Week 7 Term 3

It was great to see some of you able to attend assembly last week when we presented a snap shot of camp.  We always seem to try and squeeze too much into our assemblies, so once again those who were sharing their skiing acrostic poems will need to save these until the beginning of next term when we will share at a WOW evening.

Congratulations Will and Joe who were 6th in their respective races at the Otago Championship Cross Country held in Dunedin last Friday - amazing results.  They were also part of the Central Otago Year 5 & 6 Boys team that won the cup for this age group.  We are so proud of you both - especially as we know that you have both trained hard this term.  "Success through effort".

This week as a class we will put together a survey about the recent camp as part of our inquiry.  It would be great if there was a response to this from all families as well as the students.  We will use this information as we look at the EOTC plan put together last year after the consultation with parents.

Softball/Teeball: permission slips were given out last Friday by Mrs Williams - these need to be in to her by this Friday.  It would be fabulous if you could have them back before this time.  Remember NO FORM = NO PLAY. It's easy for you to make sure that you make the team!

We are thinking of Tess who has been in hospital with pneumonia and of Simone's mum, Debbie who is having surgery this Wednesday - please keep them in your prayers.

We welcome Bishop Colin Campbell to class prayer in the morning.  He is going to share something about  'vocation' in the church and perhaps of his life journey if he has time.

Homework:

• Reading logs
• Spelling - keep working on conducting and tooling
• Maths Buddy - everyone has their own log in - make the most of this free opportunity
• Eisteddfod speeches - written copy to me by Friday 20th, in class presentations Monday 23rd.  I do not read these speeches until after the oral presentations. We are working on using paragraphs in our writing this term - easy to achieve when we use the "hamburger" - check the Speech Writing Blog entry for an explanation of this.
• Swimming togs - Tuesday & Friday  Thank you to those people who have helped us with transport.  Please check the Blog page to see where we need help.

We wish Room 3 a fantastic Ski Camp this week. 

Eisteddfod Speeches

Our writing topic for the next two weeks is speech writing.  We began the process today by assessing a speech given by myself using a P(plus), M(minus), I(interesting) assessment plan.

Everyone has discussed what worked and where improvements could be made, then decided on the things that they will think about when writing and presenting their speeches.  Having a great introduction and a bit of humour to keep everyone interested were two of the ideas we thought were important.

Speeches need to be about a topic we know something about and are enthusiastic about.  We also need to think about the audience and choose something that Room 4 will enjoy learning about.

Everyone will write a speech within the writing programme - this may or may not be the one chosen to present for the eisteddfod on Monday 23rd.

Good luck everyone.  

It is always a very entertaining and informative morning when we present these to the class.

WALTs:

Writing:

• Write a speech sequencing ideas logically.

Do this using the Hamburger format:

• Have an appetising introduction – an exciting question or ‘did you know’, and tell briefly about the other things that will be in the speech.
• Use Layers: each layer will be about a different part of the speech topic, each layer will flow to the next layer, because it makes sense to speak about it next. (A new paragraph for each new idea.)
• End our speech with a Conclusion which will remind the audience about what the speech has been about, or leave the audience with a thought provoking question.

Presenting/Speaking:

• Speak clearly so the audience can hear all that is said.
• Maintain the interest of the audience by speaking slowly and carefully, trying to change the tone of voice, and by using pictures or other props.
• Become so familiar with the material that there is eye contact with the audience.

The Assessment Sheet for the presentation

Content        / 9	Almost Never	Sometimes	Usually	Almost Always
Speech is well organised (opening/body/close) and has an appropriate structure
Speech ideas are appropriate to topic
Vocabulary suits purpose of speech
Delivery               / 16
Volume is appropriate
Clarity is satisfactory
Expression is evident
Pace is appropriate
Eye contact is made
Stance is relaxed and confident
Gestures are used appropriately
Rapport is established

Eisteddfod Speeches Time Management Planner

 SPEECHES 2013

Oral presentations = Monday 23^rd September.

Last minute nerves because of lack of preparation =  plan your timetable now:

Task	I will do this by	Done it!
Choose your topic taking the audience into consideration.
Brainstorm all you know about this topic.
Think about what questions our class might ask & jot them down.
Research under headings, answering these questions.
Write your speech using the hamburger format.
Read, read, read your speech over, until it is very familiar – learn it!
Highlight keywords that you can use as guides, if necessary write these words on cards.
Practise using any visual aids. Mark on your speech where you will use these.
Deliver your speech to the mirror in the bedroom. Remember to practise using pauses or gestures to increase your confidence.		Ready to GO.

