SCIENCE
This term we embarked on a most interesting topic "WHAT'S OUT THERE?"
These were our W.A.L.T.s (we are learning to…)
- Name the 9 planets in the solar system (L.O. 1)
- Be able to list planets in order in terms of distance from the sun and compare their relative size (L.O. 2)
- Identify the 4 rocky planets (and Pluto) and the 4 gas planets (L.O. 3)
- Explain why Pluto is a dwarf planet (L.O. 4)
- Explain why the shape of the moon appears to change (L.O. 5)
- Explain how a lunar eclipse occurs (L.O. 6)
- Explain how a solar eclipse occurs (L.O. 7)
By the end of the unit, we felt we'd managed to achieve all the learning intentions, and did we have fun doing so…
…from using rope and balls of various sizes to get a sense of how enormous or small the various planets are and how far apart from one another, as well as their distance from the sun
….to using an orbiter to see how solar and lunar eclipses occur, as well as how the earth rotates on it's own axis as it orbits the sun
….to working co-operatively with a group to build a space station
….not too mention doing investigations which show how a person weighs less in space, although their mass remains the same
…to research numerous questions to extend our knowledge
…to watching various youtube video clips from 'Ask an astronomer' to help clarify our understanding of a variety of concepts, from why astronauts wear space suits, to seeing visuals representations of eclipses!
Tarore and Her Book retells with visuals
Today we read a fabulous little book called "Tarore and Her Book" by Joy Cowley. We worked collaboratively with our peers to write our retells of this true story as well as create visuals.
Here are some of us working away:
Have a read of the story, we are sure you will be inspired by it, particularly as it is true. We hope it helps you to spread the message of peace, forgiveness and love in our world, particularly as we prepare for Christmas.
Tarore and her Book
Retold by: Lorie & Yahnee
This is a tragic story about a girl who brought peace to the tribe of Aotearoa.
Tarore was one of the North Island people of the Waikato. At the age of 12, her father, Ngakuku sent her to a mission school to be taught by Alfred and Charlotte Brown
Tarore was an excellent student and as a reward, the Browns gave her the Gospel of Luke. She treasured this taonga and put it in a kete around her neck. The Gospel of Luke had words of peace for all people to treasure.
In the year 1836, the school was forced to move to Tauranga. Her father and a mission worker had to take 21 children through the bush.
As they reached the Wairere Falls, a raiding party from Te Arawa spotted them nearby. As Tarore was sleeping, her father, the mission worker and the 20 children escaped and left Tarore behind.
Sadly a Te Arawa warrior found Tarore and killed her. He took the kete around her neck along with the book. Ngakuku was devastated, but remembered the words that his daughter told him about peace, and therefore he did not seek revenge.
Meanwhile in Rotorua, the warrior murdered Tarore saw the book and read it along with its message of peace that said " Love your enemies". After he reading the message, he went to Tarore's father to seek for forgiveness.
The words were soon heard around the North Island. When Tarore's book came down to Otaki, Te Rauparaha, the warrior chief, heard the message and began to build the Rangiatea Church. The chief told his son and nephew to spread the message of "Love your enemies" to all of the South Island.
Today the people of the land say: "The missionaries brought Christianity to this country, but it was our people who gave it to each other." All of this happened because of the little girl's book that she held so dearly and close to her heart.
To this day, we can see Tarore's grave, who changed the lives of all people at Waharoa and in Aotearoa, New Zealand. May we continue to spread the message of love to all those we meet throughout our lives.
Tarore and her book
Retold by: Carol, Helen and Debrah
This is a true story about a child who dies and her book is stolen. See how that child brought peace to Aotearoa.
Tarore was the daughter of Ngakuku. When she was twelve years old, her father sent her to a mission school run by Alfred and Charlotte Brown. Tarore was such a good student and for her effort the Brown's gave her the gospel of Luke. She treasured this precious taonga and wore it in a kete around her neck.
In 1836, the mission school had to move to Tauranga, taking 21 children, including Tarore, Ngakuku and a mission worker. A raiding party from the Te Arawa iwi found them near the Wairere falls. The mission worker and Tarore's father escaped with 20 children, but sadly Tarore was left behind because no-one noticed she was asleep.
A Te Arawa warrior killed Tarore while she was asleep and stole her book from around her neck. Ngakuku was filled with grief and loss for his daughter, but he did not avenge his daughters' death because he remembered the words of peace from her book.
In Rotorua, the warrior that murdered Tarore read the message of peace which said "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES". And so he went to Ngakuku and asked for forgiveness. The words from the gospel of Luke spread throughout the North Island. People gave up war and started to live Christian ways.
The son of the chief of Te Rauparaha, Katu and his nephew, Te Whiwhi took the message to the South Island where it spread like a wild fire.
The Tangata whenua say "Our Christian ways were started by the missionaries but we spread it to each other.
At Waharoa you will find the grave of the twelve year old girl who brought peace to Aotearoa and changed the lives of her people.
HERE'S ANOTHER STORY TO READ AS YOU PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS
Our teacher read the book to us and we helped retell the story to use as a Christmas wall display in our school foyer. Enjoy!
THE LEGEND OF THE POINTSETTIA
In a small village in the mountains of Mexico there lived a little girl, Lucida and her family. Lucida's mother was asked to weave a new blanket to cover the Baby Jesus in the traditional Christmas procession.
Feeling both honoured and excited, Lucida and her mother went to select and purchase the finest yarn, to use to weave the precious blanket. They began to work immediately, spending many hours at the loom.
One day a few days before Christmas Eve, while Lucida was at singing practise at the church, her aunty hurried in to tell her that her mother was very ill. Lucida was needed at home to take care of her younger siblings, while she was in hospital. Sadly she would not be home for Christmas, or to complete the blanket for the Baby Jesus.
This upset Lucida, but she thought she'd try and finish it herself. However, the more she tried, the more tangled it got. She soon realised that she needed assistance, so she took the blanket to one of her aunts to see if she could help. Unfortunately this was not possible, as there wasn't enough time, as the procession was to be held the following day.
On the evening of the procession, Lucida was no where to be found. Feeling upset and responsible that the blanket was not complete, she had decided to hide.
While behind one of the buildings and watching the procession, an old lady appeared and spoke to her. She told Lucida that her mother would be fine and she need not worry as she'd be home soon. The old lady also suggested that she go into the church and be with her family, but she said she couldn't, as she had no gift for the Baby Jesus.
After listening to her story, the old lady said: "Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love, because it comes from you." When Lucida heard this, she looked around and noticed a patch of tall green weeds nearby. She decided to pick an armful and take them into the church.
When people noticed her walking down the aisle with the weeds they murmured their surprise to one another. Reaching the manger scene, she placed the weeds around the stable, lowered her head and prayed.
While she prayed people watched and began to whisper, "Look, look at the weeds!" Upon opening her eyes, Lucida saw that all the weeds were tipped with a flaming red star. The manger glowed and shimmered brightly, welcoming the Baby Jesus.
Every Christmas to this day, the red stars shine on the top of green branches in Mexico. The people call the plants la Flor de Nochebuena - Flower of the Holy Night and flor de Navidad – Christmas flower – the pointsettia.
DANCE
TIME IS DRAWING NEAR…We're getting our costumes for 'An evening with the Stars' ready…
Take a look…
Insert photos of dance prep – costumes