Hmmmm not much has been happening here for the past month or so

but

that’s because we have been working over at our wiki!

Please take a detour to see what we’ve been doing over at our 09 AllStars wiki.

Image: ‘Make up your mind‘ 
www.flickr.com/photos/41894176980@N01/460131948

We have been playing lots of different instruments and hearing and accompanying many different tunes. Its quite hard at times to play tunes that you haven’t heard before. We have found that you get better – and it becomes easier – the more you practice and the more familiar you are with both the instrument and the tune.

We have found out about “pitch” by playing the “Pitch Perfect” game – you have to listen carefully to match the notes that are the same, or put the notes in ascending order by listening to them. Sometimes this is hard, and the timer is counting down so you have to hurry!

wiiMusic – Perfect Pitch from KimPericles on Vimeo.

NED:

N= Never give up

E= Encourage others

D= Do your best

NED taught us about being a good person, getting along with others and respecting yourself and everyone else too.
To help make the visit even better, NED told his story using a yo-yo and performing really good tricks.
Now lots of people have yo-yos and are learning to do tricks too!

I have had a few problems with the blog – but it is all fixed now. Here are some posts that I have made along the way on my trip. I hope you enjoy them

Here in New York I have found these amazingly huge games consoles.

What could we do with consoles as BIG as these?

Who can come up with the most original ideas – special prize for you if it’s your idea! leave your ideas in the comments section.

First off there were raffle tickets to sell and buy – there were lots of Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies to win.

Then the whole school assembled in the playground to watch everyone parade around and show off their fabulous clothes or crazy hats and hair.

Next the raffles were drawn and the winners came out to the front to receive their chocolates.

Last of all we had a a whole school “shake and shimmy” dance-along. We danced to the Nutbush, YMCA, the Heel and Toe Polka. What a lot of fun! We all had a great time dancing together in the sunshine.

Finally the lunch bell sounded and we headed off  back to our classrooms – exhausted but happy!

What a fun way to end the term – HAPPY HOLIDAYS

We held our annual ANZAC Day service this week .

This is a very important day in Australian culture and takes place on April 25th (we will be on school holidays so held our service early). On this day we remember the all of the military personnel who have given their lives to uphold the freedom and democracy that we know is important to Australians.

On April 25th 1915, many Australian and New Zealand soldiers took part in a ferocious battle at Gallipoli in Turkey. The fighting was intense on both sides, and there were many casualties. The bravery and courage of the Australian and New Zealand troops was immense and we are very proud of these soldiers who fought for us many years ago.

Today, we remember and give thanks to all the many of thousands of people who have fought for Australia in battles and wars all over the world. We thank them for their bravery and rmember them on this day.

At our school ceremony each class made beautiful wreaths to lay alongside the Australian flag. The SRC representatives placed the wreaths on the stage, then we listened to the bugle call, the one minutes silence and the trumpet.

It was a serious and solemn occasion for us all.

It is called diagnostic testing and we do it so that we can identify some areas to focus on in the coming weeks.

We did spelling, maths, reading and writing tests.

We helped mark the tests, and then we used coloured highlighters to highlight areas that we need to focus on. We also wrote these areas of focus onto post-it notes so that we can make them into targets or goals for us to work on.

Each week we will have time and opportunities to work on these areas in class, and as we reach our targets we will place it on an achievement wall in our classroom.

What should our targets be written on?

Here are some ideas, but you could offer suggestions in the comments section:

• arrows
• spaceships
• stars

What do YOU think – do you have targets  in your class? What do they look like?    

Smile!!!!