Check a calendar and plan today the dates that you will complete each task.

Glue this planner into your homework book.

Written speeches need to be handed in by Friday 20^th September.

Summer Uniform

With Spring in the air many people have asked about wearing their summer uniforms rather than heavy kilts and long trousers.  This was discussed at the staff meeting on Monday, and it was agreed that summer uniforms can be worn providing that it is a complete summer uniform. If it is colder and polyprops or merino is worn underneath, it is not to be seen.  Please check the school website if you are unsure of what is acceptable.

Most Room 4 girls have their hair neatly tied back - just a reminder that hair needs to be tied up for school. There is also the odd person wearing nail polish.  Please enjoy those fancy nails at the weekend, and just wear a clear polish for school if any.

Swimming Transport Offers

Thanks so much to those who rallied round this morning to get us to and from the pool, and to Maree who left her 8 seater van. Much appreciated, Dale, Kath and Deb. Sorry that we left too early Ellen.

Leave school at 10:45 and return at 11:40.

We have 31 to transport - these are the offers so far, if there are any days that you are able to help out please let me know.  I am happy to take my car (4) and Trina has also offered hers on days where we are short.

Friday 6 Sept:  Scobie 4,  Hutton 7, Reilly 6, Martin 4

Tuesday 10 Sept:  Scobie 4, Healey 4, Sidon 4, Dayna Healey 4, Ballantyne 4, O'Neill 4, Martin 4

Friday 13 Sept: Healey 4, Scobie 4, Hutton 7, Martin 4, Reilly 6

Tuesday 17 Sept: Scobie 4, Sidon 4, Hutton 7, Ballantyne 4, Martin 4

Friday 20th: Scobie 4, Hutton 7,

Tuesday 24 Sept: Scobie 4, Sidon 4, Hutton 7

Friday 27 Sept: Hutton 7, Reilly 6, O'Neill 4?

Remember that tracksuits can be worn on these days with school sports uniform underneath.

Week 6 Term 3

Hard to believe that the term is on the downward slide with only 4 weeks left to fit so much in.
Welcome back Padraig - we have missed you, but I'm sure that you have enjoyed a summer holiday with family in Ireland.
Tomorrow Tuesday 3rd the whole school will be attending a "Magic Show" put on by scientists whom Angela has invited to the area.  Parents are welcome to attend this in the hall from 1:45 - 2:45.

Swimming - Tuesdays & Fridays: Thank you Dale for offering to transport 7 to the pool tomorrow, Trina and myself can take 4 each, so we'll need to take a couple of trips.  If anyone else is able to assist, I would be very grateful.  The timing of these lessons really eats into the core subjects of reading and maths, so travelling by car minimises this disruption. School tracksuits can be worn on these days with school sports uniforms underneath if people wish to take the tops and trousers off during the day - no mufti underneath.

Does anyone have Pyper's tracksuit pants? she thinks that she dropped them after the school cross country.  They are the trousers from one of the Bodkin's tracksuits - please check that you don't have two pairs.

Camp Books: need to be at school as we are working in them - they can be taken home after our WOW night.

Eisteddfod Speeches: will be heard on Monday 23rd September. Our writing topic starting next week is speech writing, so think about the topic that you would like to speak about.  Remember to consider what will be interesting to Room 4 who is the audience.

Maths Buddy: we have a free trial for everyone for the next 4 weeks or so. Then the cost of $7 for term 4 until 31st January. Log ins and passwords are in homework books.

Monthly tables test = Friday practice sheets in homework books.

Ski Camp - Assembly this week

Wow, what a fantastic week. It was amazing to see how quickly everyone progressed, with having lessons and time to practise new skills 3 days in a row.  I'm sure that after everyone had a good night's sleep you will have heard how Coronet Peak was 'conquered'.
Thank you so much to all the parents who assisted with supervision and had a ball in doing so, to Mary and Robyn who had the kitchen under control with lots of hot nutritious food for all and to everyone who was so generous with their donations of food and baking.
At present we are all working on presentations using photos taken during the week.  Some of these will be shared with the school on Thursday at assembly - 2:10pm.
At the beginning of next term we'll have a WOW night - perhaps a fish'n'chips tea and everyone will have an opportunity to share their highlights of the trip.  This term we now need to support the making of the float.  7pm each night at Scott Base (the end of Ellis St - off Boundary Rd.)
Some people have indicated that they may want to join the Vincent Ski Club, so that you can take your families to stay in the hut - if this is you I can give you contact people.