Making and Flying Kites

Room 24 have been learning about the design process for our technology Inquiry 'Now that's Thinking' ... We made kites using paper, string and straws. We had lots of fun flying them outside - we are discussing in class what we can do to improve our kites so that they fly better! Watch this space to see our new and improved designs!

The Lovely Room 24

Learning About Fractions

Today we learnt about fractions in Room 24. A number or shape that is spilt into equal parts become a FRACTION. We used play dough and pretended it was a chocolate bar. We cut it into halves,  and thirds. 

Wacky Hair and Wheels Day

Today we had wacky hair and wheels day at school. We could come to school with wacky hair, wheels and mufti. We are raising money so the seniors can go on camp. Check out our wacky hair!

Duffy Role Model Assembly

We were incredibly lucky to have a visit from 2 Duffy role models today, Madison and Philippe. Madison's family was from Niue, and Philippe's from Tonga. They talked to the students of PES about the importance of books. Reading books can take you to another place, you are never alone with a book. The more we read the more we know, reading gives us knowledge. Reading also helps us become better writers. A lot of students could relate to Philippe - his first language was Tongan and he found reading very difficult when he was younger. He worked hard and kept reading and he is now at University and is even travelling to London to do his Masters!

Not only were they amazing readers they also had the most beautiful singing voices. 

Thanks Duffy Books. We love reading and we can't wait to read all our new books!

Writing Letters to Our Friends

In Room 24 we have been learning about how to write letters. We picked a name out of a box and that was the friend we were going to write our letter to. In a letter you normally ask them how they are .... We asked our friend how their weekend had been and told them about we did on the weekend. The purpose of writing our letters was to find out some things we may not have known about that person... we asked our friends things we wanted to know about them like what their favourite sport was. We learnt how to use a question mark in our writing. A question mark comes after you ask a question. We posted our letters in the mailbox today. We are so excited to get our letters in the mail. Could you write a letter to a friend? Maybe a friend who lives in another part of New Zealand or another country?

Here is a picture of Jordan putting his mail in the mailbox. I wonder who he wrote his letter to?

Our Questions are Answered!

Shayna: What made you want to become a writer? What is your favourite book that you have written?

I wanted to be a writer because I loved what other writers had created in the books I loved to read. I wanted to do what they did.

My favourite book that I have written is A Winter’s Day in 1939, because it is my father’s story (Miss Szymanik’s grandfather) and I am so happy I got the chance to write about it.

Holly: Why did you wear book earrings?

Because books are what I love. And it just seems right that a writer should wear book earrings 

Jade: When did you become and author?

I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was still at primary school but I kept it a secret for a long time until around 1998/1999 when I started writing more seriously and sending my stories to publishers and writing competitions.

Carl: When did you write your first book?

I wrote my first book in 1998/1999 but it has never been published. The first book I had published (Clever Moo in 2006) was written in 2004.

William: When did you write the Were Nana?

I think I wrote The Were-Nana in 2005/2006 and it was published in 2008. It takes a long time for books to be published.

Julius: What was the first book you ever read?

I am not sure which was the first book, but books I do remember reading when I was little include My Treasury of World Fairy Tales, Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales, The Cat in the Hat and Come Over to My place. I love Fairy Tales.

Jordan: How long did it take you to write the Were Nana?

It took me around 8 to 10 months to write. I wrote it and sent it to the publisher, who wrote back and said, ‘we like this but it’s not quite right, can you change it.’ So I did. I sent it back and they said, ‘we don’t like the ending.’ So I rewrote it and sent it back, and this time they said, ‘we love it and want to publish it.’

Miss Szymanik: How do you come up with the ideas for your books?

I listen and look at what’s going on around me. I read books, watch tv, look at art, walk the dog and spend time with family and friends. I think a lot about things and I let my mind wander and then when I’m least expecting it, a spark will happen (like when this guy on tv one day said ‘What if your nana was a were-nana) and it ties my experience and my imagination and my curiosity together and I come up with the idea for a story.

Madison: Where do the books get made?

The publisher puts the words and the pictures together in computer files and asks a designer to make them look the best they can (where should the words be on the page, what font should they use etc..). Then the computer files are sent off to a printer (sometimes in NZ, sometimes in other countries like Singapore or China), who prints them on to paper and binds them into a book and sends all the books back to the publisher to go out to the shops.

Taoro: Where do you write your books?

Sometimes in our office at home, sometimes in bed (very comfy) and sometimes at the kitchen table. I always write on a computer although I often make little notes on slips of paper or the backs of envelopes if I don’t have time to sit down and write for too long. I always carry a notebook round with me too in case I need to jot an idea down.

Melinda Szymanik, the amazing Author comes to visit us!

Hi Melinda

It's Room 24 here. Thank you for coming and visiting Team 2 and 3 at Point England School today. We really enjoyed it. We have some questions to ask you and we would love if you could comment the answers on our blog!

