Room 8's Learning Blog

2011-08-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

We brought toys from home that have moving parts. We shared with the class; how our toy moved, what force powered it and what the mechanism was that made it able to move. On Monday Mr Hall is coming to talk to us about the Design Brief for his award winning product 'Safe Eyes'.

2011-08-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

2011-08-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

We have wonderful new games from Natasha's family for Golden Time - thanks! Mrs Adamson also bought us awesome Lego sets off Trade Me. We love the Exo Force and the Undersea one. Golden Time reminds us to celebrate our Room 8 team, think and act well with others and work together to solve problems. We would love it if other parents could come and share their skills with us at 12 noon on Friday's! We love craft and cooking and building things and taking things apart with screw drivers!

2011-08-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

2011-08-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

Our Handwriting WALT is to use our left and right hands on the correct keys when we are typing. We have a coloured keyboard to remind us where each finger goes. For our first sentence we timed ourselves to type was 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'. We know we will get faster and faster as we practice more!

2011-08-04T19:52:00.001-07:00

We have lots of fun spelling activities to do in Room 8. We also use the school website for spelling activities. Have you tried them at home?

2011-08-04T19:43:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed helping the little children in Room 4 to present their work on the computer.

2011-06-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

As part of Matariki Week we had a home challenge in Room 8. We made a vegetable recipe at home which we are putting into a cookbook to sell to raise money for our World Vision girl Safiatiou. Here are some of the wonderful children who have completed the challenge. We hope you will buy the cook book (we are just waiting for a few more children to do their challenge and bring their recipe back to school!)

2011-06-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

We have been enjoying our rippa rugby training! We are getting pretty good at doging, sprinting, passing and ripping!

Year 4's get own dictionary !

2011-06-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Each Room 8 student was given their own personal dictionary by the wonderful people of Masterton South Rotary TO KEEP FOR EVER!!!
We had great fun racing each other to find words. We can keep them in our desk and they will be really useful.

Reporter Visits Room 8

2011-06-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

Amy, a reporter from the Wairarapa Times Age visited Fernridge School today to speak with the students in Room 8 about writing event reports.
Amy stressed how important it was that as a reporter she doesn’t put any of her opinions in the pieces she writes. “That is the most important part of my writing job” Amy explained. She then gave the students an example from yesterday’s paper with the principal of MIS on the cover. “I can’t say Mr Mailman is a great principal, but I can say ‘ Amy said “Mr Mailman is a great principal”.
Amy went on to tell the children how she trained for her job, and that she had been a reporter for 1 month, and that she really enjoyed her job. Amy said she liked the variety of reporting on so many different things.
When Amy writes her event report she submits her report to the Chief Reporter, and then the ‘subs’ check the story for spelling mistakes or factual errors.
Amy writes three features a day, mostly in her category of the Masterton District Council region. Room 8 will look for her name in the Times Age.

