Environmental Writing

As part of our 'Animal Inquiry' we watched a cool video that showed some clever Gannets catching their prey. Then we wrote a poem about what they do using similes, adjectives and adverbs to make our writing more interesting to read and colourful. Here's a couple of finished products for you to enjoy - just click on the picture to have a closer look.

Descriptive Piece

(S.D.)  Two eagles perching on the dead dry branch with sharp gold powerful claws and fearless fiery eyes.  They have a pointy sharp beak, white head and a big brown feathery body.  They look cruel and deadly as they wait to attack their next prey.     

Ben's Day at School

(J.H.)  I liked how Ben was so furry like he was a big pillow.

(R.C.)  When Ben visited my school and I opened the door he jumped on me and he could do lots of cool tricks.

(L.S.)  I liked Ben's visit because Mr Hayward's dog did really amazing tricks.

(O.R.)  I liked Ben's visit because he is amazing and he is very fluffy and very good.  He is the best dog in the world!

(K.C.)  I liked Ben's visit because he showed us cool tricks.

(M.P.)  Ben was so cute that when I got home I begged mum and dad for a golden retriever.

(R.W.)  He was so cute and as fluffy as a teddy bear.

(C.M.)  I liked it when Ben licked my hand.

(S.D.)  I liked Bennie because he was kind and friendly.

(R.F.)  When I came in Ben was doing amazing tricks.

(B.C.)  It was fun when Ben was at school.

(H.M.)  Ben was cute and cuddly.

(M.B.)  I liked Ben's visit because he did spectacular tricks.

(K.F.)  My favourite trick was when Ben did a roly poly.

(M.T.)  I used to be scared of big dogs but Ben made me not so scared anymore.

(J.W.)  I liked Ben because he was kind to children.

(J.L.)  I liked Ben because he was so cute and fluffy like a soft woolly sheep.

Our crazy and fun writing piece...

'HELP! my babysitter's a monkey'

(E.H.)  Today my dad and mum got me a babysitter.  It was a monkey.  I tried to warn my dad that it was a monkey but he did not hear me.  When I got inside I saw him switch all the taps on and it was a swimming pool.  I got freaked out.  I saw everything get sucked up the chimney except the couch.  I swam to the couch and pushed it away and I went up into the sky up the chimney.  Then I fell on the car and it broke.  Mum and dad came back and we ate the monkey for dinner and I never got a babysitter again. 

Animal habitat triaramas on PhotoPeach

With our current Inquiry we've been looking at 'Part Whole' SOLO maps to think about the different parts of an animal and what their function is - from this exercise we came to the conclusion that all the parts of an animal play an important role in how it lives and survives in its natural habitat.
Here's one of our maps for an elephant - click on it to have a closer look...

  

Well worth a watch

Stuck Kitty

We've been working hard on our descriptive writing in class using a picture with an animal theme - have a read of what some of us wrote ...

(J.L.)  The ginger kitten quietly crept towards the glass tank.  The shiny fish were so scared that they hid in the corner of their tank with the bubbly bubbles above them.  She hungrily climbed up the tree and pounced in the slippery tank.  The soggy kitten's drippy body was soaking wet.  The sad goldfish were very frightened.  Then the stuck kitten heard a creaking sound and it was the door and her owner to the rescue - Phew!

(H.M.)  The little kitten was watching the fish.  He was hungry so he put his paw in the fish tank, but  he fell in.  He got so scared and cold.  He was stuck in the fish tank and no matter how much he tried he couldn't get out.  He was mad and unhappy.  Then his owner came and got him out and he never went in that tank again.

(C.M)  The ginger cat was creeping sneakily up on the beautiful goldfish.  He was carefully staring at the goldfish and he dived into the tank where they live.  The cat was afraid of water but he jumped in anyway.  He looks like a squirrel in the tank.  The cat screamed until the owner came in and saw their cat in the fish tank.  He was trying to eat the fish - naughty and mischievous cat.     

