Miss Tyler-Smith's Class

A Year in Grade Five

2010-12-16T09:20:00.004+02:00

The following are articles written by the students for the school magazine:

Playdoughtionary

What is it? Miss Tyler-Smith made up a new game called “playdoughtionary”, its almost like pictionary but with play dough.

How to play: You will need two or more groups and each group should have up to two-four children in a group. Then comes the play dough50.Miss.Tyler Smith will write down a word on paper and one person from each group will come and look at the word and then that person will have to make it and the rest of the group has to guess what he/she is making and the person who is making the thing can only say yes or no but if someone in the group gets it right the hole group will shout “PLAYDOUGHTIONARY!!!!” and if its right your group gets a point

By Jessica

Friday Story Time

Every Friday we have a story time after we are done with all our work and art we read about tales of a fourth grade nothing. we like to get the best spot to listen to it and who wrote it was Judy Blume. every Friday we read from 12:30 to 1o,clock plus when we read a chapter the boys love to play and hug the teddy called Jesus, polar bear, dog, or we call him tirria,taz,fish poo and teddy we like it when miss Tyler makes nice voices we also got this new guy who like ruby red shoes.

By Michael

The rockin robot theme

I loved the robot theme because we got make a robot and here is a short story about my robot:

One rainy day I came home from an England karate tour and found my room in a mess. I said, “This could only be Lee”. I went outside to my brother who found ‘Battle Boy 2’ so he challenged me to a robot paint ball war. I definitely agreed. I went to my secret laboratory and found the secret robot technology. I had built ‘Probot’ the automatic and the manual robot. Probot has cannons, machine guns a wireless jack, missiles and a type 5 module, everything I needed to destroy Battle Boy 2. Moments later…I turned him on and he went berserk and hit everything in my secret laboratory. I quickly turned him off. I saw that the conductor chip was missing so I said angrily, “Lee must have put it in Battle Boy 2 when I was busy!” It may have taken two days to build but it was essential.

By Connor

Our Dandy Cowboy Theme

Howdy!!! On the day that we did our cowboy theme we got to dress up like real cowboys and we all brought food that the cowboys eat. I chose to do American Indians for my oral. The tribe name of the American Indians that I did is called the Aleut tribe. Connor did his oral on cowboy clothing which I thought was very interesting. Jessica did her oral on horses which was very good. We got lots of fun and hard cowboy work sheets. My favourite work was the wanted poster. Everyone made beautiful posters for the cowboy orals and Jessica had a very nice heading on her poster.

by Zoë.

Our Bean Science Project

My beans took about 1 week to grow a little white root. After about 2 weeks there were about 16 lateral roots. At about 3 weeks there was a little bit of green and some even had 2 leaves and a stem. After, 4 weeks it had a green stem leaves that can grow up to the size of a hand and if you looked closely it had a more leaves. At 5 weeks it was 2 leaves but they were so small and another few leaves was on those small leaves and that was all the weeks.

By Vinny

The Book Corner

It’s the first day of the first term, we were all very hyped up because Miss Tyler-Smith’s Book Corner has the most books in the whole school. So when we got there she said “I have a story to read to you in the Book Corner”. So as the terms passed by we brought pillows and toys. The boys would play with the toys and the girls just watch them enjoy playing with the different toys. Then we got a table and we put it in the Book Corner, whereby Taine got the idea of hiding under the table while we were doing school work. In the mornings the boys would rush to the Book Corner to grab the Garfield book with the jokes as this was their favourite book to read. All and all the Book Corner is a fun corner.

by Nika

H” Day at *our school*

In the second term we had a day called ‘H’ day. On ‘H’ day people dressed up as hulla girls, hippis, Hilary Duff and Hiy Boy Hine (sports player). Every year we use a letter from the name of our school. Last year we used the letter ‘C’ and I was the only one dressed as Cleopatra, every one else dressed as cat woman, a cool person, captains or cowboys. This year I dressed up as Halle Berry and again I was the only one, maybe next year I will be the only one again.

Next year we will be at Riverside College and so we will start at the beginning again and celebrate “R” Day. Here’s a few things to dress up as next year: Rat, Rider, Reindeer, Reef diver, Ronald MacDonald and Raggedy Ann.

By Jade

The Oracle

In the third term our class got a big cardboard box. We decided to turn the box into a thinking machine. So what we did was,we added the smartest brain we could find to the box. After that we trained the brain to answer all the questions we could think of. Once everything was done we decided to give this machine a name,we decided to call it "The Oracle"(Taine).We then started to test out "The Oracle".

Step 1: Write question on piece of paper.

Step 2: Slide question into slip.  
Step 3: Wait for Oracle to calculate, think and workout answer.

Step 4: Collect answer. For some reason we got the funniest answers and results.

Question: “How long do I have to live?”

Answer: 1 hour. The Oracle was a bit of a mess up but we kept it because it was very funny and entertaining.

by Farikai


The Museum and star show

In the third term we went on an outing to a very cool Museum

in Town. Next to the Museum was a very cool place with a

dome shaped roof. We all went into this awesomely cool

place and we were shown a very cool show that was projected

on the roof. This awesome star show had a lot of awesome

special effects like Tie-fighters from star wars and the Millennium

Falcon from star wars it was so awesome. After we went to the

show we went into the Museum to look at all the amazingly

awesome stuff. We also saw figures of how the San and Khoi lived.

by Farikai

Sports at School

Early this year we had a sports day. It was really fun. The events I competed in were the 1200m, the shot put and the high jump. I am in Red Team. Before the day we practiced singing team songs. We sang so loudly I was sure we would win. When it came time for my events, I gave put in 100%.

At the end of the day Red Team won and I felt so proud of myself and team.

By Abdul

The Talent Show

The talent show was very fun. We were given the option of performing an individual talent, or joining our class for a group performance. My friends and I decided to write, direct and act in our own play entitled “The Secret”. We practiced everyday for a month. While we practiced we changed it to make it better. On he night I felt excited and overjoyed. We received a standing ovation and the audience loved it. As we took a bow, I thought to myself how sad I was that it was over.

By Aurora

SOS Camp in The Wilds

When we got at the camp site we looked at the dorms there were about 20 beds all together. There was a girl dorm and a boy dorm. We weren’t allowed to go into each others dorms. We each had to our own sleeping bag and a pillow. If you brought food into the dorms you would get ants!!! Now for food…… For lunch our parents packed in food for us. For supper we had: Burgers. On the second day for breakfast we had: Vet coke or jungle oats. For lunch we had: Hot dogs. We had supper at about 6:00 for supper we had chicken with wedges. The last day at S.O.S campL For breakfast we had: French toast. For lunch we had: a sandwich with Melrose cheese spread on. Camp was really fun. We also went to the tuck shop twice a day

by Joseph

At SOS school in the wild there was a lot of animals porkpie, rabbit, cow, hours, duke, gout, chicken, camels, llamas, alpacas, donkeys and so on when we went to see most of the animals a chicken chased Gabriel so now he is afraid of chickens accept KFC that’s his favorite. At SOS camp I learnt a lot about animals and when I grow up I would like to be a vet to help animals. and the funniest thing was that the camel was using the bathroom when we went to go and see him and I that that a lamer was a sheep I did not know what a lamer because I have never seen one before

by Mia-Su

Blogging

Blogging is great way to express yourself through writing and pictures on the internet. Miss Tyler Smith Thought of the idea of making a blog for the class and other individual blogs in the class. Miss Tyler Smith tried to make blogs for everyone but I am the only one who has kept my blog going and everyone has not. If you would like to see my blog the address is www.starwarsmania2010.blogspot.com . It will be filled with videos and pictures of things that I have made or wrote about. If you would like your own blog go to my blog and the instructions will be there on how to make your own blog. It is pretty simple all you have to do is fill out a few things and your don. All you have to do is decorate it the way you want and put pictures and background even special effects. If you like sharing what happens at home with your friends then Blogging is for you

By Taine

And with that, I close the Grade Five 2010 Blog.