Reporting Back on Christchurch trip

2010-11-09T18:45:00.001-08:00

Dear Parents & Caregivers of the Best Kids in the World!!
It’s hard to believe we have been and come back from our long planned for and anticipated trip to Christchurch. I could not have asked for a better bunch of kids and parents. Their behaviour and response to all the learning activities was nothing short of amazing – and you don’t have to just take my word for that! I want to sincerely thank you all for trusting your children to my care, and supporting them in all the things we did leading up to our departure.
We were non stop as soon as we stepped off the bus at Wellington airport. Thanks to our parents who helped lift the luggage and sort the tags – nothing finished up in Auckland! There were 9 children who had never flown before and they did superbly. Their behaviour was so good on the plane the air stewards invited the children to hand out the sweets on both legs of the trip. In fact they were so wonderful when we landed back at Wellington airport the pilots invited each child into the cockpit to have a sit in the pilots seats and flick some of the switches (don’t even think of it!).
When we got to Christchurch Airport the Penguin Shuttle and the amazing Gabriela met us and our bags were loaded on and taken to the Antarctic centre while we walked across the road to our ‘hotel’. We then boarded the penguin shuttle again and set off to the Canterbury Museum, passing a number of earthquake damaged buildings along the route.
The children had a great play in the Botanic gardens before heading upstairs to the Antarctic wing of the Museum (where I taught a hundred years ago!). I have to say the Education officer that took our class for an hour said he couldn’t teach them anything! They answered his questions effortlessly and asked great questions themselves. Their logic and reasoning when they had to take on a role as Scott and make leadership decisions relating to his journey to the South Pole blew us all away!! I just wished we could have had several days there.
We then headed back to Base for a briefing and an early dinner. What great manners the children displayed at all times in the cafeteria. Following dinner we did our souvenir shopping before returning to the Antarctic classroom. We put a call in to Scott base and spoke with David from the Navy who is head of Logistics at Scott Base. We learned an incredible amount from him, and I was so proud of the children when David said he had never been asked better questions by any group, even high school kids!
I guess you’d have to say one of the highlights followed when we all kitted up for the Snow Room. Minus 18 actually wasn’t too bad! And Castlepoint has had stronger winds, but it’s that combination that does it! The children were very fortunate to have another session in the Snow Room on Wednesday – I think they were spoilt because they were so wonderful!
The Call of the Penguins followed (and again at 5am!). We had a quick look at them before they went to sleep in their burrows, then we headed to the Gallery to set up our beds.
After blowing, pumping and smoothing our bedding we moved into the gallery for a 15minute Antarctic movie before starting our Scavenger Hunt which involved reading the display charts to answer tricky questions on everything from the Ozone layer, to ice thickness, to animal facts and the explorers. I am so proud to say Fernridge is THE ONLY school that has ever had every child complete all the tasks! Their reading skills were so good as were their group cooperative skills.
The children slept well – not a peep as they sank into an exhausted sleep. Mr A’s airbed went down in the wee hours but his was the only problem all night!

After breakfast we divided into groups for the Haglund ride. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!!! Not for the faint hearted I can assure you!! The kids were great and loved every scary minute of it!! Going over the ‘crevasse’ and through the ‘lake’ was exhilarating. The top of the hill was also a great vantage point to see the Hercules fly off to Antarctica.
With a few wobbly legs we then completed another educational research challenge back at the Antarctic Centre before watching the penguins being feed. They are seriously cute animals and the lovely thing about these particular birds was that they were all rescued from injury and nursed back to health (although 1 was totally blind, 1 blind in one eye, 1 with a stump protector where the lost foot had been treated, 1 with a broken beak, 1 that couldn’t swallow and so on!! OK motley crew but still cute!).
I was a bit cheeky and went to the American Division and asked if we could come and see the warehouse of clothes on the base – which they very kindly allowed – they were very busy processing their people for the flight to the ice the next day. Ask your child about the development in the trousers from Scotts expedition to today!!
All too soon it was time for our good-byes and to head back to the airport where the parents helped check in the bags before lunch. The children again were truly wonderful and were complemented by a number of the public for their good manners and behaviour. The flight home was fantastic – we could see for miles. Of course being invited into the cockpit was a once in a lifetime opportunity for which I am very grateful to Air New Zealand.
Tranzit again took us back over the hill – no illness this time! We stopped for an ice cream at Featherston shouted by our lovely Mrs Page who comes to help with reading on Mondays and Wednesdays. All too soon we were back at Fernridge. The children were tired but full of excitement to be home and reunited with their families.
I cannot find enough words to tell you how proud I am of all your children. I believe good parenting is the most difficult but the most important thing we can ever do for our children, and not often do we get acknowledged for that. I want to say to all of you, you have done a fantastic job with your children – they were a real credit to you (and to Fernridge School). Thank you for teaching them manners, consideration and respect. I would take them anywhere!!! (it’s that P word again!!)
To the parents that were able to join us, a million thanks to you all. Often when you take parents with you on a trip there are the odd ones that you have to ask to step back or step up – not an issue with this trip ! You all pitched in with terrific initiative and the most lovely way of interacting with all the students. Merci beaucoup. (Starting saving for Paris – I want you!)
I appreciate you wonderful parents attending all the meetings I called – day, nights and weekend – your support kept me going when I was bogged down with logistics and Risk Analysis Management reports for the Board!!! I believe this trip has been the most valuable learning experience for our Inquiry Learning Unit on Antarctica which came under the school wide theme of Growing. Coupled with the speakers I have brought in, I think the children have really now understood concepts such as Leadership, Sustainability, International Cooperation, Adaptation, Science experiments, Climate change and effect, the food chain and so much more. We will put an Antarctic Expo on for you, and for any other parents who are interested in seeing how Inquiry Learning is taught at Fernridge, after the Production and Testing Week (week 6).
If you have photos from the trip please email them to Paul principal@fernridge.school.nz and he will add them to the 230 he took so we can make a disc for you.
My sincere thanks for your support and help, on behalf of our fantastic children
Suzie & Room 8