Look mum I can ride a scooter

Mr Hayward has promised to bring his golden retriever (Ben) into school one day this term as part of our current inquiry.  Now Ben can do a few pretty cool tricks, but nothing quite like this wonder pooch Norman ... check his moves out!

Production Song #1 -

For our middle school production coming up next term we need to learn the songs - and so here is the first one that you need to listen to and practise so you know the words really well.  Try not to drive your parents up the wall with it though!

How many of these animals can you name?

Friday this week was Pink Shirt Day and we decided that its anti-bullying message is a good one and one we want to support in our classroom and in our school.  So we came up with all sorts of slogans to get the message across and made our own pink shirts to put them on!

Origin Stories

We've been writing 'Origin Stories' to explain (using our wild imagination) how some animals got the interesting features they have - like how a giraffe got its long neck, a tiger got its stripes, an elephant got its trunk, a peacock got its feathers, etc. 

Here's a story by (O.R.) 

A long time ago all the elephants had short trunks and they liked them.  Their life was very good but they had a baby elephant who did not like his life because he really wanted a long trunk.  His parents said it’s okay maybe you will get a long trunk one day.  The baby elephant said alright and he wandered off for a drink from a pond.  When he was there he reached for a drink then snap! a crocodile had got him by the nose.  The mean scaly sharp toothed crocodile pulled hard but the baby elephant pulled too.  He let out a loud trumpet and his parents and the herd ran to help him.  When they got there they were pulling as hard as they could.  The crocodile finally gave up because they were too strong and the elephants all fell back when he let go.  The baby elephant got his dream because when the herd and the crocodile were pulling his trunk was stretching.  It hurt but that’s how elephants got their long trunks. 

Celebrating Mums at B.D.S.

At school on Friday we had a special morning to acknowledge how fantastic mums are.  It started with a delicious breakfast outside the staff room and then we had an awesome assembly put on by Room 23 in the hall.  The mums seemed to have a great time and we hope they have a lovely day on Sunday - because they deserve it!!!

   

Zoo Trip May 2012 on PhotoPeach

Descriptive Writing Piece

We have been talking about descriptive/environmental writing in class; and have linked it with our current Inquiry about animals.  We enjoyed talking about Leopards and how they love to relax up in trees.  Here's some of our writing about this picture...

(J.H.)  The sleepy Leopard lay quietly up in his huge tree.  His long firm tail is very spotty and looks like a snake camouflaged in the tree.  He lies knackered up in his tree balancing cleverly.  He rests from his big hunt and from dragging his heavy prey up so high.  He lies in the shade and enjoys the soft gentle breeze on his body.  He looks really comfortable and safe away from danger.

(R.C.)  The Leopard went to hunt for food then dragged it up his favourite tree.  He was lying there lazily from that big meal he had.  Sleeping happily in the nice cool breeze.  He enjoys the cool air whooshing around him and over his fur.

(R.W.)  The spotty sleepy Leopard is hiding sneakily from other big cats after a huge meal he hunted.  Wanting to feel breeze under the big brown and green tree he loves.  Sleeping lazily and very tired.  Safely resting and happy balanced on the branch.

(J.S.)  The Leopard has a long swishy spotty tail when he is asleep.  The green leafy tree is  making the cool breeze go through his fluffy fur.

(E.H.)  The Leopard lay in the shady tree after a big meal with the cool breeze blowing against him.  He is really tired and hot, hot, hot from running in the sun and from bringing his food back.

Looking for some awesome books on our Inquiry topic? You need look no further than our very own library... these books have been set aside for us all to share so enjoy them but remember to put them back neatly.

“Hi everyone, this is my new friend, Freddy. You may have seen him in the library. He loves reading too!  We have something exciting to tell you...the librarians are going to choose two people every lunch time who are showing fantastic library behaviour to put their names in a special box. At the end of term we will draw one name out and that person will get a special reading prize pack. Cool aye? So remember to read and walk quietly while you are in the library.”

