Selling Chocolate

In Term 3 we were selling Chocolates to raise money for our school. Our family sold the most – 25 boxes of chocolate worth $1370.00. Our prize for selling the most was a $100 voucher for The Warehouse. We went shopping in the holidays and I brought a Barbie “I can be a Seaworld trainer” and Lucky Beebees which you attach to your jeans. Brock brought Lego space police and a soccer ball. When they had the draws for other prizes at assembly I also got a soccer ball.

by MatSav [via email]

Special Comment

Look who commented on SteMat’s post about the All Blacks’ Training.

Aled de Malmanche plays for the Chiefs and the All Blacks.  What an awesome guy!

Lunchtime Waste – Weeks 7 & 8

These are the final photos from Term 3.  You can see that there’s been a real improvement since week one, but there are still lots of troublesome plastic bags and packets.

Next term we begin to recycle paper as part of our Enviroschool focus.  I wonder if we could concentrate on getting rid of all the plastic we bring to school as wrappers and packets for our morning tea and lunch.

Mr F

Doing Da Vinci on Discovery Channel

Check out this link about making the machines that Da Vinci designed but didn’t build.

Doing da Vinci

You can watch the programme on the Discovery Channel on Monday evenings if you have Sky TV.

Mr F.

40 000 Cake!

On the last day of term we had a cake to celebrate our forty thousandth visitor.  The cake was in the shape of a google map pin.

Room Niners – can someone write up a story to go with this please.  Email it to me or write it on the wiki and I’ll cut and paste it here.  Thanks.

Hope you’re all enjoying your holidays!

Mr F

Forty Thousand Visitors

Well, you did it!  Room 9 have now had 40 000 visitors.

It happened last Tuesday evening at 8:02:53pm and our 40 000th visitor came from….

Jakarta in Indonesia.  Here it is in Google Maps…

and here’s a view in Google Earth.

The city of Jakarta has about twice as many people living in it than the whole of New Zealand.

A big thank you to all our visitors, readers and commenters.  Well done everybody and keep those stories coming.

Cake all round later this week!

Mr F

Nearly Cake Time

Coming Soon - 40 000 Page Views

It looks like we’ll hit 40 000 page views in the next few days.  Yippee!  Would anyone like to guess which country the 40 000th visitor will come from?

Mr F

Lunchtime Waste – Weeks 5 & 6

Looking at these two photos it seems we have managed to reduce the amount of food waste and gladwrap that we bring to school, but we still have a problem with chippy packets.  Well done to Jacob for putting his chips into a reusable container and leaving the packet at home.

Do you remember how to reduce the number of chippy packets used?  At Xtreme Waste we were told that we could buy a big packet of chips and put them into reusable bags or containers.  This means that only one large bag goes into landfill instead of a big bag and twelve little ones.  I have noticed that the little Glad boxes with blue lids have a number 5 on them.  Which means they can’t be recycled in Hamilton…

Mr F

All Blacks Training

Today 7/9/09 the Glenview Rugby team went to Waikato Stadium to watch the All Blacks train!

I took my Melville Rugby hoodie to get signed.  It got signed by DC (Dan Carter), Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Richie Mccaw (c) and Tony Woodcock.

We saw the backs catching and kicking, and we saw the forwards doing line-outs and scrums.

It was really exciting. The most exciting part for me was getting the signatures from the All Blacks.

by SteMat

Chocolate!

Chocolate!

My family has been working hard to sell chocolates for the school fundraiser. We hope the school buys some more mini laptops as I love using them. I like eating the chocolate as well, especially Dairy Milk.

by MatSav [via email]

PETER

Ooh noo.  There is my brother up to no good again.  Anyway, hi I’m Peter andI have a brother that is a pain in the butt.  I have to put up with his silly jokes.  I’m 9 years old and I live in an apartment on the 12 floor.  I’ve got a turtle called Dribble.  One time Fudge took Mr and Mrs Juiceyo they were horrified.  I forgot to tell you who I live with.  I live with my Mum and Dad and you know Fudge.

