Freshman Shield!!!

Woohoo Room 24!!! I knew you would do it!!! That is SUPER news! I have been itching to hear the results! Talk me through it - what sports did you play? Was ten points a big margin or was it close? What class were your biggest competition? Thanks heaps for letting me know! Wow wee, last day tomorrow - then you'll be Year 8.

Room 24 meet Luca Thomas Cleland!

Room 24 I'm so excited to introduce you all to Luca Thomas Cleland (possibly Borris every now and then if he is being a wee rascal...) These are the first pics we have shown and I thought I'd really like to show you all first. He is eating like crazy and has already gone through your whole bag of nappies Deborah!!! He was quite a big boy when he arrived - 8lb15oz (who can convert that into kg's?) He has his 'Grammer' and Grandad Bob visiting him from Mossburn today - so he didn't get much sleep last night he was so excited! Really looking forward to introducing him to the special Room 24 at some stage - either this year or next. He LOVES his gorgeous painting you guys gave him and his his sparkly card you made in his prime viewing space. Only 3 weeks to go until you'll be Year 8's! Wowsers, that went fast!!! I have had a chat to the wonderful Mrs DeGraaf and she tells me you are all doing great. Be kind to each other for the last three weeks. Any shield challenges?? How is our Rippa team going? Make sure you thank Mr Collie very much for coaching you! How did those of you who competed at the Otago sports get on? I was thinking of you on Wednesday and sending you 'go fast' thoughts. Take care team and will hopefully see you soon! Crikey if this is how excited Luca gets about seeing his grandparents he is going to be beside himself when he visits Balmac!

North Zone Sports

Good morning team! 
All go for North Zone Sports!  Be at school at 8:15 ready to go.  Dunedin's high is looking like 10 degrees, so pack some warm gears.  (Also sunblock etc)  Remember a decent lunch and water bottle!
All the best for your events today!
Mrs Cleland

Emmy awards in ONE more day!!!

 

One more day until the Room 3 and 24 Emmy Awards!!  I hope you've had a think about a dramatic acceptance speech, just in case...

Introduction to debating

Persuasive writing

Today we started to explore reasons for and against the proposed five star luxury hotel being built in Dunedin. We came up with a list of reasons to support the development and a list of reasons why you could be against the development.  Your task tonight is to discuss the idea of the new hotel at home.  Tomorrow you will have a clear view point and three good reasons to support it after speaking to your family about the issue.
(I have included the internet sites we collected our information from below.  There is also a lot of information in the O.D.T - there was a cartoon on the issue in today's paper also.)

Sites we looked at and discussed today for you to review:

Five minute radio clip - against the development
Proposed hotel - for
One network news clip - overview
Five different visual viewpoints of the actual hotel

Rock climbing all on!

 Left my camera in my bag at school...  So I will upload photos tomorrow.  Great day Room 24!!! 

Leave a comment to say what your highlight was.  Pleased to hear you really enjoyed your day Henri!  Great feedback.

Rock Climbing Tomorrow!

Righto Room 24! I'm packed, ready to go and EXCITED!!! Here is the gear list I've checked off...
Waterproof jacket - check
Thermals - check
Trackpants and shorts - check
Covered footwear suitable for climbing - check
Sunblock - check
Exciting, decent lunch - check
Water bottle - check
Charged up torch - check
Small spade - check
A few other secret bits and pieces (you'll find out tomorrow) - check

Now for an early night!

I will check back here at 8:30pm in case there are any last minute questions.  I will also post by 7:30am tomorrow morning whether we have the go ahead or not. 

 See you bright and early tomorrow morning! (Aim to be at school around 8:30 - remember we leave at 8:45 sharp to make the most of a very cool day at Long Beach).

Writing the Conclusion

The GRABBER!!!

Speeches!!!

