Science in Room 11

As part of our inquiry, we are looking at some simple science experiments.
Last week we looked at how a substance can change by just adding water.
We made Oobleck.  This is quite a unique substance, as the molecules act very strangely when cornflower and water are mixed together.
Is it hard or is it runny?

World Fish Migration Day

Today, DOC set up some exhibits at Opawa School to help showcase our whitebait.
The children were lucky enough to see a couple of the exhibits on display.
We heard someone talk about the equipment used to catch whitebait, what different types of fish are native to NZ and finally, we saw how the whitebait can swim upstream.
It was very informative and Room 11 really enjoyed the experience.

Whaka Inaka

Today we went down to the river to collect data about the hay bales and predator cards.
Out of 4 sets only one card was still in tact - the others were ripped to shreds!!

Book Reading Evening

WANTED - BOOK READERS!!
Tuesday 24th May 2016

Wherever you are, whoever you are with......
Read for 15 minutes or more anytime during the evening.

Gather your whanau, friends, book club, or curl up with your cat or dog!
Read a book, magazine, e-book, comic or the newspaper. 

Send a selfie to me on karen.ryder@opawa.school.nz and I will forward the picture to enter into a competition to win a book or two!

Cross country

Congratulations to:
Christian - 3rd for Year 4 boys
Fenella - 1st for Year 4 girls
Alice - 1st for Year 5 girls

Best of luck to Alice who is competing in the South Zone Competition next Wednesday.

Fenella in Moeraki

Last weekend, on Mother's Day, Fenella and her family visited Moeraki Beach.
They went to see the Moeraki Boulders.
Here are some photos - now she is famous!!!

Can you guess what the decorations on these rocks are made out of?

Passion Project

Next term, our inquiry focus will be science.
Over the holidays I have asked the children to think or a focus for a 'Passion Project'.
This will involve the children thinking of a 'fat' question to ask and then research independently around this question.  
They will need to think about how they will research it, what aspects to look at, how they will answer the question and how they will present it.
Ideas for presentation include:
Power point presentation
Poster
Prezzi
Padlet
Word document
Powtoon
Any other relevant presentation apps that are appropriate - the list is endless.
Please have a chat with your children about what they would love to research!!
Examples include:
What can I find out about the planets in our solar system?
Why is the sky blue?
How do plants grow?
What are 5 kinds of flowers and how are they so different?
What happens when you mix vinegar with baking soda?  Why?

Anything that you WONDER about!!!


Comment any ideas that may be researched as a record for next term.