Category: Fiona Griffin
Running to Mars
There is 54 000 000 kilometres between Earth and Mars. How long do you think it would take to run there? Room 15 decided to do just that.
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Help, I’ve lost my Marbles
Controlling falling marbles can be tricky. They are easily lost. Please read Room 15’s blog about gravity and how marbles move.
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Getting Ready To Write - Part Three
Getting Ready to Write - Part Three looks specifically at the phonological knowledge students need to write. As I mentioned in Part One, students require a strong knowledge of letter sounds and names to be able to write independently. This blog focuses on and provides more detailed information about the phoneme understanding students need to write.
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Steaming Into School Goes Online
Due to the distancing restrictions under Covid-19 we needed to be creative and innovative with how we would present Steaming Into School during Term 2, 2020. Our SIS Online sessions provided a unique link for our families to connect to Wairakei Primary School.
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Getting Ready To Write - Part Two
The explicit teaching of handwriting is essential if students are to develop the skills of correct letter formation. Handwriting instruction supports students in producing legible, smooth and fluent writing.
Read more about 'Getting Ready To Write - Part Two'...Getting Ready to Write - Part One
Getting Ready to Write – Part One looks specifically at the connection between handwriting and phonics.
Read more about 'Getting Ready to Write - Part One'...Mia the Kea
Our class friend (mascot) is named Mia, and she is a Kea. Mia is an adventurous and inquisitive bird who likes to explore and learn. Room 15 students want to be just like Mia. We call ourselves Nga Kaihōpara (The Explorers). Mia the Kea travels home with a different student each Friday in a canvas bag for the weekend. That student creates a page in her Journal about what they did together.
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Puppets
Puppets are engaging toys that can help support oral language skills and communication, social/emotional development, and help children learn and understand the world around them through safe, imaginative play. Puppets offer children an engaging way to interact and explore their knowledge and understanding of the world.
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Christmas Trees for Taupo
We had another wonderful opportunity to take part in the Towncentre Taupo Plywood 3D Christmas Tree Project again this year. These recycled plywood boards were delivered to us ready for painting. All children at Wairakei Primary School were invited to submit their Christmas tree designs.
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Phonological Awareness
It is important for children to hear, identify and understand the sounds around them. This is called phonological awareness. Children with good phonological awareness are aware that there are different sounds in speech. This is important for communicating, reading and writing.
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