Picture Prompts - writing

 Picture Prompts - Motivating to Write and stimulating thinking

A good way of getting children to write is by using picture (usually photo) prompts. Big pictures are best and they can be electronic or in paper form, as long as the children are able to look at them closely from the place from where they are writing.

Children can be guided to describe the setting or a character in the setting by using looks like, feels like, smells like and sounds like, or they can use the scene to begin a story using who, what where and when.

 The children may have to be encouraged to choose a prompt as procrastination in making a choice is common.

 Room 6 children have chosen their prompts in this picture and are now orgainising their books and other writing equipment.

Some children are very happy and motivated writers - others may need support and encouragement to write.

Room 6 Assembly Term 3

 Room 6 Assembly Term 3

Last Friday at the end of week 9, Room 6 students ran the school assembly. This was the second assembly that Room 6 have run this year. A new group of students got the chance to participate and practice reading clearly in front of an audience. All the children learned their words perfectly and spoke clearly to the assembled audience.

The assembly was opened by Joseph who welcomed everyone to the hall. 

Josh introduced the prayer which was Hail Mary or Awe e Maria in Maori. He did the sign of the cross in French and then Maori.

Tae'o asked the school to stand for the singing of the National Anthem.

Claire and Anna played us a beautiful piece of music on their ukeleles.

All of Claire's guitar students played us a couple of pieces together with some musical accompaniment.

Willem asked Mr Macmillan to present the Principal's Awards to some worthy students.
He wore his Dad's tie especially for the occasion.

Mr Macmillan presented the Principal's Awards.

Teachers and pupils admire the wonderful assembly put on by the marvellous students of Room 6.

Children's author - Terri Rose Baynton

 Children's author - Terri Rose Baynton

A couple of weeks ago Room 6 children were lucky enough to go to the hall to see visiting children's author Terri Rose Baynton. She talked to us a little about how she became an author and about the latest book she has just had published. Terri then gave an interesting lesson on how to get ideas for your story writing and drew some very funny illustrations on the whiteboard. Thank you Terri.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

In Religious Education in Term Two we have been learning about the Holy Spirit. In particular we have looked at the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The children have learned that the fruits are not apples and oranges, but just as real fruit nourishes our bodies so The Fruits of the Spirit nourish our minds and souls. They help us to become better people.

The children have discussed the people around them who show some, or all, of the Fruits, such as kindness, generosity, peace, self control etc. We have talked about how these people can inspire us to use the Fruits to become better human beings. 

We played a board game that helped children remember the names of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.


Some children got enthusiastically into the game.

 Some of the dice throwing was very dramatic.







Other children took the calm relaxed approach to playing the game.

Lucille enjoyed playing the game and naming people she thought showed the Fruits of the Spirit in her life.

 Some children preferred to play the game alone at their desks.

 The children learned also to cooperate and follow the rules together as a team.

The game showed how performing acts in the game, as in real life, that showed evidence of the Fruits of the Spirit, is a positive and rewarding thing in our daily and religious lives.

Welcome Back - from David Bach - Room 6 Teacher 2013

Welcome to the Official Class Blog of Room 6, St Mary's Catholic School Rotorua. 
In 2013 I intend to make this blog the home page for communication with parents and caregivers about what is happening in Room 6 and around the school generally. With words and photos we can also celebrate the children's learning and discuss special trips and visits that we may undertake. Hopefully we can get the children blogging away with their own posts as the year progresses.

I will write a letter at some stage soon, for all parents and caregivers, introducing myself and my teaching philosophy. I will post the letter here and send a hard copy home with the children.

To get a response the same day, the best way to contact me is through my school email address, which is:
david@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz     - note no b after the David as it was once recorded.
For truly urgent matters I am happy for you to contact me through my cellphone, please come and see me to receive my mobile phone number.
And of course I have an open door policy so you can come and see me in person at any time for urgent matters, otherwise after school from Wednesday onwards are the best times to come in - or email me for a meeting time. Mornings are usually a very busy time, so please try to avoid them except for urgent or quick matters.

As you can see from the photo above I have a family of my own. Contrary to a popular myth that circulated around the school for awhile I am not French, but my wife Betty is French, my children are bilingual and  I speak (mostly) fluent French.
I have been a keen fly fisherman all my life but I have recently discovered kayak trout fishing and am now able to combine exercise with my favourite activity.

This is my second year teaching in the middle school and I can honestly say I am looking forward to returning to teach children of this age again, hopefully all keen and ready to progress with their learning in 2013.

 Room 6 had a simply awesome first day of school for 2013. The temperature wasn't too hot today.

 I must say that Room 6 are looking like a fantastic bunch of eager learners, ready to make excellent progress. I suspect that they are all keen readers too - or they will be soon with Mr. Bach's enthusiasm for reading.

Today we learnt that the best way to become a better learner is to improve our self management. We learnt that it is up to us to look after our own lives and take responsibility for our own behaviour and actions.