Swimming Slideshow.

Here are the pics I took last term of our class at the Papatoetoe Centennial Pools. See how much fun we had! Term 3 in the Papatoetoe Pool on PhotoPeach

Term 3 in Review

I am just looking through the homework books and reading the lovely comments from my class about the term we have just completed. I thought I would share some with you.

Joanna: My proudest moment was when I won two gold medals in inter-school chess. (Joanna, you are fabulous!)

Ritorya: My proudest moment was when I came 5th in inter-school cross country. (Ritorya, you are amazing!)

Gaylene: My proudest moment was when I came 1st in the school cross country. (Gaylene, you are very fast! I bet you will go to Zones next year)

Abhinay: My proudest moment was when I was selected to represent my school in the inter-school cross country. (Abhinay, you are a great sportsman with a super attitude)

Lucy: My proudest moment was when I competed in inter-school gymnastics (Lucy, your scores for the beam and mat were outstanding!)

Andy: My proudest moment was when I did the writing sample. (Andy, you are getting to be such an amazing writer!)

Paul: My proudest moment was when I got a better score in the PAT Maths test. (Paul, I am really pleased with your progress, too)

Phoenix: My proudest moment was when I got a Ka Pai for excellent number knowledge. (Phoenix, I am really enjoying seeing your confidence in Maths improve)

Manav and Sahibdeep: My proudest moment was when I performed in the Pacifica Showcase. (You guys were fab)

Mary: The funniest moment was when we were on the mat and my teacher's phone was like "Hello, hello, hel-lo-ow!" (My Minions are not supposed to call me during class time)

Damien-Joe: My favourite part of break time is when I go to the garden. (Damien, we love having you in the gardening group)

Puipui: My favourite part of break time is when I go to gymnastics training. (Puipui, it's really neat to see you making the most of the break time opportunities at PCS)

I loved reading about how much you enjoy playing with your friends at break times as good friendships make your days at school so much more enjoyable and rewarding. It is great to see you are still making new friends in Term 3 as well. (Raj, Mary, Balraj, Fazileen)

I love the goal setting I read from Fazileen, Nathan, Savyo, Raj, Balraj and many others. Keep up the good work, guys!

I just want to add... as a teacher, everyday I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing, talented group of kids. It is a pleasure to come to school each day and see you all progress in your own unique and incredible ways.

Keep up the excellent work as we head into Term 4.

So, how was school today?

This is a post for parents.
I was thinking the other day about how little I used to tell my parents about my school day and noticed that now I am a parent myself, when I ask my son about his day I also get very short answers. I went in search of some ideas on how to draw some decent answers out of children about how their day went.
I thought I would share these with you all. I know everyday in our class is different and fun and interesting and that every day your child is learning a little bit more... but when I hear the kids telling you about their day outside the class at 3pm, I can hear they too are giving you the boring answer. So how about giving a few of these questions a go to see if you can get a better answer than "Fine" or "Good"? Because I am very sure that if you ask the right question you will get the right answer.

1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you the happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?
13. Who would you like to play with at break that you've never played with before?
14. Tell me something good that happened today.
15. What word did your teacher say most today?
16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
19. Where do you play the most at break?
20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
23. Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?
24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.

I found these gems on the Huffington Post website and just loved them. Give a few of them a try and let me know how you get on....

Jennifer