There's more than one way to cut the hedge

What do you think of this for thinking outside the square? Not sure if OSH would be impressed but they've got themselves in the news.

Click here to read the newspaper article

Fibonacci in Nature

Well done to those clever mathematicians who have posted their findings.

Fibinacci Numbers can be found all around us. Below are some more research questions to guide your inquiry.

Where in nature can you find Fibonacci numbers appearing?
What occurences are related to flowers?
What relevant pictures can you find?
Where do spirals come into this?
Are any special names given to these spirals?
Can you explain what is going on in these situations?
What else have you discovered about this topic?

Good Luck Mr E

Fibonacci Continued

Well done to those of you that worked out 144.

The Fibonacci Sequence is; 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144,233,377,610,987, ...

How far can you work it out?

How would you write this pattern as an algebraic equation?

Research Questions:
What does the name mean?
What other names did he have?
When did he live?
What was the Liber Abaci?
How was it printed?
Why was it written?
What else can you find out about Fibonacci or his family?

Use the links below to conduct some research afterwhich you will present your findings.

http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/prime/articles/fibonac/index.asp

http://www.mi.sanu.ac.rs/vismath/jadrbookhtml/part42.html

http://www.mathsisfun.com/pascals-triangle.html

Fibonacci Number Challenge

Medieval mathematician and businessman Fibonacci (Leonardo Pisano) posed the following problem in his treatise Liber Abaci (pub. 1202):

How many pairs of rabbits will be produced in a year, beginning with a single pair, if in every month each pair bears a new pair which becomes productive from the second month on?

Thanks to Mr Woody in Hamilton for this great idea. Chiefs and Blues are you up to the Fibonacci Challenge?

Proportions & Ratios Activity

How good are you at working out proportion and ratio questions? These are the type of questions that ask if $X allows you to buy Y amount of things then $Z will allow you to buy how many things?

Try this simple interactive activity or learning object to test and improve your skills.

Driving Test

Redcliffs TV

Well we're on our way. Team one has started work on our business venture - creating an online tv station. The creative team have started scripting their programmes, the sales and marketing team have been busy seeking customers and begin creating their ads very soon, and the production team have been creating some videos and learning about iMovie.

The technical and production team have been using a website www.animoto.com to create music style videos. It is very easy and quick to use and the results look good.

Nga Numa Quiz

Click here for full screen version

Crazy Crash Spider

Here are the first animated movies by the next famous movie directors.

Ethiopia

Today in Room 1 we started reading 'The Garbage King' by Elizabeth Laird. The story is set in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. We've only just started but already I want to know what Merges is up to, and if Mamos is going to be safe.




Some places to learn more about Ethiopia:
Wikipedia
BBC
Addis Ababa

Kiwiana Quiz

Kiwiana Quiz

Click on the link to test your knowledge of New Zealand geography.

Can you beat 15/18? It's a tough ask!!

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA Fingerprinting

Click on the above link to learn more about DNA fingerprinting. You can even put your knowledge to the test to solve a crime. Good Luck!

Basic Facts

Basic Facts Game

How well do you know your basic facts? Put your skills to the test with these two games.

Good Luck

The Breadwinner

I found reading the Breadwinner very insightful into things that are happening in Afghanistan. It made me appreciate how lucky we are to live in a country that is more tolerant of different beliefs and treats everyone more equally.

LTranimo asked if there was a sequel. We were left wondering what happens to Parvana's mother and sister. The good news is that there is a sequel titled Parvana's Journey. I will try to get a copy from the National Library.

What did you think of the book, its characters and life in Afghanistan?

Story Sports Champions

This afternoon our Story Sports team competed at the Town Hall against three other schools. They had to write a hook for a science fiction novel, a rap about lost homework, a scary story using show not tell, and a job application from a Kahzakstanian for a job at McDonalds.

They consistantly wrote some funny and clever pieces to win the competition and walk away with Brian Falkner's new book amongst other prizes.

Well done team! Exceptional work!

Brian Falkner's Website
Story Sports Website

Cantamaths

I can't believe I haven't blogged about our two great cantamath teams. A few weeks ago our Year 7 and 8 Cantamaths teams took part in the annual competition. Organised chaos is the beginning of an apt description of the events that unfolded. Both teams did very well. Interestingly both teams got stumped on some early questions before making late rallies. The Year 7 team score 45 points (9 correct) and the Year 8's scored 90 points (18 out of a possible 20) which is one of the best results for Redcliffs School in recent years. Well done everyone. A special thanks to Mr Rogers and Mrs Thomas who trained the teams.

