which is a series of new homework challenges.
Why the change?
Ministry of Education research shows that reading and basic facts repetitions are beneficial for learners. All other compulsory homework, at the primary school level, is not proven to affect learning outcomes. In fact it has been identified as having almost no effect at Primary School. Even at high school, it is in the bottom third of all interventions we can try in terms of improving outcomes for our akonga – learners.
Click here to learn more about why we are changing what we do
Click here to learn more about why we are changing what we do
The programme is strongly linked to the new curriculum launched by the Ministry of Education in 2008 in that it encourages akonga – learners – to Think, Manage Self, Relate to Others, Participate and Contribute and to use Language, Symbols and Text (The Key Competencies).
In addition the Values of the new curriculum are Excellence, Innovation, Inquiry, Diversity, Equity, Community and Participation, Ecological Sustainability, Integrity and Respect. All of these are central to Te Kotiritiri programme.
However, throughout the year teachers may have home learning activities that will complement the class programmes so please continue to support this, but in the main the only home learning/homework is reading and basic facts. This is where Te Kotiritiri comes in!
The following sites can be accessed for Basic Facts work:
www.nzmaths.co.nz/families; follow link to other resources; brightsparks
Google ‘timestables’ games for a selection of free games to reinforce multiplication and division recall.
How does it work?
« You must complete two challenges per section
to achieve your
Te Kotiritiri Award.
« It is up to you to meet with your teacher
and show that you have completed each challenge (self check, parent check and
some evidence).
« It is quality that counts so take your time
to do each challenge with excellence!
« These challenges should be documented in
your scrapbook/blog and wherever possible you should support your tasks with
photographic evidence appropriate to the challenge. Given our experience so far I strongly encourage all of you to do this digitially. It is faster, neater, doesn't get lost and is much more professional for displaying photos and documents.
« Take time and care with your presentation as
this will become a ‘Scrapbook of Memories’ for many of you.
«
Year
7/8s will choose one section to ‘major’ in.
This means all activities
in this section are completed. Two
activities from all other ‘minor’ sections will be completed.
Students will record their experiences and reflections
in a ‘journal’. This can be completed in their traditional
‘Homework’ exercise book, supported by a photographic
record or a digital record may be kept on a personal blog, classroom blog or
Powerpoint to be shared with the class and teacher upon
completion of each level. The digital presentations should
also include photographic or short movie ‘evidence’.
Parents, teachers and students will be required to ‘sign off’ each task and comment on the outcome.
So what’s involved?
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GIVING BACK
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T
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G1
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Organise a ‘Tidy Up Team’ of friends and make a weekend trip each term to
Burnside Park to keep it tidy.
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G2
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Organise a lunchtime game or activity per term for at least five
children from Syndicate 1 or 2.
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G3
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Speak to your Buddy Class teacher about a way in which you can help
teach your buddy a new skill.
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G4
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Get together with a small group of friends to take part in the 20/40hr Famine – Technology Free
Challenge
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G5
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Approach a member of your local community and offer to perform a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ by
volunteering your time and energy for one morning or afternoon each term.
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G6
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Give to animals in need. Research a global organization which
requires funding to support its programmes. Plan and execute an event to
raise funds, then present your koha to the organization concerned
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FAMILY/WHANAU
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F1
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Family Olympics. Using things like hula hoops and
jump ropes, create an outdoor obstacle course in which your family members
can compete with each other for best times.
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F2
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Have a game
show night. Set up a stage and give each family member a part as the
host, contestant, etc. Use trivia games, word games or whatever you enjoy
playing as part of the game show. Play for points or fake money.
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F3
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Learn how to make your familiy’s favourite
recipes. With support cook a meal for your family once a week for
one term. Collect the recipes to make your own cook book.
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F4
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Research your family genealogy and present your findings to your class.
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F5
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Create
a ‘Memory Movie’. Interview each member of your family about their favourite family
moments. Capture their thoughts on
camera and create a family movie.
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F6
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6. Design your own challenge.
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OUT AND ABOUT
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O1
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Complete ‘ Fitness Tracking
Sheet’ for an entire term
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O2
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Swim 200 metres using
freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke.
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O3
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Cycle 50 kms over
the course of one term.
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O4
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Design an Urban Trail.
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O5
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Walk 4 Canterbury trails
– 1 per Term.
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O6
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Compete in an
Endurance Event such as the Weetbix Tryathlon, City to Surf or a Duathlon.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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AE1
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Reading - Make weekly
reflections on your home-reading on the website: www.reading-rewards.com or your own blog page.
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AE2
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Writing - Enter NSW
Writing Competition and complete a minimum of 3 practice papers.
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AE3
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Writing - Enter an external
writing competition such as The Elsie Locke Writers’ Competition
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AE4
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Science – Enter NSW
Science Competition and complete 3 practice papers
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AE5
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Science - Complete 1 Science Badge and 1
independent Science Investigation per year.
Visit www.all-science-fair-projects.com for ideas on your investigations.
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AE6
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Mathematics - Enter AMC and NSW and complete a minimum
of 3 practice papers.
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AE7
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Blogging: Create and maintain a digital record of your Te Kotiritiri progress over the course of 2013.
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AE8
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Mathematics - Complete all medals at your level on the
IXL website.
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ARTS AND CULTURE
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AC1
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Create a movie to promote a safety message for
the children of our school - Cycle Safety, Water Safety, Internet Safety,
Scooter/skateboard Safety
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AC2
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Join the 2013 Mural Team to complete a school mural
for display in the school grounds.
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AC3
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Investigate crafts from other cultures. Select one of these to make and present
your creation to the class along with some background information about the
craft’s origins.
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AC4
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Develop,
prepare and present a group dance,
dramatic or musical performance
for your Syndicate Assembly
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AC5
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Design and
create an outfit made entirely from recycled materials for our “Green’
Fashion Parade in term 3.
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AC6
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Design your
own challenge
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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E1
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Using recycled materials create your own
“NASCAR” for our ‘Green Trolley Derby” in Term 4.
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E2
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Investigate conservation programmes here in New
Zealand. Select one of these
and present your findings to the class.
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E3
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Visit www.ecokids.ca and complete all Climate Change, Waste
and Wildlife games and Energy Audit Quiz online.
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E4
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Investigate ‘The Endangered Species Act’ and
present your findings/wonderings in poster or Power Point format.
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E5
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Become part of
the Orana Park Conservation and
Preservation effort by raising funds to adopt an animal. Information on ways to get involved are
listed on the Orana Park Website.
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E6
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Help with your
home rubbish management by
building a compost bin and/or worm farm in your backyard.
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Te Kotiritiri in partnership with home and community, will provide an opportunity for all students to develop into socially aware life-long learners.
