Inquiry focus summary for 2022

What did my students learn about from being a part of the Class OnAir program in Rm 24? They learnt a range of hands-on practical Science experiments. Throughout this year they have worked collaboratively in pairs or small group which has encouraged key competencies such as sharing and turn taking skills. Each child's vocabulary has increased with the acuumculation of English language to their individual word bank. They have had sensory experiences and a range of interactive activities to support their wellbeing and cognitive development. This year has been a huge learning curve for these students in partiuclar who have learn and grown so much from the start of this year until now. Although, at times it has been challenging coping with the tail end of the Covid pandemic, with issues such as attendance and completing homework reading (overall it has been a successful outcome). I feel the children have benfitted from working closer with me as their teacher, (with small group work opportunities), role modelling and promoting Scientific Investigations as an Inquiry as well as positive learning outcomes.

PES Artworks Expo!

Rm 24 really enjoyed looking at all the amazing artwork displayed in the hall as part of our Inquiry for this term. We recognised some different styles of art such as photography, digital prints, clay, masks, self portraits. Plus we had our very own plasiticine bead necklaces displayed on the light board! Well done for all your hard mahi everyone!

Cross Country!

Everyone tried their best at the Cross Country course and got to the finish line. We were allowed parent spectators for support this year! Congratulations to Serena, Aroha and Gano for the girls and Micheal, Corey and Stephen for the boys first, second and third place getters. Even if you didn't win, you still gave it a go and that is what matters. All your 6 weeks of training made a difference. Kapai mahi tamariki ma, from Mrs Carter.

Team 2's Fun Day!

Last Thursday, tamariki from Team two enjoyed an exciting day out from the classroom and had fun and games in the sunshine! There was a Tropical bouncy castle, Mr Whippy came and made ice creams, we rode bicycles around the bike track, played Tee Ball followed by a game of Egg and Spoon race and then did some colouring in with crayons. We are going to write a story about our super fun day at school...

Term 3 Inquiry focus

After an online staff PD focus on Writing as a Curriculum area, I have 5 new children to focus on to make progress and work towards achievable outcomes. These new goals in Writing are; to focus on quality, not quantity and use more detail based on interesting ideas. My new targets that were suggested by other teaching colleagues are: to have a buddy to proof read their writing (checking for punctuation and a beginning, middle and an end), and also using the 5 W's as a guide to add more content to their stories.

Google HQ visit!

So our whole staff at PES were treated to a PD on Google Education thanks to Dorothy Burt for organising this fantastic opportunity for us to enjoy! Steve Smith took us on a tour of a kiwi inspired indoor environment with unique architect features such as a pixilated ceiling depicting a NZ forest nightime landscape complete with glow worms! Then we met the life size Google robot and viewed the amazing breakout rooms such as the 8th wonder of the world based on the pink and white terraces in Rotorua. There was a distinct kiwiana awareness of our love for the outdoors and enjoying an active lifetsyle that Aotearoa has to offer. We sat down to an interesting korero by Steve about Google's vision: "We're dedicated to driving learning forward and powering school communities across the globe". By using technology to create better workspace teachers can use Googles applications to enhance children's learning as a digital native!From playing a Kahoot game, to data collection to searching up a location on Google Earth, teachers can bring so much more technology into the classsroom...

Making a coconut shell bowl!

Today I enjoyed participating in a Create workshop at Glen Taylor school as part of Manaiakalani PD for this term. I learnt how to cut a coconut shell, take the meat out and the remove the husk using a range of different tools including a sharp knife!Thanks to Mr Raj for sharing your ideas and seeing your mahi in action with your students. There was even a bowl of kava to try, recognising the drink consumed in cultural ceremonies in Pacific island countries such as Fiji. Here are some photos of my perserverance!

My first Create workshop!

This afternoon I delivered an ENGAGE presentation to teaching colleagues hosted by Glen Taylor school. I introduced the research led by Dr Dionne Healy and Jimmy McLachan from Dunedin and Otago University about the importance of teaching young children self regulation skills through playing early childhood games. The acronym ENGAGE stands for Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the aid of Games and Excercise. So then I showed the group the set of resource cards linked to Behavioural/Doing, Cognitive/Thinking and Emotional/Feeling games and actvitives. These games when played regularly contribute to a child's emotional well being and social skills combined with language accumulation. The teachers also had an opportunity to play a few games using items found around your home for the Magic Blanket a pack of cards for memory, and a game of silent ball. I hope those who attended can see the value of playing these games with a group of students on a regular basis.