Our Curriculum Design: Learning Focus - Who is wise; One who learns from all entices us to consider who we are as a multicultural community through an ecological lens. Our perspective of a healthy & happy self-identity is that one can not be separated from what gives us life & connections us to our place & people - Papatuanuku - Mother Earth. Our whenua/land, our maunga/mountains & our awa/rivers is all around us and inside us - it is an intrinsic part of our self-identity. Conservation Week has been another opportunity for us to discuss, problem solve and develop an understanding of both how & why we should care for Papatuanuku as Kaitiaki, recognising the importance of this as also caring for themselves too.
Taiao Tuhura Kaitiaki Group shared their concerning discovery of plastic found within a birds nest!! Why did the bird use plastic in its nest? What will happen to the bird? As Kaitiaki, what is our role to play in helping protect our manu/birds, including our place - Ivy Russell Reserve? - All eco-provoking questions shared within the group. Here's some of our thoughts...
> put your rubbish in the bin & recycle.
> try not using glad-wrap in your lunchbox.
> remember your reusable drink bottle.. they are best!! - we discovered plastic bottles dumped in the water confuse our beloved albatross, thinking it is fish/food and the terrible repercussions. For more info: Dept of Conservation - Plastic bottle found in stomach of emaciated albatross
Arlo & Mum, Jane, brought a surprise into kindy and captured the intrigue of everyone... an eel! Among plenty of eel 'fun facts' shared by whanau, our favourite was discovering some eels can live up to 100 years!!
Last week Emersyn & Mum, Gemma, brought their new baby goat to visit us!! The last two weeks have turned into awesome spontaneous opportunities for tamariki to practice their nurturing, empathetic skills with animals.
Navigating Otherness ... a multicultural appreciation of our learning community.
Timo shares his Family Tongan Tapa
Timo Fraser and his whanau generously gifted kindy a Tongan Tapa, held within their family for many years from Timo's Granddad. Timo's Dad, Darren, shared with us that although this Tapa did not reflect Timo's Samoan heritage, it still held special family origins of once being gifted to Timo's grandfather from a bride & groom he married as a Priest in Tonga... and the Tongan Princess even attended the wedding too! Such a wonderful opportunity for Timo share part of his family identity with the group, allowing tamariki to make connections from their own culture, such as recognising familiarity with Ben's "rere sword".
We continue to delve into the realm of designs/patterns and how they can depict a story - a story of heritage, culture and identity. We wonder what else does Timo's Tapa tell us, we look to explore this further with Timo's family and of course if you recognise the meaning of some of these designs we'd love to know your thoughts.
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| "It's SOOO old!!" Timo |
Taiao Tuhura Nature Discovery Group
Last week our proud kaitiaki saved "Colin's Rimu Tree" which was bent over like a rainbow after an old tree had fallen on it. Annabelle farewelled the group with a special treat for morning tea in the Dragon's Nest, before galloping around the track with Arlo and Charleen making jumps for the horses to get over!
We headed back to the shelter early as we had an important job - making a video to send to the SDC about the hazardous slippery mud around the tables and shelter...watch this space!
Lexie sharing her Ecological Reflections: Forest Kindy Journal with her granddad, Colin.
Empowered Citizens
Watch here Taiao Tuhura Group video addressing their concerns with the Southland District Council.
This week we received a reply from the Southland District Council!! They would like to join forces with our tamariki and collectively create a safe space for our community to enjoy at Ivy Russell Reserve. Lexie drew a detailed diagram of our "problem" and a possible "solution" for Timo to share with his Dad, Darren, who also works at SDC... thanks Darren!! We're beyond proud for our tamariki to be recognised within the community & their voices to be heard as valued, empowered citizens.
Our Waiata Journey
Ben has continued to teach us his family's waiata; Ataei Oh AND Mereana & Mum, Elysia, have suggested to learn waiata; Tohora Nui! Tamariki are loving spouting water like the whale in the waiata and swimming in the moana. The Performing Arts beautifully encourages tamariki to explore their self-expression & confidence while developing an appreciation for our multicultural community by singing in; Te Reo Maori, Kiribati, English ... Perfect!
Recognising the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
A fallen leaf doesn't mean it loses its purpose! For us - it creates; a natural art resource, intriguing conversations about the world around us, including changes in weather.. and surprisingly a story starter!
"This one looks like a footprint [on the leaf]!" Alex
"That's the 'Sleeping Bear's footprint! When he comes out at night to protect kindy!" Guss
"He eats these crunchy leaves" Adam
"This tree has lost its leaves!" Taylor
"These brown ones are still on [the tree]" Guss
Leaves created a natural element for our design/pattern & storytelling table.
Enjoy the weekend!!
The Teaching Team
