Keeping cool...

As an introduction to exploring insulation we did an exciting experiment today. In the morning the students had to create a container that would keep some ice from melting for at least 4 hours. After lunch the students then opened their containers up and saw the results which went into the inquiry books. We had a big discussion about why some containers worked and others didn't work as well.

How would you create an insulating box to keep ice from melting?

Uno's Garden

Uno's Garden - Homework Week 8

Understanding the need to protect and preserve our local environment

You have all read the story of Uno’s Garden.  Now use your thinking skills to answer these questions:

• Was it inevitable that the forest would change once Uno decided to live there? Do you think he knew this? How?

• How did his little cottage affect the forest?

• On the grey morning that the people of the city woke up and decided to leave, where might they have gone?

• Do you think the people of the city might have learned any lessons about taking care of the environment?

• What do you think they might do differently this time?

• What is the purpose of the 'completely ordinary Snortlepig' in the story?

• Can people live in harmony and balance with plants and other creatures?

• What are the lessons you have learned from reading this story?

Our Mark on the World!

Today as a continuation from Tuesdays introduction to Carbon Footprints the students had to identify all the things they and their family do that increase their carbon footprint. They then put all this info inside their own footprint. After this the students then thought about all the things they do or could do that decrease their carbon footprint and put it outside their footprint. Some of the ideas were collated on the board:

What do you do to increase or decrease your carbon footprint?

The incredible machine

Today in Literacy we looked at and explored how the incredible machine worked. 

"All the rubbish in the world gets sucked out and processed where all the bad stuff is cleaned away. It then goes through the pipes and it makes the slime."

"The machine sucks up stuff and it goes into the destructor and through the pipes into the big tower. All the bad stuff goes into the gooey room. The left overs shoot out the nostrils and powers the vehicle."

"I think what happens is that it sucks out all the boogers from peoples noses on Earth. It goes through the booger machine which processes it in the Tower. It then goes into the Jail for Boogers. All the good salty ones go through the nostrils and powers the booger lasers. The rabbit in the window eats all the left over boogers"

"Our explanation of this thinga ma gig is that we think that a little hole in the tower sucks up air in outerspace. It gets all the air that comes out of spaceships and goes through the chambers. Once it is used it then goes into the thingy machine and gets processed. The bad air comes out from the nostrilinator. The fans on the bottom keep it up and the laser at the back propel it."

"The Earth in the big bubble generates air and when it is used up it goes through the pipes into the bigger pipe. All the bad air gets processed out the the nostrils while the good air is reprocessed and put back into the Earth."

Whats your explanation for how this machine works?

Tuakana, Teina

Today with our buddy classes we all met in Room 13. Mr Chadwick shared some of the adventures his brother is enjoying while on a waka in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and then the students were organised into buddies and read a book together.

Twinkle toes...

On Monday we were lucky to be graced with the sleek, graceful movements of the NZ Ballet company who started by showing us how they warm up. They then showed us a few moves and parts of their upcoming show 'Cinderella'.

Run rabbit, run.

Today saw the year 3-8 students competing at Williams Park for the Muritai School cross country. It was a fantastic day seeing the house spirit, students giving it everything and the joy of being finished!

SOS - Maui Dolphins need your help - Urgently!

They only exist in New Zealand waters. They are the Worlds smallest dolphin. In the 70’s there were approx. 25,000 and now there are only 55 (Dept. of Conservation figures). They are on the brink of extinction. The NZ government is asking the public for their opinion on this matter. We need to act quickly as the closing date for submissions is 11April – less than 10 days left!

What can we do? Firstly, get the facts!  Here are a few links to information that will help you decide what action to take.  

 http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/news/blog/mauis-dolphin-mayday/blog/39782/

http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental/Hectors+Dolphins/default.htm?wbc_purpose=basic+and+8

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saveourdolphins

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/mauis-dolphin/

There is much more information available as this campaign has been going on for years, but these links should give you enough information to go on.

If you feel you want to act then there are some key people to contact in the Government of New Zealand. 

Contact Details

John Key PM - Prime Minister.            Email: john.key@national.org.nz

Kate Wilkinson MP  - MP for Conservation.  Email:kate.wilkinson@national.org.nz

David Carter MP  -  MP for Primary Industries (including MAF)

                                    Email: david.carter@national.org.nz

You can send these people an email each. You only have to write one and bcc it to the others. They need to know how you feel about this – after all, they represent us!

Also, there are two websites where you can enter a submission to the government telling them what you think. On these sites a general letter has already been written to make life easier for you. If you don’t agree with it then you can edit it with your own words. You have to supply your name and email ( check with your parents first) and send it. It will go to the NZ Government just like signing any petition.

The links are:

http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/take-action/Take-action-online/Save-the-Maui/

http://www.greens.org.nz/mauis-dolphins-maf

http://www.greens.org.nz/takeaction/submissionguides/mauis-dolphins-doc

Remember, if we do nothing they will surely die! If we act then they stand a chance! Please help!

Grooving away the day...

Nothing is better on a rainy day than listening to the musical stylings of an electronic musical genius....

Today we were lucky enough to have electronica musician Andy Jones.  He taught us about syncopation, harmony, echo, and all sorts of groovy beats!

Bridge Build Off

Today was the day...after completing bridges at home for homework the students of Room 13 were able to bring their creations in to school and compete in the 3 categories. The categories catered for a variety of different challenges that bridge constructors have to face in real life, these being to make it strong long and beautiful. 

And the the winners were:

Longest bridge - Max

Strongest bridges - Tobias, Euan, Ben, Charlotte, Grace and Nelli.

Most beautiful - Beth

Camping in style

Camp was AMAZING!!!  

We had a great time and had loads of fun!!!

Check out the photos below of Room 13 making the most of it.

The Taniwha Within Grows

Below are just a small selection of the artworks that the students of Room 13 have been doing, integrating the work that we have been doing during inquiry and literacy into a final art masterpiece. To see the rest come into Room 13 and have a look at the fantastic results.