Sharing our Learning – Statistics

Have you ever wondered which coloured jelly bean is easiest to identify by taste alone? How about which one is the most difficult to identify? This question formed the basis of a statistical investigation in both hubs in Team Pōhutukawa



We worked together to gather data and then were able to make statements using the data as evidence. (In case you were wondering, the easiest colour to identify is definitely black, and the hardest one appears to be pink!) Of course, nobody minded testing the colours!




We are now working in groups on our own statistical investigations, using Google Forms to gather data. It is a real challenge to ask the right questions so that the data we gather will be useful.

When our surveys are completed Google Forms automatically generates graphs to show us the information we have gathered. Here are some examples:



This is such valuable information for our teachers! 






Intermediate Hub Update: Feb 19

Leadership
What a fabulous leadership week we have had, with so many highlights. We hope your child has come home with many experiences to share. We are hearing great things about the Year 7s being leaders in Year 1- 4 classes today. The Year 8s have applied the habits and leadership traits we have been talking about, in a range of ways over the past two days. Many of them have taken great leaps in confidence as they worked together in groups to achieve goals.

On Wednesday the Year 8s watched and discussed a TED talk about redefining leadership. We learnt all about 'lollipop moments'. You may want to view this talk so that you can reinforce the message at home.

As part of our exploration of synergy, we looked at the flight formation of migrating geese, with both Year 7 and Year 8. Here is a link to a slideshow that we unpacked with the children. Again, this would be something good to discuss and reinforce at home.

Social Studies
On Monday and Wednesday next week we will be launching into our study of refugees by watching and discussing the movie 'The Good Lie'. This is a PG movie. Check this review from Common Sense Media.

Remembering February 22nd
You are most welcome to join us on the park on Monday, from 12:30, as we stop to remember Feb 22nd 2011.

A big thanks to Simon, Rod, Elise, Mike and Gloria, parents and grandparents who contributed their time and skills to our leadership week.

Looking back on the week...

James teaches us about leadership in a very amusing way.

Year 7s synergise to draw a smiley face.
Using individual strengths to create a water container.

Supporting each other to scale the climbing frame.

Success!

The flying fox challenge.


Discussing strategies.

'Seek first to understand and then be understood.'

Year 8s 'unlock the grid' using non-verbal communication and teamwork.

More strategising

Aaron shares great ideas about goal setting.

'Sharpening the Saw'

Intermediate Hub Update: Feb 12

After two weeks in the intermediate hub, things are humming along nicely. Leadership groups are establishing, reading and maths groups are underway and the children are doing a great job of following hub routines.

Home Learning: Your child should have been working on the maths home learning that they were given on Tuesday. We have been so impressed with the number of children who have handed in this home learning already. Remember to encourage your child to check in with their maths teacher if there is any aspect of home learning that they are stuck on. This work is due in next Friday, Feb 19th. As this is a busy time for leadership week, we suggest they get it in by Thursday morning. Nicky’s maths class have Mathletics to complete at home as well.


Leadership Week: We are all excited about leadership week, Feb 15 - 19. Today Year 8 children brought home their second leadership camp notice, which includes a gear list. If you have not yet returned the permission form, please get this in on Monday. Year 8 food donations for camp need to be brought to school by Wednesday: baking for Coast, cereal for Mountains and a bag of fruit for Forest. Year 7s wear mufti for their leadership day on Wednesday and Year 8s wear mufti on Thursday and Friday.


Leadership Positions: On Tuesday we announced leadership positions. Our aim was to give children 30 points worth of positions. Some got more than this, and those who did not apply for many positions may have got less. Many positions are very popular, with nowhere near the number of positions as there are applicants. As you can imagine it is a tricky task, one we spent considerable time sorting.


