Wonderful writers

In M5 we have been doing 'Free Writing' as part of our literacy programme. 
Daily writing helps us become better writers and we enjoy being able to share our work with others at the end of the week.
We get into small groups and sit quietly while each person shares their chosen piece of writing.
Then we vote for our favourite writing and that person gets to share it with the rest of the class before we vote on our "Writing Star of the Week!".
Stay tuned for some great pieces of writing to be posted on our blog!
It's fun sharing our work with an audience. It improves our writing and our confidence. It's also good to hear other peoples great work!
I wonder what you will write about this week?

Sasha D sharing her story to the group.

Making Connections! - listening to others, sharing, including everyone.

Ben W eagerly sharing his writing while Oliver listens on. It looks like Oliver likes Ben's story!

Ricky sharing his writing. Well done Ricky. Your English is getting better every day!

Library time!

Finally we are able to get back into our school library! Yay!

We have been without a 'proper' library for a year and a half while classrooms were being built and the library was being used as a temporary learning space.

We were very excited about being able to use the library again. It was so nice to be able to browse the many shelves and have all of the books in one place.

Do you know how the books are organised in the library?

Books with a RED dot on the spine are picture books.

Books with a GREEN dot on the spine are chapter books.

Books with NUMB3R5 on the spine are non-fiction books.

What books do you like to read? 

Do you have a favourite author? 

The library is also open at lunchtimes, so we can come and read or return our old book and get a new one before our next class library visit each Friday.

It's All About the Books! on PhotoPeach

Jumping in The Learning Pit!

In M5 we have been talking a lot about...

"The Learning Pit".

The Learning Pit is where good learners go to challenge themselves and their learning.When we go into The Learning Pit, it often feels uncomfortable and we can get frustrated because we don't know what to do. We may even feel like we want to give up because it's too hard! (But we know that it's ok to feel this way!)A good learner will use strategies to get out of The Learning Pit by persevering, being determined, using positive words to encourage themselves and perhaps asking others for help.Then do you know what a good learner would do when they get out of The Learning Pit?....

They jump right back in again!

We made posters to explain to others about The Learning Pit.M5 Jumping in The Learning Pit! on PhotoPeach

Learning Behaviours

Over the past couple of weeks we have been talking about Guided and Independent Learning behaviours.

A "Guided Learner" needs someone to help them, while an "Independent Learner" takes responsibility for their own learning.

Sometimes we can be a Guided Learner AND sometimes we can be an Independent Learner - depending on what we are doing or learning.

And that's ok!

By identifying and reflecting on our learning behaviours we can become more Independent Learners. 

Motuihe Island Trip

On Tuesday 3rd of March, we went to Motuihe Island as part of our Connect 4 topic learning.

We made connections with our environment by helping to plant into pots over 500 little native tree seedlings. 

These will eventually be planted on the island to help regenerate the native trees which will be home to the many native birds that have been reintroduced to the island. 

It felt great to do such a worthwhile activity, knowing that what we did will make a difference to the island and for all the people who will enjoy visiting it in the future. 

Special thanks also to our amazing parent helpers! We hope you enjoyed the day too! :)

Motuihe Island Trip                 3rd March 2015 on PhotoPeach