2010-10-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

On Friday Grant Redvers and his friend Pascale came to visit us and tell us all about their incredible Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. They are both scientists and have incredible stories to tell. They showed us videos of the wildlife and the landforms they had experienced. They had been aboard Sir Peter Blakes old boat 'Tara' for a year and a half - imagine wintering over on a boat that creaked and groaned all night (we heard an audio of it!!). Pascale is French Canadian so we got to try out some French too! They have invited all of us, and our parents and family to the launch of their book and photographic exhibition at Aratoi on Friday 12th Novemeber at 5:30pm. Please RSVP to Aratoi if you would like to attend (ph 370 0001). Thanks Grant & Pascale - we learned so much from you - and we loved trying on the clothes! Merci beaucoup!!!

Diary of Robert Falcon Scott by Maggie White

2010-08-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Diary of Robert Falcon Scott

17/1/ 1911
I officially reached the South Pole. As I looked round I saw the Norwegian flag flapping and flashing in the Antarctic wind. A flutter of disappointment ran down my spine. I hung the British flag on a steel pole and told my team the disappointing news.
It was night now and we had to have a weak tea.
We had a rough night’s sleep with nightmares about not making it home.
I woke with a fright to find there was a blizzard howling like a wolf. We had to lay up and precious time had been wasted.

25/1/1911
Many days have passed. We are running out of food. We’re getting more exhausted by the minute.

28/1/1911
After many days trapped in the tent the frightening blizzard cleared. We were about 1 or 2 days from the food and final depot, but sadly there is no food. I had bad frost bite on my feet and I had to limp on. We’re exhausted and it is getting dark. I looked up at the sky and reckon this may be the end of my life.

29/1/1911
It’s morning and my team was shaking me like crazy. They yelled in my ear “Birdies gone!” I gasped. Then I demanded “We have to carry on”, and so we did. My team were collapsing.
Wilson tumbled to his death in a skinny crevasse. We were 5 miles from the depot. Oats and I were left lying in the snow in agony and pain. It’s a shame and a pity that I can’t write any more but I think it’s coming to the end of my life, and good-bye. I believe my nightmare has come true.

BY MAGGIE

2010-08-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Diary of Edmund Hillary
March 17th 1958

I was struggling through the strong winds and I kept on saying to Fuchs “We are nearly there just a few more weeks to go” but we had to keep on going. It was about 30 degrees below freezing that day and the sun was still shining.

March 25th 1958

It was a new day but another cold day and I had to go have my breakfast. After breakfast Fuchs and I started to get ready for our journey. We went outside but this time it was warmer. I looked at my map and it said we have to go in the direction of Mount Erebus. Then we trudged to Mount Erebus. When we got there the map said we have to go north so we decided go north.

