Life Online with Room 1!

By Shona Mckenzie | Posted: Tuesday May 5, 2020

Room 1 students have taken the challenge of online learning in their stride. Level 4 lockdown saw our creativity spike, our time management improve and our online communication increase. While the move to alert level 3 has enabled us to satisfy our KFC cravings, Room 1 learning remains much the same.

Google Hangouts: We have really enjoyed being able to maintain our daily communication from the comfort of our homes via Google Hangouts. Each Monday we have a themed Google Hangout which we call ‘Mad Monday’. Themes have included: Casebrook uniform, funky hats and bright shirts. One highlight was Brooklyn wearing her pet chicken as her hat.

Reading & Writing: Room 1 has continued with their SOLO contracts for reading. We have read about extreme sports, the history of Netflix, the seven wonders of the world, the evolution of gaming and animals. Students have been creative with the presentation of their work, from coding games, movie trailers, google presentations and dioramas. Each day we complete a daily writing challenge using our school-wide program Write That Essay. We have enjoyed practising a variety of sentence styles and beginnings.

Inquiry: Our inquiry focus is tūrangawaewae, a place to stand. We have completed work around a place that is special to us and people that have inspired us within our place. 

Wacky Wednesday: Each Wednesday Room 1 students participate in a range of challenges called Wacky Wednesday. So far we have had physical and cooking based challenges which have tested our creativity. The video entries have been extremely entertaining!  

We have really enjoyed spending time at home with our whanau and enjoying a slower pace of life. 

Here is some feedback from Room 1 students about their life in lockdown:

Nathan Crichton-Williams: “A challenge I have faced is working with my brother” 

Brooklyn McDonald: “My favourite part of lockdown has been riding my pony” 

Angie Vaea: “My favourite part during lockdown would have to be playing with my family and getting closer with them, as well as learning a new language for my Casebrook Challenge" 

Rebecca Richmond: “Something I have learned in lockdown is to be grateful for the things we have” 

Emma Curtis: “In lockdown, I have learned how to bake new things and how to make sugar crystals” 

Justin Oldham: “My favourite part of the lockdown was my birthday because I got to be with my family” 

Riley Clarkson: “Spending time with my animals & watching my dog run into the sliding door” 

Well done Room 1, hang in there! 

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