Great Eight

Sculpture is go!

2011-12-12T22:26:00.000-08:00

Today we put our school sculpture - just in time for the arts festival! Rose and Emily's prototypes were selected as our final designs and Mr White came in to help us with the metal bending and drilling.

What do you think of our final product? Make sure you ask the children what it represents and the key elements involved.

The Great Orange Challenge is on!

2011-12-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

Today we started planning for our Measuring Oranges project - we'll be doing the fun part this Wednesday. Each team of three has been challenged to find a fun, creative and mathematical way to measure an orange. We have to plan, measure, record and post a reflection on our class blog.

This is something my class did last year and it's an excellent way to test all the skills we've been learning this year - co-operative skills, team work, measurement skills, blog posting, video / photo taking, graphing and just 'getting into it.'

Here are some of the measurements Great Eight are planning;

Robbie, Tim, Andrew, Logan - How many poc marks are there on the surface of an orange?
Cameron, Mac, Kes - How far can you fire an orange in a homemade slingshot?
Olivia, Jaidene, Simone - What distance an orange will splat when dropped off our playground fort?
Sophie, Gabby, Emma - how much juice does an orange need to loose before it can float?
Karen, Sophie, Kaitlyn - What's the best method to juice an orange?
Liam, Travis, Zach - How far can we shoot an orange from a pipe shotgun?
Aleisha, Ruby B - How long can we make an orange stay airborne using human forces?

This should be fun! - Watch this space, after Wednesday for the posts to come...

Our Highlights Mag - so far!

2011-12-06T17:34:00.001-08:00

Crazy Class!

2011-12-06T17:24:00.000-08:00

What do you think of our crazy class photo?

2011-12-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday we had a 'Jandal Day' at school. Bruce is a member of the Nippers junior Life saving club at Oreti. Here he is with his massive jandal and all his jandal followers. We managed to raise $148 dollars! Great job.

Showme

2011-11-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

Sculpture Showcase

2011-11-28T09:48:00.001-08:00

Have a look at the cool creations that are being made at our sculpture elective! Scroll down to see how they are learning about all the key elements of sculpture in their inquiry this term.

Year 6 Camp

2011-11-28T09:43:00.001-08:00

The Year 6s in our class have been on a four day camp at Borland Lodge. They are busy making a highlights book at the moment but here is a slideshow of what they got up to!

Here's our Sculpture Blog!

2011-11-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

What's your camp goal?

2011-11-15T13:42:00.001-08:00

Xtramaths!

2011-11-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

XtraMath Overview from XtraMath on Vimeo.

Here's a new maths site for us to try - use our class code and your own password to have an explore. We'll make a PMI and decide whether it's worth using at the end of the week!

Smart Goals

2011-11-13T00:55:00.000-08:00

Use this slideshow to help us set Smart goals for camp!

Setting Goals The Smart Way

View more presentations from Elona Hartjes

Blogging Round up!

2011-11-12T23:13:00.001-08:00

Here are some highlights from Great Eights blogs over the last week.

Bruce has been learning about spacing and catchy words when persuading others through a poster. Here's his effort about Pet Day! You've used some bright colours here, Bruce!

Simone has been learning how to persuade readers when writing. Her post on obesity and how we should be doing more P.E. has paragraphs, sequencing words and, as we've been learning in her literacy group, it's had a lot of 'weight' added to her argument through the use of some facts and figures! Great work, Simone. I especially like the way you've spelt persuasive - even if it's wrong... =)

Great work on your blogs this week, Great Eight - I think the due dates on your learning plans are helping you get your posts finished and I'm reading some thoughtful, meaningful writing! I'm very proud of your efforts!

Mr Herring

Pet Day - What a blast!

2011-11-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

Can you share one funny, weird, strange or wacky story from Pet Day? This week - try to improve our intention of sounding like we're talking and not reading from our books.

Still write a first draft though, it helps us know what we're going to sy in advance - another one of our criteria. We can't wait to hear about your day!

GE Blogging Round up!

2011-11-06T01:12:00.000-07:00

Here are a few highlights from last week's Great Eight happenings.

The Pens literacy group were challenged to write a news article for their blogs with a really great one being posted on the school website! Here's Travis' post that he wrote about the classroom upgrades.

