Book Week Dress Up Day

It was another really successful book week at Botany Downs this year. We were lucky enough to have a visit from author Tessa Duder and there was plenty of support for the book character dress up day on Friday. Here's a few pictures of some of the kids in our class in their outfits - the winner from Room 16 (chosen at assembly) was L.B. as the 'Joker' from Batman.  

Enviro Writing

Here's some environmental writing pieces about gannets going fishing.  If you click on them they're slightly easier to read.

An Origin Story

Many moons ago, when the world was full of wonders, a dragon, the colour of a ruby, was flapping above the city of Bhutan looking for crops to eat; parsley being her favourite. Then in the mornings the villagers would come to the Bhutan Castle with complaints going along the lines of... "I darn well want to see this thug who's eating my parsley!"  ''Yeah, me too!"  So they hatched a plan to get rid of this creature once and for all.  When the dragon returned that night, the villagers were waiting with axes, bombs, blowtorches and other types of horrible weapons.  They were hiding in chimneys, wheelbarrows, stables and even in horse manure!  When the dragon came closer to the gardens someone, who was hiding in horse manure, yelled "Hiyya!"  The dragon opened her mouth in surprise, and swallowed a bomb!  The bomb went off in her lungs.  She tried to scare them away with a roar, but instead came out fire - blazing, marshmallow roasting fire!  The villagers were defeated by themselves!  They all ran away to their homes and from that day on everyone leaves parsley on their doorsteps for the dragon to eat, for they do not want to be roasted for a dragon's lunch!    by A.A.

Describing a Season

We used our senses to write about one of the seasons.  Here's a great piece by N.B.

Winter the coldest thing on Earth.  The ice runs up my back.  I can taste hot chocolate with rich chocolate sauce.  I gulp it down like a thirsty monster.  The melted marshmallows disappear in one go. I smell the hot black smoke from the fire that fills my house with warmth.  The nice fresh smell from a cold new day.  I hear lots of birds tweeting on their way to a warmer place and the trees rustling in the breeze.  The crunching ice under my feet and a roaring fire.  I see giant snowmen building up to the clouds, and the cute small snowflakes falling freely to the ground.  All the kids ice skating and other things rolling in the snow.  Dogs barking to come out and play.

A 'MOMENT IN TIME'

This week we've been working hard on writing about a 'moment in time' from our recent holiday.  This involves taking a magnifying glass to (or putting the spotlight on) just a small part of an experience we had to bring it to life, and to paint it like a vivid picture with our words.  Here's a few fantastic pieces below for you to read.  Leave a comment to tell us what you think.

Bye Bye Bunny by L.B.

Walking down the race it's dead quiet.  I can hear the gravel crunching under our feet like bones getting crushed to pieces.  Our headlights breaking out the darkness.  We spot one, he's a monster of a rabbit.  We turn off the headlights, it's as dark as a matte black car.  We load the gun and rest it on the rotten fence post.  We turn on the glowing red laser light and I look through the rich black scope.  I have no idea where it's gone, it's like playing hide and seek.  Then I find him.  I put my finger on the trigger.  I'm shaking.  I pull the trigger as slow as a sloth.  BANG!  The rabbit bounces like a rocket ship.  He's a goner.

The Perfect Shot by A.S.

John my tennis coach shot a rapidly fast ball right at me.  The tennis ball was spinning across the net.  I breathed in and out saying, "I can do this!"  My racket swung back dramatically.  I kept my eye on the ball, trying to aim the perfect shot.  I hit the ball and it felt like I was in a real match against Serena Williams.  The ball smashed right on the serving line.  The crowd went wild!!!  Serena missed it!  "Yayyyy!"  I rock!

The Current That Swept Me Away by L.J.

I put my feet in the water.  Man, was it cold!  I kept on walking.  Now I could feel the water tickle my knees.  Suddenly a large white trail in the ocean appeared.  I slowly tramped in, but I wasn't slow anymore.  I was now being heavily dragged and lifted high by the current.  I started to think I would never get back.  Then Carl risked his life and saved me.  I was rescued and he was a hero!

Bird Breezes In by T.H.

A bird spins into the room like a spaceship taking off and crashes into a rusted window.  Its wings as lifeless as a rock with his claws glistening in the distance sitting on the window sill all frightened and scared.  He looks around and screams.  He shivers, his tail and his legs trembling in annoyment and fear.  His eyes lock on me like a padlock with no keys.  I feel happy and lucky that he hasn't done any number twos all over my head. 

On the Boardwalk by C.WR.

"Tihless - wait up," I said going along the long wooden boardwalk.  All I could hear was birds chirping like my fav song and the waves coming in and out, in and out.  I could feel the bike jumping on every bump or crack.  The wind flurried through my hair.  I could taste salty air rush into my dry mouth, as I need a cool refreshment.  My slippery hands were losing grip on the bike.

Sonshine Ranch 2014

In week 8 of Term 1 all of Year 5 (along with their teachers and quite a few parents) headed off to Sonshine Ranch near Clevedon for two days of camp packed with activities and action.  It was a load of fun and we came back pretty exhausted.  Highlights included: the flying fox, riding the horses, kayaking, the water confidence course, rock climbing, checking out the glow worms, overnighting in bivouacs... well, everything really!  Here's just a few pic's.

The Best Week Ever

In week 10 of Term 1 the stunning and always sunny Kawau Island was the setting for a camp that we'll never forget!  There was amazing weather, a great venue (Camp Bentzon), loads of cool Year 6 BDS kids, some awesome parent helpers, and, of course, our dedicated teachers.  We learnt how to sail, kayak, shoot a bow and arrow, walk long distances, jump off jetties and pontoons - and so much more.  We could've easily stayed there for weeks, or even the year!  Have a look at the photos below and you'll get a feel for the good times that were had by all.  Although, we don't think Mr Hairwood much enjoyed his makeover - but we sure did (LOL).  Oh come on Mr Hayward :)#YOLO!