I'm really happy that everyone has decided on a speech topic! What an interesting range of topics you have all come up with.
Tonight's mission is to start collecting information on your speech topic. It is a good idea to look in books, on the internet, interview someone or simply brainstorm ideas for each of your main points. Here is some of the flipchart we looked at in class today to jog your memory on how a speech is put together. On Monday and Tuesday we will start putting together the body of your speech. The aim is to have them finished by the middle of of next week, then you will have a good week to practise your speech. (If you drag your mouse over the slideshow you can pause the slideshow in order to read the information.)

Students who missed this lesson today: We brainstormed possible main points relating to our chosen speech topic. We thought of as many as we could - some of us are still thinking... Then we circled the three or four best ones to include in our speech. This then gives you a direction to focus your research.

Term 3 ASPIRE - Change through Challenge

Go Room 24!!!  I'm delighted with what you are all working on for your ASPIRES!  You have made a great start to working cooperatively and all groups are on track.  Today I received all of your completed surveys (which you will use to determine your peers existing ideas, before you make a change by challenging their thinking through your films or ads.)

What's on for your groups this week... 
1.  To finish your draft email to an expert so it can be checked by me tomorrow (Wednesday).
2.  Send your expert the email.
3.  Accumulate background information on your topic. (Some groups have already gathered a good range of background information.
4.  This week complete your PMI charts on three different T.V ads.
due Monday (3rd September).
5.  I will be checking the accumulation stage on Monday (3rd September).

Room 24 I think you'll like this. Gorgeous ideas!!!

Flight of the Concords Red Nose day - Extended version

Cool to see how they went about collecting the ideas for their song.  Enjoy! 

Remember we have a mufti day tomorrow (Shay and Ihaia, the class reminded me to let you know) to support this awesome cause!  Bring along $2 to make a difference.

Paris - BrainPOP

Go onto brainPOP and check out the following activities:

• Fractions
• Fibonacci Sequence (for interests sake).
• Ratios

Remember once you complete the quiz print out your results and glue them into your Maths book.
We will be working on this on Monday's Maths session.  Have a look at it over the weekend.

Rome - Brainpop Activiity

Have a go at the following BrainPOP activities today during maths time.  If you don't get them finished work on them at home over the weekend.

• Percent
• Converting fractions to decimals
• Adding and subtracting fractions
• Fractions
• Reducing fractions

Print out your quiz after you have completed it, trim it and glue it into your maths book.  Then have a go at the other activities related to each topic.

Mathathon!

Well done to Zac, Lucy and Anna who did a marvelous job at representing Balmac in the Mathathon at the Edgar Centre this afternoon.
What was your toughest question? 

Homework (or rather, lack of homework this week...) Week 6

Well, well, well – some of you have provided a convincing argument on homework (only those of you that have a copy of this message glued into your homework books).  You have convinced me to grant you a week off homework this week.  You and your partner can be proud of your persuasive powers in your recent piece of persuasive writing.

Your argument was clearly set out.  Your point of view was clear right from the beginning.  You had both thought of reasons to support your point of view.  Facts and examples were provided to reinforce your main points.

Your argument finished strongly with a conclusion tying up your main points.

So…  Enjoy your week off!!!  Get into all those activities you told me you had on this week.  Check out the blog, spend quality family time, train hard for the cross country (Anna and Logan, you were both especially convincing in this aspect...) and many more interesting activities you mentioned.

Week 7’s homework will be the start of your Term 3 ASPIRE inquiry, as well as spelling list 22 and two mathletic tasks.
Leave a comment explaining what you think your most convincing reason was...

Balmacewen Intermediate Writing Competition

Task:  To write a story and include these six words
Dapper
Cockroach
Repugnant
Luscious
Grizzled
Liquorice

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
The ability to engage and entertain the reader.
The ability to organise and develop an idea.
Clarity and coherence in the writing.
The effective use of figurative language - to show, not tell.

All the very best of luck Room 24 writers!!!  I look forward to reading your creations before they are judged by Mrs Garthwaite and her panel of talented judges.

100 Olympic medals for New Zealand

I really enjoyed this in Room 10's assembly today!

