Rāmere, te 3 o Tīhema 2021

Future Ready/Digital Curriculum/Anga Whakamua

Hour of Code 2021

Reminder next week is the worldwide event Hour of Code 2021 you can find more information below

Minecraft Hour of Code Special – Timecraft (Y3-Y13)

Experience a choose-your-own-adventure game, exploring key moments in human achievement. Using your coding superpowers, save the future by solving mysterious mishaps in time.

Click here for more information

If you haven’t already signed up for a session, it is a great way to integrate digital technology into your programmes.

Hour of Code 2021 – A one-hour coding challenge for kids of any age!

Years 2-4

Try Dance Part on code.org. Follow the instructions (step-by-step), problem solve as you go and allow students to create their own dancing animal.

Years 4-6

Try Minecraft coding on code.org. There are a few options to choose from, follow the instructions and complete the tasks.

Years 5-6

For our more advanced coders you can build a Galaxy using the Star Wars code.org. activity. Students can either use block coding or JavaScript 

If you finish early, students can see all tutorials and try another Hour of Code activity.

2022 Workshop – Computer Science Workshop for High Schools

We are delighted to advise that registrations are now open for the 1 day 2022 CS4HS professional development conference being held at AUT City Campus on Thursday 10th February. We have an exciting line-up – leading key-note speakers, some AUT leading academics, and industry expert professionals.

You will be able to choose the demonstrations and workshops that you wish to attend in the registration process. Enjoy browsing the demonstrations and workshops on offer and we look forward to hosting you in February.

AUT closes for the year on 14th December and will reopen on 10th January. Please go here to register now

Te Ao Māori – Replacing words in speech and text.

Replacing commonly known words in the workplace makes a huge difference in normalising te reo Māori in our kura. You can have a massive impact without having to learn a huge amount of language. Using the context, people should be able to make an inference as to what the word may mean. 

When emailing, writing notices updates, newsletters or in general conversation you could easily switch out words. This small act shows that you value te reo and are giving it a go.

You could use the kupu/words below:

Whānau (Far-no) Family/community/caregivers

e.g. It was great to see all of our whānau at the meeting

Hui (Who-e) Meeting/Gathering

e.g. Let’s all meet in the staffroom for our hui

Last night’s hui was good wasn’t it?

Kaiako (Kai-ah-cor) Teacher

e.g. Your kaiako have been planning some great activities for next week.

Ākonga (Ahh-cor-ngar) Students

e.g. Can we please have an ākonga from each classroom to the office to collect notices

We will be taking our ākonga to the library on Thursdays.

Mahi (Mah-he) Work

e.g. Once you have finished all of your mahi, you can start this.

You’re mahi is awesome.

Hauora/Learner Support

Ending the 2021 School Year in fun, memorable ways can help this rollercoaster year, finish with positivity and good feeling. Ending one school year well, often leads to a great start in the new school year. Here are some great ways to finish your school year well. 

1.  Gratitude Jar:

The best place to find cheap jars is at a local Opp shop.  If you don’t have a jar, use a box or a bottle.  Students decorate their jar.  On little pieces of paper, students write down things they are grateful or thankful for this year.

2. TOP 10 Hit List:

Just like creating a song playlist, students create a TOP 10 MEMORIES list.  Encourage students to think of memories which they would enjoy playing over again, just like a song.

3. Class Awards:

Students can nominate other students for awards. You can then have an awards ceremony with your class.  Have them nominate other students for personal qualities as well as achievements.  Eg. Super helpful to other students, winner of House sprints. Each student gets one certificate, however you could list all the qualities said about the student on their personal certificate.

4. Chalk drawings:

Students make chalk drawings (individual, pairs, small groups) of a favourite thing they did this year.  Could be at school e.g a favourite science experiment, at home online learning e.g. a cake they learned to make, could be with family e.g.a place they went for a picnic, a friend e.g. who laughed with them online to cheer them up. The ideas are endless. A great way is for a student to create the chalk picture and then lay down in the picture..

My Birthday in Lockdown

I learned to do a handstand

We watched the Superman Movie

I learned a new trick on my skateboard

21st Century Learning/Ako Ināianei Tonu

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‘The whole purpose of differentiation is to look at the relevant skill level​​s of students and ask: “What are we going to do to increase depth, broaden, extend and improve upon the knowledge and the skill base of every student in the class, regardless of the starting point,”‘ Shane Lockhart. 

What Research Says About . . . Differentiated Learning

1. Mixed ability/flexible grouping works (link to mixed ability grouping)
2. Low floor, high ceiling activities works (link to this concept in maths)
3. Encouraging Student Agency works (link to DL through student choice)
4. Use a Rubric to differentiate abilities (link to how to use Rubrics to differentiate different and diverse abilities)