He's written about the four Ws and an H and did a great job on the G.S.P.I - gramma, spelling, punctuation and interesting words! He even used alliteration in the title. Nice work, Travis.

We've also been working our written reflections. We try to use a slogan to help us reflect on our learning - 'what, so what, now what'. It help s us think back to what we've learnt, why it;s important to learn and what are we going to do next. Robbies, reflection - here and pictured below, especially what he plans to do next. Well done, Robbie.

Lastly, Jaidene has posted about her 3d shapes she has made with a partner. One of last weeks tasks, listed on her learning plan, was to photograph her shapes and reflect on how many vertices, edges and faces they have.

These tasks have a due date at the end of the week and requires her to co-operate, reflect and problem solve to complete. She is using a wide range of skills learnt throughout the year to complete and she's done a good job! Keep it up, Jaidene.

3D Shape Interactives

2011-10-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Try these interactives that will test your knowledge of 3d Shapes!

Starter activity

Shifting Shapes

Fling the teacher
Shapes Online Long Shape 3D

How many cubes?

Guess the Dance

2011-10-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

This is a dance we created (in 30 minutes) using the 4 key elements of dance - Body Movement, Time and Energy, Space, and Relationships. Can you guess what we are communicating...here's a hint. It's a BIG thing.

Wahoo!

2011-10-26T01:54:00.001-07:00

Congratulations, Great Eight! Our science documentary is a finalist in this year's 2011 Made Awards. All the effort and hard work has paid off and it's fantastic to see you all get some credit.

We're in the running for some amazing prizes - check out the website to see what we could win if judged the best in our category! Here's hoping...

And here's the video we entered. We'd love some comments below!

How to persuade

2011-10-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Use this slideshare to get you started on your own piece of persuasive writing. Read the slides, follow the instructions and write your own piece - on your own topic. Complete the draft by Friday.

Digital literacies – persuasive writing

View more presentations from Kevin Cummins

3D Shapes

2011-10-24T16:32:00.001-07:00

Tribute for Mr McCaw!

2011-10-24T02:08:00.000-07:00

Here's our voicethread for Mr McCaw. We're practising how to give speeches and this is our chance to get better at knowing what we will say without reading it out loud.

Term 3 Highlights!

2011-10-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Ruby: I liked to Science inquiry and the ski trip

Mac: I passed my three times tables

Benjamin: I learnt how to make graphs in Keynote

Kees: When we went on the bike ride (big morning out)

Olivia: passing the rocket spelling lists

Sean: I learnt new interesting words to put in my writing from rocket spelling

Tim: The ski Trip and doing science inquiry

Bruce: Ski trip was great, I liked the science inquiry also the big day out was fun

Simone: I liked the ski trip

Liam: the ski trip because it was fun and I got to go with my friends down the sugar bowl

Ben: I liked skiing

Aleisha: I loved biking the big morning out was AWESOME!

Kaitlyn: I loved making the movies with my group it was FUN,

Zach: I loved the biking it was so BUMPY

Sophie s: Ski trip I liked falling over on it.

Robbie: I really enjoyed all the learning in class and setting up my khan academy

Jack: I liked doing my science experiment

Jaidene: I enjoyed the hiking

Sophie W: I liked going on the biking trip accept i was stuffed at the end

Travis: The big morning out!

Karen: I really liked the production because we didn't spend most of term 3 doing it

Emma: My favourite part was going on the hike

Gabby: My favourite part was the hike.

Mr Herring: Seeing so many people reach level 4 on our licence levels Most people have really improved at working independently this term.

Typed by ruby

Penta Blogging Comments

2011-09-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hi to all our Penta Blogging friends. We're really enjoying reading all your comments and appreciate the feedback. We're learning lots about things we can do in the future with our classroom blog and also our student blogs!

Today we had a great conversation about making our comment settings available to allow 'annon' comments. We want to reflect this some more before we act but would still LOVE your individual comments!

If you are unable to make a comment on our student blogs could you leave them attached to this post? We will be able to read them in one place. Just leave the name of the person's blog you are commenting on.

Thanks again! We're fast becoming addicted to the 'Penta!'

