Moving Blog

Hello and welcome back to a new school year. This blog will now be a shrine to my very first games based learning topic so the class blog will be moving to a new location this year. If you want to follow my new year 4 class as we dive under the sea once again then follow us on:
http://wellington4point0.blogspot.com
This blog will be running all year long so once we have reached the end of the endless ocean we will be travelling back in time to visit the Egyptians.

Sea you at Wellington 4.0 my new home!

The WWB's first radio show

prezi

Cartoons on Prezi

VoiceThread Questionnaire for Parents

Calling all parents!
For homework your children are going to show you all of their great work on VoiceThread, once you have had a look at it could you please fill in this questionnaire? We are asking children and parents to feedback as we are considering rolling this out across the school but would like some feedback from the peopl using it first.

Thanks.

Click here to take survey

VoiceThread Questionnaire for Children

Below is a link to a questionnaire about how you have enjoyed using VoiceThread in the classroom. I am currently doing a research project on the bbenefits of using it and need some results. There will be a parents questionnaire to follow:

Click here to take survey

Separating Solids

During Science this term we have been looking at the differences between solids and liquids. Today we carried out an investigation to see if we could separate various types of solids without using our hands. The children were given strips of card and masking tape to make a sorting device with. Have a look at their fantastic ideas . . .

The Sunken Ship

With all the whales now found we turned our attention to finding the Great White Shark and the shipwreck of the sunken ghost ship . . .

The White Mother!

Finally after weeks of searching, planting sonar devices and researching with Catherine we found the White Mother! The White Mother is a mythical creature that may be real apparently there have been sightings of a massive white whale but no one has any evidence of their existance. The White Mother that we found was 30 meters long and the longest whale we have found!

Blue Whale

Whale week took another amazing turn today when we found the Blue Whale. The Blue Whale that we found was an amazing 20 meters long.


In the Comments:
What do you know about Blue Whales.

A CHALLENGE!!!
Can you write a really short story about a blue whale in 6 lines or less?

Scientific Aquarium Reports

These are the scientific reports that we wrote about our trip to the Dubai Aquarium:



In the comments:
What did you think of our reports?
Did you learn anything new?
Is there anything else you know about these species that you could add?

Thank You!

We would like to say a massive "THANK YOU," to all the people that have been posting comments on our blog! The children in my class have really been enjoying the Endless Ocean topic and their first time blogging. We have hhad some amazing comments from student teachers from The University of Southern Alabama which the children have loved reading in class. We had a great post from a class in Tanzania that we are looking to link up with in the future. As well as all of that we have had visits to out blog from all over the world. If you are just visiting us could you please leave a comment? It doesn't matter to us how big or small it is we just love hearing from everyone.

Once again a huge THANKS to everyone!!!

Let Whale Week Begin!!!

This week we have decided that we are going to find as many whales as we can so that we can research the differences and similarities between them. We have already found a Humpback Whale and caught a glimpse of a Sperm Whale. The first whale we found in Whale Week is . . . The North Atlantic Right Whale!

In the Comments:
What is a North Atlantic Right Whale?
Can you find out any information about it?

Mirage Atoll and the Whale Shark

Once we arrived back from one of our dives Catherine told us to move the boat to a certain position on the map. When we arrived there and dived in wer were met by a Whale Shark! Again the Whale Shark was gigantic! We attached ourselves onto it and it swam away to a sunken underground city called Mirage Atoll. Maybe our friends in Tanzania can tell us more about Whale Sharks since some childrren in their school have swam with them?



In the Comments:
Can you find out any information about Whale Sharks?
How about some video links?
What did you think of the underground city?
What do you think it was like when it was above ground?

Giant Squid

4C dived into the Abyss last week and found . . . a giant squid! The squid was longer than anny of the whales that we had found so far, it was a massive 18 meters long. We couldn't believe it was longer than the whale so we put them both in our Aquarium and had a look. It turns out that it is longer.

In the Comments:
What do you know about Giant Squids?
What makes them so long?
Can you find any video links so we can have a look at giant squids in the wild?

Class Trip to the Aquarium.

Last week Year 4 went on their class trip to the Dubai Mall Aquarium. This was a great opportunity for the children to see the species that they have been learning about through Endless Ocean in real life. The children already knew a lot about various species of fish but managed to learn an awful lot more from the visit.

