Connect 3 Class Championship

Connect 3 is a simple starter game for a maths lesson for 2 players. You need 2 dice, a multiplication array from 1x1 up to 6x6, and some coloured counters. Players take turns rolling the dice. They use basic facts for multiplication to find the product of the dice and place a counter on the array. The aim is to get 3 in a row.

Students learn that there is often more than one place to put a counter, for example, 2x6, 3x4, 4x3 and 6x2 all equal 12. You can displace an opponents counter if you throw dice that multiply to that number!

We found it only takes 5 minutes to play best of 3 (first to win 2 games). In no time a class championship was proposed and organised. This got students thinking about the structure of sports draws - how do we start with 28 students? (a round of 16 games where 2 players have a bye).

Here's the kind of array required for the game:

Action from the semifinals:

 





Lunchtime Rugby

I like to get outdoors into the playground during lunchtime. With my background in playing, coaching and refereeing rugby I organised for a small-sided rugby game and a bit of coaching each Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime. We have on average 12 children turning up to play - as long as they have the compulsory mouthguard and change of clothes!

We start with a game of touch and then progress to some contact games, sometimes playing a league style with 6 tackles, and sometimes a rugby union style with small rucks. I am focusing on basic skills - pass, catch, tackle, evade, supporting the ball carrier and emphasising good sportsmanship and fun. It can get quite competitve!

 

 

Mihi

I introduced myself to the class using a mihi accompanied by the slideshow below. I also created a second slideshow - a montage of all sorts of things I am interested in.  This turned out to be a great way to prompt the students to create some interesting questions for me to answer.

 

The soundtrack to the slideshow was 'In the Summertime' by Mungo Jerry. I wondered about the relevance of this song, challenging the students to think about this. I provided a few clues over the next couple of days. Yes, this was the No. 1 song on the charts the day I was born - 1 July 1970! The students had fun researching the No. 1 song on the day they were born. Have a look at this website:

http://www.thisdayinmusic.com/birthdayno1



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

I am completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Teaching through Victoria University Wellington. I thought it might be useful to create a small blog that gives the reader some insight into my teaching practice, especially as I will be looking to secure a teaching position for 2013!

Earlier this year I completed a successful Teaching Experience placement at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School in Room 13 - a Year 7 and 8 class. My Associate Teacher was Kyle Harris. This blog reflects on my Teaching Experience placement at Hokowhitu School in Room 3 - a Year 5 and 6 class. My Associate Teacher is Lynne Handcock.