Matua Grant drew a diagram to show the streams that the Whare Tiaki Roopu (house teams) are named after and how they flow into the Waikato River. This activity got students thinking about how the Waikato River is one of the many significant landmarks in the Taupō area.
Going on a river cruise Room 13 experienced seeing the Waikato River and other landmarks close up.
Room 13 made a mural of the route of the trip. Other landmarks including Huka Falls, Wairakei Power Station and Aratiatia Dam were added. Small groups discussed photographs of the landmarks and created word lists of the features they could see. These were presented to the class and stories were written.
I didn’t know that heaps of plants grew beside the river. The kakabeaks are special; there aren’t many growing in the wild. The lady was watering them to keep them alive.
Room 13 went on the Huka Falls River Cruise. At the start we got on the boat. Me and my mum got on first so I got to sit where I wanted to sit. Then the driver asked the girls to drive the boat first because the boys would drive the boat crazy. My mum took a photo so she could show my dad. Finally we saw the waterfall. It was so cool. The water splashed on me.
I learnt that the waterfall was big instead of small. We went under a bridge. I normally go over the bridge every single day so it was fun going under it. I learnt that there were lots of landmarks along the river like the trees in the middle of the river and I saw the power station. The captain was nice and let all of us have a turn to drive the boat. I had to look straight ahead and focus. I saw a big dotty Rainbow Trout. It swam away really fast. It was chilling next to the sand and it made some dust come up as it swam away. It was so pretty.
The engine of the boat was noisy. There was lots of weed in the river. We had to go around it. When we got close to the waterfall it got bumpy and noisy. I had a good view of it because I was standing on the platform.
We got on the boat. We sat on a seat. We went to the waterfall.
The water was beautiful and the water was deep. I was excited. I got to stand beside the front rail. I loved that the waterfall was splashing on me.
We saw trout in the water and birds flying. It was so cool. We got to go to the top of the boat to see the waterfall.
When we got off the bus I saw the red boat. I was so excited to go on the boat to the waterfall. When we got to the waterfall the water splashed so high that it splashed on my face and hands. I was mesmerised by the sound and the movement of the waves. It was amazing.
I didn’t know it took so long going down the river. It was fun because we went close to the waterfall. The boat went up and down on the big waves. The waterfall was making the big waves.
I walked on the wobbly jetty then I hopped on the boat. When it was my turn to drive the boat I was driving slowly. When I went on the platform I saw the waterfall. When we floated backwards to the waterfall I got splashed.
I went on the boat. I had a turn to drive the boat.
On the bus I saw Lava Glass and my nanny told me it was a landmark. The Waikato River is also a landmark and the Huka Falls. The dam where we watched the water come out at Aratiatia is a landmark too. On the boat I saw the black headed swans. I was looking down and trying to see the eels but I couldn’t see them because the water was too dark. Going on the slow cruise boat was really fun because I learned so many things.
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.
– Anthony J. D'Angelo
My goal is to provide learning opportunities that inspire students to be curious and creative. In a supportive environment students will explore, question and discover elements of the world around them.
Specialising in literacy education has meant I can support students to develop their reading skills. Sharing engaging stories with vibrant illustrations are a stepping stone to creating a range of unique artworks that are displayed with pride.
This hands-on approach is an important part of learning in my classroom. Students discover how words and numbers work using materials. They participate in science experiments, physical activities and creative pursuits. By accepting challenges, taking risks, making mistakes and problem solving students develop an understanding of their capabilities and develop resilience.
When I am not in the classroom I can be found in the garden. It is my connection to the natural world. The time taken to nurture and care for plants is rewarded by experiencing the beauty of flowers blooming and the taste of fresh fruit and vegetables. The sensory connection I have when gardening inspires many art projects in my class. It is important that students believe their ideas and opinions are valued and they have the opportunity to share their personal experiences. I believe that classrooms are successful when a collaborative learning environment is created by students, teachers, whānau and the school community working and celebrating progress together.
Comments
No one has commented on this post yet.