Fantastic Inquiry session!

We had such a hive of activity today... during our Inquiry time there were tinkerers, photographers (outside looking for Monarch caterpillars and butterflies), a play being practiced, stitchery, constructors building bridges and children making observational drawings.

Everyone was highly engaged and enjoying themselves!

Cicadas, seeds and butterflies...

We have been doing a lot of observing at the moment... the school garden is full of seeds, cicadas and butterflies.  Stay tuned for some of our stories about them.

Here is a clip we watched today about the life cycle of a Monarch Butterfly...

And a few photos that some of our intrepid investigators took in Inquiry time today...

Our first time hosting the whole school Assembly!!

As part of a new initiative this year the Aroha Pod hosted Assembly on Friday.  Paige, Willow and Harrison were our hosts and they did a great job!  We shared some art and a few photos of what we have been up to so far this year....

Literacy time

This week we have been improving our reading programme to maximise the time that our students get with the teacher.  We have also been developing our skills on independent tasks and working out how to do them the best that we can.  Here are some photos of the pod working on their independent tasks....

Maths time in the Aroha Pod

Maths time in the Aroha Pod

Maths is always a favourite time of the day for our kids.  Lots of hands on activities and equipment, study ladder on the i-pads, counting, measuring, writing equations and reading numbers.

What fantastic mathematical learners we are!

POD songs we have been enjoying this week

ndimattina@whakarongo.school.nz has shared a video with you on YouTube Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Video) by iamOTHER Help center • Email options • Report spam ©2015 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

POD songs we have been enjoying this week

ndimattina@whakarongo.school.nz has shared a video with you on YouTube Sesame Street: Will.i.am Sings "What I Am" by Sesame Street Help center • Email options • Report spam ©2015 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Swimming

Today the Aroha pod had a great time in the school pool.  Here are some pictures of our kids having fun in the water. 

Discovery 5th February

We ended a great week with a discovery afternoon. It was wonderful to see the students all working so collaboratively!

Our pod in action....

Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to go to the pool today - it has been a bit cold and windy (ironic after all these warm summer days we have been having over the holidays!)

However we did all go as a pod and visit the library - here are some photos of us enjoying our new acquisitions!

(Click on the images to enlarge)

Hi everyone,

Please check out the newsletter tab if you haven't had a chance to read the pod newsletter yet.

We are also very fortunate to have Mrs Harrison working in our pod as a teacher aide.  She will be working with all the children in various situations and she is a very experienced lady.  Here is her blurb!