Science Fair Prize Winners

A big congratulations to these Room 24 students who won a Science fair prize over the weekend. 

Sophie Armstrong - Undercover - College of Education Award
Kiriana Hunter - What's hot, What's not - Institute of professional engineers and the Aurora award
Gabby Trotter - Black sheep - NIWA Award
Oliver Cottle - A healthy dog is a happy dog - ANZ CART Award
Zac Holt - Gee Whiz, Raspberry Fizz - NZ institute of food and science technology Award
Jamie Ferguson - Bubblicious - Aurora Award

Ryan, Lucy and Anna also received highly commended for their science fairs in our school assembly at the end of last term.  Very well done.

 Josh D received the whole school assembly award and Shay received the Year 7 assembly award.

Dry Ice!

Wow wee!! What a fun afternoon we had learning all about dry ice and what it can do! Many thanks to Andy Ferguson who was our special guest to Room 24 and showed us how it worked.

What did you learn this afternoon? What was your favourite part?

Persuasive Writing

Remember your task tonight - to find an example of a piece of persuasive writing.  We talked today about where you might go to find them.  We also discussed some 'hot topics'.  Anna, Angus and Ryan may have examples they or their parents have written.   I'm looking forward reading the examples that you find.

I have included the link to the persuasive activity we had a go at in class today.  Have a go at home, whilst you have the whole computer to yourself.  Think about the successful techniques you use in this activity to persuade the grumpy lady to come around to your way of thinking.

Today's Shield Challenge

Unfortunately we only thought about the camera when the last game was playing. Next time we'll have it at the start of the games!  

Here are some pics of today's shield challenge. Thanks Room 26 for three great games! We really enjoyed the games especially the excellent sportsmanship displayed from Room 26.

A big well done to everyone for getting involved and playing as a team. It was really obvious that we had improved on our passing. Team captains and vice captains have done a marvelous job of upskilling their teams. We have one more football skill session then we have a go at hockey on Monday next week.

The Cardiovascular System...

Here is a song we checked out today to reinforce our learning on the cardiovascular system. (Just think how many 'firm tennis ball squeezes' your heart would have done to keep pumping since we learn about it at 2pm today.)

Chinese in Room 24

Nihau! Room 24 have been learning Chinese on Wednesday mornings. Here is a favourite song for learning the numbers (1-10)

Room 24 Cross Country Assembly Extravaganza

Room 24 have put our heads together to think of questions you may have about the Cross Country. - What track do we run? - How do we know where to go? - How long is the track? - What happens if we get the stitch? How can we cure it quickly? - What are the track conditions like? - How do we prepare before the race? - Who won the cross country last year? We worked out which question we were most interested in and broke into groups. In our groups we researched our question. Then we wrote a script to turn the information we had gathered into a small video clip. First up here is the video clip to get to know the course a little better. (Please note instead of two Zacs. One should be a Ryan.) Now we all know it wouldn’t be a cross country if there wasn’t a little bit of mud… To find out more about the track conditions on our course let’s go to Smithy and Foxy in the studio. Some of the people in our class decided to let you in on a few Cross Country tips, the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of running a cross country. Now we will go to Deborah with the Braniac girls with how to cure a stitch. Who won the cross country last year? How did they do it? Here are some Room 24 reporters with the 2011 Cross Country winners. When running the cross country you don’t only represent yourself, you also represent your house. Everyone will be running for house points. Your finishing race position will be the number of house points you earn for your house. The house with the lowest average will be crowned cross country winners. So make sure you try your hardest to pass that person in front of you. We know that everyone has put in the effort of training for the cross country so next Friday get out there and try your very best. Whether that be running the whole way, winning, making the top 12 and qualifying for the Otago Cross Country, beating your biggest rival or whatever – make sure when you cross the finish line you feel proud of your efforts.

Our very own Mathlete of the Week - Harmony!!!

Congratulations Harmony for being awarded the Balmacewen Mathlete of the week.  A lot of hard work is going into your maths.  Keep up the good work!

