Final Blog Post For Room 18 Online 2009

The kids have met their new teacher for 2010, they've taken home their report cards, and they're now happily at home enjoying the holidays. Room 18 now sits empty and bare for the summer, waiting for a new teacher to move in.

I thought I'd take the opportunity in this final blog post to thank...

The students. You have achieved so much success this year and have come so far with your learning. We've had a lot of laughs in Room 18 and it's been awesome to work with such great little peoples. So, thanks Room 18...you've been fantastic to teach!

The parents and caregivers. Your support, wonderful words, and interest in what makes Room 18 such a great place, has been lovely. Thanks for your help this year and it's been a pleasure getting to know you.

To you, the audience! You may be an Auckland-based parent or a student in Room 18...you may be a distant relative in Christchurch, or a grandparent in Bermuda/the UK/Korea...you may be a teacher in Egypt or a kid in a very remote part of India. I really appreciate how you've helped Room 18ers understand that their learning is so important that people from all around the world are tuned in with fascination. So for your interest and comments, thank you, audience!

Merry Christmas, everyone. All the best for 2010. (-:

Mr. Nash

Interview With Mr. Hill

Our interview with Mr. Hill went very well! It took place in the final hour of school for 2009 in the food tech room. We even had extra audience members!
To listen to the interview and to find out more about Mr. Hill (A Y7/8 teacher), please select the interview from our podcasting box on the right-hand side of your screen.

Downloading Webcasts

There have been several parents requesting instructions on how to download the Room 18 Online Webcasts that have been produced this year.

The easiest way is to download the free version of RealPlayer. This is a trusted piece of software and will not harm your computer.

Click here to download it: Realplayer Free Version

Once you have downloaded and installed it, you can head back here to Room 18 Online. When you move your mouse over a webcast, Real Player will make a pop-up button on the upper right hand corner of the webcast, offering you to download/save the video.

If there are any questions, please feel free to come in to see me, either on Monday, Tuesday, or early in 2010.

Webcast Finale 2009

This is the last of our webcasts this year. Our super spectacular Christmas Holidays episode!



Tune in for some special wishes and some groovy new Christmas music. (-:

Athletics Day Pictures

Room 18 had a stunning day yesterday with Athletics followed by swimming. Everybody gave their very best at each station.
Below are some pictures of Room 18ers participating in the events.

Christmas @ Room 18

Room 18 is definitely in Christmas mode!

We've mailed off our letters to Santa Claus. We used our persuasive writing skills to convince Santa that we deserve presents! We also sent him our wishlists so that he'll know what to get us! We're hoping for a reply from Santa later this week or early next week.

As always, Ginger has been celebrating with us. Ginger came in this morning all decked out in garland, lights, and baubles!

Reindeer Snacks

Yesterday, Room 18 made reindeer snacks. Those students who had paid their baking fees were able to take them home. For those people who would like to make more reindeer snacks over the school holidays, here is the recipe...

Reindeer Snacks

Ingredients
3/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of honey
125 grams of butter
1/4 cup of mixed fruit
2.5 cups of of popped popcorn

Method:
1) Melt sugar, honey and butter in a pan. Bring to a boil.
2) Simmer for 2 minutes.
3) Toss together fruit, nuts, and popcorn.
4) Pour butter mixture over fruit mixture and mix.
5) Put spoonfuls into paper cups.
6) Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Swimming

The Hobsonville School Pool is now OPEN. Room 18 has been invited to use it on Wednesday afternoon after our Athletics. Students have been given an option of using the pool if they bring their togs and towel on Wednesday.
Parents, if your favourite Room 18er is wanting to make use of the pool, please assist them with organising their togs and towel for Wednesday. (-:

Some parents prefer to take students home after Athletics. Wednesday IS a full day of instruction with the school open the usual hours, however, if you would like to take your Room 18er home at lunch, please let me know so I can avoid any panic!

Baking Day

This upcoming Monday (Dec. 7th), Room 18 will be making reindeer food! This will be taking place after Morning Tea @11am for about 30-45minutes. We'd love to have some help, so if you are a parent or grandparent of a Room 18er, please feel free to show up at the classroom doors for an 11am trip to the food tech room. (-:

Thanks,
Mr. Nash

Webcast 18

This is the first of our Christmas webcasts! We were racing the Morning Tea bell today, so this webcast is especially snappy!

Webcast 17

We have decided that this is OUR BEST YET!

Art Exhibition At The Trusts Stadium

Room 18 went on a trip today to the Trusts Stadium in Waitekere City! We saw lots of artwork done by many other students in West Auckland. We were also happy to see some artwork from Hobsonville students there as well!