It is the aspiration of a large number of children to be a House Captain in Year 8. As this is a high profile position, we need to ensure our House Captains have the necessary leadership skills and are very positive role models. As the children are placed in houses when they first arrive at school, the distribution of strong leaders by the time they get to Year 8, is often not spread evenly across the houses. When appointing House Captains, we look at the leadership qualities of the children who have applied. Sometimes we ask children who are strong leaders if they would like to change houses in their final year to have the opportunity to be a House Captain. This year our leaders were clustered together in a couple of houses and a number choose to move house, to take up this leadership opportunity. Throughout Year 7, potential leaders show us their worth through their personal actions and interactions with others.


Swimming Sports: This event is less than two weeks away, on Feb 25th. If your child has entered, they have been given a notice, which you should have seen by now. Please check their bag if you haven’t seen it.


Dunedin Camp; Please let your child’s home-group teacher know if you are keen to be a parent help on our Dunedin camp.

Some of our week in pictures...


Learning about the second 'habit': begin with the end in mind.


First basketball coaching session with the Rams.

Passion foodies chomp into their yummy stuffed potatoes.

Passion photographers explore take pictures using a variety of camera angles.



Can't wait for next week and all the fun and learning it will bring!

Koru Newsletter Term 1 Wk 2 2016

Welcome & Reminders

Once again, welcome to hub 10-11 at Beckenham School! Thanks (and a reminder) to please send the following every day:
* Drink bottle (named)
* Hat
* Reading Folder
* Library Folder (Fridays only)
To help your child make new friends, we encourage you to organise play dates. A Koru Friendship List with phone numbers for all our students is inside your child's reading folder.
Rowena Barker (Team Leader) will contact many of you over the next month, to share your child's Mutukaroa assessment. 

Discovery Sessions

Starting each day with 'discovery based' learning has helped the children feel welcome and settled. We love hearing their ideas and watching them work and play together! During discovery sessions, teachers focus on building friendships between students, practising clear speaking (oral language), and inquiry learning (e.g. gardening, building, open ended art).

  
  



Our School Values: Getting There Together & We Care

We have been focusing on two of our school values, 'WE CARE' and 'WE GET THERE TOGETHER'.  In hub 10-11, we have been playing lots of name games and doing various buddy activities to show we get there together (photos below). We will have our first WHARE TIME where our New Entrant students will work with older buddies from across the school and teachers, and complete various 'get to know you' activities.


Some of the children working in buddies for maths:

  
  


Ideas for maths at home http://koru.beckenham.school.nz/p/cool-maths-links.html



Some of the children working in buddies for whare time on Friday:


 
 


We have been showing 'We Care' by putting our materials and bags away, and using kind words. We are very good at looking out for and buddying up with each other in the playground too!



  
    



Literacy

We have started our writing programme, focusing on letter formation and shared writing. Room 10's story, 'Amanda in a bubble,' was very funny! We have also been practising our 'crocodile pencil grip' (photos below). Encouraging your child to write, draw and use hands at home will help them develop hand strength for writing. Construction, play-dough and lego also strengthen hand muscles. Take home reading books will be sent home Mon - Thurs.  thanks for reading and returning books each day. On Friday, the children will bring home their poetry book. Enjoy reading their weekly poem with them and please return on the following Monday.
Websites and apps to support Literacy: http://koru.beckenham.school.nz/p/super-online-literacy-games.html 

            

Last few days in Kauri for 2015

Lots and good times, challenge and celebration has been had over the last week for Year 7 & 8. All the very best of luck to those children and families who are moving on from Beckenham. Safe and happy holidays to everyone. We look forward to seeing all of our Year 8s at learning conferences on Feb 1st or 2nd. Contact the office if you still need to book a conference time.

We had a brilliant day to spend at the beach last Thursday.









Still had lots of energy to play after the steep trek up to Victoria Park.










Year 8s celebrating at their pool and pizza party. Thanks Tracy, such fun at your place.








Lots of proud moments at the Leavers' Assembly.







We made it! Dressing up at our Christmas lunch.