Go the Crusaders!

We had to use Room 20's step for our photo today because Brainy Brian was screwing the anti-slip matting onto our step. Room 15's step was too sunny. Can you believe we're saying somewhere is too sunny in July?!? 

Sing the Shape Song

You could possibly even create your own name the shape song. I always like this song that was on Sesame Street a while back.

School Photos, Mufti and Saveloys

Great job on your photos today! You all looked sparkly and keen. Those of you with plasters on your faces will have these photoshopped out before they come back - that's pretty magical isn't it?
Tomorrow is red and black day so dig out some red and black gear and a gold coin so you can be part of supporting the Crusaders and children with hearing problems.
Friday is Super Saveloy Day so you can bring along your money for that tomorrow. I think they'll be $2. There is a gluten free option but I'm not sure about a vegetarian one. You will also be able to order on Friday.

Shapes and What Makes Them

Today we looked at different four sided shapes. We noticed what was the same about them and what was different. The length of the sides made a difference to the shape and so did the size of the angles.

Can you work out a pattern for how to work out how many lines of symmetry a shape will have?
Our next activity was to colour some 3D shape nets. These are 2D patterns that we'll cut out and glue together so they make 3D shapes.

The tetrahedron is my favourite. Although I like a cone with a sphere of hokey pokey in it don't you?

Kiwi Kids News Term Two

Congratulations to Sophie and Lucy for their work on this production for Term Two. We are looking forward to seeing what Term Three's group will come up with!

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Today we welcomed Te Ra, Mihiana and Gabrielle from TTRR in Room 17. They wanted to share some of their language with us in Māori Language Week.

We will make a real effort to pronounce the beginning of the national anthem correctly. We were impressed by their mihi and are looking forward to learning one ourselves.

This week we have been practising how to ask each other how we are feeling and talking about the weather in Māori. We are also learning how to ask someone to bring us something.

Symmetry

Today we learned about symmetry. We talked about horizontal and vertical lines of symmetry. Remember:  horizontal is like the horizon - it goes across.

You might be able to find some things at your home that are symmetrical. Nature is full of symmetry, take a look at these images.

You had fun creating symmetrical patterns with a partner too.

Creating Symmetrical Living Art Installations on PhotoPeach

Geometry

Today you worked in groups to sort shapes into groups. First you sorted them into two groups, then into three. Finally you created a picture with the shapes.

That should read Five Sided - not shaded!

Book Week Parade

The links below will take you to the presentation with your photo and writing in it. Thanks Tracy for typing out all the stories!

Book Character Day 2014 Part 1

James, Belah, Blaze, Sophie, Lachlan, Ryan, Theo and Isobel

Book Character Day 2014 Part 2

Brooke, Akira, Riley, Evie, Vianca, Talan, Lucy and Makenzie

Book Character Day 2014 Part 3

Aakifah, Elizabeth, Ms Ashby, Gabe, Tanner, Soumadeep, Hasini and Sammie

Happy Birthday James

For your birthday present James we've decided to get together again just so we can sing you happy birthday!
BTW - here's the missing candle...

Fish Fun

You each created a fish (or other water creature) using collage and used water colours to make a scene to present your fish on. These are up on the wall in Room 17. Before they went up on the wall Ms Neale helped you all use the app Puppet Pals to make a short movie. I have compressed these movies into three compilation tapes.


Next time we use this app we'll write scripts and plan the action too. It is a lot of fun.

Book Olympics

These are the fabulous books we won.

I don't think we ever shared the fact that Room 17 were the winners of the Middle School Book Olympics. It was held on Brooke's birthday so he and Riley were our runners. They ran to the hall and collected a question then ran back and we answered it as best we could then sent them flying back to the hall with our answer and to collect the next question. I think we were the second team to return the last question but we had the most correct answers overall. GO US!

A Reminder...

There is a lot more than meets the eye on our blog. Remember to check out the page tabs above to find extra reading links, author websites, the other Year Three class blogs, maths games and activities, family treasures and some skipping videos (more of these to come soon).

Ramona The Pest

We really enjoyed reading the story Ramona the Pest. It was extra curly to be able to watch the movie Beezus and Ramona on the last day of school.

There were funny bits, romantic bits and some sad bits too. 

Check out the author page up above to go to Beverly Cleary's fantastic website.

A Watery Challenge

How can you make a lump of plasticine float, and even hold up some other objects? That was the challenge!

Blaze and Theo were the most successful, their craft managed to hold 34 counters!

More Measurement Matters

We measured many objects in our classroom using little sticks. We found out that you have to:

• start measuring at the edge of the object, not just at any old place
• measure straight across the object not crookedly
• have the same length stick as another group if you want to check your answer with theirs
• have a special way of measuring things so that everyone gets the same answer - next we used rulers!

Tell your family who was right - if anyone was!

Singing Concert

Singing Concert 2014 on PhotoPeach Mrs Brown took some great photos at the concert. Unfortunately she couldn't get you all. The poems you wrote about this experience and some other (not so good photos) are in the process of being made into a book for us all to read.

Gymnastics - remember that?

We have become very behind with updates on our blog. We did so many interesting things in the last couple of weeks but there was so little time to create posts to share it. I know you're great at talking about your learning and none of you would ever say,
"Nothing much.." as the answer to the question,
"What did you do at school today?" Would you????

Happy Birthday Blaze!

For your birthday present we've given you a two week holiday! We're looking forward to hearing all about it when we get back next term.