Monday, November 21, 2011
The Model U.N.
This post comes live from the model UN...
During the day, we have been privileged to host the model UN here at Kuranui. Schools from master ton and beyond have joined us to debate issues around climate change, refugees and earthquake relief.
After an initial fear, the students involved have got right into the debate. Watching the smaller countries turn on the student representing the USA was fascinating, and seeing students taking the traditional stances of each of the member nations is awesome.
The whole day has been great, and I really hope we get to host it again.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Learning Process
This week has been about Understanding Oneself, and how we learn.
In History we have been using Spinning Plates as a method of understanding how we learn new and difficult concepts. The task itself is fairly simple, but takes some people longer than others. The ways in which we react, both openly and inside, illuminates the struggles we have when learning.
Some people find it easy, others hard. Some continue to work at the task until it is done, no matter how long it takes. Some give up when the challenge seems insurmountable. Some flaunt their success or feel the need to show others. Some quietly succeed without anyone else batting an eyelid. Some demand help, others feel helpless. Knowing how we respond is handy to the greater learning picture.
All students should get a handle on how they learn best, and how to deal with the struggles. Some need to learn to ask for advice. Others need to just let others do their thing.
And above all else, it was a fun lesson. ;)
In History we have been using Spinning Plates as a method of understanding how we learn new and difficult concepts. The task itself is fairly simple, but takes some people longer than others. The ways in which we react, both openly and inside, illuminates the struggles we have when learning.
Some people find it easy, others hard. Some continue to work at the task until it is done, no matter how long it takes. Some give up when the challenge seems insurmountable. Some flaunt their success or feel the need to show others. Some quietly succeed without anyone else batting an eyelid. Some demand help, others feel helpless. Knowing how we respond is handy to the greater learning picture.
All students should get a handle on how they learn best, and how to deal with the struggles. Some need to learn to ask for advice. Others need to just let others do their thing.
And above all else, it was a fun lesson. ;)
 |
| Lauren masters the skill |
 |
| The Learning Process |
 |
| Blair feels Proud |
 |
| Discussing the process |
 |
| Working towards success |
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Social Science goes all creepy
10GV have been working on a unit about the spreading of infectious disease, and incident response plans. Here are some images of them investigating different micro-organisms and the effect they have on people.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Revision programmes
As exams are looming large, remember that History revision will be offered in the Drama room on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes. All levels are invited.
Tuesday 26 October- Essay structuring
Thursday 28 October- Resource interpretation
Monday 1 November- Essay planning (topics and guidance issued)
Tuesday 2 November- Useful timelines and study tips
Thursday 4 November- Essay writing (topics and guidance issued)
Monday 8 November- Mindmapping
Tuesday 9 November- TBA
There may be waffles on Thursday..... just sayin'....
Tuesday 26 October- Essay structuring
Thursday 28 October- Resource interpretation
Monday 1 November- Essay planning (topics and guidance issued)
Tuesday 2 November- Useful timelines and study tips
Thursday 4 November- Essay writing (topics and guidance issued)
Monday 8 November- Mindmapping
Tuesday 9 November- TBA
There may be waffles on Thursday..... just sayin'....
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Examinations and revision
Now is the time to really get thinking about revision and being sensible about what you have to do.
Harrang and harrass your teachers for information and advice. And seek advice elsewhere. You all know about studyit.... the website with information about English, Maths and Sciences.
Finding help for the social sciences can be more challenging. However, we will try to steer you in the right direction with some advice. Today is a shameless plug, and a financial outlay. But it is worth it. Not all of us have great notes from the year..... let's be honest people! Buy some! You have options- ask for the notes of people who were in the class last year. Shamelessly beg for them. Look for revision guides in bookshops and online...
ESA is a New Zealand company who specialise in revision books. They have ones for course outlines, and ones focussed on examinations. You can buy them from their website- or bookshops.
The ESA Website- all of their books.
These range between $20-$30 for each title. You can always re-sell your book next year to the following class and get back some of the cash. Or check out Trademe, which always has a range of secondhand titles listed.
There are also other brands of study aids. These just seem to be more comprehensive than some of the others. Ask your teacher....
