Looking after pets. An exercise in writing explanations.

This term we have been learning how to write explanations. Our first task was to organise the information into paragraphs.
Here is Joseph's planning and finished explanation of how to look after mice.

Shreya chose to explain how to look after Guinea Pigs

Zaria's explanation is about how to care for Hamsters.

Tapa # 3

The next stage in our Tapa art process is the dyeing of the paper .and then the bleaching out of certain areas. "Smells like Cameron Pools Mr M!" ...."That would be the chlorine". The real art is in knowing when to stop. This is when we learned about the 'less is more' principle.

Tapa # 2

The next step in our Tapa journey is to transfer our simplified and now 'symmetrical' designs onto brown paper. We then soften the paper by screwing it up repeatedly to make it have a more Tapa like texture. This is a lot of fun. Although we suspect Mr M enjoys this process a little too much! Here are some examples by three boys who have adopted the concepts early. Well done guys!

Jeremiah Flores

Joseph Chavez

Sami Liaina

Symmetry as we see it.

We have looking at lines of symmetry and the various movement of shapes. We will use these understandings to help us with out Tapa designs. Here are some examples...

by Shreya Reddy

by Shreya Reddy

......of how we see it.

Tapa Art # 1

We have discussed what things could be used as shapes and patterns for our Tapa designs. Flowers, fruit, shells, turtles and fish were some of the life forms that we decided would part of the natural surroundings in the Pacific Islands and good subjects for our art. Our first task was to create detailed sketches of these in order to simplify them into symmetrical shapes. We have been studying rotational symmetry alongside this in Maths.

How do people express their culture?

The cultural investigators of Killeen class have been discussing, posing questions  and researching how different cultures express themselves. In particular we have been looking at Samoan culture and the art of Tapa.

Bringing narrative characters to life.

Over the last week or so, Killeen class have been looking at and discussing vivid  character descriptions by famous authors like David Walliams and Roald Dahl. Using our full range of descriptive tools, which includes detailed adjectives, lively verbs and similes, we are hoping to paint memorable and entertaining pictures in our reader's minds. Click on the image below to view some of our writing.

 Out next task will be to mess with this image and create the exact opposite impression, once again calling on our developing figurative language skills. Stay tuned!

Letters to the United Kingdom

This week we have been discussing and drafting our letters to the year 5/6 class at Langham Village School  in the North East of England. We have been telling them what it is like to be a young New Zealander and a little bit about our beautiful country. They have been studying Aotearoa and we will be following our letters up with informative slide shows about the more traditional aspects of our Culture and Environment.

Hanan's Letter

Joseph's Letter

Week 1 Term 2 Artwork and Poetry

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Typically, haikus are written about nature, but they can be about any topic. We have created these simple line drawings of a cityscape, using rulers and vivid  markers. These urban areas are not unlike the housing estates where Zoe lives in the 'Ratburger' a Novel by David Walliams that we are reading in class. We used the drawings to inspire our poems.
Haikus have a very specific syllable structure. The first line of every haiku has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the last line has 5 syllables.

click here for slideshow

Reflecting on ANZAC day through Art.

You will find our Artwork here:

Thursday afternoon Te Reo with Whaea Ena....a real Treat!

We are digging into our roots and making connections with our environment.

Here is Joseph C's digital Pepeha.

Pitched at just the right level.

Killeen Class join the rest of Hay Park School cleaning up the coastline.

Cyber smart with Mr Hopkins.

More Readers.

Reading In Killeen Class

We in Killeen Class are learning the joy and satisfaction of a quiet space, a soft cushion and a good book.