I hope you have enjoyed following us and reading about our day to day experiences and adventures as we have enjoyed following yours.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Inca Empire Research Posters

2010-11-10T15:05:00.000+02:00

Taine - Crime and Punishment

Zoe - Arts and Crafts

Aurora - Beliefs

Nika, Inca Clothing

Jessica - Inca Food

Farikai - Inca War Tactics

Joe - Incan Animals

Connor - Medicine

Mia - Inca Children

Vinny - South America

Abdul - Inca Houses

Michael - Inca's End, The Spanish Invasion

Seed Project - Week 5

2010-11-10T14:56:00.000+02:00

Stained Glass Painting

2010-11-10T14:54:00.000+02:00

Aurora

Mia

Jade

Zoe

Jessica

The Girls happily painting while the boys played "PLAYDOTIONARY"

Life Orientation Rhythm/Dance Lesson

2010-11-04T10:03:00.001+02:00

The girls "Holla back girl"

The girls (Nika also took part in this group)

The Boys "I got a feelin' "

Mia and Aurora "Somebody to love"

Seed Project - Week 4

2010-11-03T15:12:00.000+02:00

How to write a quality comment

2010-11-02T11:02:00.001+02:00

Tips for blog comments:

#1 Compliment the writer in a specific way

#2 Add information

#3 Make a connection

#4 Ask a question

#5 Proofread your comment

Miss Tyler takes advantage of a photo opportunity

2010-10-27T15:18:00.000+02:00

Conner the soccer player

Seed Project - Week 3

2010-10-27T15:12:00.000+02:00

Aurora

Jade with her deceased beans and corn

Jessica

Joe

Michael

Taine

Vinny

Zoe

Abdul, Nika and Mia's beans and corn have died and they will begin again this week.

Some tips for growing healthy plants from the Grade 5s:

Kiss your plant every morning (Aurora)
Sing to it (Mia)
Tell it jokes (Tane)
Use old fish pond water (Jade)
Use a syringe to water them (Farikai)
Tell it you love it (NIka)

Taine's Sister is getting married next weekend

2010-10-23T10:16:00.002+02:00

...and he will be playing this piano piece as she walks down the aisle.

Isn't that fantastic?

(This isn't Taine actually playing)

Our New School

2010-10-20T15:58:00.000+02:00

Our school is going to be moving to a new property in January 2011.

At the moment the school hasnt been built, so we will have lessons in prefabricated classrooms for a few years.

They estimate that the building will take 2-3 years to complete.

Removal trucks will be arriving on 11th December.

This is what the architects have designed:

The Primary School (the left of the property) Ages 5 - 12

The High School (the right of the proprty) Ages 13 - 18

Miss Tyler-Smith and Aurora are Bento Mad!

2010-10-20T15:40:00.002+02:00

Miss Tyler-Smith both love their Bento Boxes, they have the same two boxes in different colours and make a beautiful lunch for themselves. They show each other their lunches on most days and giggle at what the other shose to pack.

Miss Tyler-Smith is starting to feel very sad at the thought of saying goodbye to her Grade 5 children and is considering failing them all so she can have them for another year...or maybe not...

Aurora's New Bento Box

What's inside my Bento Box?

Please meet Rascal

2010-10-15T13:55:00.000+02:00

Rascal is our class pet guinea pig. We chose a guinea pig beacuse we are learning about the Inca and they kept them. Please remember to feed Rascal and brush him with the "more" tab underneath his icon.

Growing Beans and Corn - Week 2

2010-10-15T13:42:00.002+02:00

I'm not entirely sure whose beans are whose, so I will add names next week.

Incan head dresses

2010-10-15T13:41:00.000+02:00

We are learning about the Incas who lived in South America about 500 years ago.

Above are examples of their head dresses. We made our own in Art class today.

Incan Prince Abdul

Incan Prince Connor

Incan Prince Farikai

Incan Prince Joseph

Incan Prince Michael

Incan Prince Taine

Incan Prince Vinny

Incan Princess Aurora

Incan Princess Jade

Incan Princess Jessica

Incan Princess Mia

Incan Princess Zoe

The New Curriculum for 2011 has been published online

2010-10-12T11:05:00.001+02:00

National Curriculum Statement Grades R–12:

CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT POLICY (January 2011)

http://wced.wcape.gov.za/ncs/national_policy.html

We have a NEW classroom Flickr account

2010-10-11T15:10:00.000+02:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairetylersmith/

Growing Beans and Corn - Week 1

2010-10-11T14:52:00.001+02:00

This term the Grade 5s are learning about seeds, how some seeds have two parts to them like beans, and are called dicotyledons, and others have one one part, like corn, and are called monocotyledons.

We have planted both beans, corn and seeds we found outside in the garden, and are going to observe them for 5 weeks to see how they grow. Wish us luck!

Connor with his seeds

Zoe with her seeds Hope, Carly, Charlotte and Lily.

Farikai with his seed children Joley, Mike, Jane and Charlie.

Mia, a proud seed Mommy to Shayan, Sharla, Azilia and Zoya.

Abdul with his seeds, Tom, Renaldo and Samantha

Michael, father to seed babies Jesse and Jack.

Vinny, Daddy to seeds Eddie, Sam and Mia

Jade, showing off Manny, Seth, Nika and Kim

Aurora with Annebell-Lee, Esperanza, Mina and Delila.

Taine, so proud with his seed babies, Shaun, Max and Jack.

2010-10-08T11:56:00.000+02:00

Machu Piccu in Peru, an ancient Inca village

An Incan, playing a pan pipe

Links to help you with your INCA Project:
http://incas.mrdonn.org/quickhistory.html
http://incas.mrdonn.org/
http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/16-history/255-ancient-inca.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_civilization
http://www.about-peru-history.com/inca-civilization.html
http://www.lost-civilizations.net/inca-civilization.html
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/INCAS.HTM
http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.html

EXCELLENT English and Afrikaans Study books

2010-10-08T09:53:00.001+02:00

This is a set out OUTSTANDING study work books that I highly recommend:

http://www.berlutbooks.co.za/?go=home

English Table of Contents

Afrikaans Table of Contents

English in the Fourth Term

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Grade Four: The Victorians

Here is a fantastic site for children about life in Victorian times:
http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/learning/walk-through-a-victorian-house/ (Interactive game)
http://cookit.e2bn.org/historycookbook/index-23-victorians.html (very good site)

http://primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/victorians.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_fashion http://poetry.about.com/od/nurseryrhymes/a/nurseryrhymes.htm
Victorian images for your writing asignment
Crime and punishment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/victorian_britain/

Grade Five: Cowboys of the Wild West

Here is a fantastic site for children about life as a cowboy:
http://cowboykids.nationalcowboymuseum.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy
http://www.americanwest.com/pages/cowboys.htm (incl cowboy poetry)
Cowboy images for your writing assignment

Grade Six: The Tudors

Here is a fantastic site for children about life in Tudor times:
http://www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/tudorsmain.htm (A VERY good site)

http://primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/Tudors.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_dynasty
http://www.tudorhistory.org/
http://www.brims.co.uk/tudors/
http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/astonhall/changingtimes/tudors/tmenu.htm ( A site on Shakespeare)
http://www.poemhunter.com/henry-viii-tudor/ (poetry written by Henry VIII)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare
Tudor images for your writing assignment

101 Things to Do Over the Summer

2010-10-06T10:10:00.003+02:00

Summer has arrived in South Africa, and although we still have ten weeks left of the last term before school breaks up on 10th December, I thought I'd post this video, just because its so fantastic!

Here are 101 things that the senior students and I created:

Play board games.
Get a make over at the mall.
Throw a sleep over.
Make an ultra breakfast for your friends or family.
Give yourself a free pass/coupon to eat whatever you want for one day.
Play charades with you friends.
Rent 5 scary movies and watch them with your friends within 2 days.
Go have a fun time at a playground.
Make a pizza.
Read and write some poetry.
Make a scrap book about a relationship you are in, family, friends, or things you did over the summer.
Pick some flowers from your garden and put them in your room.
Grab a magazine and take some quizzes out of it.
Have a small picnic.
Look through old photos.
Complete a Sudoku
Discover a new talent.
Meditate for 10 minutes.
Throw a theme party and invite your closest friends.
Go bowling!
Write down 3 goals you want to accomplish for the school year to come.
Read a novel or different style of book that you usually don't read.
Treat a friend to lunch.
Make ice lollies.
Offer to help your parents.
Pitch a tent, invite some friends over, cook marshmallows, and have a fun camping experience.
Blow bubbles.
Start a book club.
Go to an amusement park.
Make a collage.
Play miniature golf!
Create a treasure hunt
Go to a flea market to find treasures.
Create a blog.
Make a mixed CD.
Make cupcakes and decorate them too
Go across the room with an egg balanced on your head.
Go to the park.
Take a nice warm bubble bath.
Ride a bike.
Do your hair and makeup for fun.
Teach your pet a trick.
Write a play and get some people to act it out.
Have a swimming relay race.
Set up a mini Olympics in your garden
Do handstands and flips.
Watch a sunset.
Watch a sunrise.
Help out at the local nursing home.
Plan and do a fundraiser, and donate money to your public school/town library.
Switch places with your friend for a day, and you must act like her, live with her family, etc.
Look up big words, and then use them to sound smart.
Make short surveys (they can have dumb questions) and have people fill them out.
Give a piggy-back ride.
Write your autobiography.
Write a fan letter to your favourite actor or author.
Make lemonade.
Offer to cook dinner for your family and set the table like a restaurant. Play the waiter.
Set up the lounge like a movie theatre and make tickets and popcorn.
Make a time capsule and bury it.
Write a letter to your Grandparent(s)
Give gifts to five people for no reason.
Alter an old t-shirt to update its look.
Paint your own portrait.
Start a journal.
Do a cross word.
Do a word search. Create a word search using this website.
Write a song.
Start a vegetable garden
Pick up litter.
Wash your pet(s)
Go for a walk on the beach.
Make salt dough using this website.
Give hugs to five people.
Make five smile.
Make a fruit salad
Make a sand castle
Make mud pies
Create your own board game.
Play noughts and crosses
Learn a few phrases in a new language
Have a themed Chinese dinner night. Dress up.
Wear your strangest clothing combination and go out wearing it. (eg flippers, water wings, stockings and a tutu)
Eat only a certain colour food for a day/meal.
Learn a poem off by heart.
Swap stickers with someone.
Start a star chart.
Star gaze.
Clean your cupboard.
Give your unwanted things to charity.
Read a story aloud to someone.
Make a Bento box lunch
Make and send a handmade card.
Draw a cartoon strip.
Take photographs.
Use www.picnik.com to create a photo page like Mia&Aurora
Fly a kite.
Make your own jewelry.
Wear your hair in an unusual style for the day.
Phone a friend.
Document all of these activities in a journal/blog/film and share it with the world.

