Today Whaea Celess came to talk to us about her Marae in Orakei.Celess talked about her marae as a place where she feels she belongs, and a place where her family and ancestors belong as well. Maori people consider marae as turangawaewae.
We learned about the wharenui which is like a big meeting house. In the wharenui, poeple sing, pray and have talks.We are learning about some of the customs held on a marae and also how the Maori people can tell their stories through art. We can't wait to visit the marae on June 12th and look at the 3 different types of art - Kowhawhai rafter designs, the Poupou carved side posts and the Tukutuku woven wall panel designs.

Whaea Celess explains how parts of our body are like parts of the wharenui

Learning a new game and some maori words was fun!

Whaea Celess explains some of the Marae protocols in preparation for our visit in June.

The week we climbed and conquered. . .





Will Rangitoto erupt again?

Igneous volcanic rock!

 This is what the children said . . .

When I was climbing up Rangitoto I saw lots of volcanic rocks. I was hot and tired and it looked like we had climbed to the top.
By Myiesha

On Monday I went up the mountain with Mamma. I looked around and I saw a crater.
By Oscar

Yesterday I went on the volcano and I looked down and I saw the crater. I saw the scoria and it was soft and we saw lots of rat traps.
By Quinn

It was beautiful when I was walking up Rangitoto, the rock was sharp and bumpy.
By Alex

When I was walking I can see sharp rocks that are brown and bumpy and are rough. The ground is so bumpy and the rocks are going into me.
By Daniel He

Our class have been learning about landforms around our school and around the harbour where we live.
We are learning new words that describe volcanoes.
We are learning to ask questions about things we are interested in and want to find out more about.
We have been doing lots of reading and today we went to the computer room and did Reading Eggs.

Dear Mum and Dad,

When I ask you inquiring questions about landforms and / or volcanoes can you please help me to write those questions down on some paper so I can take them to school.

Our model Volcano

Thank you.

reading. .  .

Monday 13th February

Dear Parents,
Reminders for the week:
1. Informal interviews this week and next if you wish to make a time to discuss anything that may help me target any specific learning areas or interests that relate to your child.

Well done Room 5 children, excellent behavior in assembly today. The first 2 weeks have seen most children settle in really well and our room has been full of smiles and often, somewhat tired faces towards the end of the day.

Class pages on knowledge net will no longer be used, we are now blogging . . .