Webcast 16

Joel P At Skytower

This is me up the Skytower. Alex got to go to see "Oliver" on stage so when we dropped her off with Mum we decided to go up to the top. Firstly we had to pay to get into the Skytower and when we were at the gift shop I heard one of our jump jam songs.
Secondly, it was so awesome at the lift because when I was getting up to the top I got to see a whole giant view. It was so fun.
Thirdly, when I got to the top I said to Dad, I'll walk around the whole thing and find him again and 'voila' I did it, I found him.
Lastly, I'll have to go back on my birthday and go into the café that goes round and round.
From Joel P

Interview Update

And the votes are in! In a close final day of voting, Mr. Hill had 7 more votes than Mr. Nash. Room 18 will be asking Mr. Hill for an interview sometime next week.

Interview Who should we interview?
Mr. Hill	49.2%	120
Mr. Nash	46.3%	113
Mrs. Leitch	2.5%	6
Mr. Couch	1.6%	4
Mrs. Okkers	0.4%	1
total votes: 244

Webcast 16

Interview Polling

You may have noticed the polling on the right side of our blog. This is for Room 18 students and their audience (YOU!) to vote on who would be an interesting person to have a chat with. Feel free to vote for your favourite! Voting closes this upcoming FRIDAY morning.

Mr. Nash

Parent Help

Parents,

We've finished 'Getting Muddy' in our Inquiry process with technology, and now we're launching into our 'Getting Busy' phase. This involves blenders, newspapers, filters, water, and a whole bunch of additives later on in order to make our own recycled paper. If you could spare your time to help us out on Tuesday from 10am-11:15am (our Inquiry/Library/Pod time) it would be appreciated. The students would benefit from some additional help during this very industrius time. Please see me if you can help out, even just as a one-off.

Thanks,
Mr. Nash

Writing from Week 4- Should we perform plays in Room 18?

I think Room 18 should most definitely do more plays.
Firstly, some people have already done a play in front of the class. And it will be fair if other people get to do a play in front of the class as well.
Secondly, plays are sooo much fun.
Because there are lots of fun plays to do.
Thirdly, I think lots of people like plays, and the people that are not doing plays can listen to the very cool play.
Lastly, because people can come inside with a smile on their face because they have just seen a very cool play.
I think Room 18 should most definitely not stop plays!
By Anouska

Room 18 must definitely be able to do plays.
Firstly, I love plays because they are sooooo much fun!
Secondly, I like practising plays, even if we miss out on super silent reading.
Thirdly, I love performing plays, I don’t care if we have to start all over again and if the audience has to wait. I don’t care.
Lastly I don’t care if my group can’t be first to perform plays.
I like doing cool,cool,cool,cool,cool,plays.
That’s why I think Room 18 must be allowed to do plays.
By Ruby

Room 18 most definitely should not have plays.
Firstly, it would take forever.
Secondly, I’d rather not let everyone wet their pants or socks or shorts.
Thirdly, I hate plays!
Finally, everyone will get annoyed and very very angry.
I think room 18 should not have plays.
By Summer

Room 18 must definitely stop plays.
Firstly, if we had Ginger letters and the play was long, we would have to sit soooo long.
Secondly, if some people make mistakes they might start again, and that is bad because you’d have to wait sooo long.
Thirdly, if I want a movie of the Little Red Hen I will get a DVD.
Lastly, when we wait so long for the play, we might miss out on super silent reading.
I think room18 has to definitely not do plays ever again.
By Dimas

I think we must definitely do plays.
Firstly, plays are so much fun, and you don’t often get to do plays.
Secondly, it’s good practise for our reading, if there are really big words in the middle of the plays.
And that tells us that we did a really good job.
Lastly, it wouldn’t be fair for the people that didn’t get to do a play.
That’s not fair because it would be sad for those people.
I think plays have to stay.
By Sophie

Room 18 must definitely have no more plays ever again
Firstly, I don’t want to see people wet their pants, because seeing people wet their pants is gross.
Secondly, if I want to see the three little pigs, I would see the movie.
Thirdly, I won’t get super silent reading for points.
Lastly, it’s not fair if another group is doing a play.
I think no more plays forever.
By Joel.P

We should most definitely be allowed plays as long as we like.
Firstly, In Term 2 in Madison’s other group, they got to do a play.
And it wouldn’t be fair if we don’t get to do a play.
Secondly, listening to plays is fun.
Thirdly, we could make a paper book of our own and copy and take it home so we can read it to ourselves.
Finally, if we listen we could make our own play with some words that the kids used in their play.
Room18 shall definitely be allowed plays forever.
By Jessica

Room 18 must not do any more plays.
Firstly, plays are very cool but some people might not like it.
Secondly, plays are not very cool because people want to go home.
I think room 18 has to definitely not do plays.
By Jordin

Room 18 must never do plays ever.
Firstly, when we do plays everybody has to be quiet.
Secondly, our group has only one book that is a play.
Thirdly, everybody has to sit down and fold their legs and their arms, and be respectful to everyone.
Lastly, checking the right words, this helps us with our reading.
Room 18 definitely should not do plays ever.
By Martin