Our Plant Project

2010-10-05T09:01:00.000+02:00

Jar template for your plant project

Growing a bean (dicotyledon)

Growing corn (monocotyledon)

Bringing the World to your Classroom

2010-10-04T13:45:00.001+02:00

During the holidays I was asked to speak at a conference on using IT in the classroom to network.
I talked about this class blog, pointing out its different features and applications.

Although Bergvliet was a good 45min drive from where we live, I felt it was worth going along and sharing the joy I've experienced from my own class blog. Thank you to Fiona Beal for the opportunity to speak.

South African and other Speakers ran presentations and hands-on workshops, they introduced new technologies to educators and discussed the importance and use of ICT in education.
This was an environment for teachers to network with other teachers and discuss the real issues associated with introducing ICT into lessons, and used it as an effective teaching tool. It was also a time to be inspired by the Speakers who brought stories of success, determination and of ways they overcame the many hurdles of going through the transition of integrating ICTs into the classroom and curriculum. The workshops offered a hands-on aspect to the conference, equipping attendees with practical ideas and skills.

The conference was held on the 26th, 27th, 28th of September 2010
e-Schools' Network - Innovate 2010 Schools ICT Conference was held at The Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Firgrove Way, Bergvliet.

http://www.conf2010.school.za/About.aspx

Shakespeare Sonnet 29

2010-10-04T09:52:00.002+02:00

The Grade 6's are studying The Tudors and Shakespeare. Here is a sonnet we listened to that has been made into a song, making it very accessible to 12 year olds.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Sonet 29 paraphrased and analysed

Its holidays!!

2010-09-23T11:57:00.003+02:00

See you all on Monday 2nd October!!

Teachers eat???

2010-09-22T09:27:00.001+02:00

Yes...teachers do eat...they don't just go back into the classroom cupboard at the end of the day and stay there, standing upright anbd doll-like, uptill 8am the following day.

In order to lead by example, I decided to photograph my own lunch.

Note the lack of mayo and white bread!

My crazy job

2010-09-22T09:06:00.000+02:00

I never thought I'd have a job where I'd have to say things like,

"Taine, please come out from behind that box."

Turn your blog into a book

2010-09-22T08:36:00.000+02:00

With Blurb, you’ll find all the tools you need to make your own photo book, whether you’re making a personalized wedding album, cookbook, baby book, travel photo book, or fundraising book. Count on bookstore-quality printing and binding, and a range of choices from Hardcover photobooks to Softcover paperbacks in an array of trim sizes.

Price list for the various types of books

http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook

Lunches round#2

2010-09-21T14:54:00.002+02:00

...a little better this week, we are going to try and eliminate the mayo on white bread sandwiches though!

Class Castle Mural

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The boys part...

...and the girls...

Open in a new tab/window for a larger view

Taine, explaining the poster

Market Day 2010

2010-09-17T12:40:00.001+02:00

Restaurant Manager greeting his customers

Waitress Jamie, taking orders from two Grade 1s.

Shelly and Dylan having a romantic lunch

Aurora and Jade sharing a laugh over pizza and grape just.

Taine's Restaurant Report

I got the idea to sell pizzas from my father. He suggested I should sell slices of pizza. When I told Miss Tyler of my idea, she came up with the idea of a restaurant.

I decorated the tables with table clothes, menus and wine glasses. I took reservations the day before. Lots of couples were the first to book a table.

My customers included teachers, friends, senior pupils and very young ones.

I employed 3 Grade 3 girls to play waitresses to help me. They were allowed to keep their tips, which were quite considerable!

I think my business was so successful because it had a good atmosphere, and the idea of a restaurant really got people's attention.

I made R594.80 (South African Rands) on the day! (That is the equivalent of US$83 or 47UKpounds)

Jade's Beach Party Stall

On Market Day I sold sell charms, lip balm, water colours and popcorn.

I enjoyed the day because it was so much fun interacting with my customers and persuading them to buy my goods. I feel that it was hard to sell to the right people. My customers were mostly crafty type people and children who were hungry.

When I was finished I went around the school saying "Buy a packet of popcorn and get something for free!!"

It worked really well and I sold the rest of my goods.

I made a R212.65 (pounds17 or US$51)

Zoe's Artists Studio

I was selling greeting cards that I made myself. I also sold cappuchino muffins with chocolate icing. Making the cards was lots of fun. It took about 30min to make one card and I sold them for R6 (about $1)

Many people who did not have enough money to buy one, complimented me on my cards. One person said that they could see that I put a lot of effort into them.

I made R139 ($19 or 11 pounds)

I put a lot of thought into my theme and dressed up like a French Artist...

"Don't I look French!!?"

Joe's Woofing Good Report

"Arf arff..arf arf aaaaarrrffff"...No I'm just kidding...

I got the idea to sell pet treats from the internet. I sold handbaked cat and dog cookies, and handmade pet toys. I put a lot of effort into making my themed stalkl look attractive.

All the teachers bought my goods, as well as the children. The cat biscuts have cat nip in them, and the dog treats have dog food in them. I tested them out my own pets and they liked them very much!

If you would like to place your order with me, contact me through this blog post by leaving a comment.

Mia and Aurora have a new combined blog

2010-09-16T11:59:00.000+02:00

http://miaandaurora.blogspot.com/

Grade 5's Lunchboxes

2010-09-16T10:08:00.004+02:00

I took the Grade 5s by surprise this morning by taking photos of their lunch boxes. We then had a discussion on healthy eating. We will be taking photos again on Monday and hopefully they will be healthier...

WE CHALLENGE ALL THE OTHER CLASS BLOGS TO POST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR LUNCHBOXES TOO
...mostly because we're really curious about what other children around the world bring for lunch! :o)

I cant seem to rotate this last one..sorry Vinny

Below are examples of HEALTHY LUNCHBOXES:

8 healthy lunch box ideas

Kids simply love variations and surprise. Instead of using the same white bread everyday, try using various kinds of bread, like whole wheat, multi-grain, omega 3, or flax bread. Of course, you don't need to use traditional bread at all to make healthy sandwiches for lunch. You can use bagels, dinner rolls, or fajita wraps too! If possible, choose whole grains for a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Instead of using processed luncheon meat every day, try creating a healthy lunch idea by using leftover meat from the night before. For instance, try chopping up leftover chicken to make a chicken salad sandwich. You can make practically any kind of sandwich with leftover meat dishes. A teriyaki chicken breast, steak sandwich, or a grilled salmon fillet sandwich can be delicious!
Kids love making their own foods, so a burrito or a pita pocket they make themselves can be a fun and healthy lunch option. Prepare shredded vegetables, meat, and sauce, and let the kids assemble their own lunch at school. You control what goes in it and they choose what they like!
Kids love dip! Prepare diced or julienned produce to go along with a small container of dipping sauce. Or simply pack easy-to-carry fruit and vegetables like bananas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and grapes. Low fat yogurt and sour cream, hummus, and tzatziki are all healthy dip choices.
You can pack processed fruit in the lunch box as a healthy dessert option. Canned fruit cups in water and dried fruit are not as fresh, but they are still healthy and nutritious. Re-package these canned fruits into fancy take-out boxes, like those from Japanese restaurants, for fun and visual appeal!
Try preparing healthy trail mix as a snack. Mix nuts, crunchy whole grain cereals, and dried fruits such as raisins, apricots and prunes. Just make sure to control the portion sizes!
Try kiddie-size yogurts. They provide a good source of protein and calcium. If possible, choose a brand with active live bacterial cultures (probiotics) to maximize its health benefits.
Water and milk are the best beverage choices for kids. Another healthy lunch box choice is soy milk in a tetra pack. If you pack a juice box on occasion, make sure to use 100 percent fruit juice. If possible, avoid sugary drinks like fruit drink, fruit punch, and soft drinks.