Buddy Reading in Room 1

2011-09-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Buddy Reading in Room 1 from mark herring on Vimeo.

We paid a visit to Room 1 in Term 3 to practise our oral language focus - reading out loud with expression and clarity.

iMovie Themes

2011-09-22T02:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a movie I've made using the themes in imovie 11. I wanted to show you how you can add some extra entertainment to your docos with themes, sound effects and music.

Watch out for the sneak appearance from Ben, too.

Persistence -Habits of Mind

2011-09-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Can we make a persistence video like this?

These are the things we think make it a great film / video
- framing - not too much space above the heads (face is in the top third)
- the shot was in the same space, lets the viewer see the 'things' moving, not the camera
- the camera is still
- humour draws in the viewer and keeps attention
- speaker knew what he was going to say
- easy to hear his words and sound effects

Next we had 10 minutes to see if each team could create their own persistence video that meets the criteria. Here's our best effort!

Efolio Spotlight - Benjamin

2011-09-19T01:58:00.000-07:00

Here's our first efolio spotlight! This is where we put one of our 'efolios' in the spotlight and have a look at what makes it shine.

This efolio, by Benjamin, has all the things we have been working on! He has some reflective posts that cover the 'what, so-what and now-what' steps, he's embeded his animation and he some images to break up the text. I also like the way his posts are easy to read and 'mostly' well G.S.P.I'd.

Great work, Benjamin - keep shining!

The Alphabet Key!

2011-09-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some of our ideas for science vocab that fits under each letter of the alphabet. It's kind of like 'scattegories'. This is one of Tony Ryans Thinkers Keys that we sometimes use for oral language. Do you like our ideas?

A = Asking K = Knowledge

B = Beakon L = Liquid

C = Colloides M = Matter

D = Define N = Nitrogen

E = Experiments O = Oxygen

F = Figuring Out P = Plasma

G = Gas Q = Question

H = Hypothesis R = Research

I = Ideas S = Science

J = ?? T = Test

Random Equations

2011-09-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we played a game where you had to think of some creative ways to make a number. For every way you can think of that no one else thinks of you get a point. Here was our first attempt with the number 49.

Kees knew the number equation of using every operation to end up at the same point. If we multiply a number by itself, then divide it by itself, add and subtract and so on - we come back to the original number! Nice work, Kees.

We also saw how we need to put brackets around the parts of an equation with more than one operation.

Our Final Animation - Credit Card Crisis

2011-09-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Here's the last of our class animations - The Credit Card Crisis. This was created by Aleisha, Ruby B and Sophie W.

The competition for the most popular animation closes on Friday! The movie with the most youtube views will win - time to get watching!

Olivia's Poem - Silentness

2011-09-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a great poem that Olivia wrote durig our silent writing time. We spend 15 minutes each day writing whatever takes our fancy! She told me she sat by the door and was inspired by looking outside. Great writing, Olivia. We can almost sense the quiet while we read.

Can you hear that? It is the peace, the quiet. That is what it is .

Can you see that? It is the birds, the bees. That is what it is .

Can you feel that? It is the hug of the sun, the breeze. That is what it is.

Can you smell that? It is the fresh mowed grass, the beautiful spring roses. That it what it is .

Can you taste that? It is the rich taste of cadbury dark chocolate. That is what it is.

By Olivia Fraser

Rhythm Interactive Reflection

2011-09-09T20:44:00.001-07:00

Snow Trip 2011

2011-09-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

Lots of us went on a snow trip last Friday. Here's a video I took, following Bruce and Emma.

Snow Trip Action 2011 from mark herring on Vimeo.

We've been learning about the different camera angles and techniques that will help the class film their documentaries next week. What kind of technique am I using for this clip?

Fire Fire!!!

2011-09-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

Here's an animation made by Emma, Olivia and Kaitlyn.

The Guy who tried to fly

2011-09-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Created by Andrew, Bruce and Tim.

New Position

2011-09-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

We have a vacancy for the job of Great Eight DJ. You can apply be sending me an email with a list of reasons why you would be suitable.

The position pays 20 Snidges a week and requires you to setup and run the sining for the class - playing the song of the week on the IWB for us once a day.

Applications are due this Wednesday.

Penta Bloggers!