I think Room 18 should do more plays.
Firstly, it is fun.
Secondly, everyone can do it.
Thirdly, because I like plays.
I think room 18 has to do more plays.
By Jean

Room 18 must not have anymore plays.
Secondly, plays waste time.
Thirdly, it makes us tired.
I think we should not have plays.
By Tiaan

We should definitely have no more plays!
Firstly, we don’t want to sit around all day.
Secondly, it is sooo long.
Thirdly, they might wet their pants.
Lastly, we can go home faster.
We must stop doing plays.
By Joel. W

I think we should definitely have more time off plays.
Firstly, it would take sooo long for your turn.
Secondly, we will miss out on our super silent reading.
Thirdly, we might be nervous in front of the audience.
Finally, we would be told to come back into the room.
That is why I think we should not do plays.
By Rachel

Room 18 must definitely not be allowed to do plays for ever.
Firstly, it wastes learning time.
Secondly, people will be nervous and they might wet themselves.
Lastly, I think we should have no more plays.
By Jayden

I think Room 18 should not do anymore plays.
Firstly, it would sometimes take sooo long we wouldn’t be able to do super silent reading.
Secondly, sometimes people get nervous and they have to start all over again.
Thirdly, people might wet themselves.
Lastly, it is bad because you have to wait a long time.
I think Room 18 most definitely should stop the plays.
By Savannah

I think we should most definitely have plays!
Firstly, it is fun.
Secondly, we might get to dress up.
Thirdly, it is cool to do.
Lastly we can bow.
I think we should have plays forever.
By Ciara

We should most definitely have no more plays.
Firstly, people will do something wrong.
Secondly, I don’t want to watch people wet themselves at school.
Thirdly, they will be crazy at the play.
I think we should have no more plays.
By Madison

Sophie and Cookie Muncher

Webcast 14

A Guy Fawkes and 5+ A Day special webcast!

Reading with Ginger again!

I was at home. I read Ginger a story. Ginger likes stories!

By Joel W.

WEBCAST SPECIAL: HALLOWE'EN EDITION

BOO! We've got a frightening edition for you to watch today! Watch out for skeletons and witches, haunted houses and spooky sounds. This webcast will have...you...SPOOKED!

Webcast 12

Webcast 11

We've started adding some new features this term. See if you can spot the differences! Our host for Webcast 11 is also celebrating his 7th birthday today! Happy Birthday, Joel W!

TERM 4

Hurray! It's the start of a new term. The kids (and I!) were happy to be back today.
Please take this time to ensure that your favourite Room 18er is coming to school in proper uniform. While it may be tempting to postpone any uniform purchases until the start of next year, please remember that it is for your son/daughters safety that they come in correct school uniform. Yes, this a BIG reminder for all to help make sure that school hats are at school EVERY day. Students will be missing out on fitness, playtimes outside covered/shaded areas, P.E., etc if they are without sunhats. It is the responsibility of the students themselves to make sure they are remembering their sunhats, but sometimes a little help from Mum/Dad goes a long way! (-;

Mind Mapping

Room 18 used the "What If?" Thinking Key today for our introduction into the world of paper-making. This term we will complete our year of Inquiry under the theme of 'Survival'.
At the bottom of the blog, the mind map of Room 18's thoughts should appear. This is our starting point. We will hopefully be adding to this throughout the term.

Mr. Nash

Our Inquiry

In Term 3, we were looking at the changes that can take place in biomes. At the bottom of the blog, the students have completed a 'VoiceThread'. The students chose to share some of the things they've learned about either the polar biome or the desert biome. You can click on the pictures of each student next to the VoiceThread picture to hear what they have to say.

Mr. Nash

An Email To Mr. Nash

Dear Mr Nash,

For my birthday my brother and I went to TV3.

We watched the News being recorded. We then went to look at C4. (the music channel)

We got to meet Alasdair, Hillary and John Campbell. They were all very kind to Matthew and me. They love having visitors and said that we could come back again. They were very happy to have us there at TV3.

We really enjoyed watching TV3 being recorded. It was fun sitting in the News Presenters Chairs!

From Chloe

Bye Mr Nash we will see you after the holidays.

Webcast 10

Mr. Nash, Ginger, and Cookie Muncher have been on holidays. Sorry for the delay in posting the latest webcast!

Ginger's Adventure With Callum

When Ginger got home we had a teddy party on the trampoline. Ginger made lots of new friends. After that, we had dinner at McDonalds. Ginger liked the chips. Ginger listened to me reading my book and then I took him to bed and had cuddles.

Ginger's the best.

By: Callum

Picture Perfect

FLASH FLASH

Dear Room 18 Parents/Family,

Have you ever wanted to have a picture taken with an international superstar?

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! (-:

You've probably heard your lovely tv show presenter come home saying "Mum/Dad, you may have seen me in such amazing shows as....ROOM 18 ONLINE WEBCAST #9 today". Well now is the time to have YOUR 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight with them.

