Revisiting our learning from our Term 1 Solar Power Investigation for the Toyota "Dream Car Competition", this week we have had BIG discussions around "light", "circuits", and "electricity"...
"How do you make light bulbs glow?" Penina
Penina arrived back after the Term Break, bulb in hand and a question on her mind...At Monday Morning Meeting Penina posed her question to the group, seeking their support. Deep in thought we decided to revisit the question later in the day to give the group time to formulate their ideas. So at Te Wananga Time nga tamariki shared their thoughts:
Annabell: Bulbs get attached to the roof so the bulb doesn't blow. And don't touch it when it's been on or else you'd get burned!
Kaydin: A light switch makes it go
Isla: My switch is far away from my lights
Penina: There's a string in the wall and it goes to the light and then you turn the switch and then the light goes through the string and into the bulb and then the bulb lights up!
Judy introduced the word "Circuit" to the group. We discussed what a circuit is and how it works. If the circuit breaks, the light won't go. Like when you flick the switch. You stop the electricity. The circuit breaks. Then Judy posed a further question: "What is Electricity?"
Annabelle came back and introduced the term "static electricity" to the group...But what does that mean? Annabelle could SHOW us what that means! Taking a piece of paper and a pen, Annabelle rubbed the pen quickly, back and forth on her trousers and then sat the pen on the paper. Hmm...what was meant to happen...nothing...let's try again. This time everyone had a go. Sitting round the kai table, paper, pens, pencils, and swift arm actions as the children raced to make their pen move faster then the person next to them...wow, some of the pieces of paper began to rise...up...up...How did this happen? Why did some rise and some stay on the table? The answer = STATIC ELECTRICITY!
Home Research - Can you explain HOW static electricity works?
We'd love to hear about what you uncover...let us know next week and we will share all the ideas with our scientists!
Hobbit Hole
Polyfest Kapahaka - The 22nd of August is drawing closer! Our MTW Group are working hard, learning their lyrics, actions, roles and responsibilities for this special performance! More information will be out soon for our trip to Stadium Southland for our on-stage debut. TF Group families are warmly invited to come along to Stadium Southland to watch!
Digital Microscope - Nga Tamariki have returned to Kindy to find our new Digital Microscope in the Project Room...sitting alongside our "Bones of Leaves" Project, a continuation of our screen-printing from Term 2...let's take a closer look...
The Bones of Leaves - have you seen page 2 of the Southland Daily Times today? Check out our fabulous children and our learning and ponderings through The Arts as we take the unhurried time to slow down, to notice, and to reflect...
Winton Spring Flower Show Project - The Hobbit Hole
We have loved hearing about our families Hobbit Hole Projects in preparation for this year's Winton Spring Flower Show at the end of this term (check out our FB page from the end of last term for more details). We are also in the beginning stages of our Kindy Hobbit Hole entry...planning, designing, and foraging for nature's treasures to incorporate into our project. Christina introduced the coconut at the beginning of the week...could it be used in some way...what about a door? Or perhaps a hilltop? Kaydin and Dad used the specialised coconut hammer to pierce the coconut and we shared the contents. The next day Cam arrived to saw the coconut in half...mmm coconut flesh - delicious...now we have two star-dome-like shapes to use...what this space! We can't wait to see where our creativity and resourceful leads us this term!
Natures Nest - With many adventures taking place during the Term Break, we are in the process of creating a "sister-centre" with Auckland-based early learning centre "Natures Nest". Annabelle's cousin Bronte is a teacher there, with Annabelle and family visiting her during the holidays. After sending Bronte an email, we are now planning to have a video-call with each other in the near future...But how else could we be in contact...Where was Auckland...Could we drive there? Fly? Sophie arrived back at Kindy on Wednesday with her Google-Map...Gosh look how far away we are from each other! Perhaps we could write to them? Great ideas from the children during our Te Wananga/Discussion Time this week!
An incredibly investigative and intriguing first week back for the Term :)
Enjoy the weekend, ka kite ano.
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