Thought it might happen...

Sorry Room 24, the video upload will not be happening this weekend.  Will have to get Mr Sloan to give me a hand with it on Monday.  Super assembly on Friday!!!  You all worked really well as a team to bring it all together.  Enjoy the sunshine and have a great weekend!!!

In the Pursuit of Excellence

The 'Pursuit of Excellence' - a fabulous value, also an Olympic value. We discussed what this means. We also read about Mahe Drysdale - an example of someone in the pursuit of excellence and how he 'gave it everything' in the Beijing Olympics to win the bronze medal. Overcoming large obstacles in his way.

There are many many more examples out there of people who are in the pursuit of excellence. Your homework task is to research someone and design a poster outlining examples of their qualities and behaviours that show this. Today you received a homework sheet giving you more information about this task.

Leave a comment showing who you intend to create a poster about.

Check out our quick holiday sculptures! Can you work out what we got up to over the last two weeks?

In the last week of Term 2 we learnt how to use a variety of sentences to make our writing more effective.

Subject - predicate

Predicate - subject

Complex sentences

Simple sentences to create suspence, build tension or for impact.  

Check out these holiday paragraphs.

 

Running across the field I see gaps.  I think to myself, do I put in a chip?  The ball drops and I put in a nudge.  Then BOOM!  I got hammered into the mud.  But we scored a try and that is what counts.

Henri

Oh no, I thought.  My Dad.  He’s daring me to go off the terrain park and 360.  The wind blows a pile of sharp, cold snow into my face. O.K, here I go.  I’m getting speed O.K.  I jump.  I rotate.  Oh man.  The ground came too fast.  I rotate three quarters of a 360 my edge of my snowboard catches in the snow.  ‘Doh’ I’m on my face.

Angus 

On the last day of the holidays (Sunday), I went to my Otago soccer trails at the muddy oval.  I was trailing for goal keeper.  At the start we did some goalie training, like diving, stopping etc.  Then after that we did some short games and finally cooled down and departed.  When I got home and sat on the couch mostly all night.

Quinn

I lined up my shot.  As the defender was approaching I stretched my arms back and swung at the ball.  It flew gracefully through the air, landing just before the goal.  As my feet lunged forward my hockey stick out, just enough to tip the ball into the goal.

Sophie

In the holidays, I went on the lunge in Naseby.  I would fly down the steep slope on a tiny sledge, crashing into walls, nearly tipping over and hoping the sled wouldn’t break.  ‘Okay, go now’ the instructor said with a heavy German accent.  I pushed off.  I am speeding down the narrow icy track.  Lean!  I turn right, missing the wall by millimetres.  Lean the other way!!  This time I wasn’t so lucky.  ‘Ouch’  I shouted as I was riding vertically!

Zac 

Wellington.  Friday morning.  Excitement fills me.  Today, Uncle Pat is treating us to lunch in the Beehive and a tour of Parliament.  My sister and I meet our uncle and cousin, Kieran, outside the Beehive.  After lunch in the restaurant, we head back down-stairs.  Down into the civil defence bunker.  We wander through the bunker for a while, then climb the stairs to the actual parliament building.  The building is very grand and felt out of place.  Finally, we walk back through a long hallway, lined with pictures and back into the Beehive.

Anna

21 days to go...

The Olympic games kicks off in 21 days! Check out this link for bits and pieces to do based around the two games mascots.

Games mascots

Year 7 Leadership Assembly

What great example of leadership today Year 7 Assembly was. Well done to all students involved.

Room 24's Science Fair Presentations!

Matariki Celebrations

Now for the fun part - the PRESENTATION of your board.
Here is a copy of what we talked about in class today. Remember if in doubt ASK!! I can't wait to see what you come up with - I know they will look amazing!
A few reminders...
* I can help out with coloured paper.
* Make a plan before you start.
* What photos are you going to use?
* Rule BEFORE you CUT.
* Pick 2-3 colours and then the free colours (black, white and grey). Use the colour wheel below to help you choose your colours.
For some reason the slides are slightly out of order - you may need to scroll through a couple of times to see all the slides.

