Our enclosure design process

This term we have been learning about the design process. Our learning began with the trip to the zoo where we explored the specifically designed animal enclosures and noticed the considerations needed. We discovered that an enclosure needs to consider three main parties:

• the animal (of course)
• the public
• and the zoo staff

We also learnt that a modern zoo enclosure has to look naturalistic and try to replicate the natural environment of the animal, using planting and features that would be found in their natural habitats. They also needed to have enrichment activities for the animal so that it can continue to demonstrate its natural behaviours.

Our enclosures had specific success criteria:

• to have a private areas for the animal
• to have playing area for animal 
• to include enrichment activities for the animal
• to include public viewing areas
• to include barriers/boundary fencing (that may be disguised with planting)
• to include planting and natural features

We had heaps of fun creating our enclosures. Here are some photos of our finished designs.

Room 8 and 13 collaborate together

Today Room 8 and 13 worked together to make fantastic tetrahedron kites out of straws, string and plastic bags. 

It was a whole lot of fun! 

Here are some photos of us collaborating:

Liam teaches us how to make Cheesy Penne!

We had another great Teach me Tuesday yesterday. Liam brought in a lot of delicious ingredients and we threw them all togther to make a delicious Italian inspired cheesy pasta. 

First we boiled water for the penne pasta. Next we fried onions, chilli and garlic. Next we added a can of diced tomatoes. Then we added mozzarella cheese and a dash of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and sugar for flavour balance. It was beginning to smell delcious. Last we added torn up basil.

It simmered and reduced, and the cheese melted into a stringy consistency.

Finally, it was time to taste the creation. Mrs Millett spooned steaming pasta and gloopy sauce into little cups. We then sprikled parmesan over the pasta. It was delicious!! Thanks Liam- it was a fantastic Teach me Tuesday!!

Teach me Tuesday - Week 6!

It was Teach me Tuesday again today. We really enjoyed both of our lessons. First up, Feifei and Jennifer taught us how to make origami folding heart boxes. They did a really great job explaining the procedure to us, and were really patient when we needed help too!

Here's the instructions of how to make a heart box.
Start on blank side

1. Fold squared paper in half horizontally and then diagonally.
2. Fold all corners into the centre point
3. Open up and flip over
4. Fold one corner into the first crease and repeat on the opposite side
5. Fold again to the next crease and repeat on the opposite side
6. Fold again on both sides
7. Rotate 90 degrees. Take one flap and align it with the centre crase. Repeat on the other side.
8. Flatten it down. Take the triangles and bring it to the middle. Repeat on the other side.
9. Fold the top point into the centre and fold the flap in 1/2.
10. Repeat instructions 7-10 on the other side
11. Now it should be able to open up
12. Then fold the top flaps into a heart shape (optional)
13. You are finished!

Next we had a chocolate chip cookie making lesson with Leanne. We all participated to make a cookie dough, and then enjoyed eating delicious warm cookies. 
Thanks Leanne!

If you would like to make the cookies at home here's the recipe.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients

• 1 cup (softened butter)    

• 2 eggs
• 2 cup chocolate chips
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 cup flour

Method:

1. Put the butter in a bowl and add the white sugar

and brown sugar then mix with a mixer.

2. Break in the 2 eggs. Make sure there's no shells in it.

3. Add the vanilla and then mix with the mixer.

4. Mix flour,salt and baking powder in another bowl.

5. Pour dry ingredients into mixture.

6. Use a spoon to scrape around the edges

7. Pour in the chocolate chips. Mix with a spatula

8. Roll into balls. Place on oven trays.

9. Bake for 10 mins at 190 degrees.

When they are done let them cool down for some time.

AJHS Spell it Out! competition

On Tuesday eight Year 6 super spellers from UHPS competed in the annual AJHS "Spell it Out!" spelling bee. The team consisited of boys and girls from each Year 5/6 class. They were joined by several other local schools inclusing Albany primary, Whangaparoa primary, Glenfield primary, Greenhithe primary and Oteha Valley primary schools. 

In the first round  of the competition the teams had to spell words in categories ranging from "Dog Breeds" to "homonyms". In the second round a group of 24 competed against each other by spelling individual words. It was pretty daunting and each student did really well!

Here are photos from the event. Well done to our 2015 UHPS spelling team: Caiden, Xavier R, Brianna, Levi, Xavier G, Leo, Zaayah and Marina!

And the winner is....

Yesterday Mrs Millett and Mr Millett went to government house in Wellington (where the Govenor General lives!) to take part in the NZ Book Awards. 

Peter's book "The Anzac Puppy" had been nominated by kids all around New Zealand for "Picture book of the year!" 

When it came to the Children's choice- Picture book section Mrs Millett sat with baited breath, and then the announcer said... and the winner is... Peter Millett! 



Thanks to all children and families who supported Peter and his books this year! Very exciting! 

Here are the winners of all catergories in the NZ Book awards this year.

Another cultural experience for Teach me Tuesday!

We had another great teach me Tuesday today. Both Seraphima and Madison taught us about a special aspect of their cultures. First up was Madison. She showed us a rhinoceros made out beads and wire. Next we had the challenge to make our very own key chain or paper clip bead art. It was quite difficult and challenging, but they looked great!

Next we had lesson from Seraphima about the ancient egyptian mumification process. She also showed us a video to illustrate the process further. Then the fun began. We were all given a roll of toilet paper and we had to mumify one of our classmates. It was hilarious! Here are some photos showing our cultural experiences. Thanks Seraphima and Madison!