Coaching in Buddy Reading

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful leaders and coaches in the habitat. The students are learning quickly how to coach others during our buddy reading time and they bring such wonderful enthusiasm that their student's love working with them. 

The coaches are so personal that they naturally inquire in how they can help them further. Depending on the students some coaches are going over 'sight words' and others are reading books their buddy would like to read but are not quite able to yet.  

Being Creative in Concept

After many weeks of learning about the brain and how we learn best, Pounamu have begun thinking about how we can share our information through building sculptures and using lights. We are now at the stage of exploring how to use the materials we want to use such as cardboard, paper mache, Lego and other exciting resources. We are having lots of fun learning how to build and create!

Look who hatched in our Habitat this morning! A beautiful Monarch butterfly.

Pounamu's Seesaw

During Tinkering Time today we made a seesaw - great creativity and collaboration.

Literacy learning

We are becoming superhero readers by challenging ourselves. We do a daily 5 at literacy time; listen to reading, read to a buddy, read to self, work on writing and do some word work.

Here we are in action!

Learning during Maths

We have been learning how to manage ourselves during maths and make good choices. We have a Bingo sheet that we try and complete every week.

Exercising and the Brain

Pounamu have some 'first ideas' about how we learn best such as exercising. We are beginning to learn why exercise is so good for our brain. Check out the learning from these very fit and excited students!!

Using Pebbles

Pounamu are beginning to use pebbles more often. The pebbles inform students of where they are and what they need to work on next. All the students have pebbles in their 'Pebbles Book' for maths, reading and writing. However, some students may have pebbles on the wall so they can refer to them during workshops. Pounamu also have pebbles for skills like 'Being Tidy' and 'Making Choices,' plenty to work on this term!

Cricket Coaching

Pounamu had a fantastic day with cricket coach Emma. She took us through some throwing and catching, and striking the ball drills. It was quite technical with how we hold the bat and how we stand, but we loved hitting the ball as hard as we could! Emma gave us all a ball to take home and practice, which was extremely generous and we hope she comes back soon! :)

Squishy circuits - Scientists at work!!

Can you make a lightbulb glow using playdoh??? Why yes! You can!!! We're experimenting with using conductive playdoh. 

We're learning about how circuits work so that we can use them when we have our 

LUMA festival.

Green Screen - Using our Imagination!

For concept we have been learning about the brain and how we learn best. We tried using our imagination to create an image of something we wanted to do but was impossible. It was more challenging that we thought, but we loved being creative and are very proud of what we made - check it out! :) We believe being creative is definitely a great way to learn!

Coaching and Collaborating

Pounamu have been learning about how to collaborate in groups and how to coach others with buddy reading, which will be introduced next week. We have given them a short procedure to follow, but its down to their enthusiasm and modelling which will make the difference. During our practice, they have really stepped up and have taken the role very seriously. In fact, they said they can't wait to get going!

Range of Activities in Maths to Enjoy

During our maths time the students have a range of activities to enjoy. Two groups will be having a workshop and the other students will be practicing number knowledge such as doubling and adding instantly using games. Some students prefer to work by themselves and will cut out flash cards to help them practice. Many students will have the option to practice on Sumdog using either an iPad, Chromebook or even MacBook - how lucky are we!