We have been looking at snails so we can find out ways to keep them away from our vegetable garden. Imagine our amazement when we found out about the Giant African Land Snail!
Here's what we wrote about it.

The giant land African snail it is extremely big. If it's in the sun it will dry up and it can hide from big animals. They can't fight.
by Kaelyn

I would like to hold this snail because it would feel tickly.
by Charlie C.

This giant snail is hungry. It could eat a whole plant!
by Apao

The snail is slimy and the snail is ginormous!
by Charlie P.

I don't like the snail because it is too slimy and big.
by Siale

This snail is moving on the man's hand. It is heavy.
by Chance

The snail shell looks like a sea shell and it is long and a bit pointy. It hides in its shell. The shell protects itself.
by Soparri.

The snails are huge and the shell is pointy and it can hide from the sun.
by Henry

The snail is crawling on the hand. It feels heavy and slimy.
by J.J

Snail is sleepy. Snail is big!
by Nozomi

I have a snail. It looks beautiful. I love that it has a pointy shell.
by Zoe

This snail is slimy and very big.
by Andrew

The snail feels like slimy and in the sun it can't move in the sun because it gets dry in the sun.
by Amy

This snail is big and slimy.
by Allan

This snail is very big.
by Jaden

This snail is slimy and really big!
by Musashi

Amazing Starfish

The Tigers reading group read a great book about starfish. We decided to make a padlet to show what we'd learned from the book.

Created with Padlet

We have been interested in all the fireworks we have seen lately and were inspired to write fireworks stories and paint fireworks pictures.

My Poppa is having his birthday today. We will have sparkling fireworks!

by Henry

The Man Fireworks is going in the sky. It is orange.

by Musashi

I can see a exploding fireworks.  I can see blue and yellow and green.

by Andrew

The fireworks are exploding. I can see purple fireworks.

by J.J

The firework is yellow and this one is red and this one is purple and orange.

by Nozomi

Term 3

Wow! Term 3 has gone really fast. We started in Room 7 with 10 children and now have 15. We've had a great time and have been very busy. Here's a video of some of the activities we've enjoyed this term.

Great Term 3 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Counting to 10

Here are some of the different ways we can count to 10.


counting to 10 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

World Literacy Day

Last Tuesday it was World Literacy Day. We had a great time dressing up as book characters and having a parade. The real highlight was having parents come and read us stories from their cultures. We heard stories in Korean, Mandarin, Tongan, Nuiean, Hindi and English. Thank you to the parents who did a great job reading (and in some cases acting out!) their stories. Thanks also goes to the fabulous teachers Mrs Irshad, Miss Morrison and Mr J for organising such a great day.

World Literacy Day from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

What Am I?

We've been learning about sea creatures in Room 7. We thought we'd test your knowledge. Have a look and see how many animals you can work out from our clues.


What Am I from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Our Assembly

We had another awesome assembly. This time our theme was Respect.


Assembly August 2015 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Penguins

The Giraffes reading group read the book Hoiho's Chicks and were keen to share what they have learned about penguins. You might like to share what you know about penguins in the comments box.


penguins from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Hat Parade

The children of Te Ako Kowhai love to design and create things so we decided to have a hat day. All the children were busy planning and then making their hats. Miss Morrison, Mrs Scott and Mrs Bell were on hand to help with the cutting and decorating and Mrs Kung had the tricky job of judging the best hats. Well done everyone and thanks to Miss Morrison and Mrs Scott who supplied the photos.

Hat Parade from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Poi Workshop

On Friday afternoon a small group from our Ako were excited to be part of a Poi Workshop taken by Hikitia - Taylor-Mio's mum. Thanks to Hikitia for a fabulous session and to Eilleen for organising it.

Poi Workshop from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Measurement

This term as part of our maths, we have been learning about measurement.
Here is a slide show about our learning.

Autumn Leaf Art

We've been doing an art study on Autumn Leaves. We started by sketching leaves and making leaf rubbings. Then we created PVA print templates and had fun creating prints using Autumn colours.

Autumn Leaf Art 2 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Now it's  Te Ako Kowhai Question Time where our keen young interviewers are not afraid to ask the hard questions. Thanks Mrs Van Schaijik and Rika for helping our Junior Explorers with their interview techniques and camera work. Can't wait for the next episode.


Director's Cut2 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Samoan Language Week

Talofa everyone!
It was Samoan Language week this week. We were pleased to have Mrs Van Schaijik and Mr van den Heuvel teach us some Samoan language and talk to us about their culture.

Samoan Language Week from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Cross Country

It was an exciting Cross Country this year. The Te Ako Kowhai children had been practising for weeks and when the time came to race they all tried their best. Even when the rain came down they kept on going. Well done everyone and thanks to Mr J and Mrs Irshad for organising the event.

Here are some of the fabulous stories that the children wrote about the experience. Their learning intention was to use adjectives in their writing.

Cross Country 
by Taylor-Mio

On your marks, get set, go! 
I ran and ran. I ran in the cross country. The ground was Mucky and wet and slippery. I was tired because it was a long race.

Cross Country 
by  Shenol

On your marks, get set, go! I ran fast and fast around the orange comes. Then the rain came down.  The field was wet. the grass was slippery and I didn't give up. I tried my best.  

 Cross Country 
by Ian

On your marks, get set, go!
We ran aroun the cones. The big and small cones are on the soggy field. The rain was so rainy!    

Cross Country

by Ethan

Ready...Set...Go!  I am having Cross Country with the children. When we got to the field I saw cones. They were the colour orange. Then the teacher at the starting line daid,
"On your marks, get set, go!" And we ran. After that I felt a raindrop. I ran slow so I don't trip over. It was rainy. We ran up the stairs. Then I ran past the road, past ocean wonderland, past a classroom, behind the classrooms, past the clock tower. Then I saw orange cones with white stripes on it. Then I ran past the road, back down the stairs , on the grass and past the starting line. I was hot and tired. The race was long and humongous and fantastic but Cross Country is cancelled for now. 
I said, "Maybe we can do it tomorrow".
To my surprise, my mum and dad came running to me.
"Are you alright?" They said to me.
"I am alright," I said.                                      

Mother's Day

Here's a few reasons why we want to say, Happy Mother's Day!


mothers day from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Camp

Finally! The wait is over. Here is our Camp movie for 2015. Special thanks to Gayle and all the parents and staff who gave their time so that our camp could be a success.


Camp 2015 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Apples!

Here's a Google Slides presentation of our work around Apples and healthy food.

Japanese Song

We are very lucky to have Toyoko helping in our Ako. Toyoko is visiting from Japan. She is a retired teacher and was kind enough to teach us a Japanese song about Tulips.

Japanese song from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Our Writing

Our learning intention for writing this week was to draw a picture plan and talk about it to the teacher. We also needed to write some letters or words to go with our story.
Here are three pieces of writing from three Year 1 children who have only been at school for 2 weeks.

Kowhai Writing from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Kowhai Writing2 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Kowhai writing3 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

We've had a great week with Constable Rob learning about the importance of safe walking.

Safe Walking from andrea des forges on Vimeo.

Welcome to Te Ako Kowhai

TAKO welcome from andrea des forges on Vimeo.
Telegami and background music created by Harry Des Forges

Elliot's Summer Holiday

Well it's been an amazing summer so far and Elliot's certainly enjoyed his holiday. Check out his holiday slideshow to see what he's been up to.


Elliot's Holiday2 from andrea des forges on Vimeo.
Music by Shapeshifter