By WhaJam

FUDGE

Hi!  I am Fudge.  I have an annoying brother Peter.  I have a grandma and sometimes she is a annoying, but I get all the attention.  My brother thinks I am so silly, crazy and dirty.

written and illustrated by CluGem

Stake Musical!!

Ready to Dance

On the 22nd of August we went to our stake musical.  A stake musical is where every ward gets given a musical to peform.

My ward (called Mckay) performed the Wizard of Oz.  My uncle’s ward was doing singing in the rain.  My dad’s friend was doing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  His name was Tau and he was one of the main characters.  My sister was doing the song Bad by Michael Jackson, I was doing this random song and my mum was doing a song called Switch.  My other sister was a host.  Also Buuj and Nat, her friends, were hosts.  My dad was the manager.

It started at 6:30 sharp, but everyone had to be seated at 10 past 6.  The first song was Michael Jackson’s Thriller, peformed by my uncles and my family.  Also Jane peformed too.  I can’t remember who the first branch (a smaller verson of a ward) was but they performed The Sound of Music.

I can’t remember the order, but when it was our turn I was so nervous.  When I got on stage I was freaking out.  The junior primary just did a dance about one of the wicked witches, the senior primary did a song about OZ.  The whole ward danced with the relief society.  I kind of forgot the dance.

Before our ward went on we did All for One, a song from High School Musical 2.  When our ward was finished we did a song from Hairspray. I can’t remember who the wards were after us.

At the end of the night we packed up.  I went to bed at about 12:30 at night.  I had a fantastic time at the stake musical.

by HemReb

My Garfish and Crab

Garfish & Crab

On Sunday me, my mum and some of my friends went  fishing out at Raglan Wharf.

We didn’t have any success so I went crabbing we caught a HUGE CRAB.  At the end we looked at two boys catching heaps of garfish.  We watched sombody put down one of the garfish.  I asked somebody if I could have one.  He said yes.  Harry asked my mum if he could have one my mum said, “Well you should ask him.”

The weekend after next I am going fishing again at Raglan Wharf and next time we may get a fish.  Next time it may be a Garfish.

by EllLog

FUDGE

Fudge

Hi guys my name is Fudge, but my real name is actually Farley Drexel Hatcher.  I have a deafening toy train, it’s really fun to play with.  My older brother Peter thinks I’m irritating.  I live in a old apartment building in New York City.  I live on the twelfth floor with my mum, dad and Peter,also Dribble, Peter’s pet. Dribble is a quiet little green turtle that basically sleeps on his favourite rock, he also lives in a glass bowl.

written and illustrated by HemReb

DRIBBLE

Dribble

Howdy! I’m Dribble.  I’m a turtle.  My owner is Peter.  Fudge is his brother, he tries to get me.  I saw his friend go tinkle.  I live on the 12th floor in a hotel in New York.

written and illustrated by JobJac

Lunchtime Waste – Week 4

It didn’t take long to sort our waste this week.

There was an uneaten LCM and fruit roll up, but they were taken home to eat later.  I think we should try for a plastic free Friday next.

Mr F

Daffodil Day

Last Friday was Daffodil day. We brought coins from home and taped them to our chart. Here’s our class total for the day.

Daffodil Day Coins

How much did Room 9 collect altogether?  If all the other classes collected the same amount – how much did the school have to send to The Cancer Society this year?

Add your answers to the comments.

Mr F

Grandma

Grandma

Hi! I am Peter and Fudges Grandma. I am a sweet, kind, careful, adult, lovely, smart, cheerful, girl and I am an old Grandma. I live in New York when I come to see my grandchildren in a motel.

written and illustrated by GatMic

Fudge!

Fudge

Hi I’m Fudge.  I am a disobedient little boy.

My brother think I’m insane.

I am 3 years old.  My real name is Farley Drexer Hatcher.  I live with Mum, Dad, Dribble and Peter.

I live in New York.  I don’t know why Peter hates me.  Maybe because I try fly like birdy.

written and illustrated by SteMat

Lunchtime Waste – Week 3

Hmmm…getting better.  There are some unopened treats and uneaten fruit.  What could we do with them?