Hobsonville Primary School is offering you the opportunity to have your photo taken with your favourite Room 18 superstar (we're assuming your favourite Room 18 superstar is your son/daughter/family member)!

With an absolutely sky-high standard of photo taking, "Positive Negatives" will be available onsite in October during our Car-boot Sale on Saturday, October 17th.

Positive Negatives offers free photo sittings and gives you the opportuntity to purchase your favourite photos based on the negatives they give you to keep.

To have your beautiful/long-lasting/great memory/adorable/perfect opportunity photo captured next month, you'll just need to make contact with Chloe on (09) 416-6522 within the next 7 days to book a time. Photos are VERY reasonably priced.

Say Cheese!

FLASH FLASH

Letter To Ginger

Dear Ginger,

I need to tell you something. I really miss your squeeky paw and your furry lips and your cuddles. I miss you coming home with me, Ginger. I know other people like having you but I was wondering if you would like to come home with me?

From: Chloe

A New Addition!

Room 18 this week welcomed a new student. All the way from Australia!
The class has been very excited to have Callum join us. Keep yours ears open for Callum's start in podcasting, and tune into our upcoming webcasts to see him joining in!

WELCOME TO ROOM 18, CALLUM! (-:

Have-A-Go Day

Have-A-Go Day is this Monday. Students should have all paid their $1 to partcipate.

If Monday turns out to be a wet day, the save date is for mid week.

Cheers,
Mr. Nash

Webcast 9

Another great show! We're now trying to engage and hook our audience in by looking at the camera when we present. We have already achieved success with introducing ourselves, using a big clear voice, and keeping the 'umms' away.

Anouska's 7th Birthday

On my birthday i invited Sara, Chloe,Emma, Madison and My cousin Cody. we went to mini golf. It was in the dark, but to get in the door we had to solve the riddle. It was fun. then we went to my house and we played pass the parcel and statues and we also played twister. After that we made sponge bob photo frames. And after making very cool photo frames we had very yummy cake.

By Anouska

Webcast 8

Our webcasting skills keep getting better and better! We're really proud of this webcast episode. Unfortunately, our sound cut out near the end. Ugh!

Art Session

Our arts session with a visiting master artist is on MONDAY morning! Room 18 students (those who have paid their $4 already or by Friday at the latest) will be taking part in a hands-on workshop at the school auditorium designed to greatly improve their drawing skills.
Sadly, students who have not brought in their $4 will be remaining in a classroom and will miss out on this very exciting and worthwhile opportunity. I sincerely hope that all students are able to attend.

Mr. Nash

Week 7 Report Writing- Cats

Room 18 has now taken on all the main learning intentions of the report writing. Students know they are successful with their writing when they have:
1) a title
2) an introduction as their first sentence.
3) organised ideas into paragraphs.
4) added a conclusion at the end of their writing.

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, and laziest, funniest pets on earth. 
A cat has four paws or legs. They are fluffy like a tiger, and they have one tail.
A cat can see in the dark.
Cats are the greatest in the world.
By Summer

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, laziest, funniest pets on earth.
A cats fur colours are ginger, black, white and they can be in patterns or stripes. They have sharp claws that can scratch people.
Cats can see in the dark with their green eyes.
Cats are clever because they can climb trees and dogs can’t. Cats can be big as paper.
We can find cats at the pet shop or on the road if they are lost. You can find your own pet at your house.
Cats could have three whiskers on each side.
There are different types of cats like cat in the hat, tigers, leopards and cheetahs.
Cats are cool!
By Emma

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, laziest, funniest pets on earth.
We can see them outside, pet shops, or the SPCA.
A cat had 1 tail and 2 ears, and paws and legs.
A cat can be a type of animal like a tiger, lion, a book cat in the hat, leopards and a cheetah.
They are clever at climbing trees and they are good at climbing, basketball shooter and then they slide down the basketball shooter like a fire engine pole.
Cats are the funniest cats on earth.
By Dimas

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, laziest, funniest, pets on earth.
Cats have whiskers, and cats have many colours. Cats have tow ears and they also have four legs. Cats are fluffy as a tiger, and also as soft as a teddy bear. Cats have sharp claws to help them to scratch.
You can a cat at the SPCA and at the pet shop and on the street if they are lost.
They are good at climbing trees.
Cats are great animals.
By Savannah

Cats
Cats are the most popular, craziest, laziest, funny pets on earth.
There are lots of cats in the world like lions, leopards, cheetahs and cats.
We can find cats at the SPCA, and at people’s houses, under houses, at the pet shop, and on the street if they’re lost.
Cats fur colour is ginger, black, white.Their eyes are green.They have a rough tongue. Cats are great.
By Sophie

Cats
Cats are a type of animal that make good pets.
Cats have white sharp claws that sometimes scratch.
Cats have 1 tail and 4 paws or legs, and 2 pointy ears.
By Hayden

