KPE Episode 258: "Famous"

Chante and Vivienne

There are a few books at Pt England School that are extremely popular and they turn up time and again in our podcasts. "Famous" by Elizabeth Pulford is one of these. Chante and Vivienne are Year 5 students from Room 15 and they have chosen this for their first podcast.

We are also VERY impressed by the photography skills of Heather, who is also in Room 15. She took such stunning photos that we were blown away by the talent of a 9 year old. We decided to create a special slide show just to show off Heather's photography skill.

What do you think?

KPE Episode 256: Claudia and the New Girl

"Claudia and the New Girl" by Ann. M Martin is a book in the well known Babysitters Club series. Toreka and Ala from Room 17 have chosen this book for their latest podcast and have obviously had some fun with the book and the recording and photography session for the podcast.

"There's a new girl at Stoneybrook Middle School named Ashley Wyeth. She has three holes pierced in each ear and wears long petticoats, bell bottoms, & hippie-style headbands. The other kids at school think she's weird and maybe stuck-up, because she never talks to anyone. She only talks to one person: Claudia....."

Which is your favoutite Babysitter's Club book?
Why don't you let us know in the comments below.

KPE Episode 255: "Help! I'm Trapped in my Teacher's Body!"

"Help! I'm Trapped in my Teacher's Body!" by Todd Strasser is podcast by Erene and Kayde from Room 17.

This book is about a kid named Jake Sherman and his teacher, Mr Dirksen. Jake the kid always gets in trouble with his teacher Mr Dirksen because he always messes around in class. One day something happens that changes everything. Mr Dirksen changes into Jake and Jake changes into Mr Dirksen. At first Jake doesn't want to be Mr Dirksen, but after a couple of days he likes it because he can do things that a kid can't do. Mr Dirksen likes to be Jake because he never had a childhood and now he has a chance to be a kid! 
We are sure you will want to read this book when you have listened to their podcast!

KPE Episode 254: "Fish Tale"

Shoal and Ashleigh

"Fish Tale" by Lorraine Orman is a VERY popular book at Pt England School.  

Ashleigh and Shoal from Room 15 have chosen to share their thoughts about it for their very first podcast. 

Take a listen and if you have read this book, why don't you tell them which is YOUR favourite part of the story!

KPE Episode 253: "Captain Underpants..."

Toreka and Seini-Mino

"Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People" - the eight epic novel by Dav Pilkey is one of those "must reads".

In this book George, Harold, Sulu and Crackers end up in an alternate universe where the whole world is the opposite of their normal world. Good is bad, smart is not at all intelligent, and heroes are villains. There they meet Captain Underpants's evil twin, Captain Blunderpants and evil versions of George and Harold. Sulu and Crackers are kidnapped by George and Harold's evil counterparts and are hypnotized to be evil. Sulu becomes evil and attacks the good George and Harold but Crackers on the other hand, saves them.  You could fid out more about the story here.

After you have listened to Toreka and Seini-Mino's podcast, why don't you tell them which is YOUR favourite Captain Underpants book....

Magic Eyes: I Spy New Zealand History

We were very excited when Coral Atkinson sent us a copy of her wonderful new book called "Magic Eyes: I Spy New Zealand History". The amazing graphics in this book were created by Tina Cooper and we have been told that this book was a collaborative project between these two talented women. It sounds a bit like when two us us create a podcast!

This time, instead of recording a podcast, we have created a Google Earth Lit Trip to help you explore this book further.

We recommend you get hold of the book to read for yourself, but to wet your appetite, why don't you go on our Google Lit Trip and explore all the places and events Coral writes about and Tina illustrates in the book.

If you have never done a Lit Trip before, then here are the intsructions:

Click on this image to download the Google Earth tour of "I Spy".

• Click on the Google Earth image
• Your computer will begin to download a file called a .kmz (it might ask your permission to do so first) If you have a flash computer it might ask you right now if it can open Google Earth. If not, go on to the next step....
• It will save the file somewhere eg on your desktop or in a downloads folder
• Look for the file. This one is called "I Spy by Coral Atkinson.kmz"
• When you find it, double click it and Google Earth should start up for you - it will probably look quite like the image you see here to begin with.
• Now you can explore the book on Google Earth
• Don't forget to tell us what you think!

KPE Episode 252: "Call of the Cruins"

Litia and Makerita, Room 15

Litia and Rita are Year 5 students in Room 15.  They have chosen to tell us about "Call of the Cruins" by Elizabeth Pulford for Episode 252 of KPE.  They not only discuss this very interesting story, but they also are able to share some of their learning because the whole class has been learning about the early European settlers to New Zealand.  If you visit the links to their blogs above you will find out a lot more by watching their movies and animations.

"Call of the Cruins" tells us about the realities of pioneering life in early New Zealand.  Emeline Malone (the main character) is a child of the 1880s and this story tells of her everyday life and responsibilities which are so very different to those faced by children today.   Life in a sealing community was difficult. In this book Emeline risks her life to save a baby seal.  Now she has the responsibility of ensuring its survival.  Her determination to keep her secret Cruin alive tests her resourcefulness and ingenuity. Life in a pioneering community, especially one that earns its living from the dangerous job of seal hunting, is harsh.  When her father and brother go missing in a boating disaster, Emeline and her family face a very dark future. 

Have a listen and tell them what you know about the life of the early settlers.....

KPE Episode 251: "Mr Wardback..."

April and Gabby have chosen to podcast "Mr Wardback and the Topsy Turvey Show" which is one of 30 stories in an anthology.  They are Year 7 students from Room 19 and they are still podcasting!

KPE Episode 250: "Harry Houdini - Wonderdog!"

Waata and Darius - Room 15

For our 250th episode of Korero Pt England Waata and Darius have chosen to bring us the exploits of William Taylor's Wonder Dog - Harry Houdini! 

KPE Episode 249: "Albert"

"Albert" by William Taylor

Litia and Rita are now in Year 5 and they have chosen "Albert" for their first podcast in 2010. Joey's Mum loves going to the Refuse Transfer Station (another name for the rubbish dump) because she often finds treasures there. The most valuable treasure Joey and his mother ever found at the dump was Albert, a very suprising cat.
Rita tells us about some of the amusing incidents which occur when Albert joins their family, and leaves us with a cliff hanger when Albert goes missing.

This sounds like a fun book to read. If you have read it, tell us what you think about their podcast. And if you have a cat at home, tell us one of the funny things YOUR cat has done!