Room 16 Winners

Today at our school assembly Mr J gave out some special awards for our awesome ripper rugby players from Year 3.  We were very excited in Room 16 because our team 6 got the shield for sportsmanship and J.W. also got a very cool medal for ripper rugby sportsboy of the year.

Well done guys we're very proud of you, and thanks again Mr J!!   

In class recently we've been reflecting on ANZAC day and what it's all about - and we realised that the soldiers who so bravely and sacrificially gave their lives for our freedom were actually showing our current school value of responsibility!  They were being responsible for the safety and freedom of their families, and their country - and, in a way, the whole world.  We reckon that is pretty cool and it makes us very thankful!  Our challenge is to be responsible to make the world a peaceful place and we know that that starts in our school and where we live - but we're up for the challenge!     

Special author visit -

Today in the middle block we were lucky enough to have a visit from Patricia Stroud the author of the book 'Caesar the ANZAC dog' - it is a true story about a bull dog in the 1st World War who worked for the Red Cross helping to find wounded soldiers.  It's really cool and we reckon you should read it sometime, perhaps before ANZAC day coming up in a few weeks!?!

People who inspire us!

For homework recently we had to make a poster about our house patron and talk about what they did to be/achieve their best and how that inspires us to reach for our best too!  Here's some of the terrific work we produced - just click on them to have a closer look. 

FREE is gooood!!

This Friday the 30th of March is our last Fruju Friday for the summer.  The PTA would like to thank you for supporting Fruju Friday, by making this week FREE Fruju Friday.
Each student will be given a ticket by their teacher on Friday for one ice block, which they can redeem after school.  No ticket no free ice block, no exceptions.  Parents and siblings sorry, but you will still need to pay for yours.   It has been a very popular fundraiser, and a great way to end our week!  Thank you to all our helpers.

Where our rubbish can go -

We've been looking at leaders in class as part of our Inquiry learning and have been thinking about how 'we' can be a leader too!  We made a Cause and Effect flow chart that shows where the rubbish can go that we bring to school.  Then we talked about how we can be a leader by doing the right thing with rubbish to help care for the environment we live in. 

Click on the photo above to have a closer look at our work and ideas. 

Good times at Ripper Rugby

We had loads of fun recently ripping it up on our school field playing Ripper Rugby with Room 17 - thanks Mr J for reffing for us!

Swimming Carnival (K.F.)

My favourite part was when you put your nose on the ball. The water was cold but it was good because it was a hot day.

Swimming Carnival (M.A.)

We got to balance the ball with a cone and we got to pretend that we were riding a horse. But we had to have a partner to ride behind the person at the front.

Swimming Carnival (R.F.)

Everyone had a turn for a swim line and there was a lot of waves and splashes everywhere. After the swim line we had some fun relays in the pool. The trickiest one was the handstand in the water.

Swimming Carnival (S.D.)

On Friday it was very sunny and it was awesome because it was our swimming carnival day. My favouite relay was the huge whirlpool because you go very very fast. The one I didn't like was when you carry a partner in the pool because it was quite embarrassing being carried by a boy.

Swimming Carnival (S.A.)

My favourite relay was when you hold the ball on a cone. It was a nice and sunny day on Friday and we had a great time. After we had a turn and got out of the pool everyone was shivering.

Swimming Carnival (Y.L.)

Last Friday I did not go swimming because I forgot my togs. I Looked at the swimming pool and the horse is fun and the ice cream is fun too. My sister went swimming and I looked at her playing in the swimming pool and I was a bit envious.

Swimming Carnival fun (E.H.)

On a really hot and sunny day we had our year 3 swimming carnival. At the end Blake house won by getting an extra ten points for sitting up nicely. I liked the ice cream relay the best because we were so close to winning only one person was really slow and it was a girl.

Swimming Carnival (M.T.)

We played games and Blake house won . After the relays we made a whirlpool and then we had to carry other people but they were really big to carry .

Swimming Carnival (R.C.)

First  we  had  the  ice cream  relay  then  we  had  to  push the ball with our head or our nose or our knees, but not our hands. My favourite bit was the whirlpool because  every time I went around I got faster.

