Our Eggs!!!

We LOVED the Eggs Competition!

Current Events

Here are the links to the two news articles we will be discussing during literacy today. Ms Loo found them in the New Zealand Herald.

Rare New Zealand bird settles into new home

DoC losses could affect endangered species

Have you found any articles you would like to share with the class? Please bring them in for Oral News.

Bird Sounds to help you with your Inquiry

Click here to visit the Department of Conservation site to help you collate bird sounds for your camp book.

Working on our records in Art

We are working really hard in Art to complete our records!

Special Guest Garrick Gibbons from Biosecurity

This afternoon we were very fortunate to have Garrick from Biosecurity come in and speak to us about his job which involves protecting wildlife and their habitats in New Zealand.

Garrick Gibbons from Biosecurity

 Did you know?

• It has taken millions on years for species to evolve.
• The tuatara is a living dinosaur.
• Humans have only been in New Zealand for a very short time compared to how long the land has been around.
• 95% of all Kiwi chicks will be killed by stoats.
• Mustelids can include: ferrets, stoats and weasels. These were all brought to New Zealand for their meat, fur and to kill rabbits, unfortunately they ended up killing our native birds!

Why are our New Zealand species so important?

• The species are very important to our country and now they are in real danger of becoming extinct. 
• There are currently only 130 Kakapo left in the whole world and they all live in New Zealand.

Why are New Zealand species vulnerable?

• They evolved without any predators (nothing to eat them or harm them).
• They were flightless, they had no need to fly and they adapted to their environment.
• They are very slow and have knowledge of the skills to defend themselves.
• They do not produce many young because in the past there were no predators so they did need to produce at a great rate.

Why are our native species important?

• They are needed for a healthy ecosystem.
• They disperse seeds.
• They help to pollinate flowers.
• They breakdown and recycle nutrients-woods and leaves in the stream.

Why are our native species threatened?

• Introduced competitors such as mice, other birds and algae who eat the same food as them.
• Introduced browsers such as possums, pigs, goats and deer.
• Introduced predators such as mustelids, rats, cats and dogs.

Predators can include:

• cats
• dogs
• rats
• stoats
• possum
• ferrets
• weasels
• hedgehogs

What is being done???

• Poisons are being used to kill the predators (helicopters are used to help too)
• Traps are being set to catch the predators
• Sometimes we need to shoot the predators

To see all the photos from the visit please click here

Art Home Learning due Tuesday Week 8

Art home learning is to plan the other side of your self portrait record in your art book (to check spelling & practice font style)

We have discussed what would be acceptable and reflects who you are.

Examples of ideas are:
descriptive words about themselves….that starts with their name or  I am………"
PYP words…. Risk taker etc….

A favourite saying or quote (sporty? Arty? Inspirational? Dance?)

Meaning of their name- e.g. Arabella= gracious beauty
Part of a song lyric

Blog Competition

We have 30 subscribers so far!

Please encourage students and parents to verify and activate their subscription by clicking on the email link. Lots are not doing this so it will not count towards the total. People may have filters on their computers so it appears that the email is not arriving. Encourage people to check junk and spam folders and to make sure they type in the exact email address.

Thanks and good luck. Friday 3pm will be the end of the competition.

The Hare and the Tortoise

As part of your reading rotation this week, I would like you to check out these other versions of The Hare and the Tortoise stories.

We are going to have loads of fun retelling the story next Monday morning.

You can also download the free book app I showed you today if Mum and Dad let you.

http://www.storyit.com/Classics/Stories/tortoisehare.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YubN1MPVN-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjokVI0LJzw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdZIfafAlaU

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=195801

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ_MN-ZpXIU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijb_iC3Btxw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufEu8fVUSBw

Our Amazing Camp Experience!

We had such a wonderful time at camp on Wednesday and Thursday!

We are all very tired this morning but we wanted to share our photos.

Group photo

One of our amazing guides

Click here to view more photos

Blog Competition

Get as many people to follow our blog!

Swimming Sports was so much fun!

We were really excited that the day for Swimming Sports had arrived!

Before we begin our races

Still smiling!

Well done!

Post a comment about what was your favourite event at the Swimming Sports.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sharing the Planet, find our more...

As part of our Reading and Inquiry programme for the next 2 days, you are to visit the websites of the two main places we are visiting for our Y4 camp experience.

Tiritiri Matangi

The Auckland Zoo

Post a comment about what you are going to be most excited about seeing.

Sharing the Planet Inquiry

This week we begin our inquiry into 'Sharing the Planet.'

The CENTRAL IDEA for this inquiry is 'The existence of wildlife is affected by humans.'

Our LINES OF INQUIRY are:

• There is a relationship between human action and the existence of wildlife.
• The choices and actions people take, make a difference towards the environment.
• Various organisations assist wildlife.

The LEARNER PROFILES that will be a main focus: Principled, Balanced and Caring.

ATTITUDES that will be integrated throughout this inquiry are: Integrity, Respect and Independence.