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, crazy, lazy, funny pets on earth.
There are many types of cats like cheetahs, tigers, cat in the hat, lions, and leopards.\
You can find a cat at a pet shop, SPCA, on a street if it’s lost, peoples houses, outside and under houses.
Cats have one tail and four paws. Cats have sharp white claws that can sometimes scratch.
Cats are clever because they can open doors if they can reach if it’s close to it. Cats are very good for seeing in the dark.
Cats are not clever because they fall in the toilet.
Cats are very beautiful.
By Ruby

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, crazy, lazy, funny pets on earth.
Cats have one tail and two little eyes. They have four paws and four legs. They also have two pointy ears. Cats have white sharp teeth and sometimes they even bite.
There are types of different cats like lions, tigers, cat in the hat, cheetah’s even leopards.
You can find cats at the pet shop, at the SPCA, on the side of the street if they are lost, and you can even find them at people’s houses, outside or even under people’s houses.
Cats are very good at seeing in the dark.
Some cats are very clever because they can open doors if they can reach it. Cats can also be very funny because a cat goes outside and climbs up to the top of a netball hoop and slides down it. It will also be very funny if a cat sat in a basket and fell out.
Cats are one of the most favourite animals in the world.
By Anouska

Cats
Cats are a type of animal that make great pets.
Cats have one tail. Cat’s fur colour is black, white and brown. Cats run up trees. Cats scratch people and they do not like dogs.
By Sara

Cats
Cats are a type of animal that make good pets.
Cats have one tail, whiskers, and patterns. Cat’s eye colour is green. Cats have 4 paws or legs. Cats have a rough tongue.
Cats can be funny because cats are clever. They are good at seeing in the dark.
Cats are clever because cats can climb. Cats say meow.
Cats can be found in a pet shop, on the street if lost, people’s houses outside, under houses.
By Martin

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, crazy, lazy, funny pets on earth.
There are many different cats, like leopards, lions, tigers, cat in the hat.
You can find cats at the SPCA, on the street, and under houses.
Cats can see in the dark. Cats have 1 tail and a rough tongue.
Cats are the best animals.
By Joel. P

Cats
Cats are animals that run away from dogs. Cat in the Hat is a type of cat, tigers and lions are a type of cat.
Cats are funny. They have four paws or legs. They are good at seeing in the dark.
Cats are the best animals in the world.
By Dylan

Cats
Cats are animals that climb trees.
There are many cats. There are lions, tigers, panthers, cheetahs, leopards, and cat in the hat.
You can find cats in the SPCA, pet shop, street if lost, peoples houses, outside, under houses.
Cats are the best pets in the world.
By Jamie

Cats
Cats are animals that run away from dogs.
We can find cats at a pet shop, SPCA, on the street if lost.
Cats have rough tongues, 4 paws or legs, and 1 tail.
Cats can be funny some cats look in toilets.
Cats are the best pets.
By Ciara

Cats
Cats are animals that run away from dogs.
Cats can be tigers, Cheetahs, panthers, and leopards.
They are clever because they can jump.
Cats are the best pets in the world.
By Joel. W

Cats
Cats are a type a animal that make good pets.
Black cats are medium sized. Cats have whiskers.
Some cats are great animals. Cats can unlock a door.
Cats are cool animals.
By Tiaan.

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, laziest, funny pets on earth.
Cats have many whiskers that are brown, ginger, and black and white which are cool. There are different kinds of cats in the world like tigers, cat in the hat, cheetahs, leopards, lions.
The best place to find a cat is under a house and on the street, SPCA, at the pet shop, or outside.
Cats have 4 paws and 2 ears.
Cats are the best animals on earth.
By Madison

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, craziest, laziest, funniest pets on earth.
They are good at seeing in the dark. Cats are fluffy.
Cats are not clever because they can climb into toilets.
Cats are the greatest in the whole wide world. You can find cats in the wild, in the SPCA, on the street, and in people’s houses.
Cats are good pets.
By Rachel

Cats
Cats are a type of animal that make good pets.
Their colours are ginger, black and white.
They are good at opening things.
By Jordin

Cats
Cats are one of the most popular, crazy, lazy, funny pets on earth.
We can find cats at the SPCA, and other places like pets shops.
Cats can be tiger, lions, and even cat in the hat that is fluffy and cheetahs that are fast. Cats have one tail.They are good at seeing in the dark. They can only see black and white. Cats have many whiskers that are white and pointy ears on their face. They are furry all over the place. Their fur colour can be ginger, black, or white. The fur can be striped or it can be a pattern and the pattern can be different colours.
Cats are the loveliest animals in the world.
By Jessica

A New Pet

Room 18 now has a new virtual pet! You may have already seen it...it's a dog! We're writing about dogs this week for our report writing. (-:


Mr. Nash

Joel P and Ginger

Ginger and I had such fun this weekend. Look what we did on Fathers Day.
We had a cool day.

From Joel P

Writing- Week 6

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people that fight fires.

