We have been learning about what fractions are. We made playdough sandwiches and pizzas and cut them equally into halves, quarters and thirds. We shared raisins and cubes into halves, quarters and fifths. Mrs Day also showed us how to play a fractions game with foam pieces and a dice.

Fractions fun

fractions - slideshow dvd

Hawaiin Petroglyphs

Last term, we were learning about Petroglyphs of Hawaii. The word petroglyph comes from a Greek word which means 'stone carving'. Petroglyphic art is the ancient art of carving pictures and symbols into rock. The oldest Hawaiian petroglyphs date back to AD 983. Petroglyphs help Historians (people who find out about the past) to form ideas about the early people of Hawaii. The pictures portray sailing canoes, different animals, important ceremonies, and different figures. We had a go at drawing some of them and decided to use these for this years calendar art. You can have a look at the calendar art in Room 4. Oscar was lucky enough to go to Hawaii during the holidays and saw some real Petroglyphs. You can see the photos he took above as well as some of Room 4's art work.

Next term Theo will be joining Room 4. He spent the morning in our class on Friday and had a fantastic day. He wrote a funny poem while in Room 4.
I eat...

I eat guns,
I eat germs,
I eat people
full of worms!

I eat sharks,
I eat peas,
I eat noses
mixed with fleas!

Well done Theo. We're all looking forward to you joining our class.

The Len Lye experience written by Ellie and Francesca

Yesterday Room 4, Miss Bain and some lovely parents went to the art gallery in the city to learn about Len Lye. We all went in different cars. I went in David's huge car. When we first got there a lady called Rebecca said she'd show us some sculptures. My favourite sculpture was Storm King because it was made out of silver shiny metal which is my favourite colour. At first it was soft and gentle, then it looked like a dolphin dancing. It sounded like a snow storm when the thin piece of metal hit the huge long thick piece of metal. Ellie

Yesterday Room 4, Miss Bain and some parents went to the amazing art gallery in New Plymouth which is very old. We all went in different cars. When we got there we had a little talk about the rules in the art gallery. A lady showed us around and her name was Rebecca. My favourite sculpture was the last one she showed us and it was the Fountain. It's my favourite because it's pretty and interesting. It had a black base and golden bits poking out of it. It had a golden flash of light streaming down on it. On the roof it made a beautiful shape in a circle. Francesca

The old house written by David Marriot

Last week Room 4, Room 3, Miss Bain and Mrs Johnson walked to the oldest house in Oakura. We went because our topic is about the olden days. Next we started to draw the house. Is was a one story building. The windows had a frame around them and so did the door. The roof was bumpy. It was green, white and blue. In the olden days it was used as a stable for cows and horses.

Buddy reading

Every Tuesday Room 4 share books with Room 9. The children have enjoyed reading to each other and discussing different parts of the story.

Chloe impressed us with her violin skills this week in our Music lesson. Chloe was playing her violin along to some music. We are learning to sing and play music to the song Gina written by Jon Madin.

Cross country fun

This week the annual Junior cross country race was held. Many children in Room 4 were excited and some were even a little nervous. Every child ran there best and enjoyed the event. Well done to all the runners.

There are Dinosaurs at Oakura School!

Joseph, Cory and Sophie amazed us with their homemade Dinosaurs today in our Junior and Senior assembly. The pupils loved them and asks lots of questions to find out more about how they were made.

"We went to the Dinosaur show in Auckland and decided that we wanted to make our own." Sophie.

"To make the Dinosaurs we used chicken wire, paper mache and paint. We used ping pong balls as eyes and gave them sharp teeth to make them look scary." Joseph.

"First we made the shape of the Dinosaurs with chicken wire. Then we covered the chicken wire with paper and glue. Finally we covered them with paint." Cory.

Welcome to Oakura School Jasper.

Jasper is a new boy in Room 4. He is from Canada and loves to read and play games at school.

Rugby world cup sports day.

We had a fantastic time taking part in all kinds of Rugby activities. It was great to see the children dressed in their countries colours.

Puke Ariki and the Richmond cottage

Yesterday we went to Puke Ariki and the Richmond cottage. We learnt all about what life was like for children in the 1800s.

"The children were very busy!" Francesca

"They collected chicken eggs." Lily

"They didn't have any washing machines." Cory

"They had to bath in a tub!" Sahara

"The fire place was their kitchen."David

"They collected water from the river." Fenton

"Shoes cost a lot of money." Chloe

"They dressed differently." Sophie

Musical Room 4.

Room 4 are lucky enough to be taught Music by the fantastic Mrs Aiello. The children have been listening to music to identify the instruments they can hear, how it makes them feel and why the composer decided to choose a certain speed, volume and pitch. This week they used Glockenspiels, Bells and wooden Claves to create a piece of music.