In the Comments:
What did you learn at the aquarium that you did not already know?
What was your favourite part of the trip?

The Invisible Maze . . .

During Problem Solving this week Mr. McCafferty's class went through the invisible maze. The object of the maze is to work through the maze helping each other find the way. It is made harder by the fact that the teacher does say anything when they get a move correct and just makes a noise if they get it wrong, meaning they have to start again. Have a look below at the group working very well together.

Jumpstarting Literacy

In school we have been developing our sentences through use of vocabulary which we woould like children to continue at home. Have a look below at the great words we have been using at school:

These are adverbs to use for WHEN:
yesterday, often, tomorrow, early, today, weekly, lately, now, recently.

These are adverbs for HOW:
happily, patiently, silently, softly, suddenly, lazily, sadly, gracefully, quickly, slowly, carefully, angrily, excitedly, gradually.

These Time Connectives are great for starting sentences too:
first, then, now, once, secondly, next, meanwhile, after a while, until, suddenly, just then, after that, later on, ultimately, eventually, lastly, finally.

These words will be very valuable for the upcoming big write which you will learn more about soon.

Capacity

This week in Numeracy Year 4 have been learning about capacity, they made a jelly on Sunday and then carried out experiments where they were estimating the capacity of various containers.

In the Comments:
How many milliliters are in a litre?
How many ml are in 1/2, 1/4, and 3/4 of a litre?

Into the Abyss . . .

All three year 4 classes have now discovered the Abyss and ventured into it. It's really dark and creepy down there (100 meters below sea level)and there are hundreds of new species that we can find. In the Comments: What have we found in the Abyss so far? What do yoou think could be down there?

Dips for Salads

What a busy week we have had! This afternoon all three classes made a healthy dip for a salad and then went on a dip tasting to see which one was the best.




In the Comments:
How did you make your dip?
What was in it?

Health Workshops

Today Year 4 had their healthy workshops where they had the opportunity to move around lots if different activities such as an aerobics class, yoga, boxercise and using the Wii Fit. Have a look at the photos below.



In the Comments:
Write down two things that you learnt at the workshops?
What was your favourite workshop?

Baking Healthy Snacks

Year 4 have been baking all week. On Sunday Miss. Carter's class made carrot cake. Tuesday saw Mr. McCafferty's class baking blueberry muffins and on Tuesday Miss. Emmett's class made banana cake. They were all lovely.





In the Comments:
Which cake did you like best?
Do you help bake at home?

Healthy Mind and Body Week

This week at GWPS there will be a Healthy Mind and Body week. The children will be taking part in various actvities all week. Each day they will be outside playing various team games like dodgeball or rounders (The teachers even had a shot, ask Miss. Carter what happened to Bilal's face!). . .

Voice Thread!

Year 4 have been extremely busy this past week typing up their imaginative stories at home. It was all worth it though when we got to read each others and peer assess them during I.C.T. The children are very proud of their work and would love anyone that is reading our blog to leave a comment telling the children what you think they did really well and what they could work on to improve their writing skills.

We would also love parents to leave a comment after this post about what they think of this new technology/website.

Zoha's Imaginative Story

Naeem's Imaginative Story

Senna and Sharko's Scarey Adventure by Isabella

For the Parents:
What did you think of Isabella's story?

Waves and the Lost Mum by Eden

For the Parents:
Please leave 2 stars and a wish, what two things did she do really well and one thing that she could work on?

The Magical Anchor by Holly

Elliot's Imaginative Story

Humpback Whale

Two classes have now found the humpback whale, so let's try and get some more information about the biggest species we have found so far!Have a good look at the whale in the video and then research online to find out more. Once you have found some exciting facts read the In the Comments section under the video and leave your comment.

In the Comments:
• Research and write an interesting fact about a Humpback Whale.
• Let's see how many facts we can find!

The Children Seeing the Room for the First Time

Once Mrs. Waite had cut the ribbon to open the room the children were allowed in to finally see what was there. Look at their reactions! I am sure they are going to be writing some great pieces in there.


In the Comments:
• Write a sentence about how you felt the first time you entered the room.
• How do you think it will help your writing?

