Hi everyone! Had a totally fab time In Spain and we are now in London! We had dinner last night with Miss Roney, it was awesome to see her,!

Hola from Barcelona Am trying to post a message but I don't think I can!! Having a fabulous time and it's very hot!!! What are you all up to?

Martha

Here is a close up of the rat to show your parents -what did you think about it all?

busy week

Hi team A few reminders of our busy last week of term...

Monday - rat dissection
Tuesday - Junior Production at OGHS
Wednesday - Athletics day
Thursday - Mufti Day (Gold coin please) and shared lunch and fun day...
Friday - Ms D fly's to Lisbon! Time for some raffles - find out - about rats....or...find me things to do in Lisbon-Barcelona and Valencia.... See you on Monday! Ms D

Congratulations to

Well done Tarren!

Writer of the Month in the extra newspaper!! Well done Tarren and enjoy your new novel that you won as a prize!

Congratulations to

Well done to OSCAR McGUIRE! coming third in the Balmacewen writing competition! Well done Osc! We are proud of you!

Hi room 7

Hi everyone I am at home with a very sickly vomiting boy...I hope I manage not to get sick too! Please remember to...work on your ASPIRE... have you got....

*Experts
*Back ground research
*Progress report - how is your life different by making the change?
*Photographs to provide evidence of your change taking place *The introduction to your persuasive argument that highlights why the change needed to take place

Keep blogging! I miss you all!
Ms D

Changes

How are your ASPIREs going? I am really impressed with what I am seeing and the changes you are wanting to make!

What are some challenges you are facing? Leave a comment and if someone helps you out, you'll both receive raffle tickets!

Change

How is your evidence collecting going? it is important to realise WHY a change needs to occur because if there is not a problem then maybe change does not need to happen.

You are also in the early stages but you already have come up with some strong ideas.

Next step - experts!

Amazing ukulele!

Check out this fabulous clip!

Mrs Lowden and I working hard today. We were on a course all about autism and we had a great day and feel like we know a lot more!
The stadium is **wow** and we are really looking forward to seeing the Phoenix play on Saturday afternoon !
See you tomorrow!!

Chocolate Brownies

Hi team, we are having a big bake fest...chocolate brownies and now cupcakes, who would like some?? If I am at school tomorrow I will bring you all in some morning tea!

WE ARE CLOSED

The message just came over the radio that ALL schools are CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 am start

At this stage we have a 10am start, keep on listening to the radio though in case "they" change their mind! The forecast is filthy so maybe they might make a late decision...wait and see....Sorry!! but it would be my recommendation that if you can stay at home (ie if your road is too icy or mum and dad are at home) then you should!

Snow day

So Room 7 , what have you been spending your day doing? I have been baking (and eating!!) in desperate need of a run!!

The course Mrs L and I are on on Wednesday may be cancelled as the man presenting cannot fly in to Dunedin! What a whole lot of disruption!

As for tomorrow....I am GUESSING that I wont see you until Wednesday!

Stay warm!
MsD

photo from the DCC website

Keep an eye on this website

http://classichits.co.nz/showinfo/highlightdetail.aspx?id=24863

Snow..........

Hi everyone, well it is 2:12pm on Sunday and it is SERIOUSLY snowing....I haven't heard weather it is a snow day tomorrow but I'll let you know via the blog asap if I hear. I've skyped Mr Clarke so maybe he will know!

Email me photos to bethdownie@yahoo.co.uk

Ms D
(Stay warm!!)

Swing Low.....

The best use of a recycle bin!

Can anyone explain what is happening in this photo?

Name the Triplets

Can you think of three suitable names for these gorgeous wee lambs! (not ram lambs but ewe lambs)

Post your answers here and Mrs Lowden will select a winner!

I hope Mrs Cleland doesn't mind....but have a go at the skeleton part of this game! let me know how you go!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/index_interactivebody.shtml

Body bits

What is the most interesting thing you have learnt so far in our topic? Don't forget to write any questions onto a bone and staple them to the wall.

What do you enjoy most about ukulele (I hope it's not watching me struggle!)

How is your anatomy museum homework going?

See you in the AM

Ms D

I almost forgot

I just popped out to get bread and I saw some recycling bins and I thought....Uh oh! I haven't updated the blog....so here are the questions to win the prizes...(post a comment on the blog but answers on my desk in the morning please)

1. What goes in the blue bin? (easy question I know) 2. How do you know if plastics can be recycled (what are their qualities) 3. What can we do in order for the workers to avoid contamination? 4. How does the DCC inform an owner that they have had a 'recycling infringement'? 5. What was the best thing about the performance?

Term 3

We are almost there team! I went in today and rearranged the desks....and took down some old work and put up a new display!

I am off to Queenstown tomorrow for a few nights! yay...