2011-09-04T01:34:00.000-07:00

This week we are starting a 'Pentablogging' project. We're in a group of 5 classrooms that will be sharing, reading and commenting on each others blogs. The idea is that we have 1 class as a focus for the week and we all read and post comments on what they're up to. When we're the focus we get to post on the other blogs.

This week we're reading the blog of this classroom - Grant Braes School, Room 1.

Use your silent reading ICT time to read their posts and post great comments - let's go over what a great comment is again! Have fun!

Planning our experiments

2011-08-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

Today we learnt more about the experiment part of the scientific method. Each group learnt how to plan an experiment and the steps that go towards making them rigorous and accurate.

Here's a video of one team arranging their 'experiment steps cards' that we learnt about - before I mixed them up! Karen will explain why she's not talking in the video...

"I wasn't allowed to talk cause I was always putting up my hand and being the expert. The only way I was allowed to communicate with my team was by nodding or shaking my head - and I banged my head on the table!" Karen thought that was pretty clever.

The Scientific Method

2011-08-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

We're just about up to planning our project experiments! Here's a vid to help you remember and understand the process we'll be using to answer our questions - using the scientific method!

Persisting Punk Talkers

2011-08-30T15:08:00.001-07:00

Animation Scooter Guys

2011-08-28T19:33:00.001-07:00

By Travis, Liam and Ben

Lego Animation Success!

2011-08-28T19:15:00.001-07:00

Here's our first animation on our new Youtube account. There will be many more coming for you to view soon. Watch on youtube and add a 'like' to vote for your favourites!

GSPI - What's the 'I' again?

2011-08-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

Let's use this site to help us understand and get better at the 'I!'

Now use this version and make your own!

Force of Attraction - Matter and Method

2011-08-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Today we dug deeper into the big ideas of what matter is and how we can find out using the scientific method.

We've been learning about solids, liquids and gases and what makes them different. Sophie has been able to draw and explain what is different about the atoms in each form of matter.Next we wanted to have a go at putting the scientific method into action - observe, question, hypothesis,test, review and explain. We observed a glass of water that was fill to the top. Next we wondered what would happen if we added a little bit more water to the glass. Would it spill over or would the water stay on the top? We were divided on the answer.

Here's a picture of what happened when we tested our hypothesis.
We saw that the water formed a kind of bubble on the top. We kept adding very small amounts of water and the curved water grew with it until at last it spilled over. Here's our Cause and effect map - a butterfly thinking tool.

We were able to see that the atoms have a 'force of attraction' that kept them holding onto each other - until there was too much weight and gravity pulled them over the edge. Our thinking box helped us gather our thoughts and create a definition / description of what was happening.

Stay tuned for some amazing science in our independent 'tri teams' - coming up next week!

Animation Projects

2011-08-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Today was one of our filming days for the animation projects we've been working on. They are based on a theme from a Habit of Mind. Three weeks of storyboarding, narrative writing and preparing our sets and characters has led to a great day of group co-operation and problem solving.

Next week we'll be adding our sound effects and music. You can see our movies on youtube soon - the most number of hits, combined with a criteria grade will determine who has the best film!

Here are some shots from today's action.

Decimal Rap - Assembly

2011-08-18T20:32:00.001-07:00

Room 8 performed the decimal rap we found on youtube at assembly today. What do you think of our actions?

Animation Video = How to

2011-08-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Let's watch this vid and start a 'helpful steps' chart of how to make a great stop animation.

Blogging Circles

2011-08-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here's this weeks trial to help us read and comment on each others blogs. Read and post on your circle's blogs at least once a week! Remember to comment with a positive and a 'have you thought / suggestion' style comment.

What is Science?

2011-08-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

We've been using 'Hot Tools' to help us order our thinking. Today we used the Thinking box which helped us define what science is. Below are Ruby B's and Aleisha's definitions. You can read it at the top of their boxes.

Reading with expression

2011-08-14T00:49:00.000-07:00

We're going to learn how to read with fluency and expression. Let's watch this talking book and see what makes a great reading! We'll add the criteria below the vid.

Decimal Rap

2011-08-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

Will this help us remember what the places after the decimal point are?

