We have begun to explore patterns in algebra. This week some of us used the ideas of supermarket displays to work out how a pattern can grow. We had to work out how many cans in total would be needed to make a display 10 rows high. Then we had to work out what the rule is that makes the pattern grow evenly. It was super tricky. We will keep practising to help our brains grow new connections about how patterns are formed.
We have also been learning about function patterns and how to use a table to find the pattern
Next Wednesday is our athletics day and the weather has been so good we've begun to practice our skills: quoits, vortex, sprints and long jump. On Friday we will be heading to the beach to have a final practice before the big day. We have been showing our perseverance and growth mindset by having a go and learning new skills.
Here we are practising the vortex, quoits and long jump:
In Week 9, Term 3, we had the Parent Workshop on Maths Learning. As I said, we are very proud of our Maths academic results. In 2017 a colossal 86% of our children were at, exceeding or well exceeding curriculum expectations in Maths for their year level. And we are tough on our judgments, as the reviewers from the Education Review Office noted in their feedback to us! But that doesn't mean we rest easy. We have never known so much about how students learn - thank you to the inventors of MRI scanning technology.
All of our teachers are undertaking Maths professional development through Stanford University - focussed on the latest research and thinking in Maths education as to where and how you get the biggest shifts in achievement. The Board recognises the importance of ongoing teacher development and, as a consequence, Nicola was awarded a study grant this year, yes - you guessed it - focussed on Maths. Nicola and Ximena have also been selected to present at the largest national educators' conference ULearn these upcoming holidays, which we are really proud of. (And their session is booked out!)
So we were very excited to have the opportunity to share our ongoing learning and thinking with many of you last week. We started with a little activity - asking parents to simply answer this question:
BEFORE: What did Maths mean to you at school? (3 words)
Then at the end of the interactive workshops we asked this question:
AFTER: What does Maths learning look like for kids at WBS? (3 words)
Please find the first and second Word Cloud results below:
This was really great and informative feedback for us, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up on a screen in Auckland at ULearn sometime soon as part of a presentation!
If you couldn't make it, you may find this Jo Boaler Ted Talk interesting. Or What our Children Think.
On Monday Tautoru visited the ASB Centre for a day of sport! We had the most fantastic day. Each Base Group started on a different rotation; floorball, tennis, athletics and ball skills.
We had to use a variety of strengths throughout the day. Some us need to call on our strength of perseverance to get us through a challenge. Zest, love of learning and Teamwork to name just a few!
There were lots of highlights from the day. Many of us loved the game Plants vs Zombies and the activity where you had to throw ribbons in the air with a partner and try and catch them before they hit the ground! For many of us it was our first time playing Tennis and boy was it a CHALLENGE.
Head over to Seesaw to read some of our thoughts about our day at the ASB Centre. Thank you to all our parents who came to give us a hand.
Scott and Anna's literacy groups meet this week to share and develop our Te Reo Maori. It was a great opportunity for students from Tautoru and the seniors to spend time together to establish new friendships and practice giving directions in Te Reo Maori.
The students created grids with starting points and goals and then directed the other team towards the finishing line. We had lots of fun and we plan to do more next term so keep an eye out for future posts.
Some absolutely outstanding skills, and some equally as awesome attitudes, were certainly on display at the ASB center on Wednesday, as the year 3,4 and 6 girls from Worser Bay School played in the Futsal tournament.
The Thunder, The Lightning, The Boltz & The Fireballz (we came up with the names ourselves!) all played their socks off! Not to mention we had an awesome time!
The year 3’s and 4’s gave it a right go! Got stuck in! And had a ball! Nobody wanted to take a rest, but we were definitely knackered by the end! James could not believe the zest on display! You guys are absolute champions, i’m sure you’re all keen to keep playing and I hope to see you playing futsal together out on the playground!
The two year six teams scored over 70 goals combined! And let in only 2!... But the most remarkable part of all, is that every single team member scored at least once! Now that's rare for any team! Some of us were super experienced, while for some it was our very first time playing, but our team work and desire to give everyone a chance to show what they had (the skills to pay the bills) was the true meaning of Manakitanga. Well done girls, some clear leadership was certainly on display.
All of the girls want to give a special thanks to all the parents and of course Stu from Team Wellington (He thinks that there are a few future Football Ferns at Worser Bay, and James certainly agrees!)
We are keeping Te Reo Maori week alive for another three weeks at least in Tautoru. This week the students created mini books to practice phrases in Te Reo.
They drew pictures of their favourite food and then shared these with a buddy along with practicing the phrase in Te Reo Maori.
Check out the blog for more Te Reo Maori next week!
