If you have some time for blogging...

If you love to read picture books then this site might be one for you. It's always such a pleasure to discover a new source of inspiration.

The other site that is worth keeping an eye on is the City Libraries Christchurch Kids Blog. You might even be able to get a book review published there.

Summertime Reading Club

Yes folks it's back again this year... the Summertime Reading Club at the Christchurch City Libraries.
There are weekly book prizes and even an iPod touch to be won.

If you are not confident using a computer, a librarian will help you register when you call into the library.

Happy Reading!

More Play Performances

At last the final two groups had the chance to perform their plays for Rooms 3 and 21. After that Room 3 performed the play The Hole in the King's Sock by Dot Meharry for us!

Support Our Year Four Movie Makers.

If you go this website you will get the opportunity to look at the movies made by some Year Four children about why St Albans School is the best school. The movie that gets viewed the most often wins the competition.
When I watched the movies I noticed that Room 16 children were in many of the photos. Can you find yourself?

Book Character Parade Day

What a wonderful event this was to finish up Book Week. I've never seen such a fine selection of creative costumes. I felt particularly privileged to be able to hold Tigger (Matiu) so he could be part of our class parade.

We had to leave just before the end of the parade to go to our first softball session. We all had a great time there and I don't think Ian (the coach) has ever worked with such a diversely dressed group!


After that the author Ben Brown came to our room to talk to many of the Middle school classes about being an author and his books. We learned that a knock to the head by a classic book is really got him started on the road to becoming an author.

The children (and teachers) listened with rapt attention and then asked very thoughtful and interesting questions. I have found an interview he did with some other children online.
I was very proud and impressed that the children's questions showed that they had listened so well to his ideas and experiences.

Why don't you get a Ben Brown book out of the library this long weekend?

Red sky in the morning...

... shepherd's warning. That's how the saying goes and yet today seems to be a great day. You could look up where and when this saying originated and see if it makes sense for New Zealand in 2010 or not.

This is the view from my back door at 6.30 this morning.

This view is slightly more to the East.

I found an explanation  here, but it's a bit tricky to understand. There are some other sayings to help predict the weather at this site too.

Planets, Suns and all that Jazz

We thought this website was worth sharing. It gives quite a good idea of how big the planets are in comparison with each other.

Measurement

Fahrenheit got the better of me!

This week we are learning about measurement.

Today we talked about measuring weight, distance, time, temperature, capacity, speed and density. Perhaps at home this week you can explain and show about measuring you do each day at home.

We had a quick look at the fun website Map My Run. You could go there to find out how far away from school and each other you live.

Earthquake Information

This New Zealand based website will give you clear information about what to do in an earthquake.
The clear message seems to be
Drop, Cover and Hold.

This is an  American Website with some information about Earthquakes. It might help you to understand what is happening to us at the moment.

Some Games about Writing and Reading

Click here to try out some games that will give you an opportunity to practise your spelling and punctuation.

Some more author websites

Roald Dahl's website has loads of information and things to do on it.

I always enjoy reading Mem Fox's website. I love most of her books and my claim to fame is that I have spoken to her. She is funny.

I know we already have a link to Dr Seuss's website on the blog, but here's a reminder that it is worth looking at.

Beatrix Potter is a very famous author and illustrator all over the world. Peter Rabbit is even more famous which is probably why Beatrix's website is called Peter Rabbit!

Some Author Websites to Look At

This is Carin Berger's beautiful website. She wrote the book OK GO! that we used for ideas for our  art work earlier this year.

This is Eric Carle's website that has lots of interesting information about how he creates his illustrations. You probably know his story The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

For all you Captain Underpants fans out there, here's the link to Dav Pilkey's website. It has lots of fun things to while away some time.

Remember Ramona the Pest? Well this website tells you more about her and her friends. Beverly Cleary is an old woman now, but Ramona is as young and frisky as ever!

This website is about the chapter books written by Emily Rodda .
 You may have heard of the Deltora Quest series.

Musical Instruments

Today we spent time listening to , playing and drawing a cello.
Keep checking this blog for the movie of the budding Room 16 cellists.
You can find out about other musical instruments at this website

Olivia

I love Olivia the pig. She "speaks" to me.
Imagine how pleased I was to find this website.

Maths Week

This week is Maths Week.
We are learning about Geometry. I've discovered this website that answers all those tricky questions about parallelograms, quadrilaterals and the like.

A Great Poetry Blog

We noticed that most of the children who won their section of the poetry competition were reciting Kenn Nesbitt poems. They made us laugh. Today I found his website. It's full of funny poems and hints about writing your own funny poems.
Click here to have a look.

A Great Website

Paige from Room Sixteen says children must go on the www.city.lego.com website. It has the coolest games ever!

Click here to go there now

by Paige

A Learning Story

Our topic for Term One was, "How Can I Help Save Our World?"
We have all set goals for changing our own behaviour. This iMovie might give you some ideas about what you can do to help save our world.





We enjoyed looking at some websites about native animals. The Kiwi Conservation Club is a good place to start.

This is a fascinating clip about the native bat, the Pekapeka.

OK, GO!

We loved this Carin Berger book and used it as inspiration for the art works we made for this iMovie.
You can visit Carin Berger's website to find out more about her and her work.

A Wet Saturday

It's been so long since I've experienced a wet Saturday. Needless to say it is the soccer season so I got wet and cold watching Jack play. When I came home I decided to check out Mo Willems' website and found lots of new things on it. Why don't you have a look? I can't wait till the 3rd Knuffle Bunny book comes out later this year.
There are lots of interesting things on this site for adults too.

Mo's Website