Room 2

We have been working hard at making foil characters based on a style of dance. We first experimented with cardboard and paper to give some shape to our dancers. We also painted a background using concertina cardboard and choosing paints that would compliment our art. At this stage we are experimenting and trying different materials out to create our silver people.

We have also been exploring the elements of dance in our Inquiry unit. Such things as spatial awareness, relationships, energy, and body awareness. Before launching into the salsa, waltz, zumba and jazz we warmed up with a few hilarious activities. As you can see above a few really threw themselves into the activities with much enthusiasm!

As part of our End of Year Celebrations we will be performing a dramatisation on a song we have been analysing as a class, called Dollars, Dollars by Aloe Blacc. This dramatisation/dance will be performed in 4 parts in the hall between the showing off of the wearable arts show.  We will display the different styles we have been learning in class, such as the salsa, waltz, zumba, and jazz. Come and enjoy the prowess of our young people…. Would love to see you all there!

In Room 2 we have been looking at Maori designs we could use in a moko (maori design that is worn on the face). We studied the meanings of different, well known designs and talked about how they reflect not only the shapes we see in nature, but how they represent our ancestral or family links. Each child researched the meanings and then looked at how they could apply these meanings to their own whanau (family). They had to ensure that the designs were symmetrical and were able to be painted onto the chin or face. Here are some wonderful examples they came up with. These can also be viewed in each child’s portfolio along with an explanation for their own design at the end of this term. Pai rawa atu tamariki ma!!!

Ever wondered what might lurk on door handles, pens, armpits and table tops? Well, with the support of Envirolab, Esk street Invercargill, and as part of our Living World Science experiments, the schools middle and senior syndicates undertook investigations to find out how much bacteria there might be in and around our classroom. You will be astonished and mortified by our discoveries. These two photos are undeniable evidence that you cannot always believe what you can’t see.

Yahoo! Today, as part of our Inquiry Unit last term, we celebrated with Tarp surfing! As a class we decided we need to stay healthy by eating fruit and vegetables, which we already do, and keep physical but have fun while doing it. We found a You tube clip showing Tarp surfing so decided we should have a go. With much co-ordination, pleading and creativity we managed to get a huge piece of polythene, some strong sticky tape and a couple of willing adults to help us.

Here are some still shots, but don’t worry we are going to put a video clip up as well so that you can see us in action. A great way to celebrate!

As part of our Science rotation this week, Room 2 along with 3 other classes has been studying the Living World with Whaea Paula. Last week we planted stir fry bean seeds and radishes and this week we tested the soil to see if they were acidic or alkaline. Believe it or not we used red cabbage dropped into boiled water, dribbled vinegar into the mix and then, when it cooled, placed a sample of soil into it. Some mixtures turned red, others stayed purple and others, well they just looked plain dirty….. From this experiment we learned that if the water stayed purple it was alkaline, if it turned red, it was acid……Apparently it is ideal for an indoor plant’s soil to be a little acidic. The dirty soil, well I think someone just got a little carried away perhaps? Our next step is decide what we can do if our soil is alkaline. I wonder what will happen in our next lesson?