Do you love a great read?
We can read to you - check out the link to our Staff and Students reading some of their favourite books. Or you can read to yourself - find a Picture Book, Novel, Children's Magazine, Recipe book... Get Mum or Dad to help you find a suitable article in The Press or on Stuff so you learn about current events!
If you want to do more 'school' like reading, check out your class links to see what's on offer as it's different for each class:
If you want to do more 'school' like reading, check out your class links to see what's on offer as it's different for each class:
- Sunshine Online
- Sunshine Classics
- EPIC
- AccessIT - links directly to the Christchurch City Council eBooks if you are a member
Critical & Creative Thinking Fun:Thinkers Keys Challenges - Muringa
Critical & Creative Thinking Fun:Thinkers Keys Challenges - Pāhake
Try out the NZ Maths: Home Maths Challenges
This section provides some ideas for how you can raise awareness and share mathematics using everyday experiences and resources found around your home. It includes ideas for supporting your children’s learning in all areas of mathematics: geometry, measurement, statistics, algebra and number.
Toitoi Story Search
Toitoi Children's Magazine have a new challenge: share your student voice and submit your work if you choose to take part in the competition. Or you might just like to write your very own Strawberry Patch story and pop it on your fridge for the whole family to read.
School Journal Story Search
This is an amazing chance for our writers to have a piece of work published in the world's longest-running serial publication for children, the New Zealand School Journal.
The theme for the November 2022 journal is Kaitiakitanga. The journals will explore this theme in different ways – care and protection of the land and water, passing on of traditional knowledge, and how personal action can contribute to others’ wellbeing.
This is open to:
- Level 2 (students in years 3-4)
- Level 3 (students in years 5-6)
Please keep long narratives to less than 700 words.
Email your writing to schooljournalsubmit@toitoi.nz by April 8, 2022 and include your name, age, school and a parent or teacher’s name and contact details. Please note your year level in the subject line of your email. Check out the submissions guidelines below, then take the leap! We can't wait to hear from you.
The theme for the November 2022 journal is Kaitiakitanga. The journals will explore this theme in different ways – care and protection of the land and water, passing on of traditional knowledge, and how personal action can contribute to others’ wellbeing.
This is open to:
- Level 2 (students in years 3-4)
- Level 3 (students in years 5-6)
Please keep long narratives to less than 700 words.
Email your writing to schooljournalsubmit@toitoi.nz by April 8, 2022 and include your name, age, school and a parent or teacher’s name and contact details. Please note your year level in the subject line of your email. Check out the submissions guidelines below, then take the leap! We can't wait to hear from you.
The Literacy Shed
(What kind of writing interests you?
The Literacy Shed has a wide range of writing prompts in their different sheds. You can write on a piece of paper, in a school book, in a journal, in a Google doc... you choose. Who wouldn't like giraffes diving off the high diving board? (In The Fun Shed)
Please copy and paste this link: https://www.literacyshed.com into your web browser to go to the Literacy Shed website.
(Sorry we can't paste the link here due to copyright issues)
The Literacy Shed has a wide range of writing prompts in their different sheds. You can write on a piece of paper, in a school book, in a journal, in a Google doc... you choose. Who wouldn't like giraffes diving off the high diving board? (In The Fun Shed)
Please copy and paste this link: https://www.literacyshed.com into your web browser to go to the Literacy Shed website.
(Sorry we can't paste the link here due to copyright issues)
Code Club Aotearoa - Scratch: New Project Paths
At Banks Avenue we use Scratch Junior and Scratch for our Computational Thinking learning. Scratch is a graphical programming language, where children can drag and combine code blocks to make a range of programs.
The modules below are newly designed to support your child to learn Computational Thinking at home, as well as at school. The first set of Scratch modules on Aotearoa Code Club website are used at school. The modules below are new and have been specifically designed to support learning Scratch coding at home. This fits within the refreshed curriculum under: Hangarau Matihiko and is suitable for years 4-6.
The modules below are newly designed to support your child to learn Computational Thinking at home, as well as at school. The first set of Scratch modules on Aotearoa Code Club website are used at school. The modules below are new and have been specifically designed to support learning Scratch coding at home. This fits within the refreshed curriculum under: Hangarau Matihiko and is suitable for years 4-6.
Scratch: New Project Paths
Scratch: New Project Paths 1
Scratch: New Project Paths 2
Scratch: Project Paths 3
Consider Planting A Garden At Home - great for you, great for the environment!
Tui Planting Calendar
Use the Tui Planting Calendar to help you decide what to plant. It tells you which plants are suited for planting each month.
Plants suited to our southern Christchurch / Canterbury climate are indicated by the green leaf.
Plants suited to our southern Christchurch / Canterbury climate are indicated by the green leaf.
Transparent growth...
Get a sandwich bag, plant your seeds and get ready to watch them grow, both above and below the soil. Beans are great for this.
Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition in the family - tag and bag and away you go...
Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition in the family - tag and bag and away you go...
SPCA Kids - Kind Matters News
Read the latest Issue 20 to find out about:
- Photography competition - all the details are also below
- 2021 Bird of the Year Winner - Pekapeka-tou-roa - Long Tailed Bat
- SPCA's new range of Animal Care videos
- Latest challenges - Word Search and Guess The Animal
- Craft ideas
Do You Like Taking Photos?
You can take a photo of your pet, a farm animal or a wild animal - how can you create the very best shot of your chosen animal?
1. Hold your camera steady
Holding your camera steady is important for capturing crisp, sharp images. If you shake or move too much you'll likely end up with a blurry image. |
2. Pay attention to the background
Creating a great photograph isn't just about the animal - pay attention to the background to ensure it compliments the animal and does not distract. |
3. Get on the animal's level
Taking photos from a low level can bring a unique perspective to your photography. This helps you and the viewer see things from the animal's world. |
4. Think about lighting
Lighting can be tricky but it's important that you take your photo without too much shadow or too much light so that you can see the animal clearly. |
5. Animal care
Making sure the animal is comfortable and having a positive experience is of the utmost importance. Safe treats and remaining calm and quiet really helps. |
6. Have fun!
Photography is all about having fun. Experiment with your shots, get creative, take lots of photos, and make sure the animal is having fun too! |
Let's get moving...
Pop on one of the Les Mills 'Born To Move' sessions below and work out in your own home - on your own or with the family.
Just click on the image or the name of the dance to get going.
Have fun!
Just click on the image or the name of the dance to get going.
Have fun!