It's that time of year again...

Speeches!

In Tui class we have been busy integrating oral language and persuasive writing into our literacy contracts.  We have had chatting cards, using drama with our shared reading, using expression and projection.... 
There were 37 English topics and 18 Te Reo topics to choose from.  
This week Mrs Cutler is listening to speeches in class.  Everyone has made her judging job hard! The speech topics were varied and props were used appropriately.  Tui class were supportive and encouraging of everyone.  Speeches are not a favourite for everyone but each and every student still stood up and gave it a good go!
Three finalists get chosen to go through to the PCS Speech Competition.  It was a super hard choice, but everyone can be super proud of themselves for the hard work and effort they put in to their presentations. 

🌟Matariki 🌟

Matariki is a cluster of seven stars within the Taurus constellation (it is really made up of several hundred stars but we can only see seven with the naked eye). In New Zealand it is also known as the Maori New Year.  The word Matariki translates as 'little eyes' (mata riki) or 'eyes of God' (Mata ariki).

We have speeches coming up so we have been learning about persuasive writing.  We decided a great topic would be "Matariki should have its on public holiday". Once we decided our position we started brainstorming.  Everyone had the same opinon that we SHOULD have a public holiday for Matariki.  We feel that Matariki is an important celebration that is unique to NZ.  We thought that people should have the time to get up to view Matariki, share stories and food, dance and celebrate together. We celebrate many holidays that are not as relevant to NZ like Guy Fawkes so why not have another day for Matariki.

We have published our letters and are sending them on to try and persuade the government to our way of thinking! Watch this space 😋

Bottle Car Challenge 🚙

Our Mahi Tahi (working as one) challenge this week was to build a bottle car that could be propelled for a minimum distance of 1m.

Children were grouped before they knew what the challenge was so they could think about what a propeller is and what 'propel' means.  Once the challenge was presented, groups were given a few minutes to discuss, plan and decide what materials they would need.

This task requires all of the 4 Cs (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking & Communication).

This challenge was so fun to watch and be a part of.  The room was buzzing with different ideas.  As well as the design, critical thinking was required when it came to the car axle (and making sure the wheels moved), attaching the propulsion device (most groups used balloons, but some used rubber bands) and how to get maximum propulsion.  The groups that attached balloons with tape quickly learned that they only get one go at testing!

When we tested, most of the cars didn't move too far - one group's car spun in circles 😂 but upon discussion and reflection afterwards we now know how we would refine and improve the car designs.  This is exactly what Mahi Tahi is about!! 

Mahi Tahi x School Beautification

We combined Mahi Tahi and School beautification this week by decorating out ugly boring wire fence with wool hearts.
As always in Mahi Tahi we had to remember the 4 C's (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity & Critical Thinking) We had to think creatively with how we wove the wool, the colours we used and making sure the hearts were neat and nice to look at.  We had to think critically because the hearts were like tessellations and we were also working on enlargement.  Collaboration and communication were cruical as we had to work within our own groups but also our neighbouring groups to ensure the hearts 'flowed' nicely along the fence.

Name Symmetry

We have been learning about symmetry.  In our maths contracts this week we had an arty task of creating our own names symmetrically.  This was a tricky task for some of us - but once we remembered the line of symmetry, to cut out carefully and to keep our name letters big and bold we were more successful.
Check out our name symmetry display!

40 Days of Kindness, Service & Charity

Lent is a time of preparation before Easter when we fast and pray as we remember Jesus and the sacrifices He made for us.  There are three main aspects to focus on during Lent.  GIVE. PRAY. FAST.  

In Tui class we are spending the 40 days of Lent by showing kindness, service and charity through different activities or actions.

Mahi Tahi Paper Chain Challenge

This year the three senior classes -Years 5 - 8  are collaborating every Tuesday and Thursday morning for a Mahi Tahi (Working as One) session.  The children are put into groups randomly using ice block sticks. They have been learning about the Four C's - Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication & Creativity.  Challenges and activities range from STEM to logic puzzles to art.... it has been AMAZING!

Today, children were issued with what SEEMED like a simple challenge - to make the longest paper chain out using only two pieces of A4 paper.

The room was buzzing with collaboration and thinking.  Children had to consider the length of the chain with its stability - if the chain broke we would only measure the longest piece.  
We teachers could see the groups thinking change as the chain progressed..some links were short then long and thin.  This was such a fun challenge!