QUESTIONS:

Shayna: What made you want to become a writer? What is your favourite book that you have written?

Holly: Why did you wear book earrings?

Jade: When did you become and author?

Carl: When did you write your first book?

William: When did you write the Were Nana?

Julius: What was the first book you ever read?

Jordan: How long did it take you to write the Were Nana?

Miss Szymanik: How do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Madison: Where do the books get made?

Taoro: Where do you write your books?

We would love you to answer our questions so we can post them on our blog.  

Thank you very much

Room 24.

Minus -5 Mondays

Look at Witari's healthy lunch! We have Minus -5 Mondays at Point England where we bring a healthy lunch. He had cucumber, watermelon, a wrap and cheese and crackers. Well done Witari, your name will definitely go in the lunch box heroes. Good luck at assembly!

Making Jelly

Today we started the process of making Jelly! We are making jelly so can can write a recount about it. A recount is a piece of writing that tells the reader about something that happened in the past. The events are told in the order that they happened. Miss Szymanik helped with the boiling water. Boiling water can be dangerous so make sure you have an adult help you when using boiling water. Have a look at the pictures of us making the jelly!
                                  

Annual Point England School Picnic, 2017

Last Friday Room 24 joined the whole of Point England School on our beach picnic trip. We knew it was going to be a beautiful day in the morning, as we arrived at school and saw the sun peeking out and it was pretty warm!

We walked to Point England Reserve and spent our day swimming, playing sports, making sandcastles and exploring the rocks.

It was a fantastic day. A big thanks to Jade E's Dad, Charlie, and Madison's Mum, Angela for coming to help us on the day. We couldn't do amazing things like our beach trip without the help of our amazing whanau. Check out some of our photos of all the exciting things we got up to on Friday!

Life Jacket Safety

Room 24 have been learning all about life Jackets in swimming time. You should ALWAYS wear a life jacket when you go on a boat. Even if you are a strong swimmer. Room 24 have learnt what to do if we were in trouble in the water and wearing a life Jacket. The life jackets are  bright colours so they can be seen from far away.
 

Bike Tracking Opening

Room 24 wrote a recount of the Bike Track opening that happened this morning at school. Please read our writing. 

The Bike Track Opening

This summery, sunny morning Room 24 walked to the bottom field beside the park. We were going to watch the opening of the Point England bike track. 

First we sat down on the smooth, green grass in a line. Then we sang a song from the movie Moana. After that we sung some waiata.

Next some children puit on helmets and lined up on shiny, new red and blue bikes. 

Lastly two students cut the red ribbon. They raced around the track with smiling faces. We felt thrilled because we couldn't wait to have a go at riding the bikes!

Picture By Aaron

Picture By Kyzel

Picture By William

Picture By Shayna

Picture by Sesilia

Jordan's Hyperstudio

We have started Hyperstudio again and on our first card we had to draw ourselves in our Pt England Uniform. Jordan has done a fantastic job using detail. Well done!

River Safety in New Zealand

Today at swimming we learned about river safety. These are some things you can do to make sure you are safe in a river:

Always check the current. A way you can do this is throw in a stick and see how fast it moves. If it is fast DO NOT SWIM.

Be careful jumping into rivers because there can be rocks.

Rivers are often home to animals such as eels so be respectful. 

William's Recount

In the morning Room 24 went outside to pick up rubbish. First we lined up. After that we went around the school and picked up rubbish. Lastly we went inside and washed our hands. I felt responsible.

Shayna's Recount

On Sunday I played a game with my friend. First I played rock paper scissors with her to see who would pick a game. She won so she picked hang man. After that we went outside to the back yard to help my Mum paint a picture. Lastly I went with my mum to drop off my friend. I felt joyful because I had so much fun!

By Shayna  Room 24

Kyzel's Recount

Picking Up Rubbish

Room 24 picked up rubbish in the morning.

First we lined up then Miss Szymanik gave out 2 plastic bags to Cherish and Jordan.

We went around the school and picked up heaps of rubbish. It was disgusting.

After we washed our hands with soap and water.

We were responsible.

By Kyzel

Introducing Year 3 Room 24 2017!

Kia Ora, Talofa, Bula Vinaka, Ni Hao. Introuducing to you Year 3 Room 24. We are a group of 24 year 3 students that attend Pt England Primary School in Glen Innes Auckland. We are very lucky to be in the Manaiakalani learning Network where we each get to learn, create and share using an i-pad! Our Inquiry Topic this term is 'Responsibilty' - Te Kaitiakitanga i Nga Wa Katoa. We are learning how important is to be responsible for everything in our environment; including what is in our school environment and our community environment like Omaru Creek. We have been very busy writing about our holidays, All About Ourselves and even doing some swimming lessons! We look forward to you following our Learning Journey this year. Please feel free to leave a comment that is true, kind and necessary at any time!