In Room 11 we have been learning how to recycle paper. After making a sheet with plain newsprint, we are exploring ways we could alter the properties of our recycled paper to use it for different purposes.
Feel free to post some pictures of your first attempt at recycling paper!
Here are some questions for you to consider and answer on this blog post.
1. What were the properties of your recycled paper? Think about its size, shape, colour, texture, strength etc.
2. What do you want to be able to do with your paper? How will you change the properties of your paper in order to do this?
Some websites that might be helpful in your research:
Step Three:
What are some of the main ideas?
Write 4 of them into the windmill.
Step Four:
Start recording details in key words onto the windmill.
Step Five:
When you have enough details you can write an information report. You can use the Information Report organiser if you like.
Step Six: What is the subject? Write an introduction like we have practised.
Step Seven:
Each windmill arm is a paragraph. Write a topic sentence that tells us the main idea of the paragraph.
Now put supporting details.
Step Eight:
When you finish the paragraphs, think about a concluding statement- it can give clues to your feelings about the subject by the word choices you make.
Current learning in R11 has been about information reports, making notes using key words so we can research quickly and efficiently, and investigating patterns and relationships between numbers that help us solve addition and subtraction problems. We also continue investigating into our unit of inquiry: A better understanding of the properties of materials leads to innovation and responsible enterprise.
A few excerpts below from students:
On Thursday the 25th of May, 2017, Room 11 and 12 went to the University of Waikato and had a great experience learning lots of interesting things about science.
Our favourite part of going to the university was learning about the properties of heaps of different materials like plastic, glass, and other sorts of materials. By Skyla and Dilni
How can rocks change ? temperature weather
Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock. Igneous rock forms when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid made of melted minerals. By Moihi and Lucas
UniversityofWaikatoFieldTrip
In room 11 we have been learning much about science and inventions. On Thursday we went on a field trip to the Waikato University, and they taught us lots about the properties of magnetic material, objects, and other interesting stuff. Room 11 saw a special kind of wire that if you bend it then place a source of heat close to it, it will straighten back to its previous position. I found it fascinating!
The class really enjoyed observing the scientists showing us some crazy experiments that you can do with silly putty.
Rob explained how if you moved away from it slowly it would stretch much longer than if you really tugged hard.
Thank you to the science team for showing us some cool stuff! By Murphy
On Wednesday the 17th of May, we made crystals. It was interesting. I had never made crystals before, that’s why it was interesting for me. First we turned on the fire and placed the pan on top. It heated up in minutes or even seconds. I got to learn if we try again and never give up we can do it, if it seems hard don’t worry, try again and again, it won’t seem hard. I learned lots of new things by making crystals and have to learn more things by keeping focused. By Surleen.
This week (12-18/05/17) I enjoyed Crystal-Making. I learnt a lot about crystals and I'm still learning more about them. Making crystals were also fun but I kinda burnt myself but still had fun (｡◕‿◕｡) Crystal making is fun and you should try it too! (◕‿◕✿) By Caryl
Basket ball at lunch
One of my highlights of every lunch would have to be having a game of basketball. It's run by usually Tyrahn and Fou. It’s fun and entertaining. I like to do it, come join in with lebron James And Steph CurryI hope I see you at basketball. If you don’t know how to play, we will teach you the main parts of basketball. We play on a one hoop court most of the time, so you only go for one spot. I think it's easier. Just ask Fou Murphy and Tyrahn and you can plaaaaayyyyyyyyy! By Murphy
In Room 11 we have been identifying the key properties of being a problem solver. We have been having some meaningful discussions about which properties are the most important and why.
With a buddy, can you describe your decision making process.
For example, We decided that ........... was more important in problem solving ....... because ........
In our unit of inquiry:
A better understanding of the properties of materials leads to innovation and responsible enterprise- this week we explored more about the concept of PROPERTIES.
Mrs Montford brought in some crystals.
Our class had asked her about the crystal she wears as jewellery, she was only to happy to share where she collected them from and what she knew about their formation.
We them researched the physical properties of crystals by observing them using our senses. (Except taste!).
See here for a video made by Ethan and Lucas where they share their learning.
After analysing the properties of crystals we analysed the properties of Hokey Pokey and then observed the reactions of 3 white powders (kitchen ingredients) to a clear liquid.
We built up the vocabulary we need to discuss and identify properties of materials, to be added to as we progress through this unit.
In our math inquiry; Understanding the patterns and relationships between numbers helps us solve problems- we worked on different problems, working on our times-tables, and number strategies based on patterns and relationships.
Language: We analysed non-fiction text and identified the main idea and key words that we could record to capture the main details. We also played with putting them from note form back into sentences.
Our year 6 leaders spent the day at a Leadership Retreat. Tyrahn said it was fun, Moihi spent time reflecting on his leadership goals, and Fou shared that to be a leader you have to show people how to be, he stated that "If you don't do the right thing, why would anyone follow you?" Then he matched his actions to his words! The overall feedback from all the leaders was that they had fun and have leadership goals they are going to work on. Watch this space!
In class we worked on our Respect puzzle piece working out what respect looks like, sounds like and feels like in different situations. Each student set and self-reflected on their personal Respect goal each day.
Finally we ended the week with an EXPLORATION HOUR- students got to choose from:
Technology challenges- Work as a team to beat the clock and conquer the challenge! A bit like The Amazing Race- but with way-less travel, use the materials supplied to solve the problem-
Example: Using a cardboard box, plasticine, and a plastic spoon, build a sled to carry one of your team members for 20 metres. You have 25 minutes...Go!
Arty Crafty - Making different kinds of crafts to keep and give away e.g picture frames with watercolour paint/pencil art, stone sculptures mosaic/paint, maybe flax weaving (get someone from the marae or school community to teach or woven paper placemats), bead crafts - key rings, bracelets, tissue paper sun-catchers, bird feeders...
Groovy Gardeners
A chance to get your fingers dirty and make a difference to the school. This spot may include some cooking in the kitchen too for lunchbox goodies. Some building and making signs for gardens too.
Try to get a water retention system going and possibly do different gardens around the school.
Electronics - looking at how circuits work and having fun making some.
Photography - Looking at forced perspective photography. Creating optical illusions to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. We will finish up with a competition of our photos.
Sports activities, developing hand eye coordination, movement skills, game awareness.
and Caregivers- Do you have something you would like to add and lead in Exploration hour? Or would you like to join us and explore with a small group each Friday? Contact your classroom teacher and let them know!
to all the people who helped make our playground a better place.
FULL of learning.
and Caregivers- Do you have something you would like to add and lead in Exploration hour? Or would you like to join us and explore with a small group each Friday? Contact your classroom teacher and let them know!