Science Fair

Yesterday we had our school Science Fair.  Our class created a science fair called 'Soak it Up'.  We investigated the absorbency of different brands of paper towels.  We found out that the Signature Range was the most absorbent.  However, there was only 6mls on average between the different brands of paper towels.  We enjoyed looking at all the other classes investigations also.

Hats, hats, hats!

On Wednesday we went to the Museum to an exhibition called 'Hats'. We all had to wear a hat that was special to us. We each got to share why the hat was special to us. Some of us had great stories behind our hats. Mackenzie's hat from a traditional hat from Vietnam that her Mum got when she visited there. Holly wore a hat that was her Great- Grandma's made out of fur. Sally also wore a hat of her Great-Grandma's that she wore to her son's weddings. Ellie wore a very nice top hat that was her Grandfathers. We also explored what the hats were made of our how they were made. Finally we got to create a hat. We all agreed that we had a lot of fun!

Poetry

This term we are learning how to write a variety of poems.

This week we wrote about couplet poems. Couplet poems are poems where two lines rhyme. Here are two couplet poems that Sally thought were great.

Mouse

By Ranita

My mouse fell down the drain,

So now he has a lot of pain.

He had to go to hospital.

Will he get better, is it possible?

He did get better one sunny day.

Now I had to take him away.

Now he is safe and sound

Curled up warm and round.

Mrs Blue

By Mackenzie

I've got a neighbour

Who likes lightsabers

Her name is Mrs Blue

She tried to eat my shoe.

But Mum didn't believe my story,

So I told my big sister Dory.

She didn't believe my tale,

So my story was a fail.

Nga Kakahu - Suter Art Gallery

Yesterday on the thirteenth of March Room 5 went to the Suter Art Gallery and saw an exhibition about dresses and trading. While Room 5 was at the Suter the class made puppets. After we made the puppets we made a puppet show. We watched the puppet show for half an hour. Finally it was time to go to school for lunch. By Ben

Yesterday Room 5 went to the Suter Art Gallery. First we looked at some clothes that Maori and Pakeha traded. They were very interesting. After we all made puppet shows in our groups. By Greer

By Aiden, Torfun, Ella & Joel

By Jagreet, Sophie, Jamie & Lucy

By Aria, Maddie T, Ebony & Nissy

By Laura, Mika, Holly

By Maddy C

Last week we celebrated Matariki at Nelson Central School.  Matariki is the celebration of the Maori New Year.  In Kahikatea we rotated around special Matariki activities.  These included weaving, knuckle bones, traditional Maori games with Sally, rakau and string games.  Each class also created a special piece of art.  In Room 5 we made a collaborative piece of art to depict the story of the Seven Star Fishes.  On Friday we had a special Matariki assembly where we sung songs and some Room 6 students shared their pepiha.  We ended our special celebrations with shared kai.

Movie of Matariki Celebrations by Dr Potaka

Class Party

We had a class party today in Room 5.  This was a result of our statistical investigations during Maths.  We investigated different parts of a party.  We discovered that pass the parcel was the most popular party game in Room 5, PJ's were the favourite dress up theme and that balloons were the most popular decoration.  We also investigated favourite flavours of jelly, chips, drink and chocolate.  

Today we had Crazy Hat Day. This was part of the Student Councils Fundraising Scheme to raise money for the 2011 Westpac Chopper Challenge. Altogether the student council and the school community group have raised over $1000 for the Westpac Resuce Helicopter. We are all hoping that we raise the most money so we can have Richie McCaw arrive at our school in a chopper!

Christian Cullen Visits!

On Monday the 16th of May a very famous All Black player Christian Cullen visited our school to talk about a competition called the Richie McCaw Challenge for the Westpac helicopter. The competition is raising money for the people that get injured throughout the year. In serious problems the Westpac helicopter will always be there for you. One of the Westpac helicopter pilots came to visit our school too.  A big thanks to the Westpac helicopter guys and Christian Cullen for visiting our school.

Written by Maddie T and Sophie

Cross Country

On Tuesday 10^th May Nelson Central School had their cross country. Year 3/4 kids ran around a track around part of the block and school grounds. Lots of us had butterflies in our tummies before we began. Most people were hot and sweaty by the end. We were all very tired by the end but we also felt very proud of ourselves! Some of us also chose to go in the open race. Sally thinks that we are running superstars!

Top 10 Placings from Room 5

Year 3 Girls

Lucy – 7^th

Year 4 Girls

Holly – 1^st

Ella – 3^rd

Sophie – 6^th

Year 4 Boys

Aiden – 8th

Thanks Room 10!

Yesterday we were very excited to receive an envelope in the mail. Inside it contained letters from Room 10 at Kaiapoi North School. We sent letters to them after the earthquake. We were especially excited to read Jesse's letter as Jesse spent several weeks with us after the earthquake. Thanks Room 10!