Swimming Carnival (S.C.)

Last Friday I did not go swimming but I did have fun watching. We were not allowed to talk when they were giving instructions. The best bit was the ice-cream relay because it looked delicious!

Awesome Swimming Carnival (J.H.)

On Friday it was the swimming carnival and only year 3's went.  It was so hot I wanted to go in the water quickly.  The whirlpool had really strong currents, but that made it fun trying to swim against it.

Swimming Carnival recount (O.R.)

The first thing we did was balance a ball on a cone. It was hard to do that because it was heavy and big. The second thing I liked was the noodle horse game because I love horses.

Swimming Carnival (H.T.S.)

On Friday last week the Year 3's had a swimming carnival.  Mr Hayward had a big loud hailer and it was so loud that it hurt my ears. We did a relay where we had to carry other people.  Marshall carried me.  He was strong.

Swimming Carnival (M.P.)

On a hot and sunny day on Friday last week it was the swimming carnival. My favourite relay was when you had a partner to carry across the pool. When we got out of the pool we lay outside for a bit. Then we played stuck in the mud to warm up.

Swimming Carnival (S.B.)

On Friday last week I was away but all the Year three children went to the awesome swimming carnival at the school pool.
Luckily it was nice and sunny because our pool can be really cold.
Sometimes Mr Hayward spoke through the  loud hailer. Some children were near him and their ears got so sore.
I wished I could have been there - but I had a great time at the wedding I went to instead. 

The Swimming Carnival (J.T.)

On a hot and sunny day on Friday last week it was the Year 3 swimming carnival. We did relay races like balancing a ball on a cone.

Swimming Carnival (J.L.)

 My favourite relay was the ice cream relay because I thought I couldn't do it but when it was my turn I tried it and it was easy peasy and I was suprised that I did it. After that Wayne said to us, "we are going to play and make an enormous giant whirlpool."

Swimming Carnival (J.F.)

My favourite thing was the whirlpool.  All the children were running around the edge of the pool and then we turned around, but it was so hard to walk.  I was getting pushed by the strong current.

Swimming Carnival recount (J.W.)

It was fun cheering for our house. I cheered for Batten but they lost points for talking too much. It was so hot it felt like I was melting and I wished I was in the pool as well.

Swimming Carnival (R.W.)

On an awesome sunny day last Friday the year 3's had their swimming carnival. We made a huge, humongous whirlpool and all the kids did it. Mr Hayward my teacher had a loud speaker to explain the relays and Wayne did it in the pool too. It was lovely and sunny but the pool was very cold.

Swimming Carnival (L.S.)

When we got in the pool we did lots of relay races like the ice cream  relay.  At the end we made a giant whirlpool and that was my favourite part  because we made really massive waves.

Swimming Carnival 2012 (K.C.)

We had some very cool relays. We had a noodle race.  I was in the front of the noodle and my partner was at the back.  It was awesome and I liked that relay a lot.  Then we formed a cool whirlpool.  We had to change ways but it was very hard to change because the water was moving fast like a giant washing machine.

The Spectacular Swimming Carnival (M.B.)

On a boiling hot sunny day we went to our Year 3 swimming carnival. We did 6 spectacular games or relays. My favourite game was the humongous whirlpool. I liked it because it was hard to walk back against the current.

Swimming Carnival recount (J.S.)

It was a very hot sunny day when the Year 3's  had our swimming carnival. When we got there we had to go into our house teams. We made a giant whirlpool and it looked like a washing machine.

Swimming Carnival (H.A-S.)

When we all arrived I was nervous.  When we did the race the water was pushing me backwards and I thought that I was going to lose the race.  I also thought that my ice cream was going to fall off.  I had so much fun at the swimming carnival with my friends and teachers.  My Mum and my little sister Leen were so proud of me.

P.T.A. family picnic

We had a fun night on Friday with takeaway food, a lolly scramble and a great parents vs students soccer match.  Fortunately there were no major injuries to any children or adults!