Ski Trip 09

What a FANTASTIC day! Well done everyone. A big thanks to Miss Huston for organising the day and the weather, and all the parents who came along to help.

Spare A Thought For Your Mum:)

I hope you've all said thanks to your mothers recently. I was shown this clip during my course today. The course was on developing resiliency, something mothers need lots of. Lots of good ideas and strategies to bring back to Redcliffs. Off to pack my ski gear now, fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Guess The Flag

How is your geography? How many different flags do you know? Click on the link to test your knowledge.

www.guesstheflag.com

Ski Trip

Two sleeps left. Please remember to be at school by 7.10 at the latest. We want the bus to be rolling out the gate right on 7.15.
Please remind your parents (if they are coming) to meet Miss Huston in Room 3 at 7.00 for a quick briefing.

Some Reminders; payment, jacket, gloves, polyprops, hat, sunglasses, lots of lunch and drink.

Visit these websites to keep an eye on the weather and remember to check the school website on Friday morning.

www.snow.co.nz
met service
Mt Hutt Website

The Stock Market

In Team One we are learning about the stock market. Thanks to Mr Babbage for talking to each class about how the stockmarket works and giving us an insight into picking the right shares. He also answered a lot of very good questions from us. Below are a few links to help you learn more about the stock market. Good luck playing the 'virtual stock market'. Go Room 1!
http://library.thinkquest.org/3088/stockmarket/introduction.html

Third World Debt

In Room One we had a great discussion and scenario game about Third World Debt. This map should clarify some of the many great questions that you asked.

The term Third World was originally coined in times of the Cold War to distinguish those nations that are neither aligned with the West (NATO) nor with the East, the Communist bloc. Today the term is often used to describe the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania.
Many poorer nations adopted the term to describe themselves.

Here are some links to find out more information;
Wikipedia.org
WorldCentric.org

Electricity

Some introduction to Electricity videos. Enjoy ...

What is an Atom

This video will help our understanding of what an atom is. Building on what we have learnt in Electricity and Matter Batter units.

Latent Fingerprints

Blood Type Game

This game will help you learn more about the different blood types and how they relate to each other. Part of our forensic science unit.

Play Game

Room 1's Buddy Reading

Click mon the link to listen to some of Room 1's buddies reading their books. They are fantastic readers!

Buddy Reading

Year 5/6 Leadership

What an impressive group of leaders you are. I was impressed with the enthusiasm you all took to this afternoons task. I saw groups who adapte their delivery to make sure the children were motivated. A number of groups adapted thei games so they were more challenging or less challenging depending on the childrens abilities. Some of you were challenged by behaviours and it was good to see you thinking and acting on these. I also heard some great questioning in your debriefs. I'm very keen to know what your thoughts are on the afternoon. How did it go for you? What do you think you got from the experience?

BIG NIGHT IN

I remember when I was at primary school, planning different ways of raising money for the 'telethon'. One year my best mate and I went on a huge bike ride (we lived in the country) knocking on every door asking for donations and afterwards watching the TV to see when our names were called out. Ahh those were the days ...

What is everyone doing for the big night in? I'm curious to see how similar or different it will be to the old telethons. Check out the oficcial website to find out more, and how to get involved.

DNA

After an interesting afternoon finding out about DNA I have posted some videos that will help your learning of this scientific area.

Story of Stuff

This is the video we watched earlier this week. It definately makes you stop and think about our role as consumers. Amazing to think that we only use 1% of purchases made six months ago. Planned and percieved obselenscence.

Periodic Table

Click on the elements on the periodic table to watch a video about them. I love the scientists hairstyle, jealous perhaps. Worth checking out to reinforce the lessons in electricity and matter batter classes. Good luck memorizing the first 20. I hear that one exceptional Year 7 student knows the first 50 elements off by heart!

http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Switzerland

Car Science

This website promoted by Richard Hammond lets you create your own car and then battle against other cars in certain categories. If you are interested in cars its worth checking it out. Lots to learn.