The Grand Opening

For the past two weeks the year 4 team have been building a writing corner for the children to use when they need inspiration. This has been kept as a secret and the children have had no idea what has been going on. Today we invited Mrs. Waite to the grand opening of the writing room, the children were really excited to see what was inside . . .

For the Parents:
• Do you think the room will be a useful resource for your children?
• Would this have been helpful to you when you were at school?

WE FOUND A WHALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case you didn't hear the massive cheer coming from my classroom this afternoon I thought I would let you know that 4A found a whale! We were swimming in the Deep Valley and passing by some rocks when just to the left of us we saw a giant light blue whale passing by above us. I have never seen the children so excited before! We then immediately ran out of the classroom and measured its 15 meter length. It turned out 15 meters was the length of our corridor, have a look at the moment we found thw whale . . .

Save the dolphin or look at the Manta Ray?

We then headed to the Lagoon and found the dolphin again. It was stuck there and needed our help to set it free. We also saw a Manta Ray swimming around the lagoon and 4C had not seen a Manta Ray before which brought up the question; should we save the dolphin or look at the Manta Ray? What would you do?

In the Comments:
• Find and write a fact about a dolphin.

The Dolphin is Going to Follow Us!

Whilst scouring the plants and anemones this after noon 4B found a medal. This medal allowed them to make friends with a dolphin. This is the moment that they found out that the dolphin would follow them . . . listen to the scream from Shwetha. Now that's excitment in school!

Eels . . . Yuk!

Miss. Carter joined 4B on her first dive today, and what a dive it was. It started out poorly when they went on a dive with someone that turned out to be in a bit of a bad mood. However after they left him they managed to be the first class to find some eels. They also found out how to explore the corals for really small species. The other two classes are going to be jealous when they find out!

Another Day Another Dive

What a day! 4A found a group of dolphins and tried to make friends with it. The Dolphin that we found swam around with us for a short perios of time however when we went back to the boat we lost it. We also started completing our missions this week and were given a pen and a submarine suit for our efforts.

Andy Warhol Pop Art

Over the past couple of weeks all three year 4 classes have been making their own Pop Art Ocean Paintings. Have a look at what we did and some of the finished paintings. What do you think, do you like them?

Habitats and Organisms with 4A

Mr. McCafferty's class also set foot outside of the classroom this week to try and find some habitats and organisms around the school. What did we find? 4A also have homework this week to find out what habitats and organisms they can find at home or in their gardens . . . I wonder what they will find.

Science with 4B . . .

Miss. Carter took her class outside into the playground this week to hunt for habitats. The hunt went well and they managed to find lots of animals and found out where they live. What did you find 4B?

Parental Engagement Week

GWPS has been a very busy place this week with parents coming and going to various lessons and activities. If any of the parents were in Year 4 for anything this week we would greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Tickling a Walrus.

While looking at the Walrus Salaih started to tickle it. The class found this hysterical.

A Walrus on board!

4A completed another dive and returned to the boat much like 4C did the previous day when they found the three seals on the deck, however this time 4A were met on board by a 4 meter long walrus.

4C Find More Seals . . . On Their Boat!

Finally after a long dive 4C returned to their boat to have a rest. However when they got back they found a surprise waiting for them . . . three seals lying on the deck!

4C Find a Seal . . .

Miss. Emmett's class were on a dive yesterday and managed to find a seal. They are the first class to find a mammal and were really excited about it.

Solving the Problem

The problem this week was how to guide a blindfolded member of your team through the obstacle course/maze without speaking. The children made a plan then tried it out, have a look and see how one group did.

Problem Solving with Mr. McCafferty

During Numeracy with our parents this week we took the classroom outside and participated in some problems solving activities. So that the children remember the stages of solving the problem we sing (or shout) our problem solving chant, it goes like this:
Identify the problem so you all understand,
Then you listen to each other coz you've got to make a plan,
Then you do it, you do it, you do it, do it, do it,
Then you check.

Imaginative Stories with the Parents 2

This is what the group with the Anchor thought up . . .

Imaginative Story Writing with the Parents.

In 4A today we were visited by five parents for our literacy lesson. The children and parents were inspired by the objects brought in to class and managed to think up excellent imaginative stories. This is what the group with the treasure chest came up with . . .

