New Blog

Please take the time to see my new class 'Learning Logs'

http://temotu.blogspot.co.nz/  - 2012

http://room19raroa.blogspot.co.nz/ - 2013

Abel Tasman 2011 Epic Adventure

 What an amazing week. The rain poured down and the sun shined. Forty nine students enjoying the elements and the challenges of the Abel Tasman Experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this year's adventure. The students were exceptional. My tenth and last Abel Tasman Trip with Muritai School was a beauty! Thank you everyone who came down and helped to make this year's trip a huge success.

Kids Election Day

As part of a mini inquiry into the election, we received replicas of the ballot papers that adults will receive on the 26th of November and conducted our own election. We used a Kids Voting ballot box and Kids Voting ballot papers.

Students voted for real candidates, with real ballot papers. After the election we will compare the results of our election with the results of the real election.

Eva and Jack become issuing officers

I hope you made a good choice Celine

The Staffroom became a polling station

Up up and away

It was exciting seeing the Solar Balloon launch. As the air inside heated up it gradually lifted off and set sail. It was a bit windy, so next time we will try on the field on a hot, calm day.

Generating Power

Due to the school’s spectacular performance in the nationwide SchoolGen competition, we received a box full of goodies.

Today we had a huge amount of fun generating power to a whole range of gadgets.

Elections

 In the build up to the 2011 Elections Room 23 have been exploring the New Zealand electoral system. Using Newspaper’s in Education to explore how and why we have elections.

There is a range of inquiry involved including:

• Exploring how the government is formed.
• Who can vote?
• Types of Government
• What is Parliament?
• What are Campaigns?
• What is MMP?

Senior School Newsletter

 The Senior School newsletter is available on at: http://muritaiseniorshool.blogspot.com/

Yay, What a great show!

Lights, Camera, Action - Almost There

Today we had the technical run through and dress rehearsal. It is going to be a great show. All went so well. The first show is tomorrow afternoon.

Soccer Tournament

Today four teams of year 7/8 Muritai students travelled to Petone Memorial Park to compete in the HRSA football tournament. There was a lot of determined play and skill displayed on the pitches. Muritai was able to field very competitive teams and were able to secure the needed goals to place 1st and 3rd in the girls and 3rd in both boys grades.

Wearable Arts in full swing

It is only a week and a half till our Wearable Arts shows. The outfits coming in are quite amazing, the work and effort by many students is impressive.

It is also choreographing and practicing time. I am enjoying my group ‘Space’ It has been a lot of fun so far, students have been wonderful.

21ST Century learning – Narrative Writing.

Reading, Writing and Effective Feedback using an on line environment.

http://room23writingblog.blogspot.com/

Students have been working on creating descriptive passages as well as giving effective feedback.

Now they will be reading the writing of their classmates and giving feedback (click on comments under each piece of writing to see comments.)

Wow - Reading, analysing, critiquing, developing an awareness of quality writing, learning new words from others, as well as developing an understanding the ‘Manakitanga’ and supporting others.

Listening to their work out loud makes them aware of errors, feedback from others gives them reassurance, and confidence. Reading the work of others gives them ideas. Feedback from the teacher gives them advice!

After a week of feedback students will print off their stories and comments.

This has been an extremely exciting process, with huge benefits to student leaning as well as have the class involved in a range of fabulous 'learning conversations'

Presentations Continue

More high quality presentations today.
Today's presentations included Caitlyn's speech on Swimming.

Class Presentations (Speeches)

I am so impressed with the speeches so far. The quality of presentation is exceptional.
Also the level of inquiry that has gone into this year’s speeches is excellent.
Students are delivering powerful messages to their peers.
So Far:
Lily on Binge Drinking
Meg on Cyber Bullying
Charlie on Drugs
Eva on Alcohol Abuse
Tom on Cheating Sleep
Harry on his Family
Becky on the dangers of drinking
David on Bullying
Gus on Mental Health and Marit comparing NZ schools with German school.

Narrative Writing

Learning Intentions:

• To be able to use effective language techniques to describe setting. Create atmosphere!
• To be able to capture the audience’s attention by writing descriptive passages, which are well crafted and interesting to read.
  

In an effort to get some really good writing, we used a playstation demo movie to help motivate, inspire and provide some imagery for cleverly crafted descriptive passages.



Read Marguerite's on the Writing Blog

The Six Dollar Fifty Man

Tuesday Integrated Unit.
Today we watched the short film 'The Six Dollar Fifty Man'. After watching this amazing, thought provoking film we discussed the many themes.

Themes included:

• How we treat people less fortunate then us
• Judging people
• Friendships and supporting others
• Bullying
• Name calling
• The consequences of continual bullying
• Breaking the cycle and changing behaviours
• Standing up for others

Maggie from School Gen

Over the last two days Maggie from School Gen has been talking to the students individually, giving in-depth professional feedback on their eco-house inquiries.

We are always looking for opportunities to take students to the next level. Maggie has provided this opportunity with the valuable discussions that she has had with individuals.

She has been amazed at the quality of inquiry, the research, the designs and the knowledge that students have gained.

Maggie selected four students that she was particularly impressed with. They included: Hazel, Jordie, Abby and Clara. These four students were given the opportunity to share their inquiries with the syndicate. Celine also got recognised for the creative approach to the way she designed her furniture.

Mask Making

We have spent the last two days making Masks, with a couple of breaks to enjoy the snow outside.

Awesome creations are being thought up, creative ideas are flowing, imaginations are being pushed to the limits and some fantastic masks are being produced as a result.

It is the Wearable Arts term and this year we have started early by creating a mask. This way students understand the concept of ‘construction’ and understand that a framework is required in order to create a visual, artistic masterpiece as apposed to just a costume.


Planning NOW means better preparation and positive results later.

Building Confidence. I am……. (Poems)

Accepting who we are, celebrating who we are, being role models and knowing that we are all different are important factors in building self esteem for ourselves and other. It is also important to realise that we all have fears

and worries, hopes and dreams. We all accept one another and enjoy each other.

influences

Over the last couple of days we have been looking at, discussing, brainstorming, exploring and talking about influences.

• The effect of something on a person, thing, or event.
• The power that somebody has to affect other people’s thinking or actions by means of argument, example, or force of personality.

The questions which directed our thinking included:

• How do others influence who we are?
• How do we influence others? • How are you perceived?
• Do we make a conscious choice about who we are?
• Is image who we are?
• Can we really be ourselves?
• Be the best we can be?
• Are we true to ourselves (integrity)
• How do we stay true to ourselves in different situations

Throughout the lessons we looked for ways to extend our thinking. Questioning existing ideas and opinions, sorting information, grouping and analysing information as well as discussing and sharing.

Hauora

As a lead into our term three unit, this afternoon we explored the concept of Hauora

Hauora, is a philosophy of health and well-being unique to New Zealand. It deals with four aspects of the mind and body; physical, mental, social, and spiritual.
Hauora has been compared to the four walls of a whare, each wall representing a different dimension.
All four dimensions are necessary for strength and stability.

After identifying the four aspects of health and well-being and discussing examples of each. We then looked at how they all link together. Then we shared our views on the challenges, in relationship to health and well being, for students going through puberty and their teenage years.