Virtual Learning Network

Tēna koutou,

I hope you all had a good break and feeling ready for what is often the busiest term of the year.

Maunga

Our kaupapa over the next month is about our maunga in Taranaki. We begin by tracing the journey of Pukeonaki from the middle of the North Island and learn about the significance of the guide stone Te Toka a Rauhoto. We will learn about some of the special ancestors associated with the mountain and about the places where they lived. Our kaupapa will end with an overnight tramp to Pouakai hut.

Literacy

Our focus is on writing and telling stories about Taranaki maunga. These include:

• writing short captions explaining what is happening in photos the boys have taken on their iPads

• writing a short a summary about their learning experiences on our blog

• using the ipad to create audio recordings explaining the significance of maunga and the guide stone, Te Toka a Rauhoto.

The technology is both engaging and motivating the boys to write and share their learning with classmates and whānau. The voice recording tool available in Tellegami and Book Creator have been particularly valuable for the boys to organise their ideas, and helpful in improving their fluency and pronunciation.

Te Taiao Ako

Strengthening kura and whānau relationships will continue by encouraging whānau and teachers to attend our wānanga at Puniho Pā and overnight tramp while inviting them to contribute comments to our blog, Te Ika Unahi Nui.