Taiao Tuhura Discovering Nature Programme
With the excitement of our upcoming "60th Celebrations" next Sunday the 17th of March, our children have been busy planning and creating a memorable occasion for all! Our Taiao Tuhura Programme has been a special part of what we offer at Winton Kindergarten - for over 5 years now. What better way to celebrate our 60 years of providing quality early childhood education to the families of Central Southland, than to showcase our Taiao Tuhura Programme.Utilising Ivy Russell Reserve our Picnic in the Park means that we can share some of the special spaces and places that make up the cultural fabric of our Nature Programme. On Tuesday, the children set about visiting some of our more iconic places, taking pictures of each other with signs sharing a fact, question, or challenge - reflecting on what makes this place so special to us. We'd love to share this with as many Kindy families as possible - so please mark the date in your calendars and join us in celebrating our 60th Birthday!
Stop and Smell the Sunflower!!
This week Ella brought in a ataahua nui (big beautiful) Sunflower! Thanks Ella.
This sunflower has had many admirers throughout the week which has spark a few aspiring Vincent Van Gough artists.
With some suggestions and questions from Kaiako at the art table tamariki have learnt to stop and look at the attributes and uniqueness of the Sunflower; captivating their senses. The shapes, the colours, the size, the smell and how these all come together to create the Ataahua Sunflower.
We also introduced a provocation @ the puzzle table - the famous 'Vase with Twelve Sunflowers' painting - puzzle - created by the infamous Vincent Van Gough. What a fabulous way to look through a variety of lenses along with a true appreciation for it's beauty.
Purerehua
Our beautiful butterflies have captured ALL of our intrigue for sometime now. Starting off as microscopic eggs, then caterpillars - we have watched them grow and transform.These caterpillars and butterflies have provided the tamariki opportunities to explore their life cycle (metamorphosis), their anatomy, appearance, and investigate what they need to survive in captivity.
Unfortunately in recent events we discovered some of our butterflies had died! This discovery provoked a lot of conversation about butterflies. What do they need to survive, and why had some died and some survived?
The tamariki had lots of ideas to share!
"Because the watermelon got yuck" - Zain
"They need to eat the sugar water" - Olivia
"Maybe they got sick" - Ella
"Maybe they need medicine" - Isla
"I know! Maybe they flew out and crashed on the couch and then flew back and crashed into the light box and died" - Charlie Mc
"Maybe because the watermelon got yuck" - Ella
"They got too hot and all the sugar water dried out" - Jack K
At the start of the day today we tried to release one butterfly, but it wouldn't fly away! After some discussion the tamariki decided the butterfly needed "more energy"!!
Wow tamariki thanks for sharing your ideas and expertise!! It is wonderful to see how we've developed a strong appreciation of nature and how life cycles. Throughout this process they have worked collaboratively. What fabulous kaitiakitanga we have!!
As a conclusion we decided it was time to full them up with some sugar water energy and release our Ataahua Butterflies, good luck Rocket Ralph, Snow Flake, Jimmy, and all of our other purerehua you have taken us on a fabulous learning journey!
I wonder if we will see them at Kindy again or possibly out in our community?
Unfortunately in recent events we discovered some of our butterflies had died! This discovery provoked a lot of conversation about butterflies. What do they need to survive, and why had some died and some survived?
The tamariki had lots of ideas to share!
"Because the watermelon got yuck" - Zain
"They need to eat the sugar water" - Olivia
"Maybe they got sick" - Ella
"Maybe they need medicine" - Isla
"I know! Maybe they flew out and crashed on the couch and then flew back and crashed into the light box and died" - Charlie Mc
"Maybe because the watermelon got yuck" - Ella
"They got too hot and all the sugar water dried out" - Jack K
At the start of the day today we tried to release one butterfly, but it wouldn't fly away! After some discussion the tamariki decided the butterfly needed "more energy"!!
Wow tamariki thanks for sharing your ideas and expertise!! It is wonderful to see how we've developed a strong appreciation of nature and how life cycles. Throughout this process they have worked collaboratively. What fabulous kaitiakitanga we have!!
As a conclusion we decided it was time to full them up with some sugar water energy and release our Ataahua Butterflies, good luck Rocket Ralph, Snow Flake, Jimmy, and all of our other purerehua you have taken us on a fabulous learning journey!
I wonder if we will see them at Kindy again or possibly out in our community?
Pungawerewere
On Thursday the tamariki found a pungawerewere (spider) in the sandpit. We decided that because the sandpit was such a busy place at Kindy, it was not a safe place for spiders. "We should move it" Mic suggested, everyone else agreed. Jack D found a cone to transport our spider friend. Once we found a safe place in the trees . . . . "Oh no! Where has the spider gone?" With some very careful steps - and wide eyes - the tamariki were on high alert for our lost friend as they tried to assure his/her safe return to the trees.
Wow tamariki what another great way to embrace Kaitiakitanga!!!!
Spiders are an important aspect of our ecosystem;
"By eating the bugs that can destroy crops, spiders serve an important function in many ecosystems. ... In this sense, spiders are an important part of the human's food chain. Though many humans dislike them, spiders do eat insects that could otherwise end up infesting people's homes". (https://www.quora.com)
Winton Kindy is turning 60!!
In celebration of Winton Kindergarten's 60th Birthday we are having a 60's themed party at Kindy during session time on Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th. Come along with some delicious kai /food to share at Morning Tea dressed in your best 60's attire (clothes) and help us celebrate!!
And following this on Sunday 17th March 11am-1pm we will be celebrating Winton Kindergarten's 60th and Kindergarten Souths 100th anniversary. Bring along all of your whanau and friends, a picnic lunch for your family, and meet us at Ivy Russell Reserve for the festivity😊
Have a great weekend,
Your Winton Kindy Teaching Team
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