Looking after the Equipment
In Explore Galore today we were learning about looking after the equipment.
We had to share, take turns, handle things carefully and put things away when we were finished with them.

                       

                        Taking care of the iPads by handling them gently and sitting at the desk.

Taking care of the play dough by putting the things away that are not being used.

                          Taking care of the puppets by taking turns and handling them with care.

                                      Ben put the cars away when he was finished with them.

Our cute pompom Kiwis that we made today.



Pakistan

Today Saima (Rida's mother) shared with us about Pakistan.

We learnt that-  the second highest mountain in the world is in Pakistan;

that Pakistan made all the soccer balls needed  for the football world cup and they were stretched by hand;

that Pakistan produces amazing mangos that are big and juicy.

It is very hot in Pakistan all the time - not like in New Zealand with our seasons of warm and cold.

Look at Saima's lovely clothes. They are green because that is the national colour of Pakistan just like it is black for New Zealand.

Thank you so much Saima for sharing the interesting facts about Pakistan.

Cultural Boxes
Wow - I am so proud of the cultural boxes presented this week.
The children (and I'm sure whanau) have worked hard to select some culturally relevant items to share with us. It was obvious that the children were enthusiastic and proud to share their cultural backgrounds.

During the week the Room 13 children flew off to several other countries (classes). They took their cultural passports which were stamped as they entered Australia, Japan and the United Nations.
They made Aboriginal Animal Dot pictures (displayed in the cloakroom) and Japanese kites.
Great fun and experiences had by all.
Thank you to Mrs Davis, Ms Anderson and Mr Oakly for the time they put into their activities.

Apologies
Last week I had so so so many wonderful photos to share with you of our learning. Unfortunately I had technical problems and didn't manage to post them.
Please have a browse through the photos below - even though they are a bit late.
I hope you enjoy them anyway.
The focus for Explore Galore was Helping Others. Kaori was a great helper. She taught us some more Japanese Origami paper folding.
Some children were able to help others - others were able to ask for help.

Origami with Kaori

Mesmerised by the folding during origami

Fan folding

Helping each other with fan folding

Ben's origami

Fans, fans, fans

 

Raeann's origami whale.

Shapes

We have been learning about 2D geometric shapes.
We have played games that help us to identify different shapes by their attributes.
Have a look at the fotobabble below to see and hear one of the games.


The children sit back to back. One child describes a shape while the other one draws the shape that was described and then names it.


The children are becoming shape describing experts. What stars!!

Japan

Today Kaori and Daniel shared with us some interesting facts about Japan.
We learned where Japan is. It is made up of 4 islands - New Zealand is made up of 3 islands.

Japanese writing is not read like ours. You read the words going down and across to the left.
The words (or symbols) look very different to ours.

Kaori showed us a Japanese toy. It is a like a yo-yo. You try to land and balance the ball on the different parts of the toy. It was harder than it looks!!!

Finn gives it a go.

Great try Lucy!

Did you know Japanese money is called yen. Some even have holes in it.

 Traditional Japanese clothing is the kimono.

 

After learning so much about Japan we learned how to make an origami jumping frog. It was very tricky. We had to listen carefully and fold the paper just right.
When we finished they looked like the photo below.

Wow we learned so much. Thank you Kaori.

Sharing

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the children share as part of the oral language programme.
The children have the same day every week to share.
They are able to share about something of interest, something special, an outing, event or something relating to our current topic. Recently we have been talking about our feelings and the children have been sharing about the feeling discussed in the weekly fridge facts.
Today Zachary shared about his guitar. He has just begun lessons and is very excited about it.
He even gave us a demonstration.
Thanks Zachary.

Willowbank

Wow so lucky with the weather. We had an amazing day at Willowbank.
Thank you so so so much to our wonderful helpers.
We learned how to do the ;  haka
                              poi
                       and tirakau

So many favourite things. The children found it hard to say what they liked best. 
 "All of it was best!!!!" they said

Check out some of our photos.

Excited adventurers on their way to Willowbank

Our welcome 

 Tirakau

Lovely ladies with the poi

performing

Haka

We saw many many animals too.
We were all exhausted after our exciting day - especially Mrs Hinman.