Holidays: Camp Prep in action

I had an opportunity to use what we had learnt from our camp preparation programme.

We were on the way home from Taranaki, and we decided to stop by an isolated beach. It was quite cold (hence Mrs Ahie's scarf and Josef's hoodie). We thought we just had to put our toes in the water before heading back to the beachless Hamilton.

The water was freezing, so we didn't aim to stay long.

Alas, we turned our heads for a couple of seconds, and Josef ran as fast as he could into deeper water... landing face first.

Thankfully, we had a little merino shirt and a woolen jersey to get him into. We stripped off his cotton (as that would have maintained the cold even with the merino and wool on), got him into his warm clothes, and into the car (with the heater on). He is now nice and healthy, and he didn't even get a runny nose.

It is always encouraging to use what one has learnt. Have you been able to use what you have learnt during the term and apply it these holidays? If so, I would love to hear from you. 

Enjoy your last week of holidays. 

Holidays: Sharing the Planet

I was hanging out washing for my mother and wondered how all this plastic got in the washing. Turns out she washes it and recycles it. It reminded me of our current unit. Good job, mamma!

Have you been able to help the planet in some way over the holidays or since we began the unit? Let me know.

Holidays: Visiting my old intermediate

After camp, we will be beginning a new unit called Where We Are in Place and Time. I love this unit. When I was at intermediate, I didn't care for history at all. Oh, how that has changed. Looking forward to going through this unit alongside you.

End of term shared lunch

One down, three to go!

Farewell, Mr Lorentz

After investing many years into Berkley Normal Middle School, Mr Lorentz is moving to the Hawks Bay to be closer to his and Mrs Lorentz's family. He has helped me greatly in my teaching career, and I know he has helped many students along the way. You will be missed.

おつかれさまでした

じゃあね

Mr Lorentz receiving a taiaha

Staff only volleyball game to farewell Mr Lorentz

PE: skills assessment

Classroom standard for the end of the day

Just as a reminder ;)

Camp Prep: Learning how to use a compass

Anzac Display

Science: Making dirty water clean

Add caption

Camp Prep: Big walk around the field

Assembly: Congrats to the summers and volleyball players

Welcome back, Libby

And thank you for the new addition to the classroom.

Capture the flag

Science: Learning about water properties

PE: Soccer has begun

Agenda: Friday 15th April

Date: Friday 15th April 2016
Monday (2nd May) is: Day 2
Homework:

• Get all your gear ready for camp (cotton is rotten in the bush)
• Triangles: Measurement booklet

Reminders:

• School returns Monday 2nd May
• The second day back is camp (Tuesday 3rd May)
• Tech arts

Signed:

Camp Rules

Dorm Groups

The moment you have all been waiting for... just a reminder to be supportive and open-minded. I believe everyone in the class got someone they wanted in either their duty group or dorm group, so be grateful :)

Agenda: Thur 14th April

Date: Thur 14th April 2016
Tomorrow is: Day 1

Homework (due tomorrow):

• IXL: Measurement 2
• Creative writing: kids these days
• Weekly Quiz
• Vocabulary

Reminders:

• Write the phone number down (where you will be the day before camp)
• Science Fair: please return (even if it is a 'no')
• Teaming
• Team game for those who completed their homework
• Shared lunch tomorrow (fill in checklist)
• (Jack M) Signature from dad
• (Lucy) Email address

Signed:

Using a Compass

Instruct in use of compass

• Ø Careful handling of compass – do not drop or hit, keep away from magnetic interference, report damage to TIC
  
  
• Ø Give simple, short, clear instructions for orienting compass
  o Rotate dial to given bearing
  o Base plate held horizontally at tummy button level
  o Direction of travel arrow pointing away from tummy
  o Align Magnetic North arrow (needle) and Orienting Arrow (Red into Shed)
  by rotating SELF – not compass
  o Direction of travel arrow shows where to aim for.
  
• 
  
• Ø Give bearing and ask students/adults to orient themselves
  
  
• Ø Check all students/adults are facing the correct direction
  
  
• Ø Practice setting buddy into position and do back-bearing check 
  

Put the Red in the Shed.
Aim the direction of travel arrow at the person

Blog: Thur 14th April

• Update the homework checklist
• Embed this item and answer the following questions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Chw8PLQ8ZjWGZqVFZQOFRVNjg/view?usp=sharing

• 1. THINK: What do you think is the most helpful piece of information on this to someone who is going on camp?
  2. THINK: What was something you have learnt from this?
  3. WONDER: Do you have any questions that has come from this reading?
  4. So what?: How is this relevant to camp?
  5. So what?: How is this relevant to our current transdisciplinary theme? (Sharing the Planet)
  