Area Video

2011-08-07T21:10:00.001-07:00

Andrew is becoming an expert on using showme, an ipad app that is great for explaining. Here's one he made with Travis and Jack today about finding the area of a 2D shape. Great work, boys!

Animated Movies examples

2011-08-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Storyboard example
The imagination of Mackenzie

The Elevator

Area and Perimeter

2011-08-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

Use this site to help prepare you for the area and perimeter test this afternoon. Work in groups of three. You have 25 mins to 'fine tune' your skills - once you've written an understanding reflection first.

How to find the Perimeter of a shape

2011-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Hitting the target

2011-08-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we started setting our L.P. goals for the next 3 weeks. We played a game where we had to let a stretchy band go at the same time an make it land on a paper target.

We learnt that we have to have a target to aim for and we have to be really focussed to reach it - not act silly and just fun all the time. Guess what? We did it - but only after we worked together and tried our hardest. Here are some of the goals that we're working towards.

WE can animate!

2011-08-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

This term we are going to use our street scenes to make some short animated films - in a narrative style. Here's an example of a professional animation that uses the same setting as ours.

Here's a great slideshow that explains what makes a great story.

How to write Narratives

View more presentations from Jacqui Sharp

Room 8 Labs

2011-07-31T02:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first day of Room 8 Labs. Here's a fun way to start our tuning in week.

NB: Kids - don't drink anything before asking your teacher or parents first!

Safety Town Flyover!

2011-07-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a flyover of our 'Safety Town' project, combined with Room 7. You can see some certificates for the blocks that had the best design, best detail, best safety features etc.

Safety Town Fly-Over from mark herring on Vimeo.

This project combined all our key understandings of identifying hazards, choosing the right action to take and using the design process. Well done, teams! You should be very proud of your efforts! Watch out for some stop animation projects next term...

Jibboo Highlights - Week 10 T2

2011-07-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a very impressive Market day for our Jibbo programme. Jibboo is a money literacy project that is worked on in the student's free time all week but has a market day every Thursday for 30 minutes.

It's focussed on teaching the students 'real life' lessons about money, businesses, employment and working with others - but it's also a time where every curriculum area comes together in one! We have an advertising time at the start of every market day that involves oral and visual language skills! One benefit of the project is the amount of growth the students experience from being self motivated and independent. Thanks to all the parents who help their students at home with some amazing, creative ideas!

Kaitlyn and Emma are selling jelly treats. There is a sugar tax so they've created some products sugar free.
Jack, Mac and Cameron are selling chocolate dipped fruit. They'll get taxed 90% for the sugar content and our Tax Officers will have to work that one out!
Benjamin's managing our bank. There are lots of people waiting to withdraw 'snidges' from their accounts.
Sophie and Sean are busking beside the bank. They think they've made 'heaps' because they've strategically placed themselves near where people are walking around with cash - beside the bank!

First Aid - CPR

2011-06-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Today we had a session with Jo from St Johns about first aid. We learnt what to do when someone stops breathing, among lots of other things about keeping ourselves and others safe!

Here are some snaps of us practising C.P.R. - can you remember what that means?

G.E. TV News

2011-06-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Ben, Karen and Aleisha are giving this week's News show. We've been learning about all kinds of situations where we need to keep safe.

This week's team gives us some info about dog safety!

G.E. TV News - DOG SAFETY from mark herring on Vimeo.

Great Eight Times

2011-06-27T12:38:00.001-07:00

Here's our first ever publication of 'The Great Eight Times.' This was one of our literacy Teams projects for the last two weeks. Well done, Andrew, our Chief Editor, and the following contributors!

Editor: Sophie White
Photographers: Ruby, Robbie
Journalists: Tim, Olivia, Sean and Kees

The Life Education Bus!

2011-06-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today and last Friday we spent some time with Harold, the Giraffe from the life education bus. We learnt that we're all unique and that we don't need to conform to things that we don't want to do.

Harold took us on a journey to the planet 'conformity' today where everyone acts the same! We loved the stars on the roof and the karaoke song at the end!

Maths Strategy Video - Tidy Numbers

2011-06-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

Olivia and Robbie explain how to use the 'Tidy Numbers' strategy to add large numbers. This is another in our ADD/SUB strategy strategy series. Great job, you two!