Fire fighters are people.

Fire fighters use their hose.

Fire fighters are careful people.

By Tiaan

Fire fighters

Fire fighters help people get out of buildings that have fires in them.

Fire fighters wear special helmets to keep them safe. They also wear special boots to keep them safe.

They have to move quickly to get to the fires. They slide down poles to get to their fire engines.

By Ruby

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people that save humans and animals.

They wear special clothing when they go to fires.

They have a boss to tell them where the fire is and they can talk through a special speaker that is called a radio. They slide down a pole to get to the fire engine.

By Chloe

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people that help people get out of fires.

Fire fighters have a hose to put out the fires. They move quickly in the fire.

Fire fighters save people in danger. They slide down the pole to get to the fire engine. Fire fighters also have a little radio to speak to each other in the fires. They have a boss to tell them where the fire is.

Fire fighters wear special clothing. They wear special boots and special helmets to keep them safe.

By Anouska

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are grown ups that put out fires.

Fire fighters wear special helmets. They’re not bike helmets. They’re yellow that have hidden masks that keep them safe.

Fire fighters have very loud fire engines. There are lots of fire engines in New Zealand, like about ten.

They slide down a big pole that is silver. The fire engine has a blue siren.

By Jessica

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people.

Fire fighters have to move quickly to the fire. To be a fire fighter you have to be a grown up.

They have a boss to tell them where the fire is.

By Joel.P

Fire fighters

Fire fighters have to move quickly to put out fires.

They wear special clothing and masks to keep them safe.

By Rachel

Fire fighters

Fire fighters help people get out of danger.

Fire fighters need masks to defeat the fire. They wear special clothing like boots and masks.

By Madison

Fire fighters

Fire fighters fight fires.

Fire fighters turn off the fire. Fire fighters have to be careful. Fire fighters have to wear special boots. You need to be older when you want to be a fire fighter.

Fire fighters wear special clothing. Fire fighters need a hose. They can put fires away. Fire fighters use a radio. Fire fighters have engines with sirens and buttons. Fire fighters need to be safe.

By Martin

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people that put out fires.

You have to be old to be a fire fighter. They use a hose too.

By Jordin

Fire fighters

Fire fighters are people that put fires out.

Fire fighters have a boss to tell them where it is.

They use a radio to tell where it is.

They save people that are in buildings of danger.

By Hayden

Webcast 7

Look out for Jayden's actions while he reads out "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear"!

Report Writing For Week 5

Fossils
Fossils are like animals that died years millions of years ago, and they turned to stone.
Fossils can be found in the museum.
Fossils are lots of types of shells, and shark bones.
By Jamie

Fossils are animals that died many years ago.
Some dinosaurs went to fossils.
The fossils that we can see are at the museum.
By Martin

Fossils
Fossils are animals that died ages ago and got made into stone.
Fossils can be found anywhere.
Dinosaurs and sharks and jelly fish are fossils.
By Joel W

Fossils
Fossils are animals that died and then turned to stone.
The best place to find the fossils is at the beach and the museum.
Jellyfish and fish bones might become fossils.
By Ryan

Fossils are parts of plants and animals that lived many years ago.
They can be found all over the world. But the best place to find fossils is at the museum.
By Dimas

Fossils are buried by sand and mud. They can be like shells and fossils can be like shells. The plants can be buried by mud and sand.
By Summer

Fossils are bones and buried in mud and sand. Fossils are all over the world.
The best place to see a fossil is at the museum.
Animals lived under the water. Now they are fossils.
By Madison

Fossils
Fossils are parts of stone that lived many years ago.
There are old shark fossils that lived under the sea. One of the first fossils lived under the sea. One of the best places to find a fossil is at the museum. In the museum you can learn what earth was like millions of years ago. Fossils can be found all over the world. Fossils are millions of years old. Fossils can be shells and dinosaur bones. They are covered by sand and mud. Dinosaurs died millions of years ago.
By Ruby

Fossils
Fossils can be like dinosaur bones and they can be like shells. Fossils lived many years ago. Everything can turn into a fossil. Fossils lived years ago they got covered in sand and mud, and then they turned into stone. They take a long time to form. The best place to find a fossil is at the museum. Some people study fossils. Fossils can be found all over the world. They can be like worms and they can be like jellyfish. The first fossil lived in the sea. Shark fossils can still be found.
By Anouska

Fossils are animals that died years ago. Fossils are animals that are extinct. Some are still alive.
By Sara

Fossils can be old bones inside rock. They got covered in mud and sand. The mud and sand turn to rock. Fossils can be all over the world. The best place to find fossils is at the museum.
By Savannah

Fossils
Fossils are animals that died millions of years ago. You can find fossils at the beach. Fossils can be dinosaur or jellyfish bones.
By Dylan

Fossils are animals that died many years ago. Fossils are animals. You can see them at the museum.
By Hayden

Webcast 6

Tune in to hear more great jokes, sound of the week words, buzz box books, and poems!