Do Togs Make A Difference - Science Fair Project

Tour de France

The Tour de France has started, this time in Monnaco. This event has to be one the the most gruelling sports events on the planet. For the first time ever New Zealand has two riders competing; Hayden Roulston (who will be helping his team leader Carlos Saistre and leading out his teams sprinter Thor Hushvold) and Julian Dean (who is the lead sprinter on his team.) There are nine riders on each team with most of the riders there to help one or two riders who have a chance of winning the yellow jersey (overall title) the green jersey (for being the best sprinter) or the polkadot jersey (for being the best climber).



http://www.mikeandthebike.com/iTDF/

http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

Sea Lion Steals Police Boat

What a great story. This video shows a sea lion that stole a police boat. I wonder where he was trying to get to? What would his mates think when he turned up?

Click on this link to read the newspaper article.

japanese Vocabulary - Commands

Japanese Commands

View more documents from teamoneredcliffs.

Japanese Vocabulary - Greetings

Japanese Greetings

View more documents from teamoneredcliffs.

Japanese Vocabulary - Common Phrases

Common Japanese Phrases

View more documents from teamoneredcliffs.

Japanese Vocabulary - Family

Family

View more documents from teamoneredcliffs.

Science Fair Video

What a great website. I'm now thinking of all the ways that creating short movies can be used in our learning!

Science Fair

What amazing work has gone into all your projects. We are very impressed with the scientific processes that you have followed. Below are just some of the great projects. Next week you will receive your assessment rubric and the winners will be revealed.






We are so impressed with the quality of your science fair projects. It is taking us a long time to mark (we're halfway at the moment) because they are so interesting to read. I have been finding out about pH levels, ice melting (not what I thought), water absorbtion by materials, surf beaches, mentos and coke, energy drinks, plants growing, tea cosies, golf balls, mould, bacteria ... the list goes on. I know you are keen to see each others projects and we will spend a good amount of time next week sharing our work in the hall.

Well Done! I will post some photos here soon:)

Unplugged

Earlier this week we had some computer science students come to school and run some activities with us. These cool activities use some of the skills and thinking needed by computer scientists. Below are a few videos of the games we played (but run at another school).

A Message From NASA

Trace space back to you!

How does space travel impact our lives? Is the money that is spent by governments around the world of more benefit than just satisfying someone's curiosity? This site gives us some insight into the benefits that we the earthbound ones get from space travel.

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm

Is it worth it? This is a necessary question to ask. Are we just being dazzled by the discoveries? What else could all this money go towards?

More Newtons Law

I think this video was created by a Year 9 student to show their understanding of Newtons Laws.

Newtons Three Laws

How many examples of Newtons Laws can you think of. Even the simplest things we do show examples of these in action. I wonder how many activities or events in a day can be explained by Newtons Laws. We had some interesting discussions today. I was very impressed with your levels of understanding some pretty complicated topics.

Katakana Names

Click on the link below or the title and find out how to write your name in katakana. I found the calligraphy font the best to use.

http://www.japanesetranslator.co.uk/your-name-in-japanese/

A Challenge For You!

Below is a list of five countries, all with the vowels removed. Can you name them?

LGR
CRT
THP
CDR
ND

Good Luck

Fancy Living on the Moon

1 House to rent, best view in the solar system!

Imagine being able to live on the moon. Who would have even thought it was possible but people are already planning for it. This may be a reality in your lifetime and they will probably be looking for bright minds like yourselves to make it happen.

NASA

I have just been exploring the NASA website. This is one of the best sites I have visited in a while. Lots of interesting information, calendar, videos... well worth a visit.

http://www.nasa.gov/

The link below takes you on a challenge to design flights of the future

http://futureflight.arc.nasa.gov/

http://futureflight.arc.nasa.gov/map.html

Go The Chiefs

Not bad for a team that lost its first three games of the season. Shows us all what a little perseverence and belief can do. Good luck for the final!

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

A good book will make you think. And this book has made me think about some very big issues around how we treat other people. It's always so easy to say it hapenned a long time ago, or it is happening a loong way away. I was surprised by how much the story hit me (again) and this time I knew what happened. A tough couple of chapters to get through today, most emotional chapters I've ever had to read aloud. Below are the last two paragraphs of the story ...

And that's the end of the story about Bruno and his family. Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again.

Not in this day and age.


I would be very interested to know what you thought of the book. Post a comment.

Make Your Own Superhero!

This is so coool! Click on th link and create your own superhero. Print it off and bring to school to show us, or email me a copy.



http://cpbintegrated.com/theherofactory/

Science Fair Project Help

Need help with your science fair project? Remember to talk to your teacher. Also you could visit these sites for extra help. Good Luck.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_question.shtml

http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/section674.html#j2
This site has the winning projects from last years regional competition.

http://sciencepage.org/scifair.htm
http://www.scifair.org/
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/ScienceFairs/

How many faces do you know?