Tidy Numbers Addition Strategy from mark herring on Vimeo.

Week 8 Term 2 Happenings

2011-06-22T17:23:00.001-07:00

Here are a few photos of what's been happening this week in Greateight!

The first two are from our market day for Jibbo - our money literacy programme. Cameron has a business that sells baking and they have just started diversifying with an entertainment activity - hence the gun and the target.

Sophie and Jaidene are selling popcorn and having a raffle - gambling carries a heavy tax burden of 90%!

We're also working on making great comments for each others blogs. Here is an image of a comment Ruby recieved from Mrs Thompson, the teacher from Adelaide we skype a few weeks ago. Andrew also has some nice comments on his blog post about his Problem Solving super hero. Well done, Robbie and Jack!

Writing Blog Posts

2011-06-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Today with the 'Pencils' writing group we talked about what makes a good blog post. Here's the criteria we came up with -

1. - correct spelling, punctuation and grammar

2. - interesting for the reader

3. - use of paragraphs

4. - a picture or photo to help communicate the big idea

We also watched this video after someone said, 'I tried to do that but it didn't work.' Watch what Yoda says about trying! - persistence

News and Views Wk 8 T2

2011-06-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sophie S - This week we have made our own timetables for the day. If we have a workshop with Mr Herring we put that down but if we don't we write down, "Maths follow on" or something else that we're doing. This is to help us become more responsible for our own learning.

Cameron - I've enjoyed learning about animal safety and hazards. I learned not to approach strange dogs because someone lost a huge chunk out of their cheek!

Certificates - Ben - for setting and reaching his goals
- Simone - for working hard and being a great leader.

Maths Strategy Video

2011-06-15T18:12:00.001-07:00

Here's Sophie and Bruce explaining how to use compatible numbers to add. Great job, you too!

Compatible Numbers Maths Video from mark herring on Vimeo.

Southspell

2011-06-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Last night 'Greateight' had four of our students compete for our school at the regional 'Southspell' competition. They had to answer questions about prefixes / Te Reo words, spelling and apostrophes!

Well done, Andrew (Team Captain), Olivia, Ruby and Karen for doing us proud!

A Great Post

2011-06-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a great post by Andrew on his new efolio. It's clearly laid out, the punctuation and grammar is good and it's interesting to read. His next step would be to add an image.

This week we're learning how to make great comments using this poster as a guide.

Skype Party with Adelaide

2011-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today our senior teams had a skype party with a school in Adelaide. We'll be posting some reflections in the few next few days but we couldn't resist uploading a video of the boys doing a haka for them.

Do we look fierce?

Skype Party Haka from mark herring on Vimeo.

Going back through tens!

2011-05-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

We've started making some movies to help us (and others) learn how to add and subtract with some clever strategies. Here's a great first effort from the 'Stars' group on how to 'count back through the tens.' Well done, team! - Thanks to Mr Kemp's class for the inspiration =)

Being a Questioner!

2011-05-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today we focused on what it means to be a questioner. We brainstormed what it means and the skills involved. Here's our map with the levels of the skills next to them.

Next we got into groups and took a photo that showed people doing those skills at each level. We will make them into some cool posters to help us remember!
The skill they're showing to be a great questioner is, 'listening to others'. We thought this is a beginner level skill.

Internet Safety

2011-05-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Staying safe online is becoming a VERY important skill. This video helps us understand that there are some things to watch for!

The Haka Actions

2011-05-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

This video will help you practise the Haka at home for our skype with our Aussie friends.

This Week's Media Challenge

2011-05-22T13:51:00.001-07:00

Jibbo Week 3

2011-05-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of today's Jibboo market place. We spend 30 minutes every Thursday selling and buying and running our businesses.

First we advertise our businesses.

Next we need to take 'Snidges' out of our bank accounts. Here's a pic of the bank in hot demand.

Then we can start selling. You can see a hairdressing business, a team selling Sushi and one selling iceblocks and fruit sticks. Watch out for the sugar tax!

Efolio Trial

2011-05-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

This week we're starting a trial using edublogs as our efolio platform. The class already have blogger blogs that they can continue using as a personal blog for whatever they like - games seem to be the flavour of choice at the mo.

