End of term 3 already!!!

This term has flown by and now we are into the holidays!

Over the last few weeks we have been using story cards and story dice to motivate us in our writing. 

The children pick two cards from a box and then make up some wacky sentences.

Here are two of their wacky sentences.

 The more capable children were working with story dice. They roll the dice, then pick three pictures to use in their story. This one is a little sad, but used the pictures of the world, a walking stick and an old woman really well.

This term, at fruit break we have been watching little animated clips of Peep and the big wide world. These are short stories of three little birds and how they view the world. 

We decided to write our own stories about Peep and his friends using a storyboard.

They turned out really well and the children were proud of their efforts.

In Room 1 we have been trialling a focus yoga routine. The children are keen participants, it helps them settle at the start of the day and prepares them for learning. This is part of our well-being focus for the year. Along with the yoga, we work together to remind each other that, 'We are smart, We are kind and We are important'.
Over this term we have become very good with our stretching and holding the poses.

We will be continuing our yoga routines next term and might even try some Tai Chi! 

That's all for this term, have a great holiday and remember swimming in term 4!

End of week eight!

This term is flying by!
Room 1 children have been really busy the last few weeks. We have been practising hard on the music side of our topic for this term. At Room 1's assembly we performed a musical item, 'An Octopus's Garden'. The children played along with Ringo Starr and delighted staff and parents alike.

Here on the drums are Tiaan, Brooke, Renae and Lincoln.

On the tambourines are Jack, Isla Grace, Harper and Glenn.

And on the shakers are Skye, Isla Rose and Aubree.

Here they are at one of their practices, giving it their all!

The music inspired the children to create their impression of what an Octopus's garden might look like. They used paint with sand to make a textured sea bed, dye for the sea and wool for the seaweed.

Last week we had Lucy from the Blue Penguin Trust come and give us a talk about the New Zealand Blue Penguin.

First she asked us about what we knew about the Blue Penguin, it's habitat and where we would find it. The children were quite knowledgeable! 

Then Lucy showed us some display penguins she had brought with her. Although the children couldn't touch them, they were fascinated to have the chance to get up close  to some real penguins, even though they weren't alive.

Our sharing has been a great success again this term, however, next week will be our last week for sharing for the term. 

Last week we had the letter S and the blend sp. Here are some of the things the children brought in to share.

Here are special sparkly bracelets,

a sewing doll,

a strawberry,

a scary snake,

and our sharing sign.

That's all for now everyone, next up-date is at the end of term!