Christmas Science

Santa Song

Christmas Challenge

Follow these instructions to make the coolest Christmas tags. Link here.

The Dream Giver - Aria

A yellow glow darts in the damp dark sky. Wings clatter like an earthquake and boney fingers open an old orphanage window shutter. The strange man is nearly naked. He looked into the room to see sleeping children lined up in rows. Then he lifted the sack that contained glowing golden eggs that gave children their wildest dreams.

The first little person was a boy with an open book lying on his bed. The Dream Giver put some gold liquid on the astronaut book and in a poof the boy in his dream. He was in space. The boy moved one leg kicked as part of his dream. It made a golden egg fall off the bed and break onto a book of The Shadow Monster!  This was not a good dream!

Suddenly the young astronaut was sucked into a vortex of light, from a peaceful dream into a book of danger. He woke up in a world full of tall green trees. He didn’t think he was safe. Suddenly he heard a terrible growl. The boy turned to see a scary temple entrance with a big open mouth. In the dark he saw two yellow eyes looking at him!

Back in the orphanage the Dream Giver was trying to find the golden egg that fell on the bad book. He had to help! 

In the dream the small boy was running for his life. He ran out of the forest and onto a cliff. He turned around to see the Shadow Monster. There was nowhere to run. He was trapped. He clenched his body and said to himself, “This is the end!”  Just then the boy heard a tinkling sound. It was the Dream Giver dropping magical eggs from the sky. As they hit the ground, small trees grew. They grew super fast and trapped the roots around the beast. The Shadow Monster fell to the ground. 

The boy woke up back in the orphanage and looked in his book to see his own dream. From the corner of eye, he saw a shadow and then it was gone. He always wondered who had saved him. 

Our own 5 Sentence Challenge

Check out this image and fill in the SOLO sheet to gather nouns with adjectives, verbs with adverbs, similes and magical words. You can either choose to write this as a five sentence challenge or do a 10 minute challenge on it!

The Dream GIver - Quaid

In the still darkness, while the church steeple stood tall, a light flickered from a window. Another glowing light darting through the sky. Secretly flying.  His little fingers slipped through the wooden shutter of an orphanage to slowly open it. The starange man's dragonfly wings clatter around when he gets closer.

The Dream Giver who was he and what did do every night?

As he enter the dark dormitory, the Dream Giver switched his ancient goggles to night vision. They had protected his sensitive eyes on the last trip to harvest dream eggs. With no time to lose, he hovered over a bed with the golden glowing eggs.

His precious dream eggs were cracked onto a book with an astronaut on it. Suddenly, the little boy from the bed was floating in space like an astronaut. The stars shone. This was the best dream he'd  ever had.  while he floated happily, his legs twitched on the bed, causing a golden egg to fall. It broke onto the page of The Shadow Monster. This was not a good dream. Lights flashed and the small astronaut was sucked into a wormhold to another universe.

He woke up on a island with big tall trees and dancing butterflies. The small boy crept around and he saw a cave statue of a ancient face. Then he saw a mystery temple. It had glowing yellow eyes. It was the Shadow Monster. It was chasing him. He ran for his life then he nearly fell off a cliff. He turn around and saw a giant beast! The big beast roared at the astronaut face and saliva flew everywhere! 

Back in the orphanage, the Dream Giver saw the terrible dream in the book.  He had to help! Bravely he flew into the dream and began throwing magically eggs at the monster. They soaked into the ground and grew giant roots and branches. The beast was trapped.  The boy was safe!

The boy woke up and looked at the book that was on his bed. It was turnned to the page he had dreamed about. The Dream Giver's shadow showed on the bed and then zipped out of the room.

The Dream Giver - Sammy

Once upon a time there was a Dream Giver who gave dreams to people. He went to an orphanage and gave dreams to kids. 

The first dream he gave was a ballerina dream and the second one was a dream about an astronaut. One of the children knocked a golden glowing egg off the bed and onto a page in a book about the Shadow Serpent who was a bad creepy monster.  It chased the boy in the dream to the edge of a cliff. Then the Dream Giver came and dropped an egg.  It grew into a seedling which grew over the monster and squeezed the monster to death.

