Category Archives: Kahikatea

Hub 1&2 Notice

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Kia Ora Whanau

As many of you will be aware, we have tweaked our programme this term to include Discovery Stations at different times throughout our day. These stations have been very successful and the children are highly engaged with them - often starting them before school! A few of our routines have needed to change to accommodate this:

Morning Snack
  • Please ensure your child's snack (fruit or wholemeal/wholegrain bread) is in a named bag or container as they put them into the snack bowl before school. 
Reading Books
  • Your child will now be returning their reading books on Monday morning when they arrive at school. They will put them into their browsing box which is in Room 2. 
Library Folders
  • We all have our library time on a Friday now so all folders will need to be back on Friday morning. 
Book the Couch
  • If you are interested in reading a library book to children before the bell please come into Room 1, choose a book and get comfy on our couch. The children love listening to stories and a group will often form after a couple of pages into the story. If you would like to make this a permanent booking there is a list on the whiteboard in Room 1. Alternatively, if you are interested in listening to children read 1:1, please let us know and we will book you in for days that suit. The time slot for this is Mon - Thurs 8:30 - 9:20a.m. 

Resources
We have had discussions in our hub about what types of learning the children would like to do more of and we have compiled a list. If you are able to help with any of the following resources we would be very grateful:
  • Cardboard boxes, lids, old containers, masking tape, PVA glue
  • Lego
  • Old phones, typewriters, radios etc (anything that can be taken apart), screw drivers
  • Nuts and bolts
  • Water/sand tray or table 
  • Dress ups 
  • Farmyard animals/Dinosaurs etc 
  • Craft equipment 
  • Soft material, cotton, needles (and a willing adult who is interested in creating puppets with the children)
  • Skeleton resources - real bones / plastic 
  • A roll of butcher paper 
The conversations will continue to evolve as the children develop their thinking around Discovery Stations and this list will grow throughout the term. If you have an area of expertise and would like to join us, we can happily slot you into our timetable. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. 
Dorinda, Amber and Amy

Term 3 Week 2 in the Kahikatea Team

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Kia ora koutou,

Here we are into the second week of Term 3 already. We all had a wonderful first week back at school, following fantastic holidays, and what incredible weather we enjoyed throughout our two week break!

Here are some highlights and points to note from Week 1, as well as for the week to come:

Mihi
Over the next couple of weeks, our children are going to be working on developing their mihi. This is going to provide a springboard for us into our focus, Amazing Asia, this term. We are currently delving into the meaning of the word 'culture', looking at what that means for us, before looking into the cultures of various countries in Asia. It would be very helpful for us if you are able to discuss with your child, the names of the following:

  • The name of a mountain (if appropriate to your family)
  • The name of a river/lake/sea (if appropriate to your family)
  • The name of the town or city which you hail from
  • Your Christian names (father and mother)

 You or your child could write this information down so that it can be brought into school. Many thanks for your support with this.

Library
Please note that all children in the Kahikatea team will now be visiting the library on Fridays. Children will be taken to the library at times throughout the day, so if, for some reason, some children don't manage to exchange their library books on Friday, they are being encouraged to visit the library during a lunchtime instead.

Home Learning
Thank you so much for your ongoing support with your child's home learning. Regular practice of both Mad Maths Minute equations and spelling words is making a huge difference to your child's progress in each of these areas!

Water
Please ensure that your child has a water bottle each day. We are actively encouraging the children to drink water throughout the day, so that they remain hydrated. Please also remind your child to bring his or her water bottle home regularly for cleaning!

Snack Station
Learning spaces are going to have (or already have) a 'Snack Station' set up each morning. Children are encouraged to select a (wrapped and named, or in a named container) piece of fruit from their lunchboxes to put out at the Snack Station. This can then be eaten at some point between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Years 1 and 2 Kapa Haka
Congratulations to our Kapa Haka group - the group travelled into the Art Gallery last Thursday, to perform for members of the public. The children were accompanied by Sherrilee and Jenny, as well as some parents. We are all very proud of you, children! You performed beautifully and were all very well-behaved. Well done.

Writing
We are currently learning about a new genre of writing: persuasive writing! In this genre of writing, we follow a format in which we give our opinion, back it up with supportive statements, give examples and then restate our opinion. Please feel free to come into our learning spaces and have a look at some of our persuasive writing!
Last week we also wrote recounts telling about holiday events. Here are examples from two Hub 3/4 authors:

Japan

I went to Japan. At Japan, I went to Disneyland. It was awesome. I went with my Mum and sister.
I saw Tigger and Donald Duck. I saw Mickey Mouse as well.
I saw a Disney car. It was so cool. People were standing on the car. There were lights all over it.
I saw a giant castle with my Mum. It was awesome on the castle. I saw a thousand lights on the castle.
When it was night at Disneyland, it was time for the going party.
There were Disney characters zooming past my face!


Shopping

I went shopping to get some milk and bread to have some lunch.
I went with Mum and Dad and my brother.
When I went home, I ate some bread.



All best for the week ahead, everyone.

Nga mihi,
Kahikatea team teachers 


Kahikatea Team 2016-07-29 18:16:00

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We Love Challenge!


From Friday Creative Art Workshop in Hub 2 with Dorinda and Amber - Movable fish! Dorinda had wanted to display them in the classroom but they were soooooo popular - they just had to go home!
All Hubs in Kahikatea will get a chance to make these creative pets!











Some photos from this week's Discovery Stations







Make a bridge with Lego Challenge


Make a Lego dinosaur


Fun Times in the Holidays

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I went on two planes to got to the USA (United States of America) and I got to watch TV and I got headphones and we were on top of the clouds and it was awesome but we were in the plane for one whole night and I was tired!

by Ishaan

In the holidays I went to the bird park with my Mum and Daddy. It was very very fun. I saw birds, but they couldn't get our because they were in an enclosure. There were lots of birds. They went on my legs. They went on my arms. 

By James

I went to the movies and it was fun. There was a movie called Ice Age. It took a long time to watch the movie.
By Moa

My brother found a drift cart. It had no seat. My brother went to the Z. He pumped up the tyres. We had fun. My brother came back home. 

By Michaela

I went to the competition. I scootered around and landed a tail whip first try. Mum and dad dropped me and Jackson off and Ash was there too. 

By Jamie

Amazing Asia

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We have started our Inquiry into Amazing Asia by encouraging the children to generate questions on aspects of Asian culture that they would like to know more about. Here are some of the questions they came up with:


  • How do you count to 100 in Japanese?
  • What does their writing look like?
  • How many countries are in Asia?
  • Are there any things that are similar to what we do in New Zealand?
  • What is the population of Asia?
  • What do they eat?
  • What and how do they celebrate?
  • What does their music sound like?
  • What do their boats look like?
Amazing questions tamariki ma!

We will start our inquiry by looking into our own cultures before looking specifically at Asia. We will then be focusing our inquiry to line up with our 'Make a difference' school value by asking how can we make a positive difference to people who move to Aotearoa from other countries? 

If you have any knowledge or expertise that could support our children in their inquiry, we would love for you to share with us!