March 30th 1958

Another cold and frosty day had begun. Fuchs’ alarm clock went off. Then we went outside and got ready to travel to the South Pole. It was very difficult to get there and it was also a struggle to get there.

April 5th 1958

We were nearly there. The weather today was cold, we were a metre from the South Pole. We were very excited that we made without dying. We were standing next to the South Pole in happiness. I put the British flag up in the air.

April 17th 1958

It was time to leave. Fuchs and I packed and went out to the plane and got in. When we got back to New Zealand we went to our family and friends to tell them the happy news and they were happy for me and Fuchs.

By Rebekah Burns

Using our chook eggs to make meringues and ice cream

2010-08-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Room 8 are working their way through all the classes making meringues and chocolate ice cream from our own chook eggs. Now that Ginny's dad has kindly given us 3 more chooks we are really able to turn out the goods !!! By the time we get to the 8th classroom we will be eggsperts!!

Here is the recipe for the meringues (which makes 50!), and the chocolate ice cream Enjoy !!!

Meringues

Ingredients

5 large egg whites (175gm)
Pinch salt
160g castor sugar (3/4 cup)
160g icing sugar (3/4/cup)
1 tsp vanilla essence

Method

Heat oven to 180 degrees

Beat egg whites and salt until stiff
Add sugar and beat at high speed for 10 minutes
Add icing sugar and vanilla and continue beating for another 1 to 2 minutes

Line oven tray with baking paper.
Pipe meringues onto the paper
Place trays in oven and immediately turn oven down to 120 degrees.
Cook for up to 1 hour.
Turn oven off and leave to cool.

Whip cream and sandwich together

Ice Cream

Ingredients for Custard Base

4 egg yolks
100g castor (8 tbsp) sugar
300ml milk
300ml cream 2 tsp vanilla essence

Method
Pour milk into saucepan and slowly heat.
In a bowl beat the egg yolks and sugar together and then still beating pour over the milk. Return mixture to the stove, add chocolate buttons and stir constantly until the mixture forms a film over the back of a wooden spoon.
Do not let it boil or it will separate.
Remove pan from the heat. Leave it until cold and then stir in the cream and vanilla essence.
Pour into an ice cream maker or pour into a plastic container and put into the freezer. Stir half way through freezing time and then return to freezer to continue setting.

2010-08-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

Constable Chopper was part of the Masterton Police team that visited Fernridge School today to read to all our classes. Constable Chopper read us a rhyming book by our favourite author Roald Dahl, and another wee bit rude book!! Ask us what it was about ( but we might laugh a lot!!)

Mrs Parker is impressed with the fundraising in R8 !

2010-08-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

Mrs Parker called in today to pick up the luxury items for the gift baskets and the forms parents have filled in to help with selling raffle tickets for our Antarctic trip. She was amazed how well some children have done with their fundraising. Some of our class have nearly raised all the $270 they need for the air fare and overnight stay!!! Awesome work kids!! :-) Well done Room 8 -keep up your focus and hard work. Thanks for your hard work too parents. Remember shop day is on tomorrow - you can still send toys, books etc and baking along tomorrow morning. Start saving things for our Monster garage sale on the weekend of October 16/17th. More details to come soon. Watch this space!!

2010-08-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Mrs Mahupku-Kelly visited us in Room 8 today so we could get to know each other. We found out Mrs Mahupuku-Kelly used to be an art teacher and she has 3 children. She is really enjoying the friendly people at Fernridge. A long time ago Mrs Mahupuku-Kelly taught Stacey’s Dad and Mr Hutchby! We told her about loving French, reading, maths, spelling, being an Enviro school and having chickens so we can do cooking. We are glad that we have Mrs Mahupuku-Kelly at our school.

Betty from Andrill Inspired us for the day!!!

