As I carried out my Looking for Learning conversations with students I was reminded of how much learning goes on, both inside and outside the classroom, within traditional subjects and more non-traditional subjects. I was greeted with much joy and laughter by KG3 who are making the most of the cooler weather (and a change of clothes!) before they engaged in writing today. The engagement and language that comes from these experiences serves our students well.
I was then in for a special treat with a small preview of a dance from Grade 3 students. We will all see the finished product when the Nutcracker is shared with us later in the year but I did sneak in a couple of photos! I am sharing part of my conversations with you below and think the students say it all!
What are you learning? We are learning the Nutcracker dance. We are learning new things and how to get better. We are learning to get stronger, fitter and more flexible.
Was this learning too easy, too hard or just right? It was a bit challenging. We are still practicing to get the moves at exactly the same time. We are trying hard to make them quicker. Moves are easy but you have to try and get them together as a group.
What skills are you practicing? Communication – we talked first and then decided what moves to put together to make it easier.
What Learner Profile attributes are you focusing on? Risk takers by trying new things. Thinking – we have to try and connect things so everyone knows the moves and we have to agree on the moves to make. Principled because we are not fighting.
What would you have missed in your learning if you didn’t come to school today? Our dances and learning the new things – you can’t do them when you come back. Miss hard working. A whole bunch of things – Maths, Writing, UOI and PE, a whole bunch of fun things.
Grade 3 also visited the sewerage plant this morning as it links into their Unit of Inquiry about Earth having a finite amount of fresh water. The learnings from this reminded me of the importance of visits or having guest speakers so students gain an awareness of the connectedness of systems and our world.
What are you learning today? We have been learning about the sewerage water and the grey water, it’s recycled water. The town water that comes from the blue trucks is the safe water. We are learning about the sewerage water and the recycled water. We went to a room and it has some pipes where the water runs through. We were like what was the word written there. We thought it was like real portable water. It wasn’t real, it had a picture.
Why are you learning this? To know what to use safely, have to use safe water. I could teach my family about this. So anyone can get sick if we mix our waste and we will be very sick. I can tell them that, I can warn them they can’t drink our waste water.
What skills are you practicing? Self management – by managing myself, listening and only talking when it’s my turn. Thinking – I ask questions. Thinking – I open my brain and think well.
Where else might you use these skills? Other places like dance, or music or PE or in the home. I ask if anybody wants something and I bring things, do their work for them (but not their homework!) when I go outside – if I don’t honk and I don’t see a car it will hit me and I will have an accident.
What Learner Profile attributes have you been focusing on? A thinker by answering a lot of questions. A communicator – I share my ideas with the class. Caring – when someone falls down I help them. Principled – when you see somebody down you help them up.
Grade 1 have been Bucket Fillers this week. What does this mean? We had to look out for random acts of kindness. Grade 1 were being kind to other people and making them feel better – filling their buckets with good things by helping to carry bags or giving an extra big smile or hug to help you through the day. I received some very kind messages!
Grade 5 shared their learning around the Key Concepts and Human Rights at today’s assembly.
The Grade 6/7 choir started our Assembly with a beautiful rendition of Hey, Ho.
Certificates were awarded to students identifying the Learner Profile attributes they have been focusing on.
I could go on but needless to say our students are learning so much and it’s always a pleasure to spend time with them.
Ms Lauma has started our parent toddler group which runs on Monday’s from 2pm-3.15. If you have a pre-schooler you are welcome to join us. Please let us know if you are interested by emailing l.kronite@abisoman.com
Wishing you all a well deserved break and see you back at school on Sunday 27th October.
Early November Events:
Monday 4th November: Mother Tongue Monday 8.20-8.40am
Monday 4th November: House Picnic/Shared Lunch 12.40pm