The boy woke up and started to read the book on his bed and realised it was all about his dream.

The Dream Giver by Rosie

In the dark shadows of the middle of the night, things happened while the villagers slept. A sudden flash of light flittered past heading towards the orphanage. His dragonfly body was bony and he wore hardly any clothes - except for a pair of magical night vision goggles. His big saucer eyes hid the hidden the secrets within his soul. This strange man was the Dream Giver. His bony fingers wrapped around the wooden shutter. 

He crept in and looked around the orphanage.  Out came the first illuminated egg from his rough sack.

The Dream Giver gently cracked the next illuminated egg onto the football at the end of a little boy’s bed. The football players came running out of the egg. "They shoot. It’s a goal for the All Whites!" came the shouting sounds over the loud speakers. The Dream Giver stood up with a satisfied look on his face. 

 The next egg got cracked onto two little figures of a Border Collie and a Kerry Blue Terrier. In the dream the girl was in a field of long grass next to her dogs Fern and Pipi. They played and the day never ended. 

 The final egg was cracked onto a book of a astronaut opend on a small boy's bed. He suddnely found himself happily doing summersaults through space. His legs wer wriggling and knocks an egg onto a book called The Shadow Lizard. This was not a good dream! A huge whirlpool sucked him up into a new world. 

The small boy woke up dazed into a world of Autumn trees and surrounded by dancing butterflies. Then he turned to see threatening carved faces made of stone with scary faces. Then with a sudden BOOM, two yellow eyes jumped out from beneath the hidden cave. The Shadow Lizard chased him.

Back at the orphanage the Dream Giver saw the terror that the boy would be seeing. He had to help!

The little boy was running for his life. He ran straight through the forest and then had to skid to a halt at the edge of the cliff. He turned in horror and saw the large Shadow Lizard sneering over him, breathing heavily. The boy covered his eyes so he didn't see the great drops of slobber! The roar was like a tremendous THUD! This was the end he thought to himself. Then he heard a mighty roar of anger. He looked up to see the Dream Giver dropping eggs to the ground. The giant branches wrapped around the Shadow Lizard then its head hit the ground. It was dead! The boy was safe. 

Back at the orphanage, he woke up and found the book of his dream open on his bed.

Secret Garden Fundraising

Can your family help us fundraise for the Secret Garden?

Top Team

Top Team on PhotoPeach

 

5 Sentence Challenge Commenting

We are part of the blogging community and need to take the time to comment constructively on the work of younger writers.  This is because we are AKO Kids.

Take a look at this link and the class FIST LIST to remember what the success criteria are for commenting.  Constructive comments

This is the current Five Sentence Challenge Prompt.

Here are the children who need constructive comments on their work. LINK
Can you find the numbers that I am responsible for commenting on?

At the end you need to put these things:

Sam 9 & Kaylee 9 - Kids from New Zealand
http://springstonteamendeavour.blogspot.co.nz 

10 Minute Writing Challenge

This week there are two workshops using these images as a 10 minute writing challenge. You must complete the worksop once and publish the piece on your blog.

The images are 'Free to use' from Richard at http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4240829

Words and information you might find useful for your challenge:

• Tower of London, England
• Installation by ceramic artist Paul Cummins
• One hundred years since Britain’s involvement in the First World War
• A total of 888,246 ceramic poppies in the moat around the Tower of London
• Each poppy represents British or Colonial military fatality during the war

Magial words:

cascade, representation, like a carpet of blood, consuming, flowing like a river, ancient walls stand like…, poppies standing tall like..., 

Dream Giver

Māori creation myth

Check out this wonderful telling of the story.  It doesn't even use any words.

Here is another version of the story.
Is this entertaining?
Does it have a more important purpose than just being entertaining?

This myth tells how the world was created.
It also tells us how the North and South Islands and even āoraki came into being.
These myths are an oral history, a way of remembering shared knowledge.  

Home Learning - Estelle

This ia Estelle's home learning. Remember that your task is due in by Week 7.

