Mondrian Inspiration

This term we have been looking at Piet Mondrian's De Stijl art work and other artists that worked around the same time. We have worked really hard at problem solving and goal setting in the creation of Stop Motion videos of our own Piet Mondrian inspired artworks.
Have a look at what we've been doing...

What's Pythagoras Got to Do With This?

Last week we explored the Pythagoras Theorem and used it to calculate the length of various sides of right angled triangles. So how can it help us with this?

Bizarre Triangle


You will need to click on the link to see the measurements of two of the triangle's sides.

Does vexillology have you vexed?

So you think we should change the New Zealand flag...or maybe you don't. Roman Mars is obsessed with flags, and after watching this you may be too. Right now everyone over 18 is being given the opportunity to vote on which flag they would prefer IF New Zealand votes to change the flag in 2016. There are five designs to choose from. Which one do you think is best? If you listen to Roman Mars discuss the elements of a great flag design you will be in a much better place to cast a vote.


If you were to design a Kimihia school flag what would it look like? How many features of great flag designs would your flag include? Have a go ...but remember to start on a very small rectangle of paper...

Money, Money, Money!

New Zealand's banknotes are being upgraded with new security features. While the notes will have similar themes to those we are familiar with there are a few changes, including something for people who are blind or have low vision.
Today the first of the new $5 and $10 notes were released. New $20, $50 and $100 banknotes are due to be released in April 2016.

Take a tour of the new notes and look out for them the next time someone hands you change.

How many differences can you spot?

You Are Not the Centre of the Universe

Putting things into perspective, we are tiny, really tiny.

Horrible History

If anyone ever told you history is boring think again. History helps us understand change and how the world we live in has come about. Thanks to the Horrible Histories book series there has been renewed interest in the world of the past. Of course history teachers are, and always have been, passionate about their subject and if you follow the link below you will find teachers that have breathed new life into their subject by telling ancient stories to modern music.
Modern Musical Tour Through the Ages

The Gravity Defying Worlds of Cinta Vidal Agullo

Barcelona based artist and illustrator defies gravity and architectural conventions to create beautiful works of art. Painted with acrylic paint on wood panels, Vidal says of her paintings, "I wanted to show that we all live in one world, but we live in it in very different ways."

View more of her art work

The Great War - Journeys Abroad

In World War I thousands of New Zealand troops boarded ships bound for the war in Europe. Among these men was Alister Robison. You can read about what his voyage may have been like according to Abbey.

Read this free book made on StoryJumper

Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky template

More on the Beauty of Math

If you think you can't be completely blown away by the beauty of math check out this power point presentation recently shared on Facebook. Creator unknown, but very clever!

The Beauty of Math 

For some reason the music doesn't play but you can still click through the presentation. Prepare to be amazed.

Nature's Math

Why does nature abide by mathematical rules, like Fibonacci numbers and fractal symmetry? Whatever the reason here are some beautiful examples of geometrical plants for symmetry lovers

Light, Stargazing and Darkness

Calling all young writers. The Margaret Mahy Starlight Essay and Poetry Competition is on. If your imagination and creativity are inspired by the idea of creating a piece of prose or poetry this competition could be for you.

Take a closer look

Leadership the Shackleton Way

We have been studying Ernest Shackleton and his incredible voyage of Endurance. He demonstrates many of the virtues we would look for in a leader and today we identified some of those virtues and found examples of times Shackleton showed them. Check out our Padlet to see some of the virtues we identified.

Created with Padlet

Get Your Brain Working for a Chocolate Fish

Here we go again with those tricky maths puzzles. Can you write an equation using only 1, 3 and 4 to make 0.3? 

Enter your solutions as a comment here or through your Kidsblog.

Amazing Worlds Within Our Worlds

We are surrounded by ordinary things... but how well do we really know them? Watch this video of macro photos of every day objects by photographer Pyanek and see how many you can guess?

Iambic Pentameter Made Easy

Well, what do you know? Ted Ed explains it so much better than I can. Iambic pentameter took some getting our heads around when we tackled sonnet writing last. This video makes it looks easy. Maybe it's time for another go!