The Soccer Boys

2010-09-14T15:23:00.001+02:00

Taine, Vinny, Joe, Farikai, Abdul

Connor, Michael

Happy Birthday Mia

2010-09-14T15:20:00.001+02:00

oh dear...

2010-09-14T12:47:00.002+02:00

Calligraphy practice

2010-09-14T11:21:00.002+02:00

Aurora practicing her Calligraphy

Auroras writing sample

Connor's Calligraphy writing set

Grade 4 Graphic Design Advert Posters

2010-09-13T12:59:00.010+02:00

Hand made is always better!

2010-09-10T12:28:00.002+02:00

The students were complaining that its too hard and time consuming to make an attractive poster...so i showed them how to make a poster from scratch, without the use of fancy gadgets and money, in under 50min.

An easy Spring Day gift, made by hand.

My Desk Area...

2010-09-09T15:57:00.004+02:00

I prefer to call it "organic creativity"... I'm usually at school for 8 hours a day, from 7:30am till 4pm.,

so I choose to make my work space inspiring, colourful and vibrant. I can usually find anything I need within minutes. On and/or in my desk I have:

Fairy wings
A candy necklace
Food colouring in assorted colours
Glitter in assorted colours
Disney Princess plasters
Instant oats
String
Needle and thread
Chopsticks
Stickers
A thank you letter form Zoe
A wooden massage toy
A camel pencil bought for me by my sister when she was in Dubai
Confiscated toys and gadgets
Chocolate
Dried sugar beans
Classical music CDs
Aromatherapy lavender oil
Rescue Remedy
Throat drops
A tennis ball
8 Dice
A pack of UNO
Spare stationery for students without
Nail polish remover
Pencils that I bought in LONDON
Spare hair elastics and clips
Cute teachers note pads and cards for messages and thank yous

Aaaah aren't they adorable?

2010-09-09T15:48:00.000+02:00

We found some old photos from 2 years ago...of course Miss Tyler-Smith HAD to turn them into a colourful poster for ALL to see :o)

(Zoe, Vinny and Abdul are missing as they joined the school since since Grade3)

Ode to Aurora and Mia

2010-09-09T14:30:00.000+02:00

Egypt Project Display

2010-09-09T13:49:00.005+02:00

This term the Grade 5's learned about Ancient Egypt this term

We watched documentaries, read book, researched and discussed.

Zoe's Poster discussing Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture

Connor's Shaduf done in Technology with Miss Reid

Jessica's mummy and coffin - made by her entirely!

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

2010-09-09T13:34:00.001+02:00

Today was our secretary's birthday.

She secretly snuck cupcakes into the staffroom...thank you! (which were delicious!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marilyn!!

A Model Comment - by a Grade 3 student

2010-09-09T09:25:00.003+02:00

Today Mrs. Yollis' class got a lovely comment from Mrs. McKenzie's class in New Zealand.

On September 3, Ryan had left a quality comment on their post:

It was even featured on their sister blog in New Zealand!

Ryan's class blog: http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com/

The Grades 4 - 6 are preparing for Market Day

2010-09-08T11:22:00.001+02:00

Here are some ideas to inspire them:

Tropical Island Theme

The Black Magic Theme

Ladybird Theme

Cute Japanese Kawaii Theme

Study Techniques for the upcoming Tests

2010-09-07T14:25:00.002+02:00

http://www.academictips.org/acad/index.html

http://www.how-to-study.com/

http://www.studytechniques.org/

http://www.studygs.net/

http://www.kidzworld.co.za/parentingarticles/exam-techniques.htm

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/studytips.shtml

http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/open/parent/studyskills2.cfm

Spring flower craft templates

2010-09-07T14:15:00.001+02:00

http://www.unikatissima.de/uploads/unikatissima%20Flower%20Flap%20Box%20Template.jpg

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/mothers-day/images/homemade-flowers-mother-day-template.jpg

http://www.ziggityzoom.com/images/activities/envelope_template.gif

Spring Walk

2010-09-06T09:20:00.001+02:00

On Saturday morning we had our Spring Walk. We had a visiting underprivileged school and a parent from our school sponsored sports shoes and lunch for each of our visitors.

The walk was 3km and parents and siblings joined in.

Funny photos of Grade 5s at SOS Camp

2010-08-31T12:38:00.002+02:00

Vinny, "Do we look good together?"

Jade, "We're going in HOW MUCH mud???"

Mia, "I'm a Barbie girl...in a Barbie World.."

Michael, "Win guardium Leviosa!"

Zoe, " La Le Laaa....I'm just playing with my dough"

Farikai, "Food!"

Mia, "ALL MINE!! My precious..."

Taine, "Girls, stop changing your minds and tell me where to put this log!!"

Mia and Aurora, "When are we going home?"

Abdul, "I must not let the others see my answers...must...get...closer...to the page..."

Connor, "Monkey style"

Jessica, "You guys aren't listening to me!!"

Our First Skype Call!!

2010-08-31T09:30:00.001+02:00

This morning at 8:30am we received a Skype call from a teacher in New Zealand called Mr Webb.

He had questions for the students which his students had given him. Things like do we have windows in our houses, which wild animals roam our streets and what currency we use in South Africa. The students absolutely loved it and we buzzing with excitement afterwards.

We hope to connect in this way with more schools in the future.

Thanks to Connor, who set up all the technical equipment for the call.

Mr Webb's class blog: http://melvilleroom8.blogspot.com/

The Oracle

2010-08-27T09:46:00.001+02:00

Our school recently bought a new photocopier. It came in a Big box...a box that Miss Tyler-Smith thought might be fun to claim for the classroom.

It began as a castle in the book corner, then it became a hide out and finally transformed into THE GREAT ORACLE!

This Oracle can tell the future...yes folks...you read right...THE FUTURE ("dan dan daaaaannnn")

Presenting....THE ORACLE (Taine)

Discover your future in three easy steps:

Step One

Write your question on a piece of paper

Step Two

Slide it through the slot.

Step Three

Wait for a reply

(Even teachers couldn't resist the magic powers of the oracle...)

Unfortunately...the news is not always hopeful....

Question: "How long do I have to live?"

Answer: "1 hour"

Facebook group for our camp

2010-08-25T19:09:00.001+02:00

Contact Miss Tyler-Smith for the link

It is a closed group so only our students and their parents have access - sorry folks.

SOS Camp 2010 Blog to Follow!!

2010-08-25T17:12:00.013+02:00

From Monday till Wednesday the Grade 4 - 7 classes (41 children)
and their four teachers went to SOS school in the Wilds.
We travelled by bus for 90minutes and arrived at the farm at 10:30am.
The boys and girls each slept in separate dormitories, and the staff had their own building.

Each day was filled with activities and recreation time.
There was a tuck shop and animals to play with.
The food was wholesome and delicious.
We cooked our own lunch on the second day. Braaied boerewors and bread sticks.

Here is a link to the camp website: http://www.soswild.org.za/

I'm struggling a little to get the new blog up and running but most likely it will be found at http://www.campsos2010.blogspot.com/

Please excuse us, we're all a little tired and dirty and generally "camped out"...

A few HIGHLIGHTS:

DAY ONE

We met in the hall for the camp rules and information

Aurora sees her first donkey (not really)

Walking the obstacle course

Nikita and Chane (Grade 6) looking rather fashionable over the tyre wall

Connor reaching the top of the large climbing frame (10m)

Brad (Grade 6) after the mud crawl

We touches camels!

...and fed goats...

Those crossword puzzles were hard!

DAY TWO

VERY early, VERY cold morning donkey visits

It was so cold (1 degree Celsius) that water droplets froze on the benches!! (unheard of where we live)

Joseph getting ready to wall climb

We cooked our own boerewors and rolls on fires we made ourselves

DAY THREE

Vetkoek for breakfast - for many of us, our first one ever!