I've started one for myself - have a read of the reasons WHY we're going to trial Edublogs. They will have a learning focus and the main advantage we see at the moment is that we can password specific posts and leave others open to view for everyone.

What do you think?

fotobabble for your Problem Solving Hero

2011-05-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Once you've written and seen me or Mrs Wilcox you can record your problem solving hero story on this - fotobabble. Make your hero, take a screen shot, upload the pic into fotobabble and record your story as audio with the picture.

Then you can upload your fotobabble of the hero to your new blog!

Problem Solving!

2011-05-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Solve this problem in threes - observe what you do, think, say, feel, and where you go for help.

The Problem Solving Hero!

2011-05-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

GE TV First recordings!

2011-05-15T01:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the links to our first recordings for GE TV News. Watch your group's news together and fill out the self assessment sheets. This will help you work on your next steps before we have another go on Thursday!

Ruby and Josh
Simone, Kaitlyn, Olivia
Kees, Tim, Andrew
Ben, Travis, Liam, Jack
Gabby, Karen, Jaidene
Cam, Benjamin, Robbie, Zach
Bruce, Mac, Sean
Sophie, Emma, Sophie

Explain yourself!

2011-05-15T01:02:00.001-07:00

We're going to start learning how to write an explanation using this website...

In groups of 4, read the piece of writing. Then, as a class, we'll be trying to find the parts that make it a good explanation.

Next we'll be writing about this question

- 'What makes a Kiwi?'

Another First - G.E TV!

2011-05-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

In case you missed the live viewing, here is an example of our first G.E. TV news shows. Being our first attempt we realise that there is some work for us to do! Next week we'll be reviewing our shows and working out our next steps according to our criteria.

Here is one group's show. The topic is, 'What makes our school cool?' and each group had a different category. Not a bad first effort, boys!

Our First Jibboo

2011-05-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first business day for Jibbo. We had 6 businesses open - they had to fill in a business application and have it approved with a range of details included (including safety). After we advertised our businesses we had 25 minutes for sales.

The photos below show some of the action
- Mr Lovelock as a client at the 'Narly Nails' stand,
- Sophie's 'Pony Ride' business
- Benjamin learning what it takes to be a bank manager! - 'Phew, that's hard work...'

Here are some things we learnt from our first market day for Jibboo

- We need to charge a bit more for our product.
- We need to bring MORE product so our fruit sticks are longer.
- Always go to Kaitlyn's store - they have 'mean' hats to sell.
- The gambling tax is annoying - we need more stuf to sell so we don't get that tax.
- The bank needs to have the tellers on duty to help me. The people need to stand in a line.
- Next time I should be at my stand half the time and with the bank as a teller half the time.
- I need to make sure people get paid for their weekly jobs - Olivia.
- We need to ask people what they'd like to buy and we're going to do that. - That's called market research.

Our first Hui Whanau.

2011-05-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first Senior Team Assembly - which we've decide to call 'Hui Whanau!' It means 'a family meeting' and will be a great chance to get Rooms 5-8 all together to share our learning and celebrate our successes.

Can you see the way we're sitting? It's like having an imaginary 'campfire' in the middle.

Ryan's Thinkers Keys!

2011-05-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today for Pow Wow Pals we started using Tony Ryan's thinkers keys. You can see the PDF of them on our 'Thinkers Tools' page. Here are a few ideas we came up for the 'Different uses' key.

Red nose
- a top secret spy disguise
- a light bulb shade
- a pin cushion
- a sponge -the foam ones
- a pet ant boat
- a car wheel
- a reindeers nose

A yellow raincoat
- a kite
- a whip
- a parachute
- a blow up ball, stitched together
- a big yellow blob monster!
- a safety jacket for a pony on the road.

Homework Notes Wk2 T2

2011-05-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

Successful Job Applicants!

2011-05-08T02:08:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the following successful applicants! I was very impressed with the high standard of emails and it made my decisions very difficult.

Remember - if you've missed out on the job you wanted there are still lots of opportunities to build a business and work with others in the class. There are also jobs left vacant so you can apply for these by email at anytime and I may appoint people on the spot!

First Market Day - This Thursday, 12pm! You'd better see Ruby about applying for a business...

