Wow - we are in our new building and it is going so well. Room 17 has been amazing and I have to say are the most respectful and caring class ever. Well done to them all!!! I think they are fabulous. Here we are saying goodbye to Room 17!!!

Crafting Spiders

This week we have been making spiders with chicken wire,paint,plaster and normal wire.
First we made the shape of the spider with the chicken wire. Then we put the legs on with the normal wire and thread it through the spider.After we had threaded through the legs we plastered the spider. Then it was the fun part! We waited until the plaster was dry. When the plaster was dry, we got to paint it. We might hang them up in the new build, or we might take them home. Room 17 has had a AWESOME week!!!

By Sarah, Portia and Ameya

Spooky spider trip

"Did you see the pink toed tarantula in the the glass cage?" I said to Brooke.
 It was looking straight at me.
"He's scary" "can we go somewhere  else ?"Yes said Brooke. So we went to the microscope and looked at the orange butterfly close up. It was a fantastic trip. And I am wondering how do spiders drink? by Gracie.

Going to the Canterbury Museum

"Hey Cohen! Have you noticed that the tarantula is moving?"whispered Ameya.
"No! Where is it? Oh there it is. replied Cohen
It is called a Pink Toed Tarantula. said Ameya. Then I pressed a green button and suddenly the lights
turned off in the spiders glass cage. A few minutes later the lights turned back on. Very soon I got to
see a Tarantula walk up to it's web. The web was in a really awquward shape. It was in a sphere kind of shape, instead of a flat web. I wonder how Tarantula's drink water.
By Ameya

On Wednesday we went to the museum to look at the amazing tarantulas in the Discovery Room. They were in glass boxes and one was called the Pink Toed tarantula. We were all glad it was behind the glass. We are writing a recount of our visit and they will be posted on here soon.

this week we have been doing...

On Tuesday We did some weaving. we made 1 or two more god's eyes. On Wednesday we had a fun time going over to the new school library. Yesterday in the afternoon yr 3/4 team went to sport at Quarry view.

today we did our wonderings. I did bug club, oragami and Manthan did the same as me! In the afternoon

we did some art!!! Our week has gone so fast.

In the past few weeks...

In room 17 we have bean learning about Rome. We have learnt about what they use to eat,what they wear and lots of other stuff. Also on Tuesday we have bean doing weaving. The weaving is  called gods eyes.They look amazing!!!



By Mya and Ameya

Hi
Well it is week 3 already and so much has happened. As you may know we are now moving into the new build in Term 3. If we have any parents out there who are happy to re-box our reading books towards the end of term, just let me know. Thanks.
As your child may have told you we are studying Ancient Civilizations. Children have opted for either Egypt, Romans, Vikings or Greek. It is such fun and we have learned so much. Your child may come home and talk about clothing, food or other interesting facts. Please encourage your child to ask questions.
Regards
Gael

Ancient Civilisations

Here is a list of websites for you to learn more about the ancient civilisation you are studying. Will you learn about the myths of Greece, mummifying in Egypt, life in the Roman Empire or what the Vikings occasionally used to drink out of?

Follow the link here.

Welcome back to Term 2.

I hope you all had a great rest over the holidays and are looking forward to an exciting term. As you have heard the move to the new build is now due at the end of the term. We will keep you posted. Room 17 is only having the one move to the new build.

This term our inquiry study is around ancient civilizations. Children are completing a series of activities in our classes and the will decide which one to study out of Greece, Roman, Egypt or the Vikings. Very exciting!!

Remember any problems please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards
Gael

This week in Room 17 were learning about Romans and Vikings.We did puzzles in Room 19 and we learnt about what Romans ate and what they wore.
By Amy

Week 9

Hi everyone
It's been such a busy term. We have completed all our national tests and are getting into our topic called 'a waste of time' where we are looking at recycling, reducing and reusing, particularly at Halswell School.  Spelling seems to be a little problem for some. We will get it organised!!! This is how it goes. On a Monday your child will write up to ten words into their spelling booklet, that goes home for the week. They will have been sighted and signed by me. The words come from spelling lists as well as from their own written work.  On Friday, they are tested on those words by their buddy. Any incorrect word they have will be written in again to learn the following week. Each child should know the list they are working on. Lists are on this blog if they are needed. I will be going over this each week until it runs smoothly. 
The class has settled in well to the term and are just delightful. I've been impressed with the way they are looking after each other.  Just a wee reminder we have library on a Thursday and music every second week. Mr Martin is taking the class for Bible in Schools on a Friday.
Our big buddies are children from Room 12.
As you know we are moving into the new building next term. Room 17 will have the one move straight in. The other four classes in our team have to pack up ready to move to the Year 5/6 rooms at the beginning of term 2. 
It will be so exciting and of course there will be a few changes in the way our classes will operate as mentioned at meet the teacher night. We are looking forward to the challenge.
Remember any problems please see me or email on       
gael.mcfarlane@halswell.school.nz

Kind regards
Gael

The best part about me is my glasses. without my glasses I could not see!!! by Logan

The best part of me

The best part of me is my eyes. with out my eyes I wouldn't be able to see and I would crash into everything and hurt myself.

The best part of me is...

The best part of me is my hands. If I didn't have my hands I wouldn't be able to do school work, like writing.
I am very lucky to have my hands. Ameya

The best part about me is..

The best part about me is my feet. If I didn't have my feet I would't be able to walk and wear my bright shoes. Ross

The best part about me is...

The best part of me is my legs. Without my legs I wouldn't be ale to run, hop and walk. Jack

what room17 did this week

Yesterday in the morning room 17 played with there little dominoes. Then Mrs Murray read us a story. After she finished reading it was play time. Later on we did some silent reading, for 15 minutes. Then we did music. Sadly Ameya had guitar lessons so he could not come to music. Then we had lunch. After lunch we made pom poms. But no one has finished yet. After an wee while it was home time.

The best part of me  is my hair. if  I  did not have  hair I  would not be able to put it in a bun    by Mya

The best part of me is my eyes. Without my eyes I could not see. Samantha

The best part of me is my eyes. Without my eyes I could not see.
Cameron

The best part of  me   is  my long hair. without my hair I would not be a girl and I could not put in my hair tie.

Anastasia

The best part of me is my eyes. 
Without my eyes I wouldn't be able to see. 
I wouldn't be able to see what to do. 
My eyes wouldn't shine in the sun without them. 

Sarah

The best part about me stories were written in class today by the children of Room 17.

Morena everyone

Well 2014 is truly here in Room 17!! We are just at the end of week 2 and already feel as though we have been together for longer. We have been getting to know each other part of our positive classroom units as well as setting up routines for the year.  Already, you may have heard I'm 104 and love coffee! Haha!

We have a great class this year.

Next Monday, your child will be bringing home their spelling words. These are to be practiced at home each night and return the book back on Friday. Eventually we will use this blog for our spelling words. 

On the 20 February we are having our Meet the Teacher evening. Come along if you would like to meet us all. We will be going over our programmes for this term and for the new learning environment. If you have any questions please bring them along.

I look forward to getting to know you all over the year. Please see me if you have any problems worries or concerns.

Cheers
Gael