Most Improved writer award....Annalise!

Have a look at the bush adventure photo's below, then check out Anna's rcount:

The bush adventure

"Watch out!" I exclaimed to Mr Cowie.  Yesterday we were going to the bush with the class and Mr Cowie almost walked into a branch.  We stopped, and we looked like dominoes about to hit each other.  I heard birds making noises around me like a pack of wolves howling.

Later, we were walking through the bush when suddenly...
"Arrrgghhhhh!" I tripped on the shiny slippery slope.  Luckily Mr Cowie helped me down.
"Thanks Mr Cowie, I exclaimed.  Had we finally stopped?  Then he answered with "you have 15v minutes to build a Bear Gryls survival hut!"

First, my group found a large stick.  We shaped it up and placed it inside the tree branches.  Then we got more sticks to keep it stable.  After that we grabbed massive ferns and layed them down on the sticks for shelter.

"2 minutes left!" Mr Clark shouted loudly.
"Step away from your work", he exclaimed.  "First, lets see the results. Lets go to group 6."
"Yay, thats me!" I shouted with joy.
"Hmmmm...this group gets the presentation award," explained Mr Clark.
" Yay!" our group shouted.

After the hut building I felt exhausted.  We then all went back to class and had lunch.

Room 20 goes bush!

Last week we talked about ways we could strengthen our connections with UHPS.  Some ideas included exploring the area and making things out of nature.  So today we hiked into Lady Pheonix Reserve to discover the area and build a survival shelter.  Check it out:

Turangawaewae Project poster

Hi Room 20.  Here are the details of your inquiry project that you defined at school today. Remember, this is not due until Monday of Week 11 so you have just over three weeks to complete it. As part of your Turangawaewae it is okay to get your family to help you with this project.  You can display it on a piece of cardboard like the example we saw in class.

Things you might like to include:
1.  Title: My Turangawaewae by _______
2.  Mihi (see your homework books)
3.  Introduction:  Define Turangawaewae? Why are you doing this project?
4.  Your ancestors Turangawaewae.  Where are they from?  Why did they live there? Why was it important to them? What work did they do?
5.  What is your family name and what does it mean?
6.  Why did your ancestors came to NZ?
7.  Where is your Turangawaewae in NZ?  Why is this a place you feel connected?
8.  How do you become more connected with a place?  What are we doing to become more connected with UHPS?
9.  Conclusion.  What did you learn? Why did you enjoy this project? What difference has it made to you?

Feel free to ask me any questions in class.  Good luck and have fun!

Most improved recount writer

The Wild Weedy Clean Up  by Seth

"Oh gosh, this is going to take forever!" I thought as I stared blankly into the thick green jungle.  I was with Room 20 about to clean up the nature trail.

First we trudged down the stairs and I heard as swoosh as the rustly wind blew through the leaves.

I started trimming the leaves, then I saw a stick.  I picked it up and shouted "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" before stamping it onto the gravel road.

We finally finished trimming and started to leave.  As we walked back we picked up everything on the track and threw it into the green jungle never to be seen again.

"That was a good dead" I thought to myself and I felt warm inside.

Recount writing

Recount writer for the week goes to Jennifer Kim:

Trapped inside an emerald green cage.

Tall trees surrounded me.  It felt like they were trying to trap me......

First, Room 20 and I trotted down the stairs like a colony of ants.  It was a golden afternoon, and we were off to the nature trail.  We were clearing the track for Mr Benbow and to develop our connection with UHPS.

We walked down the track.  The greenery surrounded the children as they wandered and roamed around the cluttered mess of rocks and the overgrowth of nature.

Sounds of scissors snipped in my ears.  There was also the sound of trees whistling and bushes pricked my fingers as I cut the undergrowth.  While I was cutting, sap squirted in my hand like a water balloon explosion.

After a while I noticed lots of creepy insects invading the plants.  Suddenly the bright happy nature trail turned into a dark eerie gloomy path in my head as people turned into bats trying to scare me.  I shook with fear.  This was now more like torture than a happy gardening experience.

Mr Clark finally blew the whistle and the sound vibrated in my ear as we lined up.  I felt so relieved, but when I looked back the trees gave me an evil grin.

Developing connections at UHPS: clearing the nature trail

Room 20 wanted to further develop their connection with Upper Harbour Primary School.  We realised that one way to do this was to get involved with helping care for the environment.  So we spent the last block of Monday pruning the trees and clearing the trail.  Its now looking great!

Instructions on how to prune trees

Clearing back the undergrowth

Hard at work clearing

Wow.  It was really overgrown!

Good work...keep going!

Room 20 Homework

Week 7 - due Friday 18 March

1. Decide on a small task you could do to feel more connected to your home or neighbourhood. Our list of ideas for the school is below. Remember, you will need to adapt these for something at home.

School activities

* wheels day type activities

* scavenger hunt

* pond and stream visit

* visit the school more often

* build something for the school

* morning coffee club

* walk to explore the area

* Make something out of nature

* have a picnic

* help families near the school who need help

* class sports

* clean the nature trail

* cooking

* blog

* time capsule

* school sleepover

* plant some trees

* art that will stay

* help Mr Benbow tidy the school

* family day

* school ground adventure

* do more as a school

* artwork

1. Complete that task.  Take some pictures and involve your family and friends if you want.
2. Write a recount about your experience. Make sure you explain how carrying out this task made you feel more connected.

The task should take no longer than about 30 minutes, and make sure your recount is no more than a page.  Have fun!