Room 9

DRIBBLE

Dribble

Hi I’m Dribble.  I have a hard shell and four flipper type feet.  My owner’s name is Peter.  He has this annoying little brother called FUDGE who is the most annoying person in the world.  Sometimes I get EXTREMELY bored sitting on my rock.  I live in New York city on the twelfth floor.  Peter cleans my bowl every Saturday.  When he cleans my bowl I swim in the bath tub so I can breathe.

written and illustrated by FlaMia

Skiing on Mount Ruapehu

done

I went skiing on Ruapehu last weekend and brought in some photos and movies to share with Room 9.  In these photos and movies me and my sister Ashleigh went skiing in the weekend.  And we don’t have to do it with poles.

by Room 9

PETER

Peter

Hi I’m Peter I live in New York.  I am nine years old.  I have the craziest brother in the city.  I have a pet turtle called Dribble.  And I am unlucky because of my brother.  I live with my Mum, Dad and my pet turtle and my little brother Fudge.

written and illustrated by HarDan

PETER

Peter

Hello I’m Peter. I am nine years old and unlucky.  And you might wonder why I’m unlucky. It’s because of my little brother…..FUDGE!!!!! He’s so irritating all the time. I live with my super duper Mrs Know-it-all mum and again the not so cool Fudge! And dad. My best friend is Jimmy Fargo. My Grandma is called Grandma……I think. And my pet turtle is called Dribble he doesn’t do much at all!

by WalAra

Lunchtime Waste – Week 2

We collected our lunchtime waste again last Friday. What a difference!

We think the biggest difference are the chippy packets.  Only two!  Compare that to last week.

There is still room for improvement though.  If only we had a way to recycle paper at school or a worm farm or compost heap for the food scraps.  As usual the birds got all the crackers and bread, but we’re not sure bread is the best thing to feed birds.

Don't Feed the Birds

What do you think we should do next?

by Room 9

Visitors?

The other day I installed a new widget.  It’s over there on the right.

It tells you where your blog visitors have come from in the last 24 hours.  Then it lets you view where they are in Google Earth.

So I did that and had a look at where some of our visitors lived.  I could go all the way down to street view.  Then something weird happened… our visitors showed up somewhere else!  Watch the video.  What do you think?

done

Can this be true?  How do you think this has happened?  Wouldn’t it be great, our first visitors from another planet!

Mr F.

My First Game of League

It was as cold as ice at Fairfield Park with only shorts on and a top.

The game started.  Our first half of the game we got puffed and nervous while people cheered for us.  My friend passed the ball to me.  We were tied 5 all after I got a score.  I got the ball and I got tackled.  I passed it to my friend.  He kicked the ball then I ran up, caught the ball and SCORED.

Finally it was half time.  We had a drink of water.  The second half began.

They kicked off.  I caught the ball and ran off and got tackled.  Their shoulder went straight into my tummy like a bullet.

My friend said, “Are you alright?”
“No.”
“Have a break.”

“Are you alright?’ said the manager.
“No.”
“Have a break and then go back on.”

Oh no!  They score.  No!  They get another score. NO!  WE LOSE!

by RahCon

Lunchtime Waste

Room 9 have started to look at our school environment and find ways to make it better.

One of the ways we can improve it is by reducing the amount of waste and rubbish we have at school.  We started by collecting our waste on Friday*.  Here’s what we discovered (click the picture for a LARGER view).

Lunchtime Waste

What do you think?  Is there anything we could easily get rid of?  Which items can be recycled or composted?  Which items can’t be reused or recycled?  What would a week of waste look like?

*not included – morning tea waste

by Room 9

How to Make a Milkshake

If you follow these steps you will be able to make a milkshake.

You will need

• a glass
• a blender
• a banana
• a yoghurt
• knife

1. Peel the banana and chop it.
2. Open the yoghurt container, pour the yoghurt into the blender and put the banana in.
3. Put the lid on the blender and switch on the blender.  Turn it of when the mixture is smooth.
4. Pour the milkshake into the glass.  Yum, yum!

by MatSav

Kayaking at Camp Karakariki

Kayaking at Camp

Way back in Term 1 we went to Camp Karakariki and went kayaking.  It was the Camp Rock Stars last activity of the day.

