Collaborative Story Writing

In Room 19 we have been having fun experimenting with Google Story Builder (GSB). 

GSB allows us to work collaboratively and write texts in a group. We can go back in and edit (or delete!) other people's work. We can make improvements, or we can change the direction of the text entirely. 

Last week we started with a reading prompt, "Describe a time you were brave" and then let our creativity take us from there. Each person had 4 minutes of writing time before they passed the Chrome Book onto the next group member. While we were writing we listened to music about bravery to get ourselves in a courageous mindset.

We hope you'll enjoy 'reading' our stories!

Bronson, Maxi, Keegan, and James:

1. When I was brave (https://goo.gl/D3qCdf)
2. When I was brave II (https://goo.gl/qvZGW2)

Paige, Imogen, Dannielle, and Kia:

1. The Chubby Chubber (https://goo.gl/D3qCdf)

Lani, Kendra, Lily, and Zoe:

1. Eyes at the back (https://goo.gl/wMyshL)
2. The time I was brave (https://goo.gl/KTHmYS)

Lexie, Jade, Renee, Jack K, and Kailash:

1. The brave (https://goo.gl/IvOzvS)
2. What's up (https://goo.gl/PXfetK)

Kayden, Jericho, Jack U, and Danny:

1. Sky Tower (https://goo.gl/RtG7iV)
2. The Metal Gate (https://goo.gl/ljPu8L)

Deakon, Caleb, Liam, and Kaymen:

1. Awesome story (https://goo.gl/e6qEZV)

Ciara, Aimee, Camille, Wade, and Georgia:

1. Bob The Scared Dragon (https://goo.gl/w4Pscp)
2. Be brave! (https://goo.gl/qBWp7S)

Here's a video of our time at Whareroa Farm.  It was a great learning experience and we all had fun learning outside of the 4 walls of the classroom. Thank you to all our amazing parents who assisted with the trip.

Today we had an assembly. But not any ordinary assembly, a very sad assembly. This is Mrs Whyte, AKA Blogging Queen's last assembly here at Waikanae School. She has found a job up in Levin. This is what she said, "When a job opportunity like this pops up you have to just take it." Mrs Parkinson will be teaching in Room 18 for the last two terms of the year. We will all miss Mrs Whyte, but this is her decision and let's hope it all goes to plan. 


This is Lucy signing out! 

As part of children contributing to our community the Te Aramoana syndicate participated in planting at the Pharazyn Reserve yesterday.  Over the last 10 years, our school has regularly participated in the Arbor Day event, and we can see that what was planted when we first started has now grown considerably.  The plantings for habitat for many native species and so the biodiversity of the area is being enhanced by this work.

Ross demonstrates how to correctly plant one of the new tree seedlings.

Nathan & Flynn remove their plant from its plastic bag.

A small frog was found hidden in one of the holes. 

We want to find out what kind of frog it is.

 Olivia squealed when she saw a what she thought was a worm in with the plant.

Joshua T and Ivan proudly show off their newly planted tree seedling.

Chloe gives her hands a good scrub to clean them after the planting was done.

The catchment between the sand dunes hosts some great habitat for various creatures.

Hayley points out some interesting features where future plantings will take place.

Discussing the habitats where skinks and lizards like to hide.

Read some more about our Pharazyn adventures on the individual student blogs found here.

Our Matariki celebrations at the Marae last week was a fabulous event where children explored a range of different activities as part of the Matariki event.

 The school Kapa Haka group wait for the start of the powhiri

The school tukutuku panels were welcomed back on to the marae.

We made matariki lanterns in the wharekai.

 Some of our kapa haka performers.

 Te Aramoana's tukutuku panel being carried into the wharanui.  The panel tells of our syndicate learning journey.

 Koru Don addresses the gathering.

 A hongi formalises the ending of the powhiri.

 Teacher Doris Lake addresses the gathering.

 Children gather in the waka photo booth.

Cross Country Interschools

Swimming update

Every Tuesday the Te Aramoana Syndicate catch the bus to the Kapiti Aquatic Center for swimming lessons. So far we have had three lessons and learned a lot of new swimming skills that will help us to stay safe in the water.