1. Bank Manager -$30 Snidges
Benjamin M
- organise and manage the bank and bank tellers.
- co-ordinate salary payments with Payroll Officer
- c-ordinate tax payments with Tax Officer

2. Bank Tellers (4) - $15 Snidges
Aleisha, Gabby, Andrew
- work for the Bank Manager and provide services for GE Bank

3. Business Manager $25 Snidges
Ruby
- create and collect business applications
- manage property allocation for businesses
- solve potential business disputes

4. Tax Collector $20 Snidges
Kaitlyn
- Observe businesses and collect tax revenue
- Make tax payments to the GE Bank account

5. Payroll Officer $20 Snidges
Olivia
- Co-ordinate week pay for GE staff with Bank Manager

6. Refuse Controller (2) $10 Snidges
- Empty rubbish bins daily
- co-ordinate future recycling projects

7. Librarian (2) $15 Snidges
- Collect, manage and return school Library books and Literature Circle books

8. Tool Kit Manager $15 Snidges
- Distribute, collect and maintain thinking tools in the tool box.
Ben
9. Sports Gear Co-ordinator (2) $15
- manage all classroom PE Gear
Travis, Kaitlyn
10. Messenger $15 Snidges
Emma
- distribute all messages around the school

11. Classroom IT Technitians (3) $20 Snidges
Andrew,
- Start and close all computers each day
- Manage and maintain all classroom technology

The beginnings of GE TV News

2011-05-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

Today we started looking at what makes a great TV News show. Here's our first success criteria to help us plan our show for next week. Each group of 3 or 4 is planning to present a news presentation on the topic - 'What makes our school cool!'

There are two parts to our criteria - the planning phase and the presenting phase. Over the next few days we're hoping to use the criteria to make a fantastic first screening.

It will be broadcast live over the net, using ustream, and also recorded for our blogs...in case you miss the broadcast time. Watch this space!

Jibboo News

2011-05-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

We have the following jobs to be appointed. Please email your Prime Minister at markherringnz@gmail.com with your application letter. You should include a brief description why you consider yourself a worthy candidate.

* Salaries indicated are weekly payments

1. Bank Manager -$30 Snidges
- organise and manage the bank and bank tellers.
- co-ordinate salary payments with Payroll Officer
- c-ordinate tax payments with Tax Officer

2. Bank Tellers (4) - $15 Snidges
- work for the Bank Manager and provide services for GE Bank

3. Business Manager $25 Snidges
- create and collect business applications
- manage property allocation for businesses
- solve potential business disputes

4. Tax Collector $20 Snidges
- Observe businesses and collect tax revenue
- Make tax payments to the GE Bank account

5. Payroll Officer $20 Snidges
- Co-ordinate week pay for GE staff with Bank Manager

6. Refuse Controller (2) $10 Snidges
- Empty rubbish bins daily
- co-ordinate future recycling projects

7. Librarian (2) $15 Snidges
- Collect, manage and return school Library books and Literature Circle books

8. Tool Kit Manager $15 Snidges
- Distribute, collect and maintain thinking tools in the tool box.

9. Sports Gear Co-ordinator (2) $15
- manage all classroom PE Gear

10. Messenger $15 Snidges
- distribute all messages around the school

11. Classroom IT Technitians (3) $20 Snidges
- Start and close all computers each day
- Manage and maintain all classroom technology

Applications close - Sunday 8th May, 9pm.

Successful applicants posted on this blog - Monday, 9th May.

Homework Notes - Wk1 T2

2011-05-02T02:06:00.001-07:00

First Day Challenge!

2011-05-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

This is a huge hello to the 'Great Eight' extended family! Today was the first day of term 2 and our first day together. It was a 'getting to know each other' day and learning about how things will work. We've also spent some time talking about how the homework can happen for the year so please visit our 'homework' page for more information.

One of our activities today was to explore the things we'll need to do to have a successful year. We talked about listening more than we speak, thinking outside the square and helping each other. The second challenge, the photo below, proved to be quite difficult! We're going to have to persevere and have another go later in the week. We're also aiming to be a little more independent and to take the initiative without the teacher's direction! These are some great lessons to actually experience today.

Here's looking forward to a fantastic year!