Here is a colour wheel like the one we have in class. In our 'naming it' unit we talked about colours that work well together. Contrasting colours (opposite on the colour wheel) and complimentary colours (beside each other on the colour wheel) work well.

Ice Cream Tasting

Yahoo, it's our turn for ice-cream tasting tomorrow (Monday Week 8)! Bring along some small change - ice cream is priced at roughly 20cents a scoop. Good work to all those students who read the blog over the weekend - you got in early with the ice-cream tasting.

Results and Conclusions Week 7

Here are some examples of results and conclusions. We will go over how to write a conclusion again in class on Thursday - we ran out of time today, but you have your help sheet to get you started. Results and conclusions are due in on Monday week 8.

Science Rapper

Have a look at this YOUTUBE clip from a couple of years ago.  This science rapper will be our special guest in assembly this Friday.  Exciting!

Week 3 Mega Maths Update...

A big week this week Room 24!!! In fact it's a HUGE week. Our aim is to lift our average by 10% to achieve our target of 80% and beyond. We have three days to go until Mega Maths 4...

Our average for last week was 70%.

An update on the gender averages...
Girls - 67.5%
Boys - 72.5%

What will this week bring???  Will I need to get baking???    All will be revealed on Friday 9:15am....  Exciting!

Mega Maths Update

Good work team! In last Friday's Mega Maths week 2 test we raised the average by 7%. Our new class average is now 66.4%. We are getting closer to our target of 80% or beyond. Now, everyone needs to get stuck in and learn their times tables. It is amazing what an improvement of even 5 marks makes to the class average. I'm looking forward to Friday's results. Results so far...
Baseline - 51.6% (Hmmmm - let's see what some practise can do...)
Week 1 - 59% (A nice wee jump.)
Week 2 - 66.4 (Some new members to our '100 Club' this week. Congratulations!)
Week 3 -
Week 4 - TARGET 80% or beyond! We can do it!!!

Science Fair Week 5 and Week 6! Testing here you come!!!

The weeks you have been preparing for... Here they are... Over the next 2 weeks you will be testing (or creating if you are doing an invention). Let the good times roll. Refer to your Science Fair Week 5 sheet for tips and tricks. Make sure you record your results in your Log book.
If you have some type of bug sticker on your method you are ready to start.
Over two thirds of the class have completed their method to a testable standard. If you are someone who is yet to complete your method - get cracking! The testing part is great fun!

Writing the Method - Week 4

This week your science fair focus is to write the draft of your testing method, or if you are creating an invention then you will be writing step by step instructions on how to make your invention.
Tricks of the trade:
* List the equipment you are using first.
* Number each step.
* Most steps will begin with imperative verb (a bossy verb)
* Make sure your steps are specific. (Remember the Milo instruction lesson...)
* Explain how you are going to make sure you perform a fair test.
Continue to collect background information on your topic.

Science Fair Week 3 - Accumulate...

This week according to your Science Fair plan you are working on your background research, your aim and your hypothesis. I have photographed some examples of aims and hypothesis' to help you devise your own. (For an invention you will need to write a decent aim only.)

Our first SHIELD CHALLENGE v Room 10

What an exciting game! Great sportman/womenship, some good skills, lots of encouraging and getting as many team mates up on the bench was what the shield challenge was all about today. What was your highlight - leave a comment below.

Science Fair Idea Conferences

Next week we will start our Science Fair Log books (inquiry 2 clearfiles).   It is great to hear that some of you have a couple of ideas up your sleeve. Tomorrow I will start conferencing with you (I will have spoken to each of you by next Friday) - the questions I will ask you during the conferences are the following...
* Is there science behind your idea? (or is it more a maths investigation?)
* What is the science behind your topic? (roughly - of course you'll do research later in your science fair inquiry.)
* How are you going to measure your results?
* What is the aim - why do you want to investigate it?
What are your science fair ideas? Post a comment below.

