We are a New Zealand class of Year Five & Six (nine - 11 years) children.
Voyagers are on a journey of leadership in our school through the virtue of SERVICE. We will visit new places and see new sights.
Be an active participant in our voyage of discovery by leaving us regular comments.
Article posted February 8, 2010 at 09:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 128
We begin our reading today formally in class. One group read about Horrible Hands (School Journal part 2:3 2005). Then we needed to make some ... it looks quite gruesome when you open the school freezer to get a first aid ice pack now!
Article posted February 8, 2010 at 09:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 128
Article posted February 6, 2010 at 08:49 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 190
In class we have been talking about talents and goals. Sometimes these are easy to identify ... you like it, you are good at it, you like to do more ... then it is probably a talent. I like looking at goals most of all because I really believe that we can grow a seed of an idea into a real talent. Being better than average takes commitment, striving for improvement and some real courage.
Here is a simple example from my own life. I learned to knit when I was very young. I am left handed but I learned to knit right handed which seemed very challenging when I began.
I knitted, and knitted, and knitted. I took my knitting everywhere. It was obvious what I was doing so, many, many people encouraged me. Many more skilled knitters helped me. I kept knitting, I used STACKS of wool. Others smiled at me and thanked me when I knitted for them.
As a result of all of this focus, time, support along the way and encouragement I have become very good at knitting.
Think about this in relation to developing skills through to TALENTS this year.
We will;
* work hard, and expect to make frustrating mistakes (unpick that knitting and reknit!)
* be each others learning buddy so we spend time looking at how we are going - often
* look for 'experts' to get along side us
* accept authentic praise from others
So, today, ask your child;
* what are their goals they are prepared to put focused work into
* what can you do to encourage and motivate them
* how will you celebrate together?
Article posted February 6, 2010 at 08:49 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 190
Article posted February 3, 2010 at 04:14 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 253
Voyagers have been hard at work already. We have been designing a visual image to represent our class. We started with our own ideas and then shared with our learning buddies.
Then we had people explain their image. We selected the most attractive, powerful and reoccurring themes to try and bring together as one image or logo.
Then we voted on which we think represents us and our aspirations for this school year best.
Very soon you will see our selection featured here.
Article posted February 3, 2010 at 04:14 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 253
Article posted January 29, 2010 at 08:16 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 303
You will notice on the right hand side of this page there is a file sharing widget. This is to go some way to address the many requests I get for how I get started blogging with my class each year. They are pretty basic as they are merely a start point. You are most welcome to download them. The widget looks like this ...
Article posted January 28, 2010 at 05:50 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 97
Today at the conference we heard from Dorothy Burt from NZ and some of her students feature in this project.
Does it make you think about what you laugh about? It makes me think, tolerance is a KEY aspect of a learning community. We'll be trying to grow our tolerance. As with any YouTube, please view with an adult.
Article posted January 28, 2010 at 05:50 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 97
Article posted January 17, 2010 at 07:07 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 150
... until we are back at school. I'm sure we have all had a lovely break and I am in class getting lots of things sorted out. Finally the Pohutukawa flowers are in full bloom, I love them so I spent some time taking some photos of the flowers.
Article posted January 17, 2010 at 07:07 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 150
Article posted December 28, 2009 at 12:22 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1275
Let me share a few holiday photos with you. My daughter made this AMAZING fairy to put on our Christmas tree at a course before Christmas (yes, that is her pencil sketch in the background too ... oh to be so talented at 13 years old!)
I have been busy wallpapering our 'sewing and craft room' so she can create more! One of my favourite local shops (Nuddy) has got patterns papered on the wall in their dressing room ... so I took that as my inspiration. I think it looks pretty good.
And in case you are interested ... term one, 2010 inquiry topic is 'HARMONIOUS LIVING'
Article posted December 28, 2009 at 12:22 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1275
Article posted December 19, 2009 at 07:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 580
Navigators are on holiday... until 2 February.
When we come back we will have a few changes ... including our class name. We will be VOYAGERS as some of the children I taught a hundred moons ago return to my class. When they were in my class as five year olds we were called Voyagers ... yes ... those wee bloggers return!
On Thursday we bid farewell to our wonderful Year Six children. We are extremely proud of them.
About the Blogger I've been blogging with my classes for five years and believe blogging to be a integral part of class life.
Thank you to all of you who have left comments and had conversations with us.
Don't expect to see a lot of 'bling' here ... DO EXPECT to experience our emerging thinking. Our blogs are real children experiencing real learning.
Be a POWERFUL influence in our growth by collaborating with us.
You may email me (Jody) on hayes@olol.school.nz
The actual download button is at the bottom of the page the link takes you to. This is our new clustr map, to see the previous one click on it and then find the 'archive' map.