Longman produce "Write-on" study notes. These have short notes, a space to write stuff down, and quizzes to test your knowledge. They have less information but are easy to use, and cheaper to buy. Again, ask your teacher for advice and guidance.
Get in quick and they may have a copy of a book to lend you.
Harrang and harrass your teachers for information and advice. And seek advice elsewhere. You all know about studyit.... the website with information about English, Maths and Sciences.
Finding help for the social sciences can be more challenging. However, we will try to steer you in the right direction with some advice. Today is a shameless plug, and a financial outlay. But it is worth it. Not all of us have great notes from the year..... let's be honest people! Buy some! You have options- ask for the notes of people who were in the class last year. Shamelessly beg for them. Look for revision guides in bookshops and online...
 |
| Shameless plug... check out the author..... ;) |
The ESA Website- all of their books.
These range between $20-$30 for each title. You can always re-sell your book next year to the following class and get back some of the cash. Or check out Trademe, which always has a range of secondhand titles listed.
There are also other brands of study aids. These just seem to be more comprehensive than some of the others. Ask your teacher....
Longman produce "Write-on" study notes. These have short notes, a space to write stuff down, and quizzes to test your knowledge. They have less information but are easy to use, and cheaper to buy. Again, ask your teacher for advice and guidance.
Get in quick and they may have a copy of a book to lend you.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Massey University History Day
Every year the lecturers at Massey University give up their time to give a series of seminars on topics relating to the Year 13 History course. This year we went along to hear the lectures in the England Stream on Puritanism and Religion.
While we did not take a large group of students, those that we took were keen and made excellent notes. It was great to see Blair using his italk and ipod to record the lectures as well as taking notes. Phone cameras were also invaluable for catching those slides that flew by awfully quickly. These tips are BRILLIANT for getting the most out of lectures, and really a good time to reflect on our preparations for the upcoming examinations.
The day is always rewarding, from the information, to the company, to the discussions, to the chance to see what University is really like. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the ducks and just getting to spend a day out of the school in the wider world. Thanks Mr. Buckham for putting in the legwork to get this trip underway.
While we did not take a large group of students, those that we took were keen and made excellent notes. It was great to see Blair using his italk and ipod to record the lectures as well as taking notes. Phone cameras were also invaluable for catching those slides that flew by awfully quickly. These tips are BRILLIANT for getting the most out of lectures, and really a good time to reflect on our preparations for the upcoming examinations.
The day is always rewarding, from the information, to the company, to the discussions, to the chance to see what University is really like. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the ducks and just getting to spend a day out of the school in the wider world. Thanks Mr. Buckham for putting in the legwork to get this trip underway.
The small crew at Massey
Jaimee making notes in the lecture theatre
Blairs recording set-up- completely an excellent idea
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Historical Pictionary, Exams, and other games of chance
Well, the girls are the current champions in Historical Pictionary.... sorry boys. It was a close run thing, boys leading the whole way, at once being 5 points ahead, but the girls clawed back a miraculous victory with the drawing of "Serbia". Kudos to Karl Whittal, who managed to spend 1 minute without drawing anything on the board, and to the boys who won one round in 3 seconds, setting a new pictionary room record.
Exams are coming up shortly. Be aware of what is being asked of you.
Year 11 History:
1.3 - Resource Interpretation
1.4 - People and their role in History- on the NZ topic
1.6 - New Zealand Identity.
Year 12 History
2.3 - Resource interpretation. I may weaken and make this a unit standard assessment.
2.5 - Essay on a force or movement
Year 13 History
3.3 - Resource interpretation (on Tudor Stuart England)
3.4 - Decision essay.
If you are sitting in a class off-line.... you will have a slightly different exam. Please check with your teacher about what to revise and what shall be in the exam.
Exams are coming up shortly. Be aware of what is being asked of you.
Year 11 History:
1.3 - Resource Interpretation
1.4 - People and their role in History- on the NZ topic
1.6 - New Zealand Identity.
Year 12 History
2.3 - Resource interpretation. I may weaken and make this a unit standard assessment.
2.5 - Essay on a force or movement
Year 13 History
3.3 - Resource interpretation (on Tudor Stuart England)
3.4 - Decision essay.
If you are sitting in a class off-line.... you will have a slightly different exam. Please check with your teacher about what to revise and what shall be in the exam.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)