Habitats in the Playground

The children discussed which habitats could be found outside in the school playground. Have a look at the habitats we found below:

Perry's Story Ending

Old Nick’s eyes narrowed, “Yes, I have one of those; however I will not give it to you.”
Monica frowned at Old Nick,” WHAT!!” She yelled. Monica was furious!
Although she was extremely desperate to fix the problem, she had to do something
for all the damage she had caused. “There has to be something I can do?”
She asked.” I have a clue for you; you have to use your pencil.” Then Monica had a brilliant idea.
She got out her pencil and began to draw a magic eraser. Monica rubbed out every single damage prank she had made.

What we learned from Mr. Moss.

One Mr. Moss had left the classroom Year 4 made a new Wallwisher page then wrote on it all the things they found out and they found out a lot of things. Click on the link below to see what we wrote:

What We Learned From Mr. Moss

Mr. Moss' Atlantis Talk Part 2

The Year 4 children had a great day listening to Mr. Moss at the end he asked them some questions to find out what they remembered . . .

Mr. Moss' Atlantis Talk.

Mr. Moss made a visit to Year 4 today and gave us a talk on his work at Atlantis. Mr. Moss went onto tell the children all about Sharks and the pupils managed to learn a lot of new information.

Mrs. Desai's talk about making clothes.

Mrs. Desai came into 4C this today to give a talk to the class about making her own clothes. Thanks a lot Mrs. Desai it was great! Have a look at the pictures below.

Parental Engagement Week

Today we kicked off our parental engagement week in style with a great assembly by Miss. Cylke followed in year 4 by talks by Mrs. Desai, Mr. Moss and Mrs. Shah.

We can't wait for more parents to come in and talk to us and for the parents to visit to see some of our lessons.

There will be lots of videos and pictures put on the blog throughout the week so keep watching this space . . .

Zoha's Story Opening.

In literacy this week Year 4 were asked to write an opening for a story set under the sea. They used the beginning of Finding Nemo as a stimulus, this is what Zoha wrote:

One day under the bright blue sea there lived two clown fish they lived in a patch of poisons’ pink anemone. Their names were Carlin and Marlin. One day Carlin layed eggs Marlin was so happy he could not keep his big mouth shut. When Marlin came home Carlin decided to show him the eggs. They swam to the cave under the anemone Marlin was amazed when he saw the small red delicate eggs. He turned around, Carlin was gone! Marlin found Carlin staring at a giant fierce barracuda,
“Let’s go,” whispered Marlin to Carlin.
Carlin did not reply. Suddenly the barracuda struck,
“No!” Shouted Marlin but he was too late Carlin had already been eaten by the Barracuda.

4B First Dive

4B are just back from their first dive in Manuarai and what a dive it was. They managed to find a Leopard Whipray. The Whipray is a massive 5 meters long and also has a poisonous tail. This is the largest species we have discovered yet!

Our first class dive.

This afternoon 4A embarked on their first dive as a class. We took a dive into the depths of the Manurai Lagoon, then swam out to the Coral Forest where we found a Manta Ray. Watch us discover it below . . .

What we want to learn . . .

The children in year 4 have been busy adding questions to their wallwisher page. Have a look below at what we want to find out during our topic. Feel free to follow the link on the right hand side of our blog to add in questions of your own.

Massage in Year 4

Year 4 have been trialing massage in class throughout term 1. The potential benefits of massage within education are numerous. Studies and observations have shown that:
• children have more confidence
• children become calmer
• children have improved concentration
• there is a reduction in bullying and aggression
• children are happier at school
• children develop better motor skills
• it teaches children to respect themselves and others
• the teacher can benefit from a calmer classroom and improved listening skills
• massage is fun!
Now sit back relax and enjoy our short video clip of our massage . . .

What do we want to learn . . .

WOW, first day back and already we have lots of work on our blog! Have a look at all the questions year 4 want to answer by the end of our Endless Ocean topic at:

www.wallwisher.com/wall/year4divers

Please feel free to add your own questions.

Welcome back!

Welcome back to school. I hope you are all ready for an exciting term! Keep watching the blog as there are going to be a lot of posts coming up showing everyone all the fantastic work we are doing in Year 4.

I can't wait to get started,

Mr. McCafferty.