Carrying sticks to build a shelter

The older children give the instructions

A view inside one of the shelters

We were very tired after our shelter building competition

Readathon

2010-08-20T08:53:00.001+02:00

Our school has been taking part in a Readathon for the past month. Taine has read 700 pages, Aurora has read 350. Mia has read 900. Jade has read 200.

There will be a prize for the most pages read.

Waka Waka - Shakira

2010-08-18T09:33:00.002+02:00

Last night Tara in Grade 4 did am amazing dance to "Waka Waka". She had all the students standing and clapping in time to the song, cheering her on. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the hall! Its a song we wont easily forget and will always associate with our Talent Show. Well done Tara!

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle

You're on the front line
Every one's watching
You know it's serious
We're getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you've got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up
Oh oh...
And if you fall get up
Oh oh...

Tsamina mina
Zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa

Listen to your god
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por Todo

People are raising
Their Expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down
Get up Oh oh...
When you get down
Get up eh eh...

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Writing Assignment 6

2010-08-18T09:27:00.001+02:00

Write a 200 word essay on the Talent Show, held last night.
Write a 200 word essay on your dream concert.
Write a 200 word essay on the upcoming camp to SOS school in the wilds.
Write a 200 word essay on your dream camp.
Write a 200 word essay on your dream school.

In the mornings and Fridays

2010-08-18T09:03:00.002+02:00

I love our school mornings! We read our books and we talk to Miss Tyler-Smith and we talk to our friends all the girls and some boys realy like reading and talking to Miss Tyler-Smith!!

Written by Zoe

Writing Assignment 5

2010-08-12T09:28:00.003+02:00

Write the recipe and take a photo of a meal you have cooked.
Write the recipe and take a photo of a drink you have made.
Take a photo of your room and tell us about it in detail. Why did you choose the things you chose to fill your room?
Have someone take a photo of you (with or without your face) playing your favourite sport/game.n Tell us about your passion for that game in detail.
Take a photo of your desk at home and tell us about the items on your desk.

Dead Parrot Sketch

2010-08-12T09:18:00.000+02:00

Our Talent Show is on Tuesday 17th August. The Grade 8 class are reinacting "The Dead Parrot" sketch and its become the talk of our little school. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is the original video performed by Mr Palin and Mr Cleese of Monty Python.

Amazing pencil tip sculptures

2010-08-12T09:15:00.003+02:00

Brazilian born, Connecticut based, Dalton Ghetti carefully crafts the tips of pencils into amazing micro sculptures. These miniature masterpieces are a side project for the professional carpenter, who has been perfecting this art for the last 25 years. Dalton uses a razor blade, sewing needle, a sculpting knife, a steady hand and lots of patience to meticulously carve the graphite which can take anywhere between a few months to a few years. Over time he has broken many works in progress and keeps them in what he calls the cemetery collection. One of the most fascinating things about these tiny works of art is that he has never sold them, only given away to friends as gifts.

Here is the link to the article:

http://kronikle.kidrobot.com/pencil-tip-micro-sculptures-by-dalton-ghetti/

We are on TWITTER!

2010-08-11T11:59:00.000+02:00

https://twitter.com/MissTylerSmith

Daily life in Grade Five

2010-08-02T15:44:00.000+02:00

Research time in Grade 5

Abdulia the photo bomber

"Do you do the bunny hop?"

(Joe the photo bomber)

Miss Tyler-Smith's desk

Water experiements in Science class

2010-08-02T15:36:00.001+02:00

Aurora and her pink slime experiment

Her apparatus

The slime

It got a leeeetle bit grose :o)

Taine and his experiment

Concentrating

Proving that warm water rises and cold water falls.

Michael

Serious business

Making adjustments

The final result...purple magic!

A captive audience

Jessica and her flavour changer

Jade...a keen supporter

Taine

Farikai

Vinny

Mia-Su

Zoe

Congratulations to Mr Johnson

2010-07-23T07:50:00.000+02:00

and the birth of their daughter, Nina. Born on 21 July 2010 at 21h53.
Mr Johnson is our 4 and Music and Maths teacher. We all send you our love.

My London trip so far

2010-07-20T10:10:00.001+02:00

The link to the blog I set up for my London trip is here: http://www.leyton2010.blogspot.com/

The Flight

View out my window of Dubai skyline at about 4am

Dubai International Airport waiting for our connecting flight

Inside the plane in Dubai on our way to London

Lunch and shopping at IKEA

On Saturday we went to Ikea... i bought a beautiful mouse called Charlotte Mus...

and then there was lunch....

SWEDISH MEATBALLS and chips and lingenberry preserve and gravy....HEAVEN!!! i could have it everyday for a year

Charlie and Lola Exhibition

Today I went on my first solo adventure in London. I walked to the tube station but there was a bomb scare so we had to turn around and go to a different station. I got off and walked to a small gallery exhibiting original Charlie and Lola illustrations...called THE ILLUSTRATION BOX. A lovely little space. It was fantastic to see the originals with the paper cutting and watercolour and fabric backgrounds.

link to the exhibition site

For Jessica

2010-05-26T12:15:00.001+02:00

http://www.sockmonkey.com/

Our Camp in August: SOS School in the Wilds

2010-05-26T11:45:00.002+02:00

From 23 - 25 August the Grades 4 to 7 will be going to SOS School in The Wilds

SOS Outdoor Centre is situated just outside Villiersdorp, only an hour's drive from Cape Town. SOS is a registered public benefit and non-profitable organisation (NPO 004-235) and forms part of the Theewaters Conservancy.

School in the Wilds is the outdoor education facility that we run during the week (Monday to Friday) all through the school term. SOS is a rustic bush camp with only basic amenities. The campsite offers magnificent views of the Theewaterskloof Dam, walks and hikes through the Fynbos to waterfalls in the mountains and a large variety of birdlife as well as farm and other interesting animals.

Our two recently revamped campsites (River and Mountain Site) serve as an excellent breakaway for a weekend or holiday camp.

All of this forms part of the true outdoor experience you can enjoy here at SOS. We are serious about what we're doing here and trying to achieve.

LINKS:

Writing Assignment 4

2010-05-26T10:50:00.000+02:00

Find 5 toys online that you want desperately and tell us why you need it. Provide links to the toys.
Find 5 places you'd like to visit. Provide links to the places.
Find 5 foods you love. Provide links to the foods.
Find 5 beautiful photographs. Provide links to them.
Find 5 cute animals. Provide links to their pictures.

HAMLEYS!

2010-05-26T09:36:00.001+02:00

William Hamleys famous toy shop was established in London in 1760, and quickly developed an international reputation for choice, quality and innovation. Two and a half centuries later, Hamleys is proud to continue the tradition of bringing you 'the finest toys in the world'

The wide-eyed children filling Hamleys today share something very special with our founder. A love of toys. Let's travel back in time to meet him.

Growing up in Bodmin, Cornwall, William Hamley might have become a tin miner. Or a fisherman. But William had other ideas. He dreamed of opening the best toy shop in the world. In 1760, he did, cramming 'Noah's Ark' with every kind of toy, from rag dolls to tin soldiers.

Over the street-sellers' calls and horses' hooves ringing on the cobbles, you could just make out the delighted cries of children as they approached the window.
By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, Hamleys was already a London landmark. Families flocked to William's 'Joy Emporium', now owned by his grandsons.

So successful was the shop that in 1881 a new branch opened in Regent Street. To cope with the public's growing appetite for playthings, Hamleys added a further five floors of toys.

We can only imagine the spectacle, as toy theatres, puppets, pedal cars and miniature railway trains jostled for space in the largest toy shop in the world.

Hamleys faced hard times in the late 1920s, along with everybody else. In 1931, the picture looked bleak. The shop was forced to close and its fleet of horse-drawn delivery vans was stilled.

But this story has a happy ending. Walter Lines, the Chairman of the Tri-Ang company, bought Hamleys and worked hard to bring customers back. In 1938, his efforts were rewarded - Queen Mary gave Hamleys the Royal Warrant.

Even being bombed five times in the Blitz did not stop Hamleys. Wearing tin hats, staff served at the shop entrance, rushing in to collect the toys then handing them over at the door.

When she came to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II showed she still remembered the toys her grandmother had given her. She in turn gave Hamleys toys to her own children.

In 1955, her Majesty honoured Walter Lines with a second Royal Warrant as a 'Toys and Sports Merchant'. But it was the children's smiles that truly rewarded Walter Lines and his staff.

Arriving back in the present, we find Hamleys in its famous location at 188-196 Regent Street. Step over the threshold and you enter a world of joy and wonder.

Over the squeaking, bleeping, whizzing and chiming of toys, you hear children laughing excitedly as they goggle at the sheer choice over our seven floors of toys and games.

