"Don't Put Up With Put Downs"

Here is a link to a website from Holly for information on bullying.
http://www.police.govt.nz/service/yes/nobully/bully_info.html
Check it out:-)

A Goblin's Tale

Today our school was visited by a group of performers who put on a show called "A Goblin's Tale". Although the performance was pitched at a younger age than our class, it raised some important points about making assertive decisions, setting goals and striving to achieve them, peer pressure, and bullying. These issues can be achieved and overcome by using the "Balmoral Habits" of Managing Self, Persisting, Creativity, Communication and Thinking.

Post a comment relating to some of the issues raised in the performance. Remember we are trying to develop a higher level of critical thinking so think about your comments:-)

"Saying Yes"

This week we analyzed the film "Yes Man" starring Jim Carrey.

The film is about a bank employee Carl Allen who has become withdrawn and preoccupied with his personal life since his divorce from ex-wife Stephanie. Routinely ignoring his friends Pete and Rooney for hangouts at their local bar where Stephanie regularly visits, he has grown used to spending his spare time watching DVDs alone in his apartment, and has an increasingly negative outlook on life. One day, Nick, an old colleague of Carl's suggests that he goes to a "Yes!" seminar with him, which encourages its attendants to seize the opportunity to say "Yes!" Carl considers the option, but subsequently misses Pete's engagement party at the bar. An irate Pete turns up at his house and berates him, telling him that he will end up completely lonely if he doesn't change his life around. Carl decides to attend the seminar and he meets inspirational guru Terrence Bundley, who publicly browbeats him into making a covenant with himself. Carl reluctantly promises to stop being a "No Man" and vows to answer "Yes!" to every opportunity, request or invitation that presents itself thereafter.

What do we think about the power of saying "Yes".... How can saying a simple three letter word be so powerful and affect our lives?
Write a comment!!

Teen Fashion and the Influence of Celebrities

Questions: "Are teenagers becoming more and more influenced by celebrities?"
What do we think?? Post a comment.

Increase In The Price of Cigarettes

Question: "Will the price increase in cigarettes lower the number of people smoking or will they sacrifice other things to pay for their habit?"
What do we think?? Post a comment.

Circus Sport Challenge

From Monday 10^th May to Wednesday 12^th May, Balmoral School had the opportunity to take part in the Circus Sport Challenge. The two instructors, Phil and Richie showed us some awesome tricks on the spinning sticks, spinning plates and diablo. We were all eager to learn new tricks. On Tuesday our class were lead to the hall to do just that. The purpose of these activities were to develop our hand-eye coordination skills in a fun way. First up we had a go with the spinning sticks.

Richie showed us some simple tricks to get us started. It looked hard so I was surprised when I actually managed to throw it up and catch it. Next was the spinning plates. I only managed to spin it once! I looked around enviously at the plates spinning round and round madly. The last activity was the diablo, which we were told has been around for many years and originated in China. Getting it spinning on the ground was the easy part. It was impossible to throw it up in the air and catch it… or so I thought. I was astonished by how my classmates got it up after only a couple of tries. Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky. Overall, we all had great fun and it was a wonderful experience.
By Jade Xiao
(click on photos to enlarge)

Body Systems

Interesting facts about the Cardiovascular, Immune, Respiratory, Skeletal and Muscular, Digestive and Excretory, Integumentary and Nervous Systems....Check our findings in the comments:-)

Body Systems

This term we are looking at the different systems in the Human Body...
My students are going to post comments with interesting facts that they discovered on our learning journey....Check it out!

Youth Drinking in New Zealand

Question: "In light of another teenage death involving underage drinking, is there more we can do to prevent these tragedies??
What do we think?? Post a comment.

Link to view article from student's mother -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10644158

What's Up In Term 2

Under the Rich Task umbrella of Body Systems we will be linking in the curriculum areas in the following ways....

Maths:
We will be looking at the Statistics strand, in particular Body Statistics, as well as Measurement. We will also begin to look at Problem Solving Strategies to make links between Maths and everyday life. Maths is all around us!

Literacy:
We will be looking at reading and writing explanations and identifying and using the features of explanatory writing. We will also look at developing visual language techniques to make our work more visually appealing. That whole "wow" factor! We will use these skills in our Rich Task presentation.

Science:
We will be doing some experiments associated with our body senses as well as focusing on body fitness. How fit are we really?

Art:
Using Paint, Brushes, Colour Pencils, Chalk, and different paper textures we will explore different application of colour looking at body parts. Time to activate our artistic bones Team!

Philosophy:
In our community of inquiry we will discuss issues/dilemmas associated with health and our bodies.

Health:
Our bodies and thinking are beginning to change! It can be a scary time for some so this term we are looking at how these change during puberty.

PE:
Large balls skills and winter games is on the menu for this term as well as a huge fitness focus. Step ups, sit ups, pull ups, and the dreaded "beep test" are some of the activities we will be doing to build up our general fitness levels. Learning how to take our pulse is also something we will be learning.

Languages:
Continuing with Maori I will also be introducing Japanese (a language I am pretty fluent in) as well as learning French along with the students. Exciting times!

An 11 week term is going to be a long one however, I hope to see my students using the "Balmoral Habits" to push themselves more and more, take risks, and show their many talents. That's all for now....

Welcome to the Fantastic Four Blog!

Hi there.
Our blog is finally up and running! The aim is to share all the fun and exciting things that go on in our class at Balmoral School as well as things happening around the world and also things that we are interested in. I will endeavour to keep it up to date with new posts and regularly pose thought provoking questions for us to comment on. My main goal is to connect with all the parents of the students in my class so they can share in our journey of learning.
That's all for now.

"Sharing is Caring" so let's begin:-)