Great work Estelle and well sone on getting it finished early.  The only thing that would improve your challenge is if you acknowledged your images.  Did you do an advanced search and check usage rights?

Check out our cool Pet Day 2014

Pet Day 2014 on PhotoPeach

Going to the Court Theatre

Today we went to the Court Theatre. Our tour guides were Emma (who took Room 4) and Lizzie (who took Room 3). First we went and sat down in our seats in the actual theatre and met Luke the music organiser and watched the band tune. Then we went over to see the dressing rooms and some basic props for 'Stag Weekend'. The props for 'Stag Weekend' were a possum, deer antlers, a Weet-bix box, phone, rifle, lighter, matches, crate of beer, Tui beer boxes, newspaper and duct tape. After we got to go on stage to see what it was like through the back of the trees and the shed.

After we went to the workshop to see all the bits of timber and wood and other props. Then we went and looked at the costume room. Emma said that the costume ladies were the busiest because they spent all day cutting and sewing and measuring fabrics. The ladies have to make the costume on dolls first to make sure it looked right before they made the real thing. 

Next we were very lucky to have a sneak peek of the people rehearsing.  It looked cool with some of the props.

Next we got to look around all the offices. By then we were very hungry so we sat down and had our morning tea. Then yay it was time for our drama acting. First we did some warm ups for our body, voice and brain. We had to use lots of imagination to do the acting.

By Kaylee

The Court Theatre

On Wednesday the 29th of October room 4 went to Court Theatre in Addington.The actors had came from the Art Theatre. The Art Theatre was knocked down in our earhquake. They had also lost all their props & costumes.

We went into the theatre and the band was rehearsing. Then we went backstage. They had their props set up so they could find them easily ready for the show Stag Weekend. There was a TV backstage so the actors knew when to go on. They made models of their set & of their costumes. Then they made them so they wouldn't waste materials. When they had a costume change sometimes they didn't need to change their hair. They made their change in how they moved and spoke. 

We had a workshop. We did a warm for arms and legs then one for our voice. Then we did lots of acting. We were the first group they had taught that got a 10 out of 10! They travel a lot. 

I enjoy acting & I liked everything! I found out that they went to NASDA and knew Kirsty-my dancing teacher.

Gemma 

Court Theatre - Tuala

In the morning at 9.00am we went to the Court Theatre in Addington, Christchurch.

We had a tour around the theatre by Emma. She showed us the stage. They told us that their old theatre got broken in the earthquake.

The Court Theatre

On Wednesday the 29/10/14 Room 3 and 4 went to the Addington Court Theatre. We went on a tour through the building.

Shakespeare and the Globe

Find out what life was like and what role the 'theatre' played all those years ago back when Shakespeare was writing his plays.

Visit the Globe Theatre then listen to the story of Hamlet as shown through The Lion King.

 

Probability - what'[s the chance of opening the right suitcase?

Check out this game that uses probability.
Can you use what you know about chance to help you make the right choice?

Link to the game.

Finish off these statements with the right ending...
even chance or 50:50, unlikely, certainty or 100%

One chance out of 26 =
One chance out of 1 =
One chance out of 2 =

Athletics on Tuesday - yippee!

Here is the notice that went home on Friday - just in case it got lost in the bottom of the bag or worse…

School Athletics Sports

Senior and Middle Teams

Tuesday 21 October pp Wednesday 22 October

Next Tuesday is athletics day for the senior and middle team. This year we are going to be traveling to Brookside Park (between Brookside and Lowes Roads, Rolleston) and using the Selwyn Athletic Club facilities and equipment.

The cost of the bus will be $7 and needs to be paid to the school office in a named envelope.

Students will need to be at school at 8:45 a.m. to catch the bus and we will be returning before 3 p.m.

Children need to wear shorts and t-shirt (house colours would be great) plus suitable footwear for sports activities. They will also need their sunhat, sun block and a jacket if weather is cooler. They will need food for the day and also a drink bottle.

Parents are most welcome to join us for the day. The events will start at Brookside at approx. 9:15 a.m. and continue throughout the day. We would love some help so if there are any parents who would like to help with measuring or scoring at an event please let Wendy know.

