HIGH FIVE TO BENJAMIN FOR HIS .I.C.A.S. EXAM SUCCESS

Have a look at the Eastern Courier article about Benjamin's amazing success in the I.C.A.S. English exam. 

He obtained first in New Zealand for Year 4. First out of 4,731 students who sat the test!

WOW! You rock Benjamin!

Read the article on the link below:

Benjamin in Eastern Courier

EXcellence in ICAS Results

Have a look at the amazing results in the last newsletter...

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION & ASSEMENT FOR SCHOOLS ENGLISH

We have received notification that Benjamin   achieved the top score in New Zealand in ICAS English in Year 4 and will be receiving a University of New South Wales medal in December. Congratulations Benjamin, this

is an outstanding achievement.!

Keep watching for more about this as Benjamin is going to be interviewed by the local newspaper!

POETRY TASK WEEK 1

PERFECT POETRY 

In Term 4 we will be looking at some different features of poetry including rhyme, similes, metaphors, alliteration and personification. 

Your task is to choose a poem of interest. Then to memorize and present it back to the class. The poem needs to have 4 stanzas or more and be suitable for sharing back to class.

Please have this ready by the end of week 1.

We will start to look at at the features and present poems in week 2.

Some useful links are below. You may like to get a library book out to choose from, talk to Mum and Dad about poems they like and why.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/poetry.htm

The below two links have a range of poems but do have a lot of advertiseing to watch out for.

http://www.classroomjr.com/poems-for-kids/


http://www.angelfire.com/md/byme/pocket/poetry1.html

ICAS Spelling Stars Year 4

Below are our clever distinction and high distinction spellers.

MATHS LEARNING TERM THREE

Please check your Mathletics account for assigned tasks. I have added several for each classmember with Mathletics to support fractions, decimals and percentage learning. I will update these every 7-10 days.
Please see me if they are too easy/hard or you want more support activities. Don't forget there is also Rainforest Maths that is EXCELLENT for all areas of Maths we cover in class.

Remember you are still able to join Mathletics if wanted, just let me know.

I will be adding weekly Sum Dog compettions for the rest of the term also.

Below is another great link for fraction games and models.

http://www.factmonster.com/math/knowledgebox/fractioncafe.html

Mrs S

Speech Task Due 24th August

Historical event or person II

 Source: http://www.times-age.co.nz/weekly/wahine.html

Your task is to present to a small group an informative speech about a famous NZ  person or a historical NZ event.

The speech needs to be a minimum of 1 minute long.

Choose a topic from the MANY different people and events on the CHRISTCHURCH CITY LIBRARIES KIDS WEBSITE-HOMEWORK ZONE (DISATERS AND FAMOUS NEW ZEALANDERS).-see weblinks on bottom of blog for link.

·         Choose a topic , read through your article and take notes, (or highlight key information)

·         Write the main ideas of your speech in your own words, remember to include important events about the disaster/person.

You can put either a picture or some words on a powerpoint or USb stick to help keep the audience interested.

A helpful checklist Have you: q researched your topic? q used all the main points? q practised reading the speech to a good level q practised speaking with a clear voice? q practised speaking without reading ? q timed your speech so that it fits into the set time? Does your speech: q have a beginning, a middle, and an end? q interest your audience?

Term Three Activities and Learning Intentions

FITNESS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday will be cross country training.
Change into fitness gear and SENSIBLE RUNNING SNEAKERS/SHOES.
Cross Country is in Week 7, 30th August, Inter-School Week 9, 11th September

SPORT: Every Friday there will be a sports rotation including 1 week at each of the following activities;
Tapuae, Gym , Team Building and Sideline Hockey.

MATHS : MEASUEMENT, Length & Area, Volume, Mass & Capacity
                 NUMBER, Fractions, Percentages, Decimals, Proportions & Ratios

WRITING: Short stories, (Narratives) and Procedural
Speeches to be completed and edited in week 1, presenting in class week 2

READING: inference skills, evidence-based answers, critical questioning and understanding authors message

SPELLING: increased word knowledge, recognising spelling rules and applying, editing for clarity, editing for impact, simple and complex sentences and figurative language

MAORI : intoductions, Mihi, Waiata, Maori Myths and Art

ICT: introducing Glogster, Phtography Skills, Inspiration and Tagxedo

VISUAL ARTS: Posters and presentation skills, Mythical Creatures, Trophies

HANDWRITING: moving onto using pens continue adding flicks and links

Speeches Term 3

Speech booklets have been given out. Please write your speech inside the booklet ready for the start of Term 3. You may write it seperately on refill or the computer BUT this must be placed/stapled into the booklet. The booklet includes initial topic planning, pointers and reminders on how to write a speech.

Speech requirements are as follows;
-speech needs to between 2 minutes 30 and 3 minutes long.
-your sppech must be completely written and ready for editing and or placing on cue cards in week one
Term 3.
-Cue cards should ideally only be keypoints or a shortened version of your speech (main points)
-Practise your speech at home and memorise it as much as possible.


You have all chosen fantastic topics so have fun writing.

Remember to add points of interest throughout your speech. A good way to keep
it interesting is to include a range of sentences; some short, some long and some medium sized!

Think of places to add pauses, add gestures and to make eye contact.

WRITING A  SPEECH

The introduction should include an interesting beginning to catch the audience such as a sound effect, role play or question

The Body of a speech should be interesting, make sense and follow a logical order

The conclusion includes a final statement about your topic

PRESENTING  A SPEECH
V	Projecting your voice well so everyone can hear
E	Making regular eye contact with the audience
G	Using some gestures when presenting
E	Adding expression in my voice to make my speech interesting
S	Having a good stance while delivering my speech

Traditional Maori Medicine

Your home learning task: week 9

Using the internet, library, experts …

Find out what some of the traditional medicines that Maori used before settlers came to New Zealand.

You must:

·      Find three different treatments

·      A picture of each plant used

Explanation of how and what it was used for in your own words.

Presentation	20 points
Information in own words	15
Correct and accurate	15
Total	50

A useful link is below:

http://www.eske-style.co.nz/maori_plant_use.asp

Report Writing -The Plague

Your task during the next week is to gather information about the plague in order to write a report IN CLASS.
Information needs to include:
-when and who was involved
-what caused the plague
-where did it start
-how long did it last for
-number of people that died
-how was a cure found
-what changed after the plague
would it happen in modern times? /why yes/why no
-what well-known nursery rhyme relates to the plague

The below website will help you learn more about the middle ages and the plague.

http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/plague.html