New Zealand Music Month

Mr E is helping us to learn about different New Zealand musicians. Here we are playing Lorde.

School Values: Give It A Go

Key Competencies: 

Silent card shuffle

We did a really fun activity today called 'Silent Card Shuffle'. Each group of 3 was given a set of cards with 8 pictures, 8 titles and 8 explanations about Matariki. They had to match the title with the picture and correct explanation - all without speaking.

Not a word.

All sorts of unusual sign language was used. As it is sign language week it was the perfect time to talk about how to communicate using sign.

After they made their matches, each group rotated around the other groups - again silently. This is the time that they noticed if there were any similarities or differences. (This is a clever way of getting them to read the information again and again.)

Finally they got to go back to their own cards and changed them if needed.

School Values: Give It A Go, Be Heard

Key Competencies: Thinking, using language, symbols and text

Egg in a Bottle Challenge

Success!!!!
We tried this experiment in our class as part of our learning re air pressure. We didn't have much luck (unless burning the school carpet is considered success!)
After about 6 attempts we did manage to get half an egg in the bottle.
But the challenge to successfully complete this experiment was taken up by Louie Travers and his mum.
Watch the experiment work below.
It's so awesome to see that school learning is being supported at home.
If anyone else does any cool air experiments I would love to share them on the blog.

School Values: Give It A Go

Key Competencies: Thinking

Balloon in a Bottle

The challenge was to blow up a balloon in a bottle.
Not as easy as first thought.

 

 

We discovered that there was not enough room left in the bottle for the balloon to blow up.

When we punched a hole in the bottom of the bottle all of a sudden the balloon could fill. This was because all the air that was in the bottle was forced out of the hole and left space for the balloon to inflate.

School Values: Give It A Go

Key Competencies: Participating and Contributing, Thinking

Air Pressure Experiments

 



We placed a small ball of paper in the neck of a bottle. We blew on the paper.
What a shock - the ball of paper flew OUT not in.
This was because there was already air in the bottle and no more air could fit in. Therefore when we tried to blow the paper in there was no extra space for it so it was pushed out instead.

The Beatles

We have been learning about important musicians and how they have affected society.
The Beatles are this term's focus.
We have looked at the changing style of the Beatles music, iconic photos - Abbey Road crossing and even talked about their rooftop concert.
We have been learning to play 'Here Comes The Sun' and Yellow Submarine' on Ukelele, Marimba and keyboard.
I have been impressed with the concentration and persistence shown by many of the children. They have to really concentrate to follow the music onscreen and translate the notes through their fingers plus get the timing correct.

School Values: Give It A Go

Key Competencies: Participating and Contributing

Flight Challenge

Today we had a challenge to fly a plastic toy form the ground to the top of a table. And what a challenge it was.

We had these items to use

• string
• plastic toy
• sellotape
• straws
• washers

There was so much discussion and lots of problem solving. It was great to watch the persistence displayed by many children.

School Values: Give It A Go, Be Heard
Key Competencies: Thinking, Participating and Contributing