Simple Machines

Show Not Tell

This week in writing we have been trying to show the reader what is happening, rather than telling them.  We will share some writing with you next week.


Show Not Tell Examples

Layton's Qantas Plane

Procedural Writing

Last week we began to write instructions about something we know how to make well.  This week we are writing recipes.

How to make a Paper Snowflake

Paper plate

Scissors

Paper

1.  Draw carefully around the paper plate onto the paper.

2. Cut out the circle shape you have made. 

3.  Fold the circle shape in half .

4.  Fold it into quarters, so it looks like this triangle.

5.  Cut out small shapes along each edge. 

6.  Unfold your paper when you think you have finished.

Success Criteria Procedural Writing

·        Write a goal/title  e.g. How to Make Toast

·        List all the materials, ingredients, tools and equipment

·        Write the steps with doing words (verbs) at the beginning e.g. Add, Put, Turn,  Pour, Wait

·        Number each step

·        Put the steps in the order they happen

·        Include all the steps needed

·        Use topic words ( eg jam, toast, toaster, butter)

·        Add a picture to help the readers understand  better

·        Try hard words in the margin

·        Make sure all capitals & full stops are confirmed

·      Check my work (proof-read)

Layton's Favourite Drawing

 

Water Cycle Games to Play

Nga Tae

whero is red

karaka is orange

kowhai is yellow

kakariki is green

kikorangi is blue

tawa and poroporo are purple

ma whero is pink

kiwikiwi is  grey

parauri is brown

pango and mangu areblack

by Scarlett

Our Success Criteria for Narratives

We looked at lots of narratives, such as fairy tales, fables, legends and a few narratives written by children throughout the world.  We discussed what makes a narrative and then came up with our own success criteria,

Success Criteria: Narratives

I can…

Use capital letters and full stops

Join sentences using conjunctions eg but, and, then, so, when

Use strong adjectives, verbs & adverbs to give extra information and make my work interesting

Use some speaking in my narrative (only when it is needed)

Introduce your story (orientation) Why? Where? When?

Write the events in order

Start and end my narrative using story language eg.  Long ago,  At last…

Use connectives for time to join events together eg First, Later, Then, Next, 

Build up excitement  (have a problem & resolution)

Use long and short sentences (short ones for effect)

Sometimes I can…

Use other punctuation eg exclamation & question marks, commas, speech marks

Use lots of different kinds of sentences eg simple and complex sentences

Begin my sentences in lots of different ways

Use paragraphs

Create suspense by using scary description and adverbs eg suddenly

Layton's Black Air NZ Plane

 

Layton's Computer Art

 

Smarties Reading Group's Haiku Poems

Volcanoes

Steaming and roaring

Hot red and orange lava

Rarely exploding!

                      By Scarlett

Volcanoes

rumbling and steaming

squirting lava and rock balls

the ground is shaking

by Roman

Lava is red hot,

It can erupt anytime,

Volcanoes are bright.

by Layton

Volcanoes are cool

                              They can burn furiously

                                Roaring like a dragon

by Kaia

loudly erupting

when it's asleep it hisses

lava exploding

by Jazz

Volcanoes explode

and burn everything around

Volcanoes are hot.

by Jamie

Roaring like a dragon

Lava, steam, ash all around

Volcanoes are cool.

by Hayley

Loudly erupting
Boom goes the big volcano
About to erupt.
by Kate

Volcanoes explode,

Volcanoes burn you to death,

Poisonous smoke fumes.

by Brooke

Multiplication games to help you learn your times tables

Times Table Practice

Click to play times table games

Times Table Practice.  See how fast you can go!

Our Questions

We asked lots of open-ended questions about clouds...

Here are some of them.
How are clouds made?
How many different types of clouds are there?
What are clouds made of?
Why are clouds white?
Why are some clouds black?
What is a cloud?
Why do they float?
How does the water drops get into the cloud?
What is water vapour and how is it made?
How did the clouds get their names?
What makes the clouds let out the rain?
Why do the clouds move?

How do Clouds Form?

Types of Clouds

Click to learn more and play cloud games

Different clouds can be seen at different levels in the sky

Personalised Learning

This year we  are a personalised learning pod.  This means that the children in the four home rooms move to different groups within the pod for spelling, reading, writing, numeracy/mathematics and inquiry/connected learning. 

Personalised learning is all about  tailoring teaching and learning to individual needs and is essential in helping children to achieve the best possible progress and outcomes. It is critical in raising standards and narrowing  gaps that exist between different groups of pupils.  The pedagogy of personalisation is distinguished by the way it expects all children to reach or exceed national expectations, to fulfil their early promise and develop latent potential. 

Planning for progression and differentiation are fundamental. High expectations of progress apply equally to children and young people working above, at, or below age-related expectations, including those who have been identified as having special educational needs. 

There is an expectation of participation, fulfilment and success; and teaching and learning is characterised by tailored objectives, challenging personal goals, rapid intervention to keep pupils on trajectory and rigorous assessment to check and maintain pupil progress.

We use formative assessment (both oral & written) to ...

■ To praise or build confidence

■ To pose questions

■ To establish a dialogue

■ To correct an error

■ To challenge and extend thinking

■ To clarify thinking or suggest a new approach

There are 5 main parts of personalisation...

1. Learning how to learn ( helping the children to develop a repertoire of learning skills to support development as self-directed learners)
2. Assessment for learning (using a range of assessment that engages the learner e.g. self and peer)
3. Teaching and learning strategies ( wide range of teaching & learning strategies  with both students & teachers making informed decisions about what strategy to use and when)
4. Curriculum choice (opportunities to develop individual pathways that develop skills rather than just knowledge)
5. Mentoring and support ( 1:1 relationship with home class teacher and other teachers within the pod and a wide range of peer support )

We watched these videos...

Clouds

We are learning about clouds.

Ancient Egypt

We are so excited about our inquiry this term.  It's all about ancient Egypt.  Watch out and follow our learning journey!

Numeracy Family Video