Webcast #5

The sound problems have been fixed! This is our best yet!

Ginger Update!

We had breakfast. It was yummy. Ginger liked it. We had Weetbix. I like when Ginger comes to my house.
By Joel W.

Calendar Art

Parents,

You should hopefully have received the Calendar Order Forms. The example art that will be turned into calendars is posted in the web album/slideshow on the right side of your screen. To make the artwork bigger, click on the picture.

Cheers,
Mr. Nash

Book Character Parade

Last Friday was our Book Character Parade to finish off our Book Week/Fair. Below are some pictures from the event!

Below: Mr. Nash (Wally) and Miss Yap (The Bookworm)

Below: Dimas, Jamie, Sara

Below: Room 18 heading up on stage for the parade.

Below: Room 18 on stage in front of the school!

Guess What?

Keep the questions coming, because TRIVIA NIGHT is coming up soon! Last year was a HUGE success with everybody raving about it for months afterwards.

Book your tickets EARLY to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be bought at the office for only $10 per person which includes light snacks at your table. Further refreshments (wine, juice, etc) can be bought in the auditorium at game-time! If you'd like to join us on the Room 18 table, tickets are at the discounted price of just $8. For more information, please come see me!

Time: 7:30pm on Saturday August 29th.
Place: Hobsonville Primary School Auditorium

Looking forward to seeing you there,
Mr. Nash

Webcast 4

Our microphone cable didn't work today. )-:

We used a backup microphone instead, so the sound today is a little bit odd. BUT, you'll probably notice we've achieved a lot more success with introducing ourselves and using a big voice!

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Just a reminder that THIS THURSDAY the school will be closing @ 12:30 (just prior to lunchtime) in preparation for the Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews. Hobbycare runs from 12:30 until 3:00pm. Please ensure your favourite Room 18er is aware of what you expect them to do @ 12:30.
Thanks in advance! I'm looking forward to seeing everybody for the interviews from 1pm onwards. (-:

Mr. Nash

Webcast #3

Our 3rd successful webcast! Most of us our now introducing ourselves and we're using a bigger voice. We're not in school uniform today because it's Mufti Day with gold coin donations going towards The Big Night In.

PBS Kids Island

Room 18 successfully completed PBS Kids Island today! HURRAY!

For access to the island so you can set up your own account, please click on the PBS Kids Island link under 'Reading'.

Cheers,
Mr. Nash

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Parents, these are taking place next Thursday afternoon/evening. Please make sure you have your interview time-request slips returned to the office!

Story Teller

A final reminder to the families that still need to pay for the story-teller coming THIS THURSDAY: please ensure that your lovely Room 18er has paid the $3.50 by Wednesday morning at the latest if they are going to attend with us.
Thanks!

Mr. Nash

Webcast #2

Our second webcast was an even greater success. Before doing our webcast today, we decided it would be better for our audience if we could speed up time between presentations, use a bigger voice, and introduce ourselves.

OUR FIRST WEBCAST!

Today's webcast was only meant to be a bit of a practice go, but it turned out quite well...so here it is! Over the next few months, we'll be building on our oral language/speaking skills and fine tuning our webcast to make it even MORE exciting for our audience! Stay tuned!

P.S. Our Sound Of The Week this week is the short 'e' sound. (-;

Hundred's Day

Room 18 had a BIG celebration today! We've now been at school for 100 days so far this year!
Sadly, our camera was being used elsewhere in the school so there were no pictures taken of the event. Tune into our podcast for interesting 100 Days news though!

Project Books Required

Parents,

As we prepare to make a start on the 2nd half of the year, students will be running out of space in their project books. It is requested that students begin T3 with 1 new project book (these are what the students use for their Poem, Maths, Reading & Word). The books can usually be purchased from somewhere like the Warehouse for less than $1.

Thanks in advance,
Mr. Nash

Getting Ready For Webcasting!

Our classroom is now set up for webcasting! Watch the video below for an introduction! To see webcasts from 2008, click on the 'Room 18 Online 2008' blog link on the left side of your screen.

Mr. Nash

Joel P's Latest News

Joel P has been busy with his Thomas The Tank Engine track! Joel P wrote this story for us at home and remembered to include his Interesting Introduction, Amazing Adjectives, and some similes! AWESOME WORK, JOEL!

To make the writing/picture bigger, click on it just once.

Maths For Families

Dear Mum/Dad/Somebody-at-home,

The way Maths is taught at schools has changed a lot over the years. To help your favourite Room 18er become a whizzier mathmatician, have a look under "General Links" for the NZMaths website. The site will help explain the changes to Maths teaching/learning AND provide lots of activities that can be done at home, specific to the stage your child is at. Best of all, the activities are FUN!

Cheers,
Mr. Nash

tYpng gaeM

To make your typing better, try out the new BBC Dance Mat game! It's under the "General Links" area.