The toys may have changed, but if he were here today, we're sure William Hamley would recognise the same delighted faces as he guided you round the shop he dreamt of as a boy. Welcome to Hamleys.

LINK FOUND HERE: http://www.hamleys.com/

We are back online!

2010-05-26T09:22:00.000+02:00

We have our computer back and are once again able to blog about what has been happening in our class.

We are currently in the midst of exam time, the children write on exam per day, from 8:30 - 10am. They then have a 20min break and spend the second session revising for the next day and doing arty activities to relax them. Home time during this exam period is 1pm.

My own personal news is that I shall be traveling around England during our 5 week Winter holiday from 10th June - 10 July. When I return I shall be doing an English theme on England with the children.

We are so sorry

2010-05-17T14:56:00.002+02:00

Our computer broke 2 months ago and our school has not managed to replace it.

We are unable to update our blog until it's fixed.

Miss Tyler-Smith and the Grade 5's.

Happy Easter Holidays Grade Five!

2010-03-26T22:53:00.000+02:00

Well done on your fantastic reports and have a great holiday.

Michael has a new blog!

2010-03-26T22:50:00.000+02:00

http://www.michaelsdroidblog.blogspot.com/

I know it was supposed to be called a fancy boy name, but I left the paper with the name on it in class and so this will have to do until we can change the name next term. :o)

Ten Tips for Students

2010-03-22T16:57:00.000+02:00

The following general tips are intended to help all children improve their organizational skills, work habits, and overall production with schoolwork. We encourage you to print and share this list with the learning disabled children in your life. Found HERE.

Get organized.
Organize all of your materials, books, notebooks, etc.
Plan and budget time.
Make a plan that includes budgeting the amount of time needed for different subjects, break times, and due dates for assignments.
Color code.
Use a color-coding system to organize materials for each subject.
Record assignments.
Use an assignment notebook to record all homework and long-term projects.
Be methodical.
Organize all your books, notes, handouts, flashcards, study-guides, outlines, etc. before studying for a test or quiz.
Think small.
Remember to break-up long-term assignments into small, manageable, working chunks in your daily homework schedule.
Know your best time of day.
Choose to study during the time of day or night when you are most alert.
Take breaks.
Take scheduled breaks during long homework assignments.
Double-check your work.
Make sure to check your assignments for errors before turning them in to your teacher.
Take advantage of resources.
Ask teachers, parents, and tutors for extra help and clarification.

Friday Story Time

2010-03-22T12:36:00.000+02:00

Farikai reading a chapter from our class book, "Tales Of A Forth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume

Writing Assignment 3

2010-03-20T08:42:00.002+02:00

My plans for the holidays (100+ words) 2 group points
What I want to be when I'm "big" (100+ words) 2 group points
The funniest thing that ever happened to me (100+ words) 2 group points
Advice to parents (100+ words) 2 group points
A TV show I'd create if I were given the opportunity (100+ words) 2 group points
A recipe for a BRAND NEW sandwich ingredient combo (100+ words AND A PHOTO OF THE SANDWICH ONCE YOU'VE MADE IT :o) ) 2 group points

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Copy and paste the title of your chosen written piece and put it at the top of your post so we know which one you chose.
Either write or copy your work into Word before pressing "SEND" in case the computer freezes or crashes and you lose all of it and cry or say a rude word!
PLEASE REMEMBER to write your name in the Name/URL block
If you have your own blog, leave a comment, linking to your written assignment on your blog
Add a photo if it's on your own blog.
All writing in FULL SENTENCES please
CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION BEFORE POSTING!

Fifty People One Question - London, UK

2010-03-18T18:34:00.006+02:00

Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?
See more videos HERE

About the Project
Fifty People One Question is an ongoing social experiment and film series exploring human connections through people and place. The project began in New Orleans in 2008 and has since traveled across the globe, touching millions of viewers. Along the way, the films have captured a small slice of humanity; to discover dreams, losses, reflections, stories and secrets, some shared and some completely unrepeatable.
Remarkable individuals have shared countless responses to the films’ questions, both through the lens and in written form. This website has captured written responses from over 1,000 cities worldwide. Everyone is invited to see, hear, and explore our deepest human connections. And please, share your response to these simple, timeless questions. So go ahead, ask yourself…

More about the project HERE

Listen to the music carefully. How does it make you feel?

Would you believe me if I told it was composed by my friend,
21 year old Chaz Knapp, from America?
Listen to more of his beautiful music HERE on his MYSPACE .

...now that you know a 21year old composed the music...what do you think?

Look at what we are reading

2010-03-18T12:34:00.003+02:00

Abdul: Diaper Baby by George Beard

I’ve only just started this book. Usually I read non fiction books about cricket. My favourite cricket book is called THE CAPTAINS DIARY. It’s about Graeme Smith, our countries cricket team captain. I chose that book because it looked interesting. I have a passion for cricket. I play cricket for a private cricket club on Fridays. This is a huge honor as you need to be a very good cricket player to be chosen. We play matches on Saturdays.

Jade: 2003 Guinness World Record Book by Stuart Newport

It tells you all about the records that happened in 2003. In the first few pages it says all the cool things about 2002 records.

One the of the most interesting things was the shortest man in the world. He was only 2 feet tall. Another fascinating fact was that a man put 133 wooden pegs on his face for 4.24 seconds.

Mia: Diaper Baby by George Beard

The book is very interesting. It’s about these two boys called Harold and George. They were very naughty. I chose it because it looked quite funny because there is a baby on the front with a cape on and its flying.

Aurora: Princess Pearl by Giles Andreae

This book is not like most fairy tales because the princess is blind and her life is isn’t perfect. She is disabled. I find this interesting because it makes me realize that not everything can be perfect, not even in fairy tales. For example, in my life I have struggles with school work. So reading this book helps me believe in myself, because if she can overcome her disability, I can try hard in school and do my best, no matter what that is.

Michael: Ripley's Believe it or Not

This book is exciting.

Farikai, Taine and Connor: The Harry Potter Series

Taine: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

When I first started reading the Harry Potter series I thought I wouldn’t like it but it turns out it’s a very nice series of books. I chose it because it’s a very thick book and it will keep me busy for as long as it takes. I’m already on page 12 of the book and it’s barely started, and already I’m hooked.

Joseph: Star Wars by Ryder Windham

I chose the book because it discusses every series. I can also see what happens in the Star Wars play station games. I also took it so I can see who acted in the movie and the voice over artist in the cartoons.

Vinny: Captain Underpants by George Beard

Captain Underpants returns to save the city! He defeats all the bad guys and helps all the old super hero’s. I chose it because I love him. I find him very funny. There are 6 books in the series and I have read three.

Zoe: The Twits by Roald Dahl

I chose it because my teacher loves Roald Dahl books and I wanted to find out why for myself. It’s about a couple who are husband and wife. There are all these types of strange animals. The husband and wife are always playing tricks on each other in nasty ways.

Can you believe it?

2010-03-17T22:53:00.004+02:00

In just SIX weeks we have received 1703 visitors from ALL over the world and 18 followers. When I began the blog at the beginning of the year I really had no idea it would become such an important part of our class experience, or that we'd make so many friends so quickly.

Click HERE for a larger view of the map

Current Country Totals
From 10 Feb 2010 to 17 Mar 2010

South Africa (ZA)	213
United States (US)	103
United Kingdom (GB)	54
Australia (AU)	47
Spain (ES)	29
Canada (CA)	12
New Zealand (NZ)	12
India (IN)	9
Brazil (BR)	8
Russian Federation (RU)	5
Germany (DE)	4
Turkey (TR)	3
Switzerland (CH)	3
United Arab Emirates (AE)	3
Netherlands (NL)	3
Philippines (PH)	3
Sweden (SE)	3
Latvia (LV)	2
Denmark (DK)	2
Romania (RO)	2
Ireland (IE)	2
Ukraine (UA)	2
France (FR)	2
Portugal (PT)	2
Argentina (AR)	2
Colombia (CO)	1
Cote D'Ivoire (CI)	1
Poland (PL)	1
Ghana (GH)	1
Ecuador (EC)	1
Peru (PE)	1
Finland (FI)	1
Norway (NO)	1
Estonia (EE)	1
Venezuela (VE)	1
Iceland (IS)	1
Belgium (BE)	1
Iran, Islamic Republic of (IR)	1
Hungary (HU)	1
Japan (JP)	1
Israel (IL)	1
Macedonia (MK)	1
Kuwait (KW)	1
Europe (EU)	1
Czech Republic (CZ)	1
Vietnam (VN)	1
Slovakia (SK)	1
Mexico (MX)	1
Bulgaria (BG)	1

What do you see?