How many people do you know? Click to enlarge the photo or alternatively use a pair of binoculars!

Wolfram Alpha

This is very cool. Students and teachers who follow this blog should check out this new search tool. My friend who showed me this site today describes it as google meets wikipedia. If you are searching for data on just about anything this site is worth visiting. Click on the title to visit Wolfram Alpha for your own search or click on the link below to go straight to my Hubble Telescope search on Wolfram Alpha.

Great for producing graphs, maps, tables, dates and facts ... and can compare data as well.

http://www17.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Hubble+Telescope

Click on the above link to find out where the Hubble Telescope is right now.

Hubble Telescope Repairs

Have you been following the shuttle mission to fix the hubble telescope? Below are some links to some news clips about their progress.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2417282/Astronauts-work-on-Hubble-trouble

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2410005/Hubble-telescope-plucked-from-orbit

Football Fanatics

For BWFabgras and other football/soccer fans (or fanatics) check out these websites for training and playing tips.

http://www.soccertoons.com/cornerkicks.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/11431/main.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/skills/6260582.stm

Anyone know who this famous footballer is?

Science Fair Ideas

Stuck for an idea for your science fair project? Consider trying one of these ...

How do different types of insulation effect heat loss?
How does the thickness of polystyrene effect it's insulation ability?
How does the distance an object is away from a magnifying lens effect it's enlarged size?
How does the amount of salt added to water effect it's boiling point?
How does the temperature effect the size of a football bladder?
How long do different types of liquids take to freeze?
How does the length of velcro effect it's strength?
Which glue is strongest under dry/wet conditions?
How does the shape of a dart effect the distance the dart flies?
How does the acidity of a fruit effect the voltage it provides?
How does the height a Tennis Ball is dropped from effect the height it bounces?
How does the density of a liquid effect the bouncing of an egg?
How do different flours effect the same recipe?
How do different baking powders effect scones?
Which way of drying dishes leaves the least amount of bacteria?
How do different amounts of warmth/sunlight/water/colours effect the germination and growth of plants?

Vote for Jack

Help one of our team members' nephew make the cover of Little treasures. Click on this link and search for Jack (and then click vote for me).

Mission to save the Hubble Telescope

What happens when the batteries run out on the hubble telescope? NASA are set for a mission to save the hubble telescope becoming a $7 billion piece of space junk.

Click on this link to watch the news report.

Al Amin

Todays speaker at assembly made me appreciate how lucky we are. I know a lot of you were moved by the story of Al Amin. Best of luck for those of you who are going without food, technology or are juggling for 20 hours.

Click here to visit the 40 hr famine site.


I have added a famine page on our wikispaces site so you can post regular updates to keep each other motivated. Photos could be uploaded as well. Remember to always use pseudonyms and no names with photos.

Wiki Tutorial 2 - Science Fair

Japanese Greetings

Counting in Japanese

Space The New Frontier

Star Wars Theme Song (No Images)

How Big Are We?

Are We Alone?

Hubble Deep Field

Expanding Universe

3D Milky Way

Milky Way

Who wants to be a millionaire?

Who wants to be a millionaire when you could be a trillionaire! Click on the link (or title) to visit this website.

http://www.pagetutor.com/trillion/index.html

Warning: Don't be fooled by the advertising at the top of the page - Do not click on it.http://www.pagetutor.com/trillion/bill.jpg

Wiki Tutorial 1

http://teamoneredcliffs.wikispaces.com

During this tutorial you will learn how to access our wiki, log in, and edit a page.

Room 1 this is necessary to complete homework for week 1, term 2.

Good Luck:)

Happy Holidays

Hooray the holidays are here! A well deserved break for us all. As I mentioned in assembly I have been very impressed in the way you have approached the many challenges that have come your way this term. We have had a very busy term including; school leadership process (what great initiative you have shown), numeracy interchange, art extension group (love your work in the hall!), monty python sketches (so many creative and humorous ideas), kapa haka learning a new song and dance, Hanmer and Wainui camps (a major highlight:) zone and central swimming sports (great results and feedback about seniors encouraging a team atmosphere) cross country, the list goes on.

What was your highlight of term one? Be as specific as you can. what are you most proud of this term? Would be great if you could leave a comment on this blog for others to read.