First we had to practice with our oar.  I was the first kid to get in the kayak.  I was in a single.

There was a tree stump in the middle of the water and we were only allowed up to there.

Then it was time to go, so we went back to camp and then we went on the playground.

by GatMic

Mirror Writing

Leonardo Da Vinci was an inventor, scientist, painter and sculptor in Italy and France.  He painted the Mona Lisa.  He designed and invented lots of things like cars, robots and diving suits.  He really wanted to invent a flying machine that worked, but nobody is sure if he ever built one that flew.  Leonardo used mirror writing so no one could copy his ideas. He died in 1519.

Here are some Room 9 students doing mirror writing as handwriting entries for our Learning  Journals.

Mirror Writing

We chose a poem from a school journal and copied it out in reverse.  I was really difficult.  Some people wrote theirs out and traced it on a window.   Then the poems were stained with coffee and tea to make them look old.  Finally we went over our writing with a black pen.  Here are some of them (click on them for a larger view).  Can you read them?

By Room 9

The Sparrow

Today I was visiting my Nan’s house in Hamilton. My cousin came over to see my Nan with her two children Azra and Brayden and a little girl called Natalia. They were very funny.

Emma decided it was time for her to go as the children were starting to get tired. When Emma backed the car out of Nan’s drive-way I noticed something on the drive-way where the car had been.  It was still moving.  I wondered what it could be.  When I went up to it I discovered it was a sparrow. I was amazed it was still alive!

I ran into my nana’s house and said, “Hey there’s a sparrow on the drive-way and it’s still alive”.  Mum and Dad came running out to see.  The poor thing was shivering because it was so terrified.

My Mum said, “Quick go and find a warm cloth to wrap it in”.  My mum picked up the trembling sparrow and put the bird under her jacket to keep it warm.  My nan and I found an old warm cloth and mum and I wrapped the sparrow in it.  The sparrow as still trembling as we got in the car to come home.  Mum and dad let me hold on to the bird in the cloth as we where driving home.  All the way home I was talking to the little bird.  The sparrow kept opening and closing its beak as we were driving along.

When we got home we quickly ran to find a shoe box and an old towel and we put the sparrow in it.  The poor little thing was still terrified.  We put the box in the laundry where it was nice and dark.  Every ten minutes we kept checking on the bird.  Slowly it started to stop trembling.  About two hours later we opened the laundry door.  The sparrow had started to move.  I thought the sparrow was starting to get better.  The sparrow had started to sit up.  We went out of the laundry for about ten minutes.

When we came back the sparrow was sitting on the edge of the box.  When dad and I went back into the laundry the sparrow flew into the air. Dad got a big fright. I WAS HAPPY.  The sparrow was close to the window now, wanting to get out.  My dad was trying to open the window and the bird was in the way and it pecked him. Dad said, “OUCH!  That bird just pecked my finger and it hurt”.  Mum and I laughed. Dad finally got the window open and the sparrow sat on the window handle for a few seconds and then flew out the open window.

When I went outside I saw the bird flying to freedom.  My mum said, “That is as close to nature as you will ever get”.

By JesLue (via email)

Going to Australia

When I went to Australia we went to the zoo on Wednesday.  We looked at a lot of stuff.

Then my mum said, “Carla laa here is something you will like.” Then I turned around and it was a butterfly house.  We went inside.  It was so cool, but when I looked there was a big butterfly on my shoulder.

Then I said, “Get it off me!’ because it freaked me out.

“I thought you liked butterflies”, said mum. “Let’s get out of here!”  So we did.  Then we went to the fat spiders.  I got out of there pretty quickly because it was disgusting.

Finally we went back to our motel in Melbourne.  I really liked our holiday in Australia.

by MurCar

Clustr Map Reset

Our Clustr Map showing the location of visitors to our blog is about to be reset and all the little red dots will disappear.