2010-03-17T18:17:00.000+02:00

http://www.scholastic.com/canyouseewhatisee/games.htm

Happy St Patrick's Day from Grade Five!!

2010-03-17T09:27:00.002+02:00

Our class, dressed all in green

Zoe and her poster on Ireland

The cover page of our English theme on St Patrick's Day and Ireland

Jade's creative writing

A poem

Another poem

The board, decorated by Aurora, Mia, Zoe and Nika after school yesterday

Joseph with a shamrock on his cheek

Look at our GREEEEEN lunch! We had long discussions all week about what we could bring to school that would be green. Even our teacher, Miss Tyler-Smith brought a green lunch. Would you like to share our lunch with us?

A NEW blog on the block!

2010-03-17T06:44:00.000+02:00

My teacher friend, Mrs Idas has a new blog. She teaches in Cape Town too and has a Grade Five class in a big school, with three other Grade Five classes. Please follow her and leave some comments, using the comment guide poster I posted yesterday. Here is the LINK TO HER BLOG.

"fireflies" by Owl City

2010-03-16T22:02:00.003+02:00

One of my favourite songs :o)

How to write a GEAT blog comment

2010-03-16T21:31:00.000+02:00

Found here: http://primarytech.globalteacher.org.au/2010/02/21/blogging-teaching-commenting-skills/

Our Little School

2010-03-16T19:08:00.001+02:00

Our school is close to the ocean in Cape Town, South Africa. We have roughly 130 pupils aged 5 - 15 (Grades R - 9).

We are a Grade 5 class with 13 students. Most of the children are 10, turning 11 years old.

All our lessons are in English but the children also receive four hours a week of Afrikaans (A local South African language, stemming from Dutch) Larger schools in Cape Town also teach the local African language, Xhosa, but we don't.

We have a nice mix of boys and girls from differing backgrounds, races and religions.
The subjects we offer are: English, Afrikaans, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Technology, Computers, Life Orientation, Art, Music and Economic Management Science and Sport.

Our school year runs from January to December, with four terms, roughly 10 weeks each. We get ten days holiday in March and September, a month in June and 6 weeks in December/January.

The school day is from 8am - 2:30pm. We also offer a 30min homework period from 2:30 - 3pm Monday to Thursday. Some children stay after school in "Aftercare" while their parents are at work. They receive a hot lunch and stay as late as 6pm.

My name is Miss Tyler-Smith. I was born in Cape Town and have taught here for the past 9 years. I am a Grade 5 class teacher.
I teach Art to Grades 4 - 9 and English to Grades 4 - 6.
I am also Head Of Department for the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 - 6).
I make all my own teaching resources and work booklets myself. This is fairly common in South Africa.
The goal of my teaching is to foster self-confidence, independence, a passion for knowledge and creativity.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF OUR CASSROOM

Blog Members:
(Names with * have their own independent blogs. Click on the link to view them)

Abdul
Aurora
Connor*
Farikai*
Jade*
Jessica
Joseph
Mia
Michael
Nika*
Taine*
Vinny*
Zoe*

**PLEASE NOTE: I have written permission from the parents to show their children's names and faces.

GREAT ST PATRICK'S DAY CRAFT SITES

2010-03-16T18:56:00.002+02:00

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/

http://www.makingfriends.com/stpats.htm

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/

OTHER GREAT ST PATRICK'S DAY CRAFT SITES

St Patrick Colouring Pages

2010-03-16T17:58:00.001+02:00

Click and open the images in a new tab. print and colour in. Bring to school and we'll post them on the blog and put up on ur class room.

Thank you for the lovely gifts!

2010-03-15T09:41:00.000+02:00

Grade Fives, my goodness, I didnt expect to walk into the classroom this morning and have you all jumping out from behind your desks!! What a surprise this morning! It was a big shock! I never suspected it! Thank you for the chalk board decorations.

Aurora, thank you for the incense burner, froggy plant friend and lovely card.
Jade, thank you for the pink Jasmin hand cream and hand wash. What a magical smell!
Natasha, thank you for the orange birthday card, red and orange necklace and bath ball.
Zoe, thank you for the biscuits and Whispers.

Writing Assignment 2

2010-03-13T07:00:00.002+02:00

My Family Heritage (100+ words) 2 group points
My Favourite possesion and why (100+ words) 2 group points
My Pet (100+ words) 2 group points
Advice to teachers (100+ words) 2 group points
A review of a TV show, movie or computer game (100+ words) 2 group points
Why children should be allowed to come to school in civvies everyday (100+ words) 2 group points

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Copy and paste the title of your chosen written piece and put it at the top of your post so we know which one you chose.
Either write or copy your work into Word before pressing "SEND" in case the computer freezes or crashes and you lose all of it and cry or say a rude word!
PLEASE REMEMBER to write your name in the Name/URL block
If you have your own blog, leave a comment, linking to your written assignment on your blog
Add a photo if it's on your own blog.
All writing in FULL SENTENCES please
CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION BEFORE POSTING!

Review: "Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is a grade A blog"

2010-03-13T05:47:00.000+02:00

"I was contacted by Miss Tyler-Smith a while ago through the contact page, asking if I would review her classroom blog. Not knowing what a ‘classroom blog’ exactly was, I was immediately intrigued and began to check out the blog straightaway.
I have to say that the blog is one of the happiest I’ve come across.
As the the title would suggest, Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is a blog of Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five class, who are a class in an independent school in Cape Town, South Africa.
The blog was setup to allow for the children in the class to have a safe place to share their ideas, which is, in my opinion at least, a wonderful idea.
Featuring everything from information on the ‘Learner of the Week’, to historical resources about parts of history that the class have been learning about and through to pictures of them hard at work (looking like they’re having a really enjoyable time, however – school must have changed since I was there!), Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is well worth checking out, irrelevant of whether you’re from an educational background or not – I guarantee it will bring a smile to anyone’s face"

The review found here: http://www.findanewblog.com/2010/03/12/miss-tyler-smiths-grade-five-blog-is-a-grade-a-blog/

Our Class Rules

2010-03-12T11:36:00.006+02:00

Coloured in by Jade

Our Star Charts

2010-03-12T11:34:00.001+02:00

In our class we sit at table groups of four.

At the beginning of the year we gave ourselves group names and star charts. We earn points for having a tidy desk, helping to clean the classroom, being kind, remembering to have our diaries signed and bringing sports togs and research. We also get points for complteing writing assignments on this blog.

SPACE EXPLORERS: Connor, Farikai, Zoe and Jessica (30 points)

THE ICE DEVILS: Vinny, Aurora, Nika and Joe (29 points)

THE ROBOT CHUMPS: Taine and Mia (17 points)

MEGA BOLTS: Abdul, Micheal and Taine (19 points)
The last two groups are combined, so that its fair when we decide on a winning group.

Homework

2010-03-11T19:37:00.001+02:00

Lets Take A Trip Down Memory Lane

2010-03-11T18:41:00.001+02:00

...all the way back to Grade Three in 2008...and Easter basket making on civvies day

Taine concentrating hard

Jessica

Conner - Mr Cool Dude

Aurora posing with the girls

A cheesey grin from Farikai

Jade, busy making a paper Easter Basket

Joe...Chilling

Mia

Jade has a NEW Blog

2010-03-11T18:19:00.000+02:00

http://jadesnotebook.blogspot.com/

Our playground

2010-03-11T16:25:00.000+02:00

This is where we play and spend our breaks. The grass is dry because it's the end of our Summer.

It does not rain in Summer in Cape Town.

King Henry VIII and his six wives

2010-03-11T09:59:00.004+02:00

The Students in our class have shown an interest in King Henry VIII and his six wives. Our teacher loves history and tells us facinating stories that happened in the past.

"Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced beheaded survived",

Catherine of Aragon - Henry VIII's first wife and mother of Mary I

Catherine was the youngest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and she came to England in 1501 at the age of 16 to marry Henry VII's eldest son and heir to the throne, Arthur.

By 1527 Henry was having serious doubts about his marriage to Catherine. He believed that he had no sons because God was punishing him for having married his brother's wife. He had found a passage in the Bible that backed this belief.

He had also fallen for Anne Boleyn, the daughter of Thomas Boleyn, who had recently returned to England from the French court.

Catherine refused to grant Henry a divorce or retire to a convent. Henry therefore began the Reformation in England so that he could divorce Catherine without the Pope's permission and marry Anne Boleyn.

Catherine was divorced by Henry in 1533 and died in 1536.

Anne Boleyn - Henry VIII's second wife and mother of Elizabeth.

Anne Boleyn was born in 1501. At the age of fourteen she was sent with her sister, Mary, to the French court as a maid to Queen Claude.

