Five pairs of feet....

It is with great sadness we farewell five STAR students from Room 8. Our class is very full and we expect some more new students next term so our oldest tamariki are off to continue their learning with Mrs Pansters and the students in Room 10. Ka kite Ethan, Katylin, Klohe, Shaun and Cassius! Don't forget to visit!

Chalk making

We are looking towards next term now and all the tamariki in Room 8 have made some chalk to use during class time. What 'Totally Responsible' students you are Room 8!

Sowing Seeds...

We sowed some seeds today - sunflowers and tomatoes! We filled the containers and used our pointing finger to make the holes for the seeds. After putting the seeds in the holes we covered them with earth and watered them. After the holidays we hope they will have germinated...

What do seeds and plants need?

"Water" said Ethan. "Soil and sun" said Shaun.

World School Milk Day

Ok so we were a day late - World Milk Day was actually on Wednesday - but the day got away on us so we acknowledged the day today! World School Milk Day was started in 2000, by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and is celebrated around the world each year to recognise the health benefits of school milk programmes. We had a competition in Room 8 to see who could fold their cartons the fastest. Shaun won!! In fact he folded his and Kaitiaki's in the time it took everyone else to fold theirs! Ka rawe Shaun!

Bread making in Room 8...

Everyone made their own bread roll on Wednesday. This is process or individualized cooking in action. The students follow printed cards with very little adult support - giving an authentic use for their reading and numeracy skills.

To watch the slideshow, please click the link below: 
http://photopeach.com/album/tfq3lc?invitecode=fc08e82813 

Up close with the sheep...

As well as lambs Farmer Bev had some very big sheep. We looked closely at the sheep wool and saw how white and clean it was close to the skin.

Feeding the cows...

Farmer Bev then brought the cows down and we fed them with some hay. 

Feeding the goats...

Farmer Bev showed us how to hold our hands flat to feed the goats. Some of the goats stood up on the fence to get close to us (and the food!!)

Look what Ava Found!

In a little house next to the goats Ava found some eggs! Later the children got to meet a Mama chicken and her chicks. We even got to feed them some wheat!

Zippity Zoo

Who did we meet this week at Zippity Zoo???

"The goat that's standing up!" said Jayden.
"The little lamb!" said Ava.
"The turkey!" said Andrew.

2 sleeps to go!

After so much waiting and now only 2 sleeps to go!!!! We are visiting Zippity Zoo on Wednesday. Please be at school by 9am. Each child must have a car seat - please drop these in with your child on Wednesday. All students need to be dressed appropriately for a farm visit - that is in clothes and shoes that can get mucky. A warm coat please if cold or sun hats if sunny. Each child will need a packed lunch and a drink as we will be visiting Haruatai Park for lunch and a play after Zippity Zoo.
Thank you!

Mainstream Assembly

Nga mihi ki a Ava me Kaitiaki!!! What 'STAR's' you are! Awesome learners in Room 8! Ava received an award for 'Quality work in Room 8'. Kaitiaki received an award for 'Great reading'. Ka rawe korua!

Nathan Hoturoa Gray Visits Otaki School

We were lucky enough to meet a Duffy Hero today - Nathan Hoturoa Gray. Nathan came and shared different aspects of his life as a lawyer, traveller and writer. He is such an inspiration and a living testament to the power of reading and writing in creating opportunities for himself in life. What a full and rich life he has had so far!

Nathan was speaking on behalf of the Alan Duff Books in Homes Charitable Trust. He also handed out each classes Duffy Books which will be coming home with your children on Tuesday.

Farm Animals in Room 8 - Term 3 Topic

We have been working on some writing using these photo's. We have looked at the names of different parts of the animals as clues to each students favourite animal to create a class book. It is in our class library - we would love to share it with you if you are ever in Room 8!

WhaeaNicky invites you to watch 'Farm Animals in Room 8!' on PhotoPeach.


To watch the slideshow, please click the link below:
http://photopeach.com/album/5qp2s8?invitecode=8db7eccab3 

Mighty Maths in Room 8!

I sat down with two wonderful boys (Shaun and Ethan) this morning to talk about how many different ways we could find 5 - and I made a big list of their answers....
Then - the boys told me all the different ways we could find 10!!!
I am so proud of them and the hard work they have put into their math learning I wanted to share it with everyone - He tino pai to mahi e tama ma!!!

Red Nose Day?

On Red Nose Day Whaea Nicky got out the face paints so everyone could have a 'Red Nose' if they liked....Tai did a little bit better than that! Thanks Tai!

WhaeaNicky invites you to watch 'Red Nose Day!' on PhotoPeach.


To watch the slideshow, please click the link below:
http://photopeach.com/album/c22vbs?invitecode=2dbcd5d187 

Don't Forget! - Teachers Only Day Monday 8/9/14

On Monday the 8th of September Otaki Primary is having a 'Teachers Only Day'.

This is to enable us as a full staff to undertake professional development on Restorative Practices. It is very important to us to provide a safe environment for our students and to resolve conflict in ways that enhances and builds relationships between students, staff and parents, improves student behaviour, reduces bullying and creates a sense of community.

We look forward to seeing your children again on Tuesday the 9th of September.

Zippity Zoo Visit - Manukau

After studying Farm Animals during Term 3 - Room 8 and Room 10 are very excited to go to the Zippity Zoo Farm in Manukau to see some farm animals for ourselves!!
$3 to be paid before we go.

We will meet at school by 9am on
Wednesday 17th September
By law, children are required to use booster seats until the age of seven - please drop off your child’s booster seat on the day of the trip if you are not providing transport, or your child will not be able to travel with us.

On the day children will need to wear shoes or gumboots they can get mucky!
We will spend the morning at Zippity Zoo before heading up to Levin Park for lunch then a play in the playground.

The most important thing at this stage is to have the permission slips back so we can plan the transport - thank you. Pay later if that suits you better :-)

(Science, Living World NZ Curriculum)

 http://www.zippityzoo.co.nz
                                                      

Otaki School - Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

We promote behaviours in our school where the children are STAR's - they are Safe, Totally Responsible, Awesome Learners and Respectful.

This terms focus is being Totally Responsible. This week in Room 8 we thought again about what it would look like when we are 'Totally Responsible' for ourselves.
We can tie our own shoes.
When we arrive at school we bring our book bags in and put them in the book bag basket.
We can pack our own bags.

Good job Room 8! You know how to be Totally Responsible for yourself!