  Add three labels to this post: Sharing the Planet, Camp, Reading
  
  
  • Extras for Experts: Write a reflection on your time helping Room 1
  • Complete the new student blogging challenge
  • Update what you have done for "Take up the Challenge"

Agenda: Wed 13th April

Date: Wed 13th April 2016
Tomorrow is: Day 6

Homework:

• IXL: Measurement 2
• Creative writing: kids these days
• Weekly Quiz
• Vocabulary

Reminders:

• Science Fair: please return (even if it is a 'no')
• Tech Arts
• Shared lunch on Friday (fill in checklist)

Signed:

Agenda: Tues 12th April

Date: Tues 12th April 2016
Tomorrow is: Day 5

Homework:

• IXL: Measurement 2
• Creative writing: kids these days
• Weekly Quiz
• Vocabulary

Reminders:

• Science Fair: please return (even if it is a 'no')
• Block 1: Tech Arts (catch up)
• Block 2: Teaming
• Block 3: Assembly
• Block 4: Science (covered shoes)
• Shared lunch on Friday (fill in checklist)

Signed:

Agenda: Mon 11th April

Date: Monday 11th April 2016
Tomorrow is: Day 4

Homework:

• IXL: Measurement 2
• Creative writing: kids these days
• Weekly Quiz
• Vocabulary

Notices:

• Science Fair: for those that are eager

Reminders:

• (Lighthouse Y8s) Science Fair: please return
• Bring a rain jacket on tomorrow for testing
• Shared lunch on Friday (fill in checklist)
• Tech Arts

A Big Walk In idea

I found this video; do you think it would be worth trying for the whole big walk into camp? Add a comment to let me know your thoughts. I believe our school owns a Go-Pro.

Clothing for Camp

Look at a variety of clothing, group decide if it is good/bad or necessary to take. 

Cotton or Polyester:

• (t-shirt, hat, jeans, singlet, shirt)
• fine if dry, lethal if wet – accelerates heat loss, leading to hypothermia
• jeans inappropriate in bush, okay in lodge

Wool, Merino 

• (socks, jumper, hat, singlet, shirt) 
• excellent when wet - retains warmth
• can be bulky – (newer merino garments not bulky but expensive)

Polyprop/thermals

• (thermal longjohns, short or long-sleeved tops, socks, hats) 
• excellent when wet – dries quickly
• light, thin - easily carried
• thin layers allow for temperature control
• longjohns can be worn under shorts in cooler weather/ in river

Polar Fleece (vest, jumper, jacket, pants)

• excellent when wet – retains warmth & dries quickly

Rain jacket

• One that holds out water if put under a tap

Create a best dressed & worst dressed person.
Write or draw onto body outline articles of clothing that are needed for walking in the bush.

Wasps

A wasp can sting many times. They do not leave a sting like bees do, so it is not possible to remove the venom once a person has been stung.
In areas with wasps, many people get stung more than once. Therefore, move away from the area quickly and calmly before beginning treatment.

Where are wasps?

• Wasps defend their nests.
  
• Nests are usually close to or at ground level, near the bush edge and in
  clearings. A water source is often nearby.
  

Warning Signs

• Wasps travel at high speed and in a straight line when going in and out of their nest. That is your warning you are near a nest.
  
• If safe to do so, stop and observe to locate the nest and take a wide detour to avoid it.
  

Walk to avoid upsetting wasps

• Don’t bash the bushes and grasses along the sides of the track.
  
• Don’t overtake others by crashing through the sides of the track.
  
• Often the front of the line will stir up the nest but people further
  back will get stung.
  

Action if attacked

• Quickly and calmly move away from the area. The wasps will only follow you until you are away from the nest.
  
• Warn others behind you about the nest.
  
  

Treatment

• When safe, sit patient down, keeping them quiet and still.
  
• Put something cold on the sting site to help relieve the pain.
  
• Give the patient an antihistamine tablet (it will take 20 mins to work)
  
• Watch for symptoms of anaphylaxis (administer adrenaline if
  appropriate)
  
• Have patient rest until they have recovered, before they resume
  activity. 
  

Agenda: Fri 8th April

Date: Fri 8th April 2016
Monday is: Day 3

Homework:

• Start gathering gear required for camp (borrow off other students to save money)

Notices:

• (Lighthouse Y8s) Science Fair: please return
• Science Fair: for those that are eager

Reminders:

• Bring a rain jacket on Tuesday for testing
• Shared lunch next Friday
• Tech Arts (catch up)

Anytime, Room 1