Term 1 Week 7

Kia ora whaanau.  What a beautiful warm day to start off the month of  March and, the first day of autumn.  Already I have noticed some leaves beginning to turn colour.

Well here we go again,back to Level Two. Once again our wonderful  tamariki have coped very well with the change in routine and transitioned smoothly into Level Two mode.  Thank you everyone for your understanding and support as we all work together to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW

As part of connecting with our community and through the Languages of the Arts we showcased our amazing scarecrow at the local Autumn Flower Show in the weekend.  A big thank you to Sue and Steph who helped transport it to the Memorial Hall.  

The tamariki worked as a group to create this amazing masterpiece.  The korowai (cloak) was inspired by the Maaori legend, Tangaroa's Gift/Te Koha a Tangaroa a lovely bi-lingual book how Paua got his ataahua shell. Our collaborative korowai design reflected the blues, purples,pinks and greens the Paua hides inside its shell.  The tamariki were very proud of their creation. 

TAIAO TUHURA.

Due to being in Level Two we stayed off the paths and ventured   amongst the trees, shurbs and bushes at Taiao Tuhura. This did not deter the tamariki from having an amazing time, exploring favorite haunts and making new discoveries, continuing to connect with Papatuanuku.   Bulldozing pathways and  adding to the shelter required great collaboration, negotiation, problem solving and at times, compromise.  Upper body strength was tested as some of the branches were quite big and heavy.

 

 Imaginations were inspired as they cooked their marshmallows, drawing upon prior learning experiences from home.   Tumeke tamariki maa.  A big thank you to Natasha and Katie for accompanying us.

Atawhaitia/kindness and awhinatia/helpfulness, two core values of our kindergarten, was in great evidence as tamariki supported each other in their efforts to climb the monkey tree.  Co-ordination and the confidence to challenge themselves physically was in abundance. 

A special visitor,  baby piwaiwaka  enthralled us all as he flitted and fluttered around us.  

The tamariki have a very strong ethos of responsibility for the natural world and the children of Tane the Atua of the forest and knowledge about how to care for all the inhabitants. 

CATERPILLARS

The introduction of the Swan Plants by Elle has inspired a sense of wonderment and excitement as we witness the beginnings of the process  of  Metamorphosis. There has been much discussion and the sharing of ideas as the tamariki refine their theory.  Caring for the children of Tane has been extended to include the caterpillars as they remind how to care for these special taonga.

HOW MAUI SLOWED THE SUN

Cries of "again" rang out as the demand for the retelling of this legend  as the tamariki became more familiar with this story that is very valued in Maaori culture. Maui is an important Atua in Te Ao Maaori who is credited with many exploits.

EARTHQUAKE DRILL 

As a result of the earthquakes today in the interests of safety we watched the 'Turtle Safe' video and held a drill.  

Next week is  National Sea Week. If you have any taonga or knowledge to share we would love to hear from you :)National Sea Week 2021

Finally have a lovely weekend everyone and we look forward to seeing you all next week.

Ngaa mihi nunui,

Your Teaching Team