100 Word Challenge: Can’t Believe My Eyes

May 1, 2015yr5sk 1 Comment

I was sitting under a big shady tree. My mind was bored so I got out my drum and saw a cornflake on it. I put it in my pocket and started playing. While I was playing a lion came out and danced. I was frozen and speechless, so shocked but it was exciting. The lion ran quickly at me so I ran too. My foot slipped and I grasped a branch. The lion stared at me and I realised that it wanted the cornflake. I threw it up and the lion ran away. “OH NO,” as my hurting slimy hand slipped. Will I survive?

Bowen

The Fence in the Bush

September 2, 2014yr5sk 1 Comment

Bob bought the gear to fence the lane so finally we can make a start. We put the wire roller on the back of the truck and headed out into the scrub. Bob followed a dusty old road for 5km and we reached where the bulldozer had cleared a track for the lane. Bob, the boys and I got the first strain out and headed back to the truck for a drink as the sun was as hot as fire burning glass. A thunderous sound echoes from up in the hills. We suddenly turn and excitedly look at the dust storm racing fiercely down the hill.

Inspiration

March 14, 2014yr5sk 2 Comments

Mrs Kirkpatrick and I were very fortunate to attend a presentation last night by John Fleming of Melbourne’s Haileybury College. Mr Fleming is a very distinguished educator who has worked in both public and private schools. He has won many awards and shown that the Explicit Teaching Model can greatly improve student understanding and results.

We thank both Bowen State School and John Fleming for this opportunity.

Global Read Aloud Day

March 5, 2014yr5sk 1 Comment

Ms Shannon and the students of Tiperary Station,

Thank you for sharing the Global Read Aloud Day with us. This was the first time Skyping for our current class and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We look forward to connecting with you again to learn more about station life.

Mrs Scharf and 5S

Info about our session: During first session today we were very lucky as we were able to Skype with the students from Tiperary Station in the Northern Territory for the Global Read Aloud Day.

This school is situated at Tiperary Station which is approximately two hours drive from Darwin. To say this property is huge is an understatement. It is over 500, 000 acres in size!

Ms Shannon and her students read Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late and we read Millie the Meerkat.

We really enjoyed listening to their presentation as Ms Shannon and her students used expression when reading and they even had a toy pigeon act out scenes. Gus and Ale were very brave and were the first students in our class to run a Skype session.They did a great job. Well done Gus and Ale.

Build Your Wild Self

March 4, 2014yr5sk 4 Comments

The students were very interested to learn about the Build Your Wild Self program yesterday in Science. Here is a link for 5S to try at home:

http://www.buildyourwildself.com

Our Term 1 Goals

March 3, 2014yr5sk Leave a comment

Year 5S have written their own individual goals and they are displayed in our room. I would love to share a photo of our design as it looks fantastic but I am unable to due to student photos being included. Please come in at any time and see your child’s goals.

Our mathematics goal this term focuses on tables. Each student has been tested and are working on their own differentiated set. We are very blessed to have Mrs B and Emily help in our classroom each week. They have made slippers again this year for students who show that they are working hard to meet their goal.Many students were retested last week and have moved to their next set already which is wonderful.

Math Journals

February 27, 2014yr5sk Leave a comment

We have incorporated math journals into our weekly plan this year for the very first time. These math journals record student learning as they progress through the week.

I had first viewed this concept at Runde’s Room and absolutely loved the idea. The left side of the book is completed together as a class (we do) at the beginning of the concept. At the end of the concept instruction the students create a reflection page (you do) that shows their learning.

One area that the students look forward to each week is the proof section. They get the opportunity to show their learning with their very own designs. This is a perfect area for differentiation as it allows the students to show me exactly what they can do.

Our Trip

November 20, 2013yr5sk 21 Comments

As most of you know, I was away last week. I was very lucky to visit Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila with friends and three other teachers from our school. This was a holiday (Long Service) though I may have snuck in visits to the blog to see what you were all up to. 🙂

We sailed out of Brisbane on Saturday 9 November very excited for our adventures ahead. Out trip in total was eight days and seven nights. We had two days sailing on either end of our journey and the days in between were spent visiting beautiful locations.

I came back from my holiday feeling very blessed for what we have here in Australia. I often chat to our students about how lucky they are being able to get a free education. Our last visit on the trip was to Port Vila. Children of Port Vila are only able to attend school if their parents can afford it. Nearly 80% of the population are out of work and there is no welfare in place. This means that a huge percentage of children are unable to attend school. Sometimes it is important to remember what we have and how lucky we really are.

All of the people we met were so warm and friendly. We were greeted with smiles everywhere we went. I have so many great stories to share with you all and will as time allows.

Edublogs Challenge 9 A – A Great Post

November 19, 2013yr5sk 2 Comments

A Course on a Horse

I see the stablehand tacking up my horse. I’m all ready for the competition, I grab the reins from the stablehand and lead my big black horse over towards gear check. Lining my horse up at the mounting block, one foot in the stirrup and swing over. Trotting towards the judge, I arrange my position. I say what I need to say and walk, trot and canter around the arena. It’s time for my test, I don’t have a caller so I must remember the moves. I go through it as I trot and walk in my test. I am clenching the reins as tight as I can. I hope I do well in the ‘Preparatory B’ dressage test. Here are the steps to my dressage test:

1. A – enter at working trot

2. C- track left

E – turn left

3. X – circle left 20m diameter working trot

4. X – circle right 20m diameter working trot

5. B – turn right

BFA – working trot

6. A – medium walk

7. KXM – change rein in free walk allowing the horse to lower and stretch out head and neck whilst maintaining contact

8. M – medium walk

Before C – working trot

9. CA – serpenntine 3 equal loops in working trot (each loop to be a half 20m circle)