Storytelling through Drama and Music

 In Tautoru we have been immersing ourselves into learning about how to communicate ideas using music and drama. We have learned how to use our bodies and sound to express emotions and ideas. We can't wait to show you our performance of 'A Magical Moment' next week!

First we wrote a narrative story that incorporates something magical into the everyday life at school. Then we used what we knew of sound and music to create soundscapes to match the feelings and ideas we are trying to share. The actors practiced moves and ideas to show the story to our audience using their bodies.

We have used lots of Perseverance and Teamwork to get our performance the best it can be. We hope you enjoy the show!

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

This week we’ve been celebrating Māori language week in Tautoru, through speaking Te Reo as much as we can and having Te Reo Māori moments throughout the day. This term we have learnt how to ask the weather in Te Reo, (he aha te huarere?) and have been responding in Te Reo, through words such as wera (hot), kohu (foggy), paki (fine), mākū (wet) and makariri (cold). We’ve also learnt to ask kei te pehea koe? (how are you?) and kei te aha koe? (what are you doing?) and to respond to these questions in Te Reo. Tamariki have been practising these phrases, alongside skills such as counting in te reo, and our pepeha and mihi.

Speaking Te Reo and embodying Te Ao Māori principles are crucial aspects of learning in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learning at Worser Bay School has a strong connection to place. Acknowledging the native culture and language of Aotearoa is a necessary element of this. We expect students in Tautoru to be able to engage in simple Te Reo conversations through our learning, as well as have an understanding of the Te Ao Māori principles that shape who we are. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is an excellent time to celebrate this learning, and set goals for the remainder of the year.

Check out these photos to see some of the mindful moments in Te Reo we’ve had this week!

Learning to Read and Reading to Learn

Reading is a wonderful way to connect to the world and to the ideas of others, and this term it is all about being connected! Any type of literature can give us a window into another world, another culture or another person's life.

At the beginning of the reading journey, we begin by 'Learning to Read'. This is about learning how texts work and how to decode the sounds we read. We spend time learning about how to retell stories to make sure we are not just 'sounding out' words (which is important) but also connecting with the ideas in the text. It's important to learn that the meaning of books and stories can be gained through both text and images at any level. 

Once we become more comfortable decoding texts, we begin to focus on 'Reading to Learn'. This requires the reader to engage more deeply with the texts and to learn from the information in texts.

It's important that we read, read read! In Tautoru, we spend time reading with a teacher and also developing our love of all types books and literature: comics, novels, graphic novels, poems, everything. At the moment we are reading The BFG by Rohal Dahl as a class.

If you'd like to know more about how reading progresses in the junior school, here is a presentation we did with more detailed information and tips on how you can help develop a love of reading at home.