructions were set out then we ran like maniacs towards the fresh water pool. I followed Charlotte to the deep diving end I dived in my body plunged into the cold water.

The next day was waterfall walk day. It was good but steep. Suddenly bloodthirsty screams were let out. It was because of wasps, a wasps nest in fact Wasps were everywhere . There were emotional girls and brave men. The men were carrying the girls through the wasp. It was a scary but it was a well remembered experience.

Next was tree climbing. We were strapped into tight harnesses and shoed up the tree like birds. I felt like I was flying but the hard part was coming down I said ‘’look out below’’  yay I am down I said. Then  It was dinner. It was nachos yum yum then we headed of to mini golf. It was fun I got two hole in ones it was exciting.

The next day was mission impossible. It was a quiz but a physical quiz  we fished with rope and skied on wooden posts. And that was the end of camp! I am so excited to tell my mum and dad all about camp. 

By Poppy

Tree Climbing

TREE CLIMBING

One, two, three c squeeze squeeze helmet please yo Ashley yo Huntly. Huntly came over and checked everything was on right to go TREE CLIMBING!

I started to climb the ladder  Each step I took I got higher and higher until my feet were the ladder. I managed to get really high. Then I came to a stop there was no more bricks to hold onto so I had to work my way way around the branches. 

There was a problem! The branches were so far apart and hard to hold onto, When the wind made the tree swing side to side I knew I had had enough 'LOOK OUT BELOW' I called. 
 My face made a big smile because I was proud:)    

By Adele

Living springs camp-Darcie

At living springs camp I was A+ adventurous  on the orange rope swing.When I was trying to stand up on the rope swing my mum pulled the rope and let go,I was scared,I thought I would fall of but I didn´t. Than I stood up. I was proud of myself for trying something new.

Camp by Campbell S

Low ropes and camp I went to living springs for camp. I went with all the year4's. I went last week . When we arrived Allana split us up into groups. Then we went to see our rooms. The people in my room was me, William and Brody. The cabin I was in was noisy. Living springs had trampolines, a rope swing, mini-golf. Camp was fun because we got to go to the ropes course.

Low ropes at camp

"Finally" I said  as we finished climbing the big mountain some Shade. We get to sit down my legs are so sore, hands are sweating and my mouth is dry and hot.

My mixed up team said it is your turn. It looks easy then I got on and had my turn it turned out real hard I nearly fell off. It was tragic but then I felt my teams hands on me like a tiger leaping on me. I was safe.

By Tegan

Bridget's Camp Writing

It was our last day of school camp at Hanmer springs, I was looking excited about our groups next
activity, it was tree climbing.We got in to groups of 5 i was in a group with Talia, Molly, Estelle and Raewyn, we all decided I would go first I clipped myself on and was good to go. I climbed up the ladder with sweaty palms nervous rushing through me but I knew I could do it, I kept climbing and climbing not looking down I looked up only a little way to go. my team mates were yelling'' you can do it' I looked down and gasped my team mates were as small as ants i was so high i looked back up and grabbed the next block of wood .my hands were shaking but i kept going.
Finally i was there it was a beautiful setting rolling hills the tips of mountains dusted with snow and the sun shining above me I got lowered down I was so proud.

The wasp Incident

"Yay we're finally here I said as we drove into Hamner forestry camp. When we got there it was ten minutes past twelve.

On Thursday morning at 9.00 am we went on the walk.
We got half way there and then a boy pulled out a stick,but he didn't realise that it was a wasp nest, we all started screaming so we got attacked by the wasps, I got stung three times and bitten by a bee"ouch" I said at the same time as screaming and crying,my hand was all swollen and sore, I said to the parents "I can't do it",but they all encouraged me that i can do it.

So I kept on going and it started getting easier and finally we got there,Sofia had some material in her backpack so she got it wet and  put it on my hand, I said "thanks".

After a little nibble to eat they said "right it's time to go", so we started to walk. On the way back we didn't even notice the wasp nests.


We finally got back to the car park then Liz arrived to pick us up and take Me,Kelsey,Sofia,Ianthe ,Ben H, Molly L, Katie F and Ella F back to the camp site.

When we got back we got back and had some lunch "mmm food" i said and that was the end of the famous wasp incident.