Digitise It Animal Habitat Learning Story - August 2015

Learner: Justin V & Rohullah                                                     Learning Coach: DWilkes       Date: August 2015                                                                       Learning Area:  Science

Learning Observed

This term the LH1 learners have been learning about animals, adaptations and habitats.  They were fortunate enough to go on a field trip to the zoo where the live cheetahs captured the curiosity of Rohullah and Justin.  The learners were instructed that they needed to create a habitat that would be suitable for an animal of their choice or creation.  The boys opted for the ‘Digitize It’ option knowing that they wanted to design the cheetah habitat in Minecraft and demonstrate their capability at using it.  They went through a rigorous design process that involved connecting with information through researching to create a fact file on the cheetah, drawing a draft diagram of what the habitat would look like and then creating it in a digital tool of their choosing.  Justin and Rohullah collaborated very well- taking turns, listening to each other and asking questions.  They also assisted other learners who were using Minecraft.  When it was time to share their learning, the boys presented their cheetah habitat confidently to all of the Learning Coaches and learners in LH1.  You can see their assessment here.

Evidence of learning

Justin & Rohullah share their Cheetah Habitat in Minecraft   Animal Fact File- Cheetah

Next Learning Steps

write a reflective blog post about their learning and share with parents create a product of their learning eg. iMovie to show their Minecraft to others create a more detailed diagram with labels that is represented in their final product

The 4 C's

OrmPS focuses on one of the 4 C's each term and we do it.

First 'C' is Connected, We connect our learning to teach other people new things and to remember our old learning to our new learning, it also means to meet new friends and stay as a connected friend. Secondly there is Collaborative, Collaboration is working together as a group and cooperating with others, helping each other to get things done, you do what your good at then the other persons can support. Thirdly the there is Curious, this is most likely used in iExplore time ( When you research about something your interested in ). This is a good time to use this principle when you are wondering and asking others. People are always interested in something, so they find it out. Lastly there is Capable, Capable is when you can do things and understand on what the person is talking about. People sometimes struggle when they are being Capable because it is quite hard when you do things when your by yourself. Ormiston primary school follow the four Principles to have a nice environment.

Tallest Tower Technology Challenge - Learning Story - August 2015

Learners:  Justin V and Nelvin                                        Learning Coach:  Ms Wilkes

Learning Area: Science and Technology                        Date: August 2015

Learning Observed

Justin V and Nelvin were 2 of four learners who initially showed interest in representing OrmPS at a technology challenge at Point View Primary School on August 26.  They met each Friday for a new challenge.  Their first challenge was to make the tallest free-standing tower they could using only the materials they were provided with:  5 sheets of paper, 6 straws, 30cm tape, 2 pipe cleaners, a couple of popsicle sticks and their imagination.  There was a time limit and they were up against the girls!  Justin and Nelvin strategised together before they started building showing some fantastic problem solving and an ability to pre-plan.  They also made adjustments as they went demonstrating that they were resilient and could respond as needed.  They used the materials wisely and kept the brief at the forefront- being victorious in the end!

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Justin and Nelvin participated and contributed enthusiastically, relating well to each other and managing themselves.  They used strong thinking strategies to maximize the use of their materials to strengthen and heighten their tower.  They collaborated strongly demonstrating an ability to listen to each other and communicate.  Their curiosity was evident in their design and as they won they developed their capability at technology challenges.

Next Learning Steps

continue to come and participate in challenges every Friday consider starting and leading a club for technology challenges in Term 4 ensure that you always stop and think before making decisions write a blog post about this!

GAFE - Google Apps For Education

On Wednesday we went to a trip (and it was #Oresome) to another school for Google Apps For Education.

In the school we went to different locations to learn about different things and my favorite activity was the 'controling the robots'. It was quite technical to do this like steering it or moving it. We also did animating, it is easy to do animating but when you start animatin it is tricky and confusing to do but when you get use to it you can get better and better then you can make a long animation and create a 'video like' animation. Sketch Up is an app on the MacAirs that you can make 3D buildings and other stuff and print it with a 3D printer, you can make block, towers, building you can even put a picture and details to make it pop out. It really looks cool when you print it (I haven't seen it in actual life but seen it online) It might look real. Lastly most of us went to the library to see PhotoSphere is an app that makes you feel like your in a sphere and you surround yourself with photos and with Google cardboard you download an app that looks like it follows where you look and make or buy it, a 'binocular looking like' cardboard and it has to fit your iPhone, shake it to play the game and have fun. Lastly we had the prize giving was exciting because we saw lots of people there so low chance of me getting picked. After that we obviously went back to school.

NYLD Leadership Experience- Kevin & Justin on William Pike - August 2015

Learners:  Kevin & Justin                                                       Learning Coach: D Wilkes

Learning Area: KCs and Literacy                                                Date: Aug 5

Learning Observed

It was impressive to watch these two learners collaborate together to provide a wonderful and inspiration component to the ‘Leadership Experience’ as a long awaited follow up to the NYLD that all the Year 6s attended in Term 2.  Kevin and Justin co-constructed their video and presentation (which can be found in the Leadership Experience presentation) and they wowed the crowd with their video of ‘William Pike’ aka;Justin V!  When their first video wasn’t what they wanted they redid again demonstrating persistence, commitment to excellence, confidence and resilience.  They decided to do a video rather than a presentation because they wanted to really capture William’s essence and his message.  The learners loved watching the video and most walked away with the ‘all passion, no limits’ as a lasting message.  Practicing their public speaking, writing, videography and leadership was what they did while the rest of us enjoyed a fantastic recreation of William Pike’s amazing story of how he survived the eruption at Mt Ruapehu.

Evidence of learning

Kevin and Justin impress the crowd with their recreation of William Pike’s story

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

While Kevin and Justin collaborated they made direct and indirect connections to their experience at NYLD.  The related to others, managed themselves responsibly and participated enthusiastically on the day.  They were enthusiastic and responded to changes with resilience.  The preparation for the video was great.  They made us curious and they inspired us!

Next Learning Steps

learn some blue screening (you could put the mountain behind Justin) write a blog post about the afternoon including your reflections share your learning with family at home

The Zoo!

( If you read the Maori Culture blog, I mentioned that we went to the Zoo. )

It was the day that we went to the zoo so we all went on seperate buses and it took a while. We went to the Zoo excitedly to learn and see animals we never knew about. Firstly we ate a snack because there was fruit-flys around the zoo. We got in groups then explored the zoo to recognise about what we learnt in school, there was lots of time to explore the animals but when it was eleven we all have to group up where the Asian elephant were then everyone can learn even more. The animals that we learnt more about were the cheetah, flamingos and of course the Asian elephant. The cheetah can run short distances but very fast, I learnt in school that the antelope runs fast but it can run farther distances, the flamingo is unique and if it eats it turns more pink and the more atractive, the elephants from auckland zoo had a baby called anjelee, we saw a real tusk that has been cut off and an elephant tooth. That was the adventure of the Auckland Zoo