Maths workshops

Today we had some very special teachers come to help us learn more about fractions.
Some of the seniors came to take workshops.

  

We learnt about proper and mixed fractions eg 2 and 1/2, or 1/3.

We learnt how to add fractions together when the denominator is the same, like 3/5 plus 1/5.
We tried to draw pictures to show the equation and how we got the answer.

















                                         

A group of seniors went up to Tautoru to teach them about fractions. We were given a small group of kids to teach. The kids cooperated and were all super enthusiastic! In our group we split the kids into 2 groups. One group was kids who understood fractions. The other group were who didn’t understand them that much. We taught the kids about fractions so they understood what they were and so can use them in the future.
By Lily and Charlotte (Mahutonga Students) 

We have been unpacking the idea of Tuakana/ Teina.

Our students have been discussing these ideas and how they can build their leadership. Research about peer teaching says that:

• Students receive more time for individualised learning. 
• Direct interaction between students promotes active learning. 
• Peer teachers reinforce their own learning by instructing others. 
• Students feel more comfortable and open when interacting with a peer. 
• Peers and students share a similar discourse, allowing for greater understanding.

Fractions

We have been learning about fractions. Pizza has been a fantastic introduction about fractions, because who doesn't like pizza!? Pizzas cut into half, quarters, and thirds BUT lego has also been super engaging for our lego minded students.



We have used lego to create different fractions working in teams to create and share our fraction knowledge.

Throwing, catching and striking

This term, as well as music, we've been focusing on our throwing, catching and striking skills with large and small balls. It's helped us to practise working as a team too.

Here we are practising a chest pass to a buddy and a bounce pass in a group.

Arts Celebration: Being a Goal Setter

Rehearsals are in full swing, creativity is switched on and the character strengths of teamwork, perseverance, bravery, and kindness (to others and to ourselves) are being practised daily.

We have dreamed ideas, created our soundscapes, are sorting costumes and it's all go, go, go. We are feeling excited, a little bit worried at times but we know that, together, we can do this.

Being a Goal Setter means that:

• I can reflect on my learning  
• I can share and discuss my achievements  
• I can plan my next learning steps

For some of us, performing is a challenge and playing music is very new, but we know that it's helping our brains to grow and we are setting ourselves small goals so we can improve every day. It could be: noticing when we need to improve our timing or be ready to get started, use a strong voice or keep to the beat as we play. We know that practice will help achieve our goals.

There are so many new skills to learn.

Whānau Teamwork Works of Art

Every week Autahi and Tautoru get together to learn about the character strengths and to practise them in hands on activities. For the last couple of weeks, we have been learning about and practising Teamwork. We have found out that Teamwork...

Looks like:

• Me helping my team. 
• Think of what else we could do to solve problems.
• Being helpful by sharing ideas.
• Helping each other
• Listening to each other’s ideas
• Working together - sharing ideas, sharing equipment
• Supporting others and helping them think of ideas
• Stick together
• Everyone taking part and helping
• Taking turns
• Using kind hands

Sounds like:

• Talking to each other - using kind words
• Hear lots of ideas
• Sharing ideas
• Compliment - tell them what you think
• Problem-solving
• Asking Questions
• Laughing
• Encouragement 
• Building onto ideas
• People sharing ideas.
• People communicating/talking.
• People making suggestions.
• Kind words- thanks, manners.
• People talking.
• People asking for help.

On Friday we got together in our junior whānau groups to create a Teamwork art piece and practise using the different elements of teamwork. Whānau groups did different art projects throughout our spaces. Here are some of the groups doing their Teamwork Art.

Arts Celebration Preparation.

We hope you have popped Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd August in your diaries, so that you remember to come and check out what we have all been creating connected to music, dance and drama.


This week we started making some musical instruments. We collected boxes, cans, containers, bottles, rubber bands, paper plates, shells, bottle tops, etc and used our creativity and perseverance to make an instrument that we can play.



It was serious business! Plenty of concentration and teamwork going on here. Come along and hear what sort of sounds these instrument make.

Division

This week in Maths we pretended to be pirates, who had found a treasure chest filled with gold. We worked out there were 30 pieces of gold and then we had to divide them up between the pirates. We had to make sure that all the pirates got the same amount, because you know what pirates do when they are not happy! We didn't want any fighting on our pirate ship, or anyone to have to walk the plank!

So if there were two pirates they would both get 15 pieces of treasure. We knew using doubles that 15+15=30, and using halves that 30-15=15 and by equal sharing the gold in groups of five, each pirate would get 3 bundles of 5 and that was 15.

Have a look at how many pieces of gold each pirate would get if there were ten pirates!

We are working hard to grow our Maths brain, because everyone can be good at Maths if they keep trying.