Here’s what it looked like on 21st July-

and here’s the large version.

It shouldn’t take long for our map to fill up with red dots again.  Remember you can also check who has visited by clicking on the watch live link in our Feedjit widget. Maybe now would be a good time to track our visitors on a wall map?

Mr F

By the way, I notice our counter is creeping towards 40 thousand visitors!  It will probably happen this term.  Any ideas for a celebration?

Winning Cross Country

Cross Country

On Tuesday May 19 we had our school cross country.  I had butterfies in my tummy.

Then the year 4 boys lined up, then Mr F said on your marks, get set, go!!!!   Then we went off.  Then I was in front of everyone there.  I had to run 2 laps around Glenview Park.

At the end I won. I got picked for the interschools.

A few weeks later we had the interschools.  It was the 11th of June at Resthills Park.

About 15 minutes into school Mrs T came and got me from class.  We went in the car.

It was the year 5 girls, then the year 5 boys.   Then it was the year 4 girls after it was the year 4 boys (which I was in ).  I was on the line ready for the man to say go!

Then he said go! But I was not ready so I ran as fast as I could and I was winning? I was sprinting the whole time and I was the winner.  I had no more energy left.  After the year six races we were given certificates if we got 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th.

by SteMat

Image(edited) © Copyright William Metcalfe and

licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Jedi!

Improving Our Light Sabre Skills in the Hall

OK… I know it’s taken me a long time to do this, but I think it looks pretty good.  I wish I’d put my helmet on though.  I can almost hear the light sabre sounds in my head.

So boys, where’s the Star Wars script you were working on?  Have you finished writing it?  Storyboard?

See you next week.

Mr F.

Interschools Cross Country Stars

Link to SteMat’s writing on our wiki.

More writing coming from MurCar…

Shocking!

done

Story coming…

Australia Photo Story

done

by MatSav

Can anyone tell us the name of the superhero on the left in the last photo? We know Flash, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, but who is the woman with wings?

Made in Photo Story 3

Going to Australia Part 2

View Larger Map
I have been in Australia for 6 days now. We flew with Emirates, they gave us a great backpack filled with free things to do. There were over a 100 movies to choose from to watch.

We went shopping the first day as it was raining. On the second day we went to Dreamworld and loved it. I went on the Tower of Terror, it was fun! There is a new ride called Moto-coaster, it has motorbikes and goes really fast. I went on the Runaway raptor rollercoaster about 7 times as the park was not busy. I got wet on the log ride.

The next day we went to Movieworld with my aussie cousins. I went on the Batman spaceshot ride and also the Batman Simulator and lots of other things. I loved the road runner roller coaster. I met Shrek, Scooby Doo characters, Wonder Woman, Sylvester, Cat woman and Batman.

I have been playing bratz a lot with my cousins. A street called “Savannah” is nearby, I will have my photo taken by it. It rained so much the first two days, it was the worst flood in Brisbane since 1974! They are officially no longer in a drought now so we have seen alot of the inside of shopping malls (not that I mind or Mum). I have got new clothes and toys.

by MatSav
[originally posted on our wiki]

Our Glenview Kid!

Room 9's Glenview Kid

Last week on Thursday afternoon Glenview school had a special whole school assembly because we were launching a new school charter.

Before lunch we put our Glenview Kid on Mr. Anderson’s trolley and took it into the hall.

After lunch we went into the hall.  Everybody talked about their Glenview Kid, it went from junior to senior.  When it was our turn Gemma and Quinn went over to our Glenview Kid.  We got three BIG cheers.

We sat in the hall for about an hour and a half.  All of the Glenview Kids were cool.  We finished about 15 minutes late.  I had a fun time listening to the other classes and watching their movies.

By HemReb

My Fluffy Kiwi

My Fluffy Kiwi

A few years ago I got a toy kiwi.  My nanny got one for me and my friend.

My kiwi’s name is Fluffy.  Fluffy has two feet with white toenails.  She has a beak.  Her feet are for walking, her beak is for eating and smelling.  Her fur is different shades of brown.  Fluffy’s fur is smooth and soft.  She has two eyes.  She eats worms.  She has three toes on each foot.

