Oreo Moon Phases

We are having so much fun learning about planets and objects in our solar system. Last week, we studied the different moon phases and observed the cycle the moon goes through every month-all the way from New Moon to Full Moon and back to New Moon again! Students have also been observing the moon at home and writing/drawing their observations in their Night Sky Journal. We had a fun opportunity to make moon phases out of Oreo biscuit cookies! Check out the photos below of our learning!

Group 1: Cobi, Jade, Molly, Zoe, Anna & Aimee

Group 2: Tom, Jackson, Conner, Jay, India, Lukah & Lily

 Group 3: Taylor, Ella, Flynn, Lizzie, Oskar, Blake, Luca & Olivia

Tai Tapu History Day Field Trip

Today Room 10 went on an exciting field trip. First, we met in the Hall to talk about what Tai Tapu looked like over 100 years ago. Then, we walked on a tour around Tai Tapu and talked about the important buildings that were first in Tai Tapu when it was first settled. We also talked about Heaton Rhodes' contribution to the Tai Tapu community. The trip was amazing and stunning!

This petrol service station used to be the location of the old Tai Tapu tennis courts.

Behind this home used to be the old Tai Tapu library.

Mr. Plumridge (who used to live next to the tennis courts) was the town butcher and he used to give water to overheated tennis players. Now you can see a watch repair man in front of the residence.

This clothing store used to be Moreland's Butchery. It was then a bakery and fish n chps shop before becoming a clothing store.

The Obelsik Shop used to be the community Bus Shelter. This gathered children from the valleys beyond tai Tapu. It was also used by business people who took the bus to town.

We also passed Tai Tapu Store that used to be Suckling's Grocery Store. the store was built in 1897 which means it is 126 years old!

Around the corner, we stopped at this home which used to be another grocery store which was also owned by the Suckling family.

We then stopped by the old Tai Tapu Library which was built in 1932 by Heaton Rhodes. He built it to honour the memory of his gardener, Mr. A E Lowe, who grew beautiful daffodils. You can see daffodils on the sign above the door.This building is made from volcanic rock.

Looking around the back of the Library

 Lily and Taylor are having a peek inside. A picture of of Mr. Lowe is above the librarian's desk.

Do you notice the daffodils?

Tom and Luca check out the Library.

Next, we stopped at St. Paul's Church. Heaton Rhodes also built this church in memory of Jessie Rhodes, his wife. It cost about 10,000 pounds to build. Some of the stone used to build the church was from Australia, where Rhode's wife was originally from. On Heaton's 80th birthday, he church bell rang 80 times!

Blake, Cobi & Noah behind the church.

We also looked at the location of the old saddlery and Hall before heading back to tai Tapu School. We learned so much!

The Most Amazing Playground in the World Competition

The Christchurch City Council has proposed placing a children's playground in the heart of the rebuilt city centre. And who best to design a playground but the children who will use it? Therefore, the council is hosting a playground competition design for primary students to see who can design the most innovative, creative, safe, and diverse playground in the world. Room 10 students spent one week planning a design on a map, constructing a playground from recyclable materials, painting their design, and finally writing about their playground in order to convince judges to pick it as the winner!

To find out more about the competition, visit

 http://www.theamazingplace.co.nz/city-playground-competition 

First, children created maps and keys to design a lay out of the features their playground would include. Children could choose to work in pairs, teams of 3-4, or individually.

Jackson even went home and created a bigger, 

improved map design for his playground. 

Next, the kids spent a whole day constructing playgrounds from recyclable materials. 

After that, children painted their constructions and brought them to life! 

Ollie and Tom painting their playground

Jackson, Aimee, Cobi, and Oskar placing finishing 

touches on their playground

Ella made sure to add pathways to 

her design

Zoe creatively used sand from the sandbox

to add texture to her design.

Then, children wrote descriptions about their playground using a lot of adjectives in order to convince judges to pick their design as the contest winner!

Jade & Lily publishing their writing pieces

Jay and Flynn are brainstorming adjectives 

to capture the judges' attention. 

Lastly, Year 7 students from Room 2 came to "judge" which designs would be sent to the Amazing Place competition (the contest specifies that only 2-3 designs could enter per year level at each school). Even if all the designs aren't sent, EVERYONE in Room 10 is a winner from the creativity I saw during this week! 

Check out our AMAZING finished products!

Jay & Flynn's Pirate Ship Playground

Lukah. Olivia & Aimee used so many different materials!

Lizzie created an ocean theme

5 is better than 1! 

Noah, Oskar, Conner, Cobi & Jackson attached their individual 

playground designs to create a "mega-playground!" 

Zoe has a huge slide!

Claire & Anna had a great swimming pool!

Blake dazzled us with sprinklers!

Lily & Ella had hydro slides and pools!

India & Jade had playground equipment like

toy bikes and cars!

Molly & Taylor added flair with pink feathers

Ollie, Luca, & Tom combined their pirate ship and

flying fox playgrounds to double the fun!

Well done Room 10! I am proud or your hard work!

Junior School Triathlon

We had such a fantastic time watching the kids cycle, run, and swim in the Junior School Triathlon. Everyone tried their best and showed their true athletic talents! I am so proud of everyone in Room 10 for participating! 

Check out some photos from the event below: 

The girls are getting ready to go at the start line!

The boys are close behind ready to start as well. 

At the start line...

The boys are "fired up" ready to go! 

Go Lily! 

Go Molly!

Finishing the bike event and about to begin the Running portion of the race!

Transitioning from bikes to running!

And here come the boys! 

Looking good Blake!

From bikes to feet...

One more lap to go Lily! 

Room 10 is coming around the corner! Girls are starting their 2nd lap while boys are just starting their first lap. 

Keep going! You can do it! 

Run Conner, Run! 

Awesome job Oskar! 

Coming around the bend! 

Thank you to those parents who were able to come out to support us. Thank you Middle and Senior school for also coming to watch and cheer the Juniors on as they passed.