Kākā Literacy

In Literacy, we have been exploring language features and using them to make our writing more interesting. Earlier in the term we were focusing on adjectives and how they provide description of a noun. This week we have been learning about similes and how they help to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. The tamariki have been working on a piece of writing called, ‘The Best Part of Me’ - inspired by a book of the same name. Here are a few examples:

The Best Part of Me

The best part of me is my luscious hair. My outstanding hair looks like a solid block of gold that’s been smashed. My hairy hair feels as frizzy as a long lion mane or a fluffy, cute red panda. The first fantastic reason my hair is the best is because I can style my golden hair like a bubble or a tail and so much more! This is the second reason it’s the best. It’s because I can fiddle with my hair like a poppit! That’s why I love my hair so much!

By Lorna Dittmer

The Best Part of Me

My right foot looks like a cheetah running on the grass. My right foot feels hard like a rock. It is the best because it’s good at rugby and soccer kicks. The second reason it’s the best is because it’s good at racing fast.

By Monroe Kealey

The Best Part of Me

The best part of me is my eyes because they look like the glittering ocean on a sunny day and the outside looks like a white volcano erupting red hot lava. They feel like smooth squishy slime balls. My eyes are the best. One, because without them I wouldn’t be able to see anything or anyone. And two, my eyes are very interesting and help me learn new things.

By Gwenyth Belser

Kākā Mathematics

In Maths this fortnight, we have been looking at Number. The tamariki each have an individual maths goal that they are working towards. It has been great to see each child driving their own learning this week as they work hard to achieve their goals! Once a goal has been achieved, they begin working on a new goal. 

We are also building our addition strategy toolkits. We have looked at counting on, estimating to build number sense and using place value to solve two and three digit addition problems. Next week we will be practising our rounding skills to learn to solve addition problems by making ten.