M.O.T.A.T Madness

The same question kept coming up, "How do you take a selfie?" Liam and Skylar discover how cameras operated in the old days (or should that be ye olde days?) and also about their limitations. ;-)

Before Facebook and Instagram and texting there was the phone; it only had one purpose (communication) and no internet options.  Kees, Jacob and Brayden were fascinated by the 'brick'.

Thank you to all the parents who came to M.O.T.A.T to support our learning: your enthusiasm was much appreciated.

A trip on the tram was an unexpected bonus.

Most of the children showed impeccable Sunnyhills manners. ;-)

Oh humble whiteboard... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways ...

If there's a piece of learning equipment that is the most useful and most utilised in Room 2 it has to be the humble whiteboard.  

       They are used daily in Mathematics and are a brilliant tool.  The kids can write down their strategies without fear of having their 'mistakes' forever captured in their books.  A lot of kids don't want to see their 'nearly theres', and so whiteboards are brilliant for application and practise of new skills and learning.  They allow a kind of risk-taking that comes with knowing that mistakes can be erased quickly and that there will be no record.   Likewise the poster-like qualities of the board (large lettering, bold colour)  allow the kids to flash (the act of flicking their hidden board around to show me their answers) their successes proudly when working on the mat.   

                 Another great thing about whiteboards is that they give children permission to be messy - with a whiteboard they can focus on the important thinking stuff without being bogged down by the neatness (a potential constraint) that is generally expected in book work.  They allow a kind of freedom that often results in bolder and more creative thinking.

                The photos attached were taken over the last two days, and show work from Reading and Mathematics.  Whiteboards are also used during Spelling and also for doodling while I read to the class.  (I wonder how many people know that research shows that doodling improves listening comprehension?!)  

All hail the mighty whiteboard!

               

Yay Nessa.  You go girl!

Yup, that'll be the scenario where the mad cat woman decides to build an enclosure for her hundred cats.

Cailan writes a definition for the term 'seed bank'.  Rock on, Cailan

Unpacking tricky vocab proves no problem for Jared

Carol discovers that if you want to swim Cook Strait you've got to be committed.

More ANZAC Presentations

Making connections:  Sophie, Angie and Caitlin asked why I brought the taonga to school.  They reasoned that I must somehow be related to Fritz Honore.  Well done girls, you are right!

The girls found a death penny on ebay for the equivalent of NZD$356.66.  They also reported that there is a collectors' market
 for plaques that are inscribed with less common names.  Many of the death pennies were melted down (for the bronze) in the 60s and the 70s, but they are now more treasured.

Brayden, Skylar, Samuel and Travis called their presentation The Taonga.  Their presentation included a lot of interesting information, including the place of Fritz Honore's death.  He was killed in France and still lies there today.

Recognising Awesomeness

In light of the fact that we do not have as many assemblies where I can hand out certificates, I thought I would start the Room 2 Awesomeness Award.

This week's recipient is sunny (disposition) Sophie

Thank you, Sophie, for all you do for me.  You look after the technology cupboard, open and lock the classroom door, and always let me know the important stuff that is going on.  You are responsible and can be relied upon to show initiative at all times.  You're awesome. I'm so lucky to have you in my class - like, seriously.

Just Sayin'

You guys rock!

Who am I?

I am considered the greatest poet of all time.  I was born a long time ago (well before anyone even conceived of the idea of a camera), in a place called Stratford-upon-Avon.  I wrote the plays Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and King Lear.  They call me The Bard because, seriously, I am that good at writing.  Just sayin'.

If you think you know who I am, please email your answers through to Mrs Wallace by Monday morning.

By the way, we are going to be working on writing good poetry this term.  We will learn about tone and tension.  We will also practise using simile and metaphor effectively.

Here is a poem I wrote to help people understand about poetry and poets.

About the Poet

she had an artist's mind

but not an artist's hand,

and as a consequence,

it's true,

she often
wrote

but never drew.

(Yes, the lower case 's' is on purpose!)  (Yes, I know it's not that good, but it only took a couple of minutes!)

In the ongoing saga of Life in Room 2...

Episode 2

While our heroine, Mrs Wallace, continues to amaze with her slick teaching techniques....

Sophie shows the cricket ball who's boss and bowls out three members of Room 3 (in a row!) when playing inter- class cricket.  You're amazing, Sophie!  Hip hip hooray!  Teacher nearly passes out with all the excitement and has to remind herself to breathe.

Jared astounds his teacher with his ability to single-handedly sort the class into order (during the cricket game) and then ensures morale remains high by whooping, leaping and praising his classmates continually.  Such high empathy and energy, Jared.  Rock on!

The humble BaiLin provides swimming tips to those who require technique adjustment.  Mrs Wallace watches on in awe and takes notes, celebrating the benefits of peer to peer teaching.  So proud of you, mate.  I suspect you might be the next Mark Bone.

Tune in for our next episode of ...

Life in Room 2