2010-06-22T21:06:00.001-07:00

What a day we've had in room 8!!! Betty Trummel came to us via the Andrill Antarctic Programme (http://www.andrill.org/) to share with us her experiences from two trips to the ice. Betty is a teacher in the States, with a class just a year older than ours. It was without doubt the best teaching day I've ever been a part of!! Betty's enthusiasm and passion for the ice really inspired the children. Her science focus was fantastic - hands on to explain the fragility of the continent and how global changes in temperature will effect us all. Hearing about how life is lived on the ice from first hand experiences meant so much to the children. The powerpoint presentation Betty shared kept us all spellbound for over an hour (Betty is an incredible photographer too with a card photo business back home). After lunch we all participated in amzing hands on Andrill work stations where the children's understanding was growing in leaps and bounds (see the photo with our hands on our heads - a 'lights on moment!!)
Please ask your child to share their day with you, and tell you about the photos on our blog.

We can't wait to get to Christchurch now!!!

RIppa Rugby Coaching

2010-06-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Room 8 have had great fun practising our Rippa Rugby skills. A lot of children want to play it next season. People were really good at their passing. The men gave us a free rugby ball for our class. We really enjoyed it. By Maggie & Ben C.

Today's French Lesson - Croque Monsieur

2010-06-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

Room 8 made the famous French recipe Croque Monsieur for our French lesson today. We left out the Dijon Mustard, but you might like to get out an atlas and see if you can find Dijon! We loved the smell and the gooey cheese and ham was trés délicieux!

Results of parent meeting on Sunday !

2010-05-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those parents who were able to make it to Sunday's meeting. We voted to go by plane to Christchurch for seveal reasons. 1. It is a two day trip with only 1 overnight stop 2. Everything is at the 1 venue (no additional travel costs). 3. We get a lot more for our money, including being able to go to the American base and see the planes, and make a toll call to Scott base and ride on a Haglund. If you google http://www.iceberg.co.nz/ you will get a really good idea of all that we can see and do. It was suggested that I get a quote for a bus to the airport from here, so when I get the final quotes all in I will send a newsletter home with all the details including dates, costs and a section for parents and caregivers to fill in stating if they do or do not wish their child to go, if they want to go with the class, and if they wish to be part of the fundraising committee. In the mean time I will start applying for grants for us! Thanks so much for all your support - it will be an absolutely amazing experience that the children will never forget, not to mention how real it will make the inquiry learning!! Kind regards, Suzie

Husky Dog Visits Room 8

2010-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

We were very lucky to have a real live Husky dog from Masterton visit us today. His name was Dartanion and he is onze ans! He is bigger than most Huskies. His coat is very special because it has two layers - one to keep him warm and one to keep out the rain and ice. He has been a racing sled dog and he won a ribbon. Dartanion was VERY talkative!

Proposed Trip to Antarctica

2010-05-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Room 8 are finding out about Antarctica for their Inquiry learning. We invited the parents to a meeting to discuss ideas and proposals. Mrs Adamson has followed up on suggestions from the parents, and there is to be a final meeting on Sunday 30th May in Room 8 at 2pm to look at the information and make a decision!!! Please come along and have your say. We have brainstormed a lot of ideas for fundraising and Mrs Adamson has several grant applications to apply for IF we decide a trip to Auckland or Christchurch is a good idea.

Room 8 visits Papawai

2010-05-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Room 8 joined 3 other classes on the first group's trip to Papawai to learn about tikanga maori. We were very impressed with the welcome from Greytown School and the fantastic conservation work they have carried out. We enjoyed learning about the pou whenua, and the fact Papawai is the only marae in New Zealand to have inward facing pou. This was because Papawai was the seat of the Maori Parliament and as such was a friendly place. Matua Mick told us a wonderful legend about Kupe, and then he told us about the ancestors of Papawai. We enjoyed eating in the whare kai and seeing the photos of events that had happened over the years at Papawai, including the big storm! We had a great day and learned a lot about this special place in our community.