Simple, Compound and Complex sentences

Just in case you need a helpful reminder. Today we looked at three types of sentences - Simple, Compound and Complex. Here is an example of each type to help you with your spelling sentence homework.

Simple - Tony and Caleb were the first to call bingo.  
Compound - A compound sentence has two ideas and a simple sentence only has one.  
Complex - Since we have a Shield Challenge on Friday, we need to practice our large ball skills.

A complex sentence has one independent clause/idea (something that makes sense on it's own) and also a dependent clause/idea (doesn't make sense on it's own, needs another clause with it).

Great first day back today Room 24

Well, what a busy day!
 * We had our first shield challenge request from Room 10. So get out there and practice your large ball skills ready for Friday!
* We learnt a lot from four marvelous ASPIRE presentations! Well done Jamie who presented an interesting powerpoint on clothing, Angus had prepared a well organised speech and taught us a lot about how splitting the atom has shaped New Zealand and the world, Sophie who very creatively (via a washing line) explained how Johnie Jones has shaped Otago and her own family and we finished with Caleb who presented a poster on how farming has shaped New Zealand. What a start! I can't wait to hear more of them tomorrow. Remember to also organise your folder so I can see the process behind your presentation.
* Maths we looked at measurement. Remember to change your digital watches and/or cellphones to 24 hour time. (We are operating in army time this week!) Great start Room 24! We're going to have a great term!!!

Science Fair Term 2

Yahoo, Science Fair next term! Here are a few of the goodies over the last couple of years to inspire you. Have a think about it over the holidays - we will talk more about it in Week 1 Term 2.

The Freshman Shield

The Year 7 students have been competing in a small ball skills tournament. It has been great fun! All teams played 9 games involving - speed, skill and accuracy with a small ball. Mrs Tasi-Cordtz announced the shield winner today.... Yahoo Room 24!

Easter Egg Hunting on Balmacewen Heights

Fred - really searching in the 'small bush'...  What was your best clue?

What's happening in ASPIRE this week and over the holidays...

Great work Room 24 - you are on target to present what you have found out about your topics straight after the holidays!
Most students have:
* Arranged their interviews.  Some students have already had their interviews.
* Gathered and sorted through their background information.
* Answered all their questions.
* Can now answer the BIG question - 'How are we shaped by our past?'
What's on for this week:
1. Complile all your information, notes, photos, interview questions etc into your ASPIRE folder. (Remember you need to show the process behind your learning - marks are given for your questions, sorting (highlighting keywords), planning etc.
2. Plan how you are going to share your learning. Check the first page of your ASPIRE for ideas. We have also brainstormed these in class.
3. Remember to turn your questions into paragraphs. We have talked about this in class. Ask me if you aren't sure what to do.
4. Be ready to present your learning in class the first week back after the holidays. Some students have indicated they will be ready before the holidays - this is great!
5. If you choose to present via powerpoint - we will discuss this is class -use bullet points.
Yahoo! I enjoy hearing what you present to the class - we learn a lot of interesting things.
If you are having difficulties - it is really important that you come and chat to me. I'm here to help but you must come and talk to me, to let me know.
If you are not up to this stage yet - check the post below to get yourself up to date.

ASPIRE UPDATE - what should have happened so far...

In class last week we reviewed how to sort your information. (If have forgotten - we learnt about it when we highlighted keywords in the Early Maori task.) Most students had accumulated some background information. If you haven't done this then make sure you get it sorted tonight.
A reminder on how to sort through your information...
* Using the information you have collected and armed with a highlighter and pencil you need to read through the information and highlight information that helps answer your research questions.
* You will need to have your research questions out in front of you when reading through the information so you know what you are looking for.
* We also reminded ourselves about writing a note alongside the highlighted information so when you look back over your notes you know what question it helps to answer.
* Be careful not to over highlight.

Your weekend homework task was to organise a time for your oral interview. Make sure you have contacted your interviewee and arranged a time.

Camp Concert