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)