Tristan's Literacy Learning Story

Learner: Tristan    Learning Coach: T.Dillner           Date: 2.6.15

Learning Area: Literacy - Handwriting

Learning Observed

Recently, a group of nine learners have been recruited into Mrs Dillner’s Handwriting Club. We have been working on proper letter formation, beginning with the letters that start with a ‘c’ shape. Tristan has shown that he is able to use the top, middle and bottom spaces on the line. His letters mostly follow the correct writing pattern, but he will need to work on using this consistently in his book. During this time, Tristan completed the task, but had to be prompted to continue and stay on track. He was instructed to leave a finger space between each letter and this will remain as one of his next learning goals in this area.

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Tristan showed that he was capable of using the lines and writing tidily on the whiteboard (Managing Self). He completed the ‘c’ and the ‘g’ well, making a connection between the ‘c’ shape and how it translates to other letters of the alphabet (Using Language, Symbols and Text).

Next Learning Steps

Use a finger space between each letter. Follow verbal instructions quickly. Practice keeping the letters smooth and sitting on the line when he writes in his book.

Tristan's Music Learning Story

Learner: Harry, Tristan and Kevin     Learning Coach: T.Dillner           Date: 2.6.15

Learning Area:

Learning Observed

The Keas Hapu group have been learning about the features that we use to make music. They were introduced to the formal language of Tempo, Dynamics and Rhythm. After three sessions, Harry, Tristan and Kevin chose to work together in a group to collaboratively write three lots of four beats (rhythm), that had a change in volume (dynamics) and speed (tempo). The learners needed to record their patterns using correct musical notes to show timing and the correct Italian terms to show where the dynamics and tempo changed. The boys then had an opportunity to share this with the Keas and demonstrate their understanding of the three features of music. They used clapping to show these patterns.

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

All three boys were beginning to work collaboratively to share their thinking and formulate their pattern (Participating and Contributing). By standing up and giving a short presentation, they demonstrated a basic capability in understanding some parts of the three features of music. When we talked about Dynamics and Tempo, the learners were making connections with new vocabulary. They had to make sense of words and symbols in the traditional language of music - Italian (Using Language, Symbols and Texts).

Next Learning Steps

To make up a clapping game that uses the same thinking or language from this activity. In the future, practise musical performances in order to stay in time with one another.

Diamonds Maths Group Measuring Learning Story

Learner: Kim, Gary, Tristan and Helen (Diamonds)   Learning Coach: Bex Remington          Date: 29 June 2015

Learning Area: iDevelop - Maths: Measuring Cubes

Learning Observed

The Diamonds maths group has been looking at measurement and how different units of measurement work.  This session was focused on how to make estimates and measure using objects found around the habitat.  The object we were using was popsicle sticks.  The group decided this would be a good thing to use because they are all the same length and not many would be needed to measure large objects.  Today we used an outline of Gary’s body to make our object to measure and the group decided which body parts we could estimate and measure.  The learners had to estimate how many popsicle sticks they would need to measure different parts and this started a discussion about whether the sticks should be used end to end or lying beside it each.  The group all decided that this would depend on the size of the object.  It would take too many to measure the length of Gary’s body if we did side by side but this method would be okay to measure the width of a finger.  The group agreed that this task was a fun way to learn about measuring because it was about them!

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

The learners in the Diamonds group are developing their capabilities in measurement.  They are able to discuss their answers showing that they understand language, symbols and text. All of the learners were able to work together and take on different roles within the task, which demonstrated participation and contribution and relating to others.

Next Learning Steps

Explore measuring other items using a mixture everyday objects Begin using formal measurement units Estimate using formal measurement units before measuring