Thursday 31 May 2012

Love Melbourne. Plant a Tree!

On Sunday 3rd of June 1-3pm there will be a afternoon of free activities that will be help at the Ross Straw Field, Royal Park to celebrate World Environment Day.

Come and join in for an afternoon of fun with bush tucker tasting, indigenous tree planting, multicultural afternoon tea and much more.

Melway Ref: 29 C12

Enjoy!

Thursday 24 May 2012

Like sands through the hourglass...


Hourglasses are one of the earliest known methods for keeping track of time.  They were both consistent and reliable, and unlike systems that relied on the sun, they could be used anywhere and everywhere.  With this in mind, some of us decided to explore the design and construction of our very own hourglasses.  Measuring from as little as six seconds to as much as three or more minutes, there was a great deal of careful trial and error involved in the construction of these homemade timekeepers.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Week Six Assembly


During assembly the year 2 neighbourhood was able to present samples of their recent work in art.  Some of the children read briefly to the school to explain these truly remarkable images.

“We are looking at time through growth and how flowers grow in the art room and in the art space in the year 2 neighbourhood.  When a flower gets cut off a bush it dies easily.”
-Maddy

“Each week during Art, we have been recording flowers by painting and drawing them.  Most of the flowers are nearly dead.  You can tell the flowers are dying because they are flopping.”
-Aidan

“We are recording time through the change of our flowers during art classes.  With Hannah we are drawing the flowers every week in art.  Tania helps us to take pictures of our flowers as they change.”
-Arlo S.

“In art, every week we take photos of our flowers and Tanya helps us take the photos.  We had to paint them in our ‘zeens’.  A zeen is like a magazine it’s just you paint not draw.  Some water is pink, and blue but mine is the original.  My favourite part is when we paint in our zeens.
-Archie

“We are recording how our flowers change over time.  My flower is about 3 weeks old and my flower is so old it is brown and it stinks.  This activity relates back to our inquiry into time and how time is shown through growth.”
-Eliza

Chemical Clock




Connecting some of the recent science experiments with our inquiry into time, the neighbourhood observed the creation of a simple ‘iodine clock’.  This reaction can be repeated at home using basic, readily available ingredients.  For instructions on this and many other fantastic science tricks, please visit Science Bob online!

Friday 18 May 2012

Watch this space...




Through an ever-evolving exploration of time, our questions have moved toward the many different ways time has been measured throughout human history.  Beginning this coming week we will commence a hands-on investigation into some of the systems that can be built to mark time.

For a quick background on the history and development of timekeeping, please have a look at this very thorough summary found on Nrich.

INVITATION

Parents are welcome to come and join the Year 2 neighbourhood for our weekly "Book Talk" and "Year 2 has talent time".

Book Talk is held every Wednesday from 9 to 10am.
The children enjoy performing on Friday afternoon from 2.45 to 3.15.

Please come along and join in.
Any parent who would like to perform a poem, play an instrument, a song or present something exciting such as a sing-a-long to the children please see Kevin or Ethan.

A group of Year 2 children are presenting their Art Inquiry with Hannah on Tuesday 22nd May at the whole school assembly. For more information of the children's work on time and photography please visit
http://www.phpsspecialists.blogspot.com.au/

Sunday 13 May 2012

Mother's Day Run Congratulations

Congratulations to the 48 amazing and determined runners who participated in the Mothers Day Classic. You showed true strength and hope as you faced the rain and the wind to complete the course.
Thank you to the parents who helped to organise a PHPS team for the special event.




                                        

Welcome

The Year 2 Neighbourhood warmly welcomes Robert who will work with us for the next two weeks as part of his teacher training. Welcome Robert.
Kumiko and the Dragon
Author: Briony Stewart
Kumiko doesn't like going to bed. She can't sleep, and the reason she can't sleep is because of the giant dragon that sits outside her bedroom window, every single night.
So one night she plucks up the courage to ask the dragon to leave, not knowing that the truth she is about to discover is more thrilling than anything she could ever have imagined.
This delightful story is taking us on a soaring dragon adventure, as Kumiko discovers a strength she never even knew she had.

Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers

Author: Briony Stewart

Kumiko is used to having her dragon Tomodo by her side night and day. What she doesn't understand is why she needs a dragon to protect her . . .

Since discovering the secret of the Shadow Catchers, a group of powerful sorcerers determined to steal dragon magic at any cost, Kumiko knows it's only a matter of time before her family and Tomodo are in grave danger. To save those she loves, Kumiko must venture where no one in her family has gone before. Can she stop the Shadow Catchers once and for all?

Kevin and the neighbourhood are going to join Kumiko for her most exciting adventure yet as she travels through a world of shadows and dark magic to find freedom for herself, her family and a kingdom of dragons.

Thursday 10 May 2012

Mother's Day

Dearest Mother, I'm excited about mothers day for lots of reasons; like how you were caring for me when I was little. There are lots of ways to love a mum and I hope I have all of them.
Love from Matthew.

Dear Mum, I love you up to the sky and down again. I think you are the best mum in the world because you make cakes with me, play boardgames with me and read me lots of lovely books. You help me a lot with my reading. Happy Mother's day.
Thank you for being my Mum for 8 years.
Maddy



We wish all the mothers a very happy Mother's Day and we thank you for your work support in our neighbourhood. 

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Book Talk

During book talk the children have begun to read  non fiction texts and to discuss the main facts in the paragraphs. They will also learn about non fiction text structures and features these include contents, illustrations, captions, glossaries.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Video Highlights from PHPS Walk-a-thon 2012

Come take a walk with Princes Hill!

What a wonderful day for a walk-a-thon!  Spurred on by the brisk weather, we kept our momentum lap after lap!  A very special thank you to all those who participated, donated, or came out to show their support.