Podcastless Friday

Apologies for a Friday without a podcast! Technical difficulties this morning meant we couldn't record. It's too bad...there were lots of fantastic descriptions!

Mr. Nash

Week 7 Character Writing- The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo lives in the forest and I hope he does not eat anybody in the forest when they are not looking. The Gruffalo has shiny orange eyes. And he has purple spikes on his back. The Gruffalo has sharp horns on his head and mouth!
By Emma

The Gruffalo is as mean as a bully. The Gruffalo has orange eyes like an orange. The Gruffalo lives in the forest. He has spikes behind him. The Gruffalo is a type of monster. The Gruffalo is bigger than a mouse. I hope the Gruffalo doesn’t eat me for dinner.
By Joel.P

Bump bump!
The Gruffalo makes big noises with his feet. He has orange eyes. The Gruffalo has tiny white teeth and very sharp claws. He lives in the forest. His fur is as brown as the branches on the trees. The Gruffalo’s eyes are as orange as our rubbish bin. The Gruffalo has short whiskers. The Gruffalo has purple sharp spikes. I hope the Gruffalo doesn’t come near me because he is not very friendly!
By Anouska

Wow wow wow!
The Gruffalo is as big as an oak tree. He is very big. He has little sharp purple spikes and tiny white teeth. He has a brown fur all over his face and body. The Gruffalo has a small black tongue. I hope the Gruffalo gets some nice friends. The Gruffalo has grey knobbly knees. I hope the Gruffalo doesn’t come to my house.
By Jessica

What is that big monster?
Why, that’s the Gruffalo. The Gruffalo is as scary as a bat. He has grey knobbly knees and sharp tiny white teeth. His body is as brown as mud. He has sharp teeth. I hope I don’t see the Gruffalo.
By Sophie

“Thump thump!”
The Gruffalo is incredibly heavy. He is as fat as an elephant. The Gruffalo has sharp purple spikes on his back. He is scary. The Gruffalo has a brown face and body. He has two orange eyes. The Gruffalo has sharp white teeth. I hope I never come across the fat Gruffalo.
By Ruby

Where is the Gruffalo?
He likes the trees. He has eyes as big as an orange. He has sharp purple spikes on his back! He is the naughtiest Gruffalo.
By Madison

Stop stop stop!
The Gruffalo is really, really huge. He has sharp purple spikes over his back. He is very big. The Gruffalo has fur as brown as bark. He has eyes as orange as an evens card! The Gruffalo is not very friendly. The Gruffalo has a beard. I wish the Gruffalo would not eat me.
By Dimas

The Gruffalo is as brown as the tree. The Gruffalo has purple spikes at the back. He has a black tongue. The Gruffalo has eyes that are orange like an orange. I hope the Gruffalo does not come home with me.
By Summer

The Gruffalo is mean. He is very very sneaky. He is as brown as dirt. He has purple spikes on his back. He has knobbly knees. I hope he doesn’t go to my place. I don’t want him as a pet. I hope he doesn’t come near me.
By Rachel

Hah!
The Gruffalo is scary. He’s like a dragon. He is fat like an elephant. He has a poisonous wart on the end of his nose. He has beady eyes. He lives in the woods. He is huge like a mountain. I hope he does not come to my house.
By Joel.W

Ah ah!
The Gruffalo is going to eat me, and kill me. The Gruffalo is as scary as a dinosaur. He has a poisonous wart on the end of his nose.
By Ciara

Grrr!
The Gruffalo growls really loud. He stomps loud. He has orange eyes. He is as brown as my hair. He is as funny as a monkey. He is as scary as a rock monster. His tongue is as black as diesel. I hope he doesn’t eat any of the animals.
By Jamie

The Gruffalo is as scary as a monster. He has orange eyes and a brown body, and knobbly knees. The Gruffalo is a scaredy cat.
By Jayden

The Gruffalo has claws like a tiger. The Gruffalo is brown. The Gruffalo is funny. The Gruffalo is fat. The Gruffalo is cool. The Gruffalo is fast. The Gruffalo is big.
By Tiaan

The Gruffalo has a face as brown as a choclate. The Gruffalo has short whiskers. The Gruffalo has sharp purple spikes on his back. The Gruffalo has claws as sharp as a tiger. I hope the Gruffalo doesn’t eat animals in the forest. He has grey knobbly knees, and he is scary. He even has shiny white teeth. The Gruffalo is very big.
By Martin

Ah, ah! The Gruffalo is going to eat me. He is very mean. He has colourful whiskers. He can’t swim in the sea.
By Sara

The Gruffalo has eyes as orange as the sun. The Gruffalo has claws as sharp as dinosaurs. The Gruffalo is fat. The Gruffalo is like brown chocolate.
By Jordin

Stomp stomp!
The Gruffalo is chubby. He has purple all over his back. The Gruffalo has knobbly knees. He has horns. He has dark brown fur.
By Savannah