The bush walk

Today we headed down the natural trail and out into the bush behind the school. We were surprised at the quiet sanctuary we found. We found a spot to sit down and there we took in our surroundings. Here are some pieces of descriptive writing from the bush walk.

The bush Walk- By Caiden B
The trees were coated with

dry flaky, dark green moss. A pile of dirt lay on the ground like a monster waiting to be freed. Skyscraper trees blocked out the suns harsh rays. Tuis sang merrily and trees swayed in the breeze. Tree roots were like an old mans wrinkly fingers. Damp forest air was clinging to me like a baby koala. A filthy river as dark as night was flowing at a jogging pace. Trees surrounded me like I was in a cage. Bark was peeling off an old tree like paper.
My stomach was jumping up and down like a kangaroo. Leaves were littered together like a sock. I thoughtI heard the trees whisper to me, "Come back soon..."
"Maybe," I muttered under my breath
I looked back at the stretch of trees as far as the eye could see and then dashed to my friends.

The bush- By Jamie G

I felt the fresh air controlling my lungs. A choir of birds were singing. Their song was like a lullaby that filled me with peace. I felt the mossy leaf litter crawling up my legs. I looked up and saw towering trees trying to get to the light. I glanced over and saw a giant umbrella shaped silver fern sheltering the river. At my feet I spied broken down tree branches sleeping. I looked and saw a delicate purple and green Tui feather littering the forest floor.

The haunted place- By Keita 

Plop, plop, plop, plop. I walked down the stairs of the trail. I smelt the peaceful smell of nature. I found a place to sit with Sunghyun. I thought it was a good spot, but...

"Eeaaaa!" Sunghyun shrieked. He had seen a cicada left on a sticky spider web dangling by its leg.
"Don't talk or move and get on with it!" shouted Mrs Millett.
"G...g...g...g we have to stay here," I  whispered with a croaky voice.
"I guess so," replied Sunghyun in a scared voice.
I glanced around. I could see poisonous looking, vivid flowers. I imagined monsters lurking around haunting the witches castle. I saw branches with spiders webs making it scarier.
"Brrrrr... it's scary," commented  Sunghyun.
"Yeah!" I agreed. I felt sick. 
I could hear dogs barking, water running and machines banging and it only made me imagine more.
I imagined a cerbera (3 headed dog) edging towards me, or rocks falling...
I could only describe this place as haunted. 
"Brrrrr..." I thought.

Teach me Tuesday Week 8!

Teach me Tuesday again. Today our teachers were Riley, Lukas and Chloe. Riley and Lukas took us out to the courts and taught us how to play Dodgeball. We had heaps of fun. 

Next, Chloe taught us how to care for a rabbit. She brought her mini lop eared bunny, Oscar. He was very cute! 

Thanks for teaching us Riley, Lukas and Chloe.

We can't wait till next "Teach me Tuesday"

Basic Fact Friday!

Playing Futaba on the ipad.

Colour in x tables worsheets

Sum Dog game- linked to the blog

Every Friday in Room 13 we practise our Number Basic Facts on 'Basic Facts Friday'. Recalling our basic facts quickly is vital for our Number knowledge and also helps us when solving more difficult maths problems more readily. 
After doing a 5 minute frenzy (+ or x), we practise our basic facts using a range of fun methods. The greatest thing about 'Basic Facts Friday' is that we can see our basic fact recall speed increasing! Heres some photos of us practising our basic facts.

Tutpup- linked to the blog

Maths PacMan- on the blog

Slide - shared game on ipad

Team assembly this week

Room 16 led our team assembly this week. We all learnt some actions to a UHPS waiata, "Tu Tira mai". They also showed us their awesome Koru pattern artworks.




We then listened to some fantastic writing about our Skyscrapers trip. 

Room 16  did a great job leading the assembly. KA PAI Room 16!



Room 13 and 15 also shared some of their learning too. 
Team assemblies are great times to get together, and Mr. Clark's pretty nifty on the guitar too!!

Sky scrapers Beach Trip

Yesterday the Sky Scrapers community had a fantastic community day at Waiake beach, (Torbay). We played lots of team building games, had a swim together and created some "Sky Scraper" inspired sand castles. It was a blast! Take a look at some of the highlights.

"Teach me Tuesday" with Gourmet Grace and Nimble-fingered Nicole!

It was "Teach me Tuesday" again today. This week we learnt how to make delicious Chocolate chip cookies with Grace. She shared a family recipe with us, that she learnt from her mum and grandma. They were heavenly!! Thanks for teaching us Grace.

While the cookies baked, Nicole showed us how to solve the Rubik's cube!! She was really amazing. We will be practising for weeks to try and be as good as her. Thanks for a great lesson Nicole! 

We can't wait till next "Teach me Tuesday!"

GPK day- Water Fun!

GPK was a blast! Here's a collage of the event.

Room 13 Experiences

We have been really busy in Room 13 recently with some really cool experiences. Last week we were lucky enough to go to Coatesville and compete in swimming sports. Some of us have also learnt about safe riding on our bikes. We have also been doing some fun things in the classroom to inspire our writing. Here are some recounts about these events.

The Mad Medley - By Amie HT

Mixed emotions were all over me I didn't even know what to say. I heard them call out my name. I slowly walked up to the pool getting ready to start. as I jumped into the pool water splashed into my face it tasted like salt mixed with butter and pickles. When Miss Byers called out, "On your marks, get set GO!" I swam as fast as I could. More and more water jumped into my mouth like my tongue was a trampoline. My teeth were chattering because the pool was freezing cold.I felt brave and calm about the race. I was now onto my breast stroke in the medley. Swimming as fast as I could but I wasn't worried about coming last. I knew I would catch up. When I got into the freestyle I was determined to finish. I kept on swimming to the end when I touched the wall I knew I had achieved my goal. 

Rustle, Snap, Pop - By Grace H
"BANG!!" "Ahhhhhh!" I squealed. "You can look now," Mrs Millett said calmly.  I open my eyes to find blood red shards scattered on the floor.

A few minutes ago I was being told to shut my eyes and that I wasn't going to get hurt (I wasn't sure I believed that).  I silently obeyed and felt fear overcome me.  I had no idea what was happening, and I don't like not knowing things.

I heard a noise and I had absolutely no clue to what is was. Something was rustling, like leaves against a moon lit window.  Abruptly, the rustling stopped, almost as sudden as a bubble popping.

"Snap! Snap!" the new noise sounded.  The room filled with confusion.  "Snap!" "What is that?" we all pondered in our perplexed minds.

Now someone was blowing something into something hollow.  "It's a balloon!" Daniel yelled.  At that sudden realisation, we were all at ease and comfort filled our minds. But the blowing didn't stop, the huffing and puffing didn't cease, it pursued on, like the big bad wolf blowing down the poor piggies houses.

Panic slowly crept back to us."Please don't .........."

"BANG!"

I jumped out of skin, screaming with the sudden pop. "Phew!" I breathed, wiping my brow.

Cycle Safety day- By Robert D
"Faster!", my friend Jack shouted as I went up the see-saw. I heard chains chattering and I felt my hands gets blisters on my sweaty grips. 
I was racing up to the jump and I lifted my bike as high as I could, and got loads of air. Then I bolted up the next jump. In a flash I made it over the mean looking ramp as I dodged some people in front of me. 
I went as fast as I could and I felt like a plane flying 1000 miles per hour!