Ice Hotels

The Bears and Elephants read 'Connected 1 2006'.  The Connected series contain journals that combine Science, Technology and Maths with Literacy.  We read the article, 'Ice Hotels'.  To finish our reading contract, we tried making a model of an ice hotel.  The two reading groups competed against each other to make the best ice hotel.

We sprinkled salt on the ice cubes to make them stick together.  The salt made the surface of the ice melt faster, so that, when you pressed two salty surfaces together, they joined.  This was very useful, practical science to know when building!

By the end of the day, the ice hotels had melted.  Then we had a competition to see how long you could leave your hands in the icy water.  After several rounds, Green was found to be the ultimate winner, but Charlize was a close second.

Epic

Everyone is enjoying Epic.  It is a digital library where you can read books and comics or watch videos.  Some people read at SSR (silent sustained reading) time after morning tea, and others at home.

Planting our Potato Men

After the Rock Bottom production, we dressed potatoes like cave men and women, just like Jack and his Grandma in the book, Potato Men by Pamela Allen. 

When we checked our cave people six weeks' later,  we discovered that  that they had grown long shoots and were ready to plant.   First, we had to undress them so that we didn't leave material or pins in the ground.  Then we planted them in the school vegetable garden by Room 1 and 2.

Can you see the shoots on Lincoln's potato man?

Here we are taking off clothes, toothpicks and pins.

Lincoln's potato is ready for the big dig.

Pirate Maps to Find 'Buried Treasure'

The Bears and the Elephants studied Junior Journal 53, in particular the play called 'Buried Treasure'.  They made pirate maps so they had the right props for the play.  We used a compass to make sure that the compass directions on the maps were correct.  When they were finished, we tore the edges carefully and painted them with strong cold tea so that they looked like authentic pirate maps.

Reading contract - Magnet Boy

The Lions read the book, 'Magnet Boy'.  To finish their reading contract, they experimented with  magnetism in the classroom.  They collected a wide array of objects, and then investigated to see which ones were attracted to magnets.  They recorded their findings in a Tchart in their literacy book.

Reading contract - Making a Caterpillar

The Tigers read the book, 'Making a Caterpillar'.  To finish their reading contract, they followed the steps in the book to recycle old egg cartons and egg shells to make a caterpillar to grow bean seeds.

Reading contract - Junior Journal 46 - The Gulls of Sulphur Bay

In Junior Journal 46, the Giraffes have been reading about gulls that live in the warm waters of Sulphur Bay near Rotorua.   To finish their reading contract,  they had a go at making a bird's nest - it was interesting to find how difficult it was - and we can use two hands, not just a beak!

Rock Bottom Potato People

We read the book, 'Potato People' and then decided to make our own.

We drew paper patterns, and then cut them out of material.

We cut wool into the right lengths to make hair and beards.

We used pins for eyes and to attach the clothing.

There was a range of prehistoric fabric to choose from.

We used hot glue guns to stick on hair, eyebrows and mouths.

Here are all the potato people - you can see individual photos on the Visual Art page.

Easter Hunt

To celebrate Easter, Room 18 had an Easter hunt.  First, we handed out letters, one to each student.  Then we had to collaborate to make a message with all the letters,

DIG IN THE JUNIOR SANDPIT

Charlize found the treasure.

She opened the treasure box back in the classroom and gave everyone a little Easter chick.

Class library

Everyone finds their own choice of book and location when we have Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) after morning tea.  Sometimes, unfortunately, it is not particularly silent or sustained, but everyone enjoys it, and we are getting better at it!  Sustained reading is one of our level 2 goals in Reading.