the partial eclipse

Mackenzie with the welding mask and the children waiting to have ago.

Sophia and Tamara looking at the eclipse

Charlie Whitaker looking through the mask

Millie, Sophie and Hannah all looking through the lens at the eclipse

Info table set up for the children

Camera shot of the eclipse through the lens

On Tuesday Millie Scott, Sophie Chambers and Hannah Eade were oh so interested in the sun and what it looks like after drawing it and Georgia asking them does the sun really have spikes like they had made?... Finding out that today there was going to be a partial eclipse while we were at kindy was like the icing on the cake. Getting the whole centre involved, a table was set up with a welding mask, some welding lens, some sunnies and some solar system books to help the children understand what a solar eclipse was. I brought welding mask and lens from home in preparation for the eclipse; I was unable to get eclipse glasses at such short notice but these worked great. After doing some research about what time it was, why it happens and what happens we set outside to see the moon cross in front of the sun. The eclipse was a partial one so we would see the moon cross in front of only half of the sun. Unfortunately the clouds were in front so not much could be seen. We planned to head out again to check if the clouds had gone away later in the morning. At last we could finally see the sun. All the children got involved having a look through the lens or in the mask, some could not believe that there was the sun AND the moon. 

"It looks green!" Riley 

"There is a bit missing!" Millie 

"I can see it moving!" Olivia

"Oh gosh, that’s cool!" Hannah

How great it was to see the whole group taking turns and helping the other children to see the eclipse this morning - a great act of kindness Winton whanau, ensuring everyone was included in this special event.

Documented by Georgia (visiting student)