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Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Our walk in the bush


On Monday Room 13 ventured out of the classroom and wandered down the nature trail to the bush behind the school. Read about our adventure in these personal experience recounts. Notice the deliberate language choices we have used:

The rain was drizzling when we left the classroom. We were all huddling together under the shelter with our books tucked beneath our shirts to keep dry. We ran out onto the concrete already slick from the rain. Before long we had reached the dripping wet greenery and the rain had subsided, but the sun had not come out.

I stroked my hand along the damp, mossy bark of a towering tree with lush spring leaves. It was surprisingly thin for it's height. 

We all sat down and found a place to sit that wasn't soaked with water. We jotted down our ideas, when Jayden dared me to lick a tree! To be honest it didn't taste too bad and had a faint tang of spinach.

Soon enough our time was over, but before we left, as I passed the prickly, spindly and dark flopping flax I saw... a large, black spider!! I high tailed out of there and I hope not to go back anytime soon!!
By Jake S

The gentle droplets fell onto my face. I ran into the bush and stopped... I looked around. It was so peaceful there. The rain had stopped and the raindrops fell on to the ground with a splash. Drip, drip, drip went the droplets, as I sat on the mossy stump. 

I carefully inspected every single thing. The dewdrops on the spiderwebs glistening like tiny pearls. The giant canopy covered me like a huge, green mossy umbrella. 

Crunch, crunch, crunch went the stones under my feet, as the cicadas chirped a sweet melody in my ears. Chirp, chirp, chirp went the birds as they hunted for food. The water was rushing in the river and I heard dogs barking in the distance.
The ferns were towering over the fresh grass. The smell of the grass hit me like a giant wave from the sea.

Suddenly, I heard shouting, (so much for relaxing!) I ran to the small bridge and saw a huge spider on a web. It was about as big as a screw, but I was terrified of spiders! This one seemed quite friendly though. 

I used my pen to touch the web ever so slightly so it just skimmed the top of the web. The spider didn't move... so I sunk the pen down deeper. The spider twitched its leg. 
Just then, Mrs Millett said, "Guys don't scare the spider!" I gently took my pen out and touched the top of my pen. It was sticky like candy floss!
By Kylie W

Stones crunching, birds singing, cicadas announcing their battle cry! As I walked down the nature trail of peace, the peace became less comforting and the trees started to close in on me.

As I left the duck pond the towering kahikatea started making me have second thoughts about getting out of bed this morning. Everything was so dark! I looked for a nice, quiet place to avoid the greeny moss that reminded me of toxic waste!

As I sat down on the cold, damp stairs, I started thinking about what mysteries would be revealed if I filtered the brown, muddy stream. 

All of a sudden everyone was crowding around the top of the stairs on the bridge. I walked up to see what all the hassle was about. I took one look and OMG! I stood there staring at a spider bigger than King Kong! (maybe an over exaggeration). I was terrified!!! 

I squeezed my eyes shut because I start seeing stuff! Spiders...ahh!! I felt like I was going to faint. All of a sudden I was wet. My eyes were leaking...
By Noah H


Monday, March 20, 2017

Teach Me Tuesday starts today!!

Today was our first Teach me Tuesday for the year and what a great start! To begin Jake drilled us with Touch Rugby skills and drills, (we were glad for a break- he was tough!!) Next Amy and Ruby demonstrated how to ice cupcakes and then we had a go!! It was great- thanks today's teachers.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Structures Inquiry immersion


Last week we had a lot of fun discovering about structures and foundations by experimenting. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon we went from class to class trying a range of forces and building challenges. In Room 13 we had to build towers using playing cards and paper cups. We made a lot of interesting discoveries during our building and experimenting. These are some of them:
If you put more weight on cards they don’t fall over   


Card towers are easier to build on carpet rather than tables because there’s more friction on the carpet


Triangles are the best shape for card towers


Stacking cups end to end is a strong shape


Having a strong foundation is important (3 or 4 cups on base)


Putting a half cup over another inverted cup makes it stable.


Build out of the wind


Indenting the top of the card makes it stronger


The older the card, the more friction (grip power)

Welcome to UHPS Mrs Smith!

Last week Mrs Smith started her journey with us at UHPS. Here are photos of her special welcome assembly.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Swimming Sports

This week we all took a bus trip to Coatesville Primary School to compete in UHPS Swimming Sports. It was a great day and we all had fun, all about taking part and supporting one another.

Johnny Danger Trailer

Johnny Danger 2 trailer

Johnny Danger 3 release video

Peter Millett on WBTV

Peter Millett on Studio 3

Another pep talk from Kid president.

Kid president- 20 things you should say!