Jean Batten Week in Room 21

In Room 21, we’ve had an exciting week exploring the remarkable life of Jean Batten, focusing on what made her an extraordinary aviatrix. Our learning journey began with discovering fascinating facts about her accomplishments and the unique qualities that made her a pioneering figure in aviation history.

We took our experience to the skies—virtually! Using VR glasses, the students got a thrilling taste of what it might feel like to fly a plane, just as Jean Batten did. The excitement didn’t stop there, as we also built our own model planes, learning about the different parts that make up a real aircraft.

Our inquiry extended into science as we explored how birds need to flap their wings to fly, while planes rely on air pressure and thrust to soar through the skies. This led to some wonderful discussions on how different forces of flight work.

Creativity flourished as we crafted acrostic poems about Jean Batten, discovering new descriptive words to celebrate her legacy. Through this, students developed not only their language skills but also their admiration for her courage, perseverance, and achievements.

Olympic challenge

This week in Room 21, our Year 2 and 3 students took inspiration from the recent Paris Olympics and turned our classroom into a hub of excitement and creativity. We started by learning about the significance of the Olympic torch—how it symbolises peace, unity, and the coming together of nations from around the world.

The students then put on their creative hats to craft their very own Olympic torches using paper, scissors, and a lot of imagination. Each torch was unique, decorated with vibrant colours and designs that reflected the students’ personalities.

But the fun didn’t stop there! We took our torches outside and had our very own relay race. The students eagerly passed the torch from one to another, experiencing the joy of teamwork and the thrill of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Through this activity, the children not only learned about the Olympics but also about the importance of collaboration, perseverance, and celebrating each other’s efforts. It was a wonderful way to bring the Olympic spirit to life in our class, and we can’t wait to see where our learning takes us next!

Royal Parade

 

A Royal Ruckus in Room 21!

Last week, Room 21 transformed into a palace for our Royal Dress-Up Day! We all came dressed in our finest prince and princess attire. Some wore sparkling tiaras, others donned majestic capes, and everyone looked absolutely regal.

Our day began with a lesson in royal etiquette. We learned how to bow, curtsy, and most importantly, how to move with grace on the dance floor. We practiced a traditional circle dance to elegant classical music, giggling as we twirled and twirled.

Next up was the grand Royal Dress-Up Show! We transformed our classroom stage, complete with red velvet curtains (okay, maybe just a red sheet!). One by one, we showcased our royal outfits and practiced our most dignified postures. We even had special judges who awarded points for elegance and stage presence. The competition was fierce (but friendly!), and everyone received a round of royal applause.

After all that excitement, we couldn't wait to share our royal finery with the whole school. We marched in a grand parade outdoors, feeling like true royalty waving to our cheering classmates. It was a day filled with laughter, creativity, and a whole lot of fun!

Learnings:

• Dress-up days can be a fantastic way to spark children's imaginations and encourage creative expression.
• Learning about royal etiquette teaches valuable skills like good posture and graceful movement.
• Simple dances like circle dances are a fun way to get children moving and working together.
• School events like theme days create a sense of community and shared experience.
• Most importantly, dress-up days are a great reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a little imagination to have a truly magical day!

Exploring Earthworms Through Playdough

Room 21 dug deep into the world of earthworms this week, exploring their role as the silent heroes of our planet! Our journey began with a big question: Who is the Earth Mother and how can we help her?

We learned that healthy soil is key to a happy Earth Mother, and guess who plays a starring role in keeping the soil healthy? Earthworms!

To truly understand these wiggly wonders, we got creative. Our classroom transformed into a mini earthworm factory, with brown, pink, and red playdough becoming the building blocks for our very own earthworm models.

As we sculpted, we brainstormed everything we were learning about earthworms. "They don't have eyes, but they can feel things with their bumpy skin!" said Thomas, carefully adding texture to his worm. "They eat leaves and other things in the dirt, then they make these cool castings," explained Zane, shaping a little pile of brown playdough next to his worm. "Those castings are like worm poop, but they're good for the plants!" chimed in Ema, adding a touch of green to her model.

Through our playdough creations, we discovered the many ways earthworms contribute to a healthy Earth Mother:

• They tunnel through the soil, making air pockets for plants to breathe.
• They munch on leaves and other debris, breaking them down into nutrients plants can use.
• Their "castings" (worm poop!) are packed with these nutrients, making the soil super fertile.

By the end of our playdough session, Room 21 wasn't just holding earthworm models, we were holding newfound appreciation for these amazing creatures. We realised that even though they live underground and might seem slimy, earthworms are vital to the health of our planet.