Many thanks

Term 4 Newsletter

Here is all the news for Term 4.  Check out the calendar with all the important dates, including sports training.  A copy of this newsletter will come home this week.

Click on the imaged for a larger view.

My principal's a racing car driver!

Mmm - Monday was a very exciting day!  Not only did we have a powhiri and cake to welcome Mrs P, she roared into school driving her racing car!

For those of you who don't already know, Mrs P is not just a principal.  She was once the New Zealand  drag racing champion but now she is older and a bit more sedate, she races cars around a circuit!

Her racing car was very noise and belched black smoke from the exhaust.  We loved it and lots of our class are here posed in front of the car with Mrs P.

I can only imagine that with a principal who drives racing cars, you never know what might happen around school next.  

It makes me think we could write a book:

On the way home, my Principal…...

Powhiri for our new principal

On Monday we were gifted a tonga - a precious treasure from Lauriston School.  They gave us our new principal - Mrs P.  Take a look at the videos Carol took of the amazing ceremony.

Karanga:
This is the calling on the visitors or manuhiri and is done by a woman or wāhine.

Speakers: 
There is always a speaker from each side and they are men or tāne.  They are supported in song after their kaikōrero.  Our speaker is talking about our place and the welcome we have as a school, the Taumutu Rūnunga and as Ngai Tahu.

Songs to support the speaker:

After every speaker there is a song of support.  

The Lauriston School sang to support Mrs P's speech.  The have a school song that they wrote which is very catchy and stuck in my head for ages!

Hongi then kai:

Notice that Mrs P was collected by two very important women or wāhine.  She was then placed in the middle of the group, where she was protected.  This is because she is recognised as a treasure.

After a powhiri there is always a hongi or the sharing of breath.  You shake hands or hug and press noses.  The hongi shows that we all now belong.  

We then eat kai together to lift the 'tapu'. This makes sure that we all belong.

This is the first time a Selwyn School has had a powhiri like this to hand over a new principal.  It was done by our Rūnunga of Taumutu - our local mārae right by Lake Ellesmere or Waihora.

He mihi tēnei ki Te Taumutu Rūnunga mo tōu awhi ki te kura.

A greeting to the Taumutu Rununga for your support of the school.

Behaviour Management - Tower Challenge

We had the challenge of building the tallest tower with 10 pieces of spaghetti and 7 marshmallows.  We looked to see what emotions we experienced during the challenge.

These were the photos and results of the towers:

We discovered that lots of different emotions can result in people showing violence.  It is important to recognise this in yourself and understand that someone might behave this way because they are scared, hungry or frustrated!

Anger Management - We can make a difference!

Wednesday was our first Anger Management session.  We wrote down what has been the worst of the anger and violence that we have been seeing in the playground and our class.

These were some of the things we didn't like about:
1.  Wasting our learning time.
2.  Making bad choices when you are angry.
3.  People not giving you space when you are angry.
4.  Getting hurt by others.
5.  How to calm down after you get angry.


We all stood up to show we wanted to either learn how to manage our won anger or lern how to recognise the warning signs in others and help them manage their anger.
I was very proud of the attitude of the people in our waka.  It reminds me that although we are small, we can do mighty things.

Action:
When you are getting angry put your hand up and say "STOP". The person will say OK then walk away.

This poerson decided to make a difference too.

Is this entertaining?

What are the key features of these drama types?
Are they entertaining?
What makes them entertaining or not?

Stand Up Comic:
Jack on Britain's Got Talent 

Zac - 7 years old

Theatre Sports:

Positive Mindset Challenge

There is one banned word in our class.  Check out the poster to see what it needs to be replaced with.

This is a poster to hwlp you when you get stuck.  We might need to add different things to each step.  You will have better ideas than me!

Remember to click on the picture for a larger image.

Home Learning Term 4

Check this out team.  Alice has given me some great ideas for our home learning.  There are six projects to choose from and your project is due on Friday 21st November.

Check out the choices below.  If you have a better project, then just come and negotiate with me.

Remember - click on the image to make it larger.
Your copies will come home on Monday - the first day of term!