Cross Country

You all can be very proud of your efforts at our recent school event. From my 'rock' vantage point I witnessed so many of you giving the run your very best! Well Done! I was very very impressed. I will post some photos on this post after easter, I have downloaded them to the school server and will copy some to my laptop next time I am in at school. Watch this space.

Congratulations to those who finished in the top six for their age group! Keep up the training over the holidays and we will organize some lunchtime sessions next term.

Problem Solving

The following is a level 4 problem that Room 1 mathematicians were trying to solve today.

The green grocer used an old style balance scale to weigh his produce. Unfortunately he had lost all but 3 of his weights. With the three weights left he could accurately weigh in kg up to 13kg. What 3 weights does he have? No produce can be used to supplement weights.

Good Luck

Post your answers as comments.

Flying Sheep Sketch

- Is it as good as our remakes? You be the judge.

Monty Python - Bicycle Repair Man

Camp Survey

Thank you to those students who took time to vote. It looks like coasteering and archery were the favourite Wainui Camp activities. The Hot Pools were a runaway favourite at Hanmer. Seems like such a long time ago now.

Great to see some team one comments, keep them coming, they help this site become more interactive and interesting.

We have posted a new survey. Miss Huston would like to know if it is worth changing the abseiling at Wainui as it is very similar to the tree climbing at Hanmer. Your thought would be greatly appreciated.

ANZAC DAY COMPETITION

OP ANZAC SPIRIT

As part of Anzac Day, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is running OPERATION ANZAC SPIRIT, a design competition for Year 7 and 8 students.

How to enter
To enter students need to submit a poster showing what Anzac Day means to them. This can be in the medium of their choice (drawing, painting, collage etc) but please no items larger than A3 size.

There are three prizes up for grabs:
1) A day with the Navy, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC.
2) A day with the Army, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC
3) A day with the Air Force, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC
Four runners up will be awarded a prize pack of NZDF products.
Entries close on 25 April with the winners announced on 5 May.

A selection of entries will be made into a calendar for 2010 which will be sold by the RSA.

Entry criteria

o The competition is for Year 7 and 8 students.
o Entries can be drawings, paintings, collage; no computer generated entries please.
o Please keep entries A3 size or under.
o Please include your name, age, address, contact phone number, email address, and the name of your school on the back of your entry.
o The deadline for entries is Anzac Day - 25 April.
o NZDF reserves the right to use entries for publicity purposes.
o Entries may not be returned.

Where to send entries
OP ANZAC SPIRIT
Defence Communications Group
HQNZDF,
Private Bag 39997,
Wellington.

Further information about Op ANZAC SPIRIT, including a downloadable poster, is available at www.nzdf.mil.nz

Monty Python

Monty Python were master entertainers! The term 'pythonesque' is often used to refer to nonsensical and surreal comedies.

Is there anything out there?

Nasa have recently launched the Kepler Telescope on a mission to see if there are any other planets like earth that could contain water and therefore life like on our planet. I am very curious to know what they find. What do you think they might discover?

Camps were FANTASTIC!

I enjoyed both camps. Would have loved to have stayed longer on your camp Year 7's but I was stoked to go coasteering. My highlight on both camps was spending time with you all and getting to know you better. A huge thanks to the great group of parents that helped on both camps:) I will add some photos soon.

Redcliffs School Triathlon

Well done to all that competed Monday 16th January in the school triathlon. The weather wasn't the best, but your attitude and effort was!

Camp Gear Lists

It's less than two weeks until the first of our camps start. The gear lists have been given out so now it's up to you to make sure you have everything ready to go. If you don't have enough warm clothes or a sleeping bag it's going to be a long cold few days and nights! Make sure all your clothes and equipment are named so that if it is misplaced, its owner is easily found again. If you don't have something, ask your classmates if they have a spare one you could borrow. This makes it much cheaper than if you have to buy something especially for the few days you are away.
Not long now. Can't wait.

School Leaders

Congratulations to our new school leaders. You have impressed amongst a high calibre of finalists. We are very lucky to have so many talented leaders in our team.

How can you contribute your skills to help everyone in the school? Which of the following will you choose?

House Captains
Road Patrol
Peer Mediators
Kapa Haka
Library
Lit Club
Redcliffs TV
Webmaster
Sound System

Danger Mouse

A favourite of Mr E's. Nothing has come close since. A masterpiece of animation I'm sure you will agree. Who is Danger Mouse's sidekick?

Welcome Back

Great to see everyone so excited to be back at school today.
If you are having trouble getting to school on time perhaps you could try catching this bus.