Sand Timers

We had really cool fun in Maths because we got to make our own sand timers. The bottom was cut off a small plastic bottle and Pete drilled a small hole in the lid. Next we put some dry, fine sand into our containers and we timed the sand running out for one minute. A mark was put on the container catching the sand so we knew how much to put back into our timers. A minute actually takes a long time when you are watching the clock!

Making Clay Faces

One of our reading Groups read an article about how to make clay faces to hang on a wall. During Term 1 we learnt about drawing portraits so we were able to use this information to make our clay faces. First we rolled the clay into a ball and then flattened it out so it looked like a plate. It was hard work! Finally we pinched and poked the clay to make the hair, eyes, mouth, nose, eyebrows and lashes.
During the holidays our clay faces are being fired in a kiln and we can't wait to see what they will look like when we go back to school.

Room 5 Museum Visit

Yesterday morning Room 5 went to learn about Appo Hocton. When we got upstairs at the Museum we sat down in a big circle. Imo said that these information blocks are we are going to retell about Appo Hocton's life. Appo Hocton was born in about 1820 and died in 1920. Appo Hocton jumped ship when he was 22 years old, because he didn't have any soap or water to clean his clothes. His family were peasant farmers and grew peanuts, sugar-cane, chinese cabbage, rice, sweet potatoes and tea in China.
Appo had built houses for his three children but Albert got shot by Louis, he also had one girl as well. His mother had written a note to him and it said, "please come home," but he never went home. He kept the note for ages and ages till he died. Appo was naturalized in 1853 and he became a citizen so he could then own land in Nelson. He became a house keeper for a doctor, next he became a carter and then a builder. Finally he was back to being a farmer.
He married Jennifer Rowling then she died of T.B. Then he married Ellen. Appo came from China then to England. He was a farmer in Dovedale and and had cattle. His mother's name was Pee-See-Ting. He came from the Province of Canton.
The best part out of everything was making things out of koros to see what's special about NEW ZEALAND. We had 5 people in a group and Imo gave our group a name of a child who had come from another country. My group had Ricky. We made a football because it is apart of New Zealand. It was a fun trip. Aleisha