Top Twenty Ones are a class of year 3 and 4 children who are beginning their e-learning journey this year. We're starting this exciting journey with blogging, but we know there's a lot more in store for us this year!
Article posted November 17, 2012 at 03:37 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 855
As part of our Study this term on Financial Literacy, our class participated in Market Day yesterday. We had seven groups in our room, who created their own product, did costings, collected materials together, and assembled the product. Yesterday was the big day... when the children found out how successful their business ideas were. Many of our stalls sold out, and for the last couple, they reduced their prices heavily. Only one stall had to give away the last of their product. Overall we had a successful Market Day. On Monday we evaluate the success of our product by looking at our takings, paying our expenses and looking at the profit.
Article posted August 23, 2012 at 03:01 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 3396
We've been learning how to set the scene in our writing with a strong description that allows readers to build pictures in their heads. We've used UMAJIN to insert ourselves into a photo of a scene, and then we've written about what we can see in that scene. Instead of publishing our stories by typing or writing them, we've decided to podcast them so that you can hear the author reading their description. Take a listen and see if you can build a picture of what the children are seeing...
Article posted May 30, 2012 at 07:18 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 2953
We have now worked with the software programme 'Umajin' for two weeks, creating two pictures that look real, but can't possibly be. It's been great fun learning how to take blue screen pictures (we had to think about clothes and poses) and to add those pictures to existing backgrounds. Writing about our Pizap pictures was a lot of fun, we could write imaginatively and creatively about ourselves doing amazing things, and we have the pictures to prove it! Now we get to write about our Umajin experiences, which include being in famous movies! We should get some fabulous stories. Watch this space....
Article posted May 30, 2012 at 07:18 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 2953
Article posted May 8, 2012 at 12:37 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1263
In Room 21, we are learning how we can greenscreen ourselves into different backgrounds. We have learnt that any photo can be manipulated to create something that didn't really happen. We've just used pizap.com to greenscreen ourselves into unusual backgrounds. It's our first try at greenscreening, and we've had lots of fun.
We aren't just greenscreening for fun... we are using green screening to create exciting scenes that we can write about. We want to be excited and inspired to write... not just any old story, but great stories with creative adventures. What a buzz we have in our classroom right now as we begin writing about our first greenscreen adventure.
We're going to do much more of this over the next few weeks, and we think our writing will get better and better.
Article posted April 4, 2012 at 10:05 PM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 1359
We have been learning about endangered insects in Room 21. New Zealand has one endangered insect and it is the Weta. There are over 100 species of weta in New Zealand and they are a magnificent creature to look at and study. We've ended our study by creating a 'static image' using digital tools, where all children had to state some facts and make a plea for the weta's survival. Check out our images....
Article posted March 21, 2012 at 12:29 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1023
We have been learning how to use descriptive language in writing. We have specifically learnt how to use precise adjectives to enhance a piece of writing.
We started by writing a descriptive piece about a friend within the classroom and now have some great work on the wall for everyone to view.
After finishing that writing, we chose a special grandparent and wrote a description of them, including facial features, likes and dislikes and what we love about them. We have some fabulous pieces of writing displayed in the classroom that would certainly delight our grandparents and many others.
Check out Michael's fabulous piece of writing...
My Nanna is an amazing person. She has sparkly eyes that are like glitter on a painting. The wrinkles on her face are like petals on a sunflower. The glasses that she wears reflect in the sun as she walks. Her hair is so grey that it stands out in the dark.
My Nanna laughs a lot and sometimes she plays tricks on people. Once she put salt in our sugar jar and I put it on my Weet-bix.
She enjoys doing puzzles and riddles. Once she made a 1000 piece puzzle. She dislikes people talking all the time and she also doesn't like people swinging on her chairs.
I love the way that she gives me treats every time I go to her house. She takes me out everytime I stay the night.
My Nanna is the most awesome Nanna in the world!
Article posted March 21, 2012 at 12:29 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1023
Article posted February 9, 2012 at 11:40 PM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 2106
In Room 21 we are learning about music and how to play instruments like the marimbas. We had our second session today and everyone can now play the song 'Hot X Buns' using marimbas and percussion instruments. Check out our class playing the instruments....
Article posted February 9, 2012 at 11:40 PM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 2106
Article posted February 3, 2012 at 10:42 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 626
Welcome back to everyone, it's 2012 and the school year has started. Room 21 is a class of bright, confident and happy boys and girls, though this year we have more girls than boys. We've got some exciting learning planned for the year and much of it will be posted on our blog so we can share with family and friends both locally and globally. We'll post articles, photos, slideshows and videos so please check often to see what we've been up to.
We welcome comments about our work so please feel free to comment on anything you like.
Article posted February 3, 2012 at 10:42 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 626
Article posted October 5, 2011 at 11:23 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 5988
It's that time of term again... last week... last few days. Room 21 once again have been performing plays this week. Our criteria remains the same: 1. learn your lines off by heart, 2: Speak clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear, 3: Use expression, 4: Don't put your back to the audience and 5: Act out your part.
We've videoed them again and here they are for you to check out. This term we've seen a massive improvement in meeting our criteria.
About the Blogger
Teaching is a passion of mine, I love it! I'm really lucky to have an amazing class of Year 3 and 4 children at Otonga School. I'm a self-confessed greenie, so part of our journey this year will involve learning about our environment and sharing our knowledge with you all!