She returned to England in 1522 and attracted many admirers. Her sister, Mary managed to attract the King's attention and became his mistress.

In 1526 Henry asked Anne to become his mistress, but she refused because he was a married man. Henry was determined to win Anne Boleyn and became determined to divorce Catherine and marry Anne.

The couple eventually secretly married in 1533 after Anne became pregnant. The King's second marriage was not popular. Many people believed that Anne was a witch and had cast a spell on Henry.

When the baby was born in September 1533 Henry was cross that the baby was a girl. She was called Elizabeth.

Henry and Anne began arguing. Although Anne became pregnant twice more each time the babies were stillborn.

Henry was by now tired of Anne and wanted rid of her. He had no intention of waiting for a divorce so his ministers invented evidence showing that Anne had been unfaithful and had plotted the death of the King.

She was found guilty and was executed in May 1536.

Jane Seymour - Henry VIII's third wife and mother or Edward VI.

Jane Seymour was a quiet shy girl who attracted Henry because she was so different to his first two wives, Catherine and Anne.

Henry married Jane Seymour just 11 days after the death of Anne Boleyn. He was 45 years old, Jane was 28.

Although Henry became concerned when Jane did not become pregnant immediately, he was delighted when she gave birth to a son, Edward, in October 1538.

Henry was very upset when Jane died a month later. On his deathbed, Henry requested to be buried next to Jane.

Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife. She was divorced after six months.

After the death of Jane, Henry remained single for two years. He had the son that he had wanted for so long and although Edward was weak and sickly, he continued to live.

Having broken free from Rome in the 1530s England was isolated from much of Europe and Henry's advisers thought it would be a good idea for him to marry a German princess and make an alliance with the other great Protestant nation in Europe - Germany.

Two suitable princesses were chosen and Hans Holbein was sent to paint their portraits. The girls were sisters and daughters of the Duke of Cleves. Henry chose the older daughter, Anne, to be his fourth wife.

The 24 year old German Princess arrived in England in December 1539, However, Henry was horrified when he saw her and demanded that his ministers find him a way out of the marriage. Unfortunately for Henry they could not and the marriage went ahead in January 1540.

Henry was unable to consummate the marriage and the couple divorced amicably six months later.

Anne was well provided for and lived out her days in England in comfort. She outlived Henry and died in 1557.

Kathryn Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife. She was executed for adultery after two years of marriage.

Henry had chosen his fifth wife before his divorce to Anne was finalised. The lady in question was the 15 year old daughter of Edmund Howard, Kathryn, cousin of Anne Boleyn.

The marriage took place in July 1540. Henry was 49 years old, overweight and unable to walk far due to his weight and an injury to his leg that festered and refused to heal.

Kathryn was young, lively and flirtatious. She was bored with having an old husband and sought out young friends among the courtiers.

Unfortunately for Kathryn one of the courtiers in question was a man named Francis Dereham who had known Katherine before her marriage.

He knew that she had had affairs before her marriage and used this to bribe her into giving him a good position at court.

Katherine's actions led to her being accused of adultery and subsequently executed in 1542.

Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife. She outlived Henry and died in 1548.

Henry married for the sixth time in 1543. The lady in question was Katherine Parr who had been twice widowed.

She was a kindly lady and proved a good stepmother to the King's three children. She was also an excellent nursemaid and bathed Henry's leg wound and comforted him when he was sick.

She came close to being tried for treason in 1546 when her enemies at court attempted to prove that she was a committed Protestant. However, she managed to convince Henry that she was loyal to him and his Church and was spared.

After Henry's death she married Edward's uncle, Thomas Seymour.

Katherine Parr died in childbirth in 1548.

Some good sites on Henry and his six wives:

http://www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/six_wives_henry_viii.htm

http://www.tudorhistory.org/wives/

Question: Who was Henry's second wife?
(Tell me the answer in class tomorrow)

A Post in Response to Charlotte's Questions

2010-03-11T09:57:00.000+02:00

This POST is for Charlotte because she asked these questions on our blog.

She is from Australia. Here is a link to HER class Blog.

Q.1 Could you please describe normal school day?
We arrive at school anytime from 7:30 till 8am. Some get dropped off by parents in cars, some bike to school. None of the children use public transport. We start school at 8am when we line up in the quad in class lines (a square shaped cement-covered area outside the classrooms.) The teachers greet us and give us any news or instructions for the day.
8:00 We enter our classroom and unpack our bags, putting our bags outside in the passage. We hand our homework diaries to our teacher on her desk so that she can check that our parents signed and reply to any msgs. We read quietly till 8:15 while she does this.
8:15 We have English class for 45min.
9:00 We go to Maths with our old Grade 4 teacher, Mr Johnson for an hour.
10:00 We have a tea break where we run and play or sit and chat to our friends.
10:20 We return inside for an hour of Afrikaans (a South African language stemming from Dutch) with the Grade 6 teacher, Mrs Swart.
11:20 We have free research time, this time is for us to do online/book research on any topic we like, study of finish work.
11:50 On Mon, Wed and Fri we have an hour of either Geography/History/Science and on Tues and Thurs we have an hour of sport during this time
12:50 we have a 30min lunch break. We bring packed lunches from home. The boys like to play soccer and the girls sit in circles and talk.
13:20 We have either Life Skills, Technology, Computers, Art or Music for an hour.
14:20 Home time but most of us stay for an extra 30min homework period where we can ask for help with our homework.

Q.2 What are some of your favorite celebrations? (List them)
1. Christmas!
2. Easter
3. New Years Day

Q.3 If you could pick one country to live in apart from South Africa what would it be?
England, America and Australia were the most common answers the students gave.

Q.4 Do you have a school uniform? If so please describe it.
Yes, In Summer it is a gray skirt or shorts with white shirt with a navy jumper. Black sandles and white ankle socks for the girls and black closed shoes and gray knee length socks for the boys. Our teachers chose this uniform because its so easy to find in the shops it is the cheapest. Some of the girls try to get away with wearing pink hair clips and elastic hair bands but our teachers remind them that only navy is allowed. The boys socks are always falling down and drives poor Miss Tyler-Smith crazy. Every time we come in from break she says to the boys "Socks, shirts and laces, boys!"
We are allowed to wear civvies (casual clothes) on the second last day of term, when we have our fun day/cake sale.

Miss Tyler-Smith's Class

A Year in Grade Five

Inca Empire Research Posters

Seed Project - Week 5

Stained Glass Painting

Life Orientation Rhythm/Dance Lesson

Seed Project - Week 4

How to write a quality comment

Miss Tyler takes advantage of a photo opportunity

Seed Project - Week 3

Taine's Sister is getting married next weekend

Our New School

Miss Tyler-Smith and Aurora are Bento Mad!

Please meet Rascal

Growing Beans and Corn - Week 2

Incan head dresses

The New Curriculum for 2011 has been published online

We have a *NEW* classroom Flickr account

Growing Beans and Corn - Week 1

EXCELLENT English and Afrikaans Study books

English in the Fourth Term

101 Things to Do Over the Summer

Our Plant Project

Bringing the World to your Classroom

Shakespeare Sonnet 29

Its holidays!!

Teachers eat???

My crazy job

Turn your blog into a book

Lunches round#2

Class Castle Mural

Market Day 2010

Mia and Aurora have a new combined blog

Grade 5's Lunchboxes

8 healthy lunch box ideas

The Soccer Boys

Happy Birthday Mia

oh dear...

Calligraphy practice

Grade 4 Graphic Design Advert Posters

Hand made is always better!

My Desk Area...

Aaaah aren't they adorable?

Ode to Aurora and Mia

Egypt Project Display

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

A Model Comment - by a Grade 3 student

The Grades 4 - 6 are preparing for Market Day

Study Techniques for the upcoming Tests

Spring flower craft templates

Spring Walk

Funny photos of Grade 5s at SOS Camp

Our First Skype Call!!

The Oracle

Facebook group for our camp

SOS Camp 2010 Blog to Follow!!

Readathon

Waka Waka - Shakira

Writing Assignment 6

In the mornings and Fridays

Writing Assignment 5

Dead Parrot Sketch

Amazing pencil tip sculptures

We are on TWITTER!

Daily life in Grade Five

Water experiements in Science class

Congratulations to Mr Johnson

My London trip so far

For Jessica

Our Camp in August: SOS School in the Wilds

Writing Assignment 4

HAMLEYS!

We are back online!

We are so sorry

Happy Easter Holidays Grade Five!

Michael has a new blog!

Ten Tips for Students

Friday Story Time

Writing Assignment 3

Fifty People One Question - London, UK

We have a NEW classroom Flickr account