I like to play with Fluffy.  She is my favourite toy.

By HemReb
[real kiwis have feathers, not fur]

My Weekend

A few weekends ago me and my dad went to Te Kuiti.

We saw the sheep shearing it was cool. Then I had an ice cream. After I went on the tea cup ride and I got really dizzy.

Then we went back to the shearing.  After that they did the sheep run, but they did not  have enough fencing line so they used wire. Then the sheep ran. There were poos every where. The sheep started going crazy so they ran underneath the wire.

Then we went home we got a flat tyre.  Then dad lost his phone.  He was so mad.

By FlaMia
[images from MS clipart]

Going to Australia Part 1

View Larger Map
This Tuesday I’m going to Brisbane, Australia to see my cousins. I’m very, very EXCITED! We are going to Dreamworld, Movieworld and maybe Whitewater world. My cousins are Holly (11 years) and Emma (9 years). I am going to play with my Nintendo DS lite on the plane. I have been to Aussie 7 times.

by MatSav

[originally posted on our wiki]

Player of the Day

Player of the Day

Last Saturday I played Rugby.

I play for Melville and we played Varsity. I got 7 tries and player of the Day. My position is wing. For player of the day I got a ribbon, then we went to the club rooms at 5.00 and I waited for my name to be called out and they told me to come up and get my hoodie. It has Melville and Player of the Day on it.

By SteMat

[via email]

How to Cook Chestnuts

Chestnuts

1. Wash all the chestnuts in cold water
2. Put the chestnuts in the colander to drain the water
3. Put them in a big pot and boil them for half an hour
4. Cut them in half
5. Check to see if some of them are rotten [they're rotten if they're black or brown inside]
6. Put butter on them
7. Fry them in a frying pan
8. Peel the shell off the chestnuts and eat them

If chestnuts have a point at the top you can eat them.  Chestnuts that have no point aren’t good to eat.

written by HemReb
illustrated by Flamia

30 000

On Friday 1st May Room 9 had a celebration because we had the thirty thousandth visitor to our blog.  It was during the holidays on April 17th at 4:50:41 am.  They came from Madrid in Spain.

We had party table cloths with balloons on and we had delightful, delicious cupcakes.  Each cupcake was covered in white icing.  They had a candle (red, green or purple) and some little silver sugar balls.  There were 30 cupcakes and each one had ten silver balls on and each silver ball stood for one hundred visitors.

Ready with the extinguisher...

Miss Pope stood by with the fire extinguisher just in case.  Mr Fawcett lit the candles and we sang a Happy 30 000 song.  Then Mr Fawcett took some photos.  With a powerful breath we all blew out the candles together.

Finally we went outside and ate our cupcakes on the deck.  They were more than delicious, they were scrumptious.  We’ll have our next party at forty thousand visitors.  We can’t wait!

by Room 9

Camp Karakariki

At camp my group was called CAMP ROCK!

Me Climbing the Tree

We did lots of activities.  One of the activities was BMXing.  Mr Fawcett showed us how to go over the hills on a bike.  Then four people from CAMP ROCK got a BMX bike and one person went at a time.  Everyone had a few turns going around the track.

Loading the gun

Soon we had to move onto shooting.  Shooting and archery were a lot of fun.

My favourite activity was the tree climb.  It was my favourite because it was my first time climbing a tree.

One of the camp parents had to hold onto a rope.  One person went up the tree at a time.  Everyone had a go.  Some of us made it to the top.  I did!

I had a fantastic time at camp.

Writing and illustration by HemReb

I Got to Meet Greg Murphy at the V8s!!!

I got to meet Greg Murphy!

I went to the the Hamilton 400 on Friday 17.4.09 with Dad, my brother Brock and 5 other family members. When we were at the Holden merchandise tent I saw Greg Murphy signing posters. He signed our posters and was happy to let us take a photo with him. My aunty got him to sign her arm!

It was fun and I felt happy and lucky meeting someone so well known.

by MatSav [via email]