Still waiting for some holiday photos to post from you guys...email me
bethdownie@yahoo.co.uk

MsD
ps - how were all your reports?

Snow day!!

Hey guys! how are you and your families coping in the snow?? email me any snow pics or holiday snaps and I'll put them up here. My email address is bethdownie@yahoo.co.uk My drama of the day is we have run out of milk!! no cups of coffee for me!! Stay warm and safe! Ms D x

All Blacks

Who saw Mia and her mum at the rugby? Mia had her face painted and I have just seen her on the tele!! wow how exciting!! Famous!!

Science Fairs!

Mystery Photo Time

Can you guess what this is? Here's a clue ~ I used it this morning!

Story Starters

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/storystarters/storystarter1.htm

Show your parents and write a quick story together - email it to me and both you and your parents will receive a prize!!

or this

Righto then...try this one!!

Week 7 Mystery Photo!

Great to see you all blogging this Saturday morning, but the lego camera is not the mystery photo! it is a reminder to you to email me your eco sanctuary photos! Do you think I would make it that easy! :-)

Will post mystery photo soon!

Ms D

Photo time

Don't forget to email me your best - most interesting - creative - different - unusual photo from the Orokonui Ecosanctuary!

Please send it to bdownie@balmacewen.school.nz , as a class we will choose our top 5 and these will go on display in an exhibition where parents and students will vote for the best in many catergories!
So far I have seen some spectacular shots! well done!

Have a great weekend
Ms D

Well done to

AMARA for receiving the certificate in assembly today, who can tell me why Amara received it? Tino Pai Amara!!

Mystery Photo Time

Here is your next photo! Good luck

Don't forget ...

What do you need to remember to bring for our trip tomorrow?
I have my backpack packed and ready to go! Don't forget to charge those batteries (the camera's and your own!)

Ms D

Mystery Photo Time

What is this photo of? Where was it taken? Get is correct and you will win a smigglicious prize! Remember to think outside of the square, think creatively and take a chance!

How strong are you?

What is going on in these snaps?

Why can't he break it?

Orokonui Eco Sanctuary

Righto my lovely Room 7, here is the deal.....let me know something **extra amazing** about the Eco Sanctuary and you will receive a raffle for tomorrow's draw; another way to earn a raffle is to tell me one trick or tip that the creative Kerry Kelk told us to do in order to capture that wow factor shot!

Don't forget it is a long weekend, so make sure you are organised for the Eco Sanctuary on Tuesday..(ie PE gear/jacket/lunch and VIP a camera!)

Keep up the great work!
Ms D

Mega Maths Month

Well done Room 7! You are champs!! Our class average went from 60% through to a staggering 83% that is a big jump, but guess what? Just because Mega Maths Month is over, it isn't in Room 7, we are going to keep on going! Especially for those Room 7 kids who are still hovering around the 50-60% mark we need to be making a little more effort.

AND...

What about our fitness levels?? Who has done some fitness activities this weekend? I have been to the gym once and did a great session on the treadmill and the cross trainer, how about you?

AND.....

Thomas and I went to the Nuggets in the weekend and guess who we saw? Mia, Mol and Jenna! AND they all came and said HI! that's how we roll in Room 7!

See you tomorrow!
Ms D

What do you think of when you see this?

I found this photo, your mission is to tell me, is it real? Where is it? How do you get there? How does it make you feel and why?
Can't wait to hear from you!

Ms D

Week four

Hello my fabulous team!

Well my goodness, I cannot believe I forgot to give you homework ! eek, what was I thinking! I think because I was out of routine with Matua visiting this afternoon! (Thanks Mol & Nesha for reminding me!)

Never mind, here is your homework for week 4

• Learn your spelling words (as usual) including using them in sentences
• Science fair - where are you up to? you should by now be able to tick off AIM/HYPOTHESIS/METHOD AND have interview questions for your expert. The reason you need some questions for your expert is to help you answer your questions, provide you some background research for your introduction.
  
• You should also be thinking about getting your testing or inventing done. You should repeat your testing at least 3 times to ensure your results are reliable. Remember that you are welcome to do your testing at school, just make sure you organise a time with me beforehand!

Thanks
Ms D

Masterchef!

Wow, we had SUCH a fun night with Stu Todd From Masterchef! Mrs Cleland and I were partners and we worked really well together! We made Mushroom risotto ball, a chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and spinach and dessert was creme brulee!!! Oh so so yummy!!

Look at the photos and leave a comment!

Have a terrific weekend!

Ms D

Southern Steel

We were lucky enough to have two of the Southern Steel visit us today; Daneka Wipiiti and Te Paea Shelby-Rickit, they were inspirational speakers that were really motivational and full of fascinating stories about their training regimes. Let me know what you took from their visit today, post a comment and share with our blogging community.