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.

Our Earth Mother- Papatuanuku

This term, Room 21 has been on a mission to learn more about Papatuanuku, our Earth Mother in Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview). We've been exploring how we can care for her and keep her healthy.

Our classroom transformed into an art studio buzzing with creativity! Our goal? To create a wall display dedicated to Papatuanuku.

As we drew, we wove in what we've learned about caring for Papatuanuku:

• We used green and blue colours to show the importance of clean water and healthy forests.
• We talked about littering and pollution, and how we can keep Papatuanuku litter-free.
• We reminded ourselves to be kind to all the creatures that share our planet with us.

By the end of our art session, our wall wasn't just a display, it was a promise. A promise to learn more about Papatuanuku and do our part to keep her healthy and beautiful. Every time we look at our creation, it will remind us of our responsibility towards our Earth Mother.

Receiving our customised products from Hub 1

Room 4 students were presented with a unique opportunity to embark on an educational journey to Hub 1, where they were invited to partake in a comprehensive presentation surrounding the fascinating topic of entrepreneurship. The presenting students, representatives of Hub 1, delivered an exceptional performance, setting a high standard and proving to be inspirational role models for their peers from Room 4.

Their presentation was not just a verbal discourse, but a holistic showcase of their innovative products. The manner in which they presented their products was a testament to their creativity and courage. Each detail was meticulously planned and executed, from the product itself to its presentation, conveying a sense of passion and dedication that was truly inspiring for the visiting students.

As the presentation reached a conclusion, the Room 4 students were pleasantly surprised to receive customised products, a token of appreciation that served as a tangible reminder of their visit. Upon their return to their classroom, these students, filled with curiosity and excitement, closely examined the packaging of the products they had received.

This was no ordinary packaging, but a unique creation designed by the senior students. Each package design was a blend of sophistication and originality, a testament to the creativity and attention to detail of the senior students. The Room 4 students were left in awe, expressing their admiration for the fancy and sophisticated packaging designs. Their visit to Hub 1 was not only an educational journey but also a source of inspiration, encouraging them to explore their own abilities and creativity.

Celebrating Our Learning

 

As Term 4 began, Team Tawera found themselves feeling a sense of achievement. They had studied the Solar System and the Moon's phases, gaining a vast amount of knowledge that they could now recall easily. Their understanding of these celestial bodies was deep and comprehensive, to the point that it felt like a natural part of their thought process.

Their extensive knowledge couldn't be kept to themselves, and they felt the need to share it. It was not just a measure of their academic success but also a reflection of the wonder and beauty of the universe they had studied. So, they decided to share it with their fellow students, transforming their classrooms into a vibrant microcosm filled with stars, planets, and moons.

A chosen group of students, who had fully immersed themselves in the subject, were selected to be presenters. They were ready, their minds packed with facts and concepts, to start the process of sharing and discussing their knowledge. As they spoke, they explained their learnings with a confidence that was impressive.

Their job wasn't just to present. They also had to answer the barrage of questions that followed their presentation. They handled each question well, smoothly navigating through the inquiries and answering them with detail and accuracy. Each answer further cemented their reputation as not just students of the Solar System, but as young astronomers who had dived deep into the universe and were now sharing their discoveries.

Cook Islands Language Week

 

Last week was Cook Islands language week, and the students in Room 4 were excited to learn more about the culture and language. Dj and Mehau-Pa led the class in learning Cook Island dance moves and the meaning behind each step.

The class was fascinated by the cultural dance and its language. They listened attentively as Dj and Mehau-Pa explained the significance of each movement and the words that accompanied the dance.

To showcase their new skills, Dj and Mehau-Pa performed on stage.

As part of the language week celebrations, the students also learned some basic Cook Islands phrases and vocabulary. They had fun practicing their new language skills with each other and their teacher.

Overall, it was a fantastic week of learning and appreciation for the Cook Islands culture and language. The students are already looking forward to the next language week!

Solar system- The Earth

In room 4

Room 4 students are diving into the mysteries of our solar system. They started their journey by exploring the planet that they call home - the Earth.

Exploring our planet

To make the experience more hands-on and engaging, the teacher asked the students to create a model of the Earth using play-dough. The students were given the freedom to experiment with different colours and shapes to create their own unique models.

As they worked on their models, the teacher encouraged the students to think about the different layers of the Earth's structure, such as the crust, mantle, and core. The students learned how each layer plays an important role in shaping the planet's geography and climate.

What's next?

With the Earth under their belts, the students are now eager to explore the other planets in our solar system. They have already started researching and gathering information about the different planets, and are excited to share their findings with the rest of the class.

Stay tuned for more updates on their solar system adventure!

 

A trip to the Stardome

On Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, Team Tawera took a trip to Stardome. Rooms 4 and 2 rode on a bus together, and everyone was very excited for the outing.

Upon arrival, some students explored the Phases of Matter activity while others learned about the eight main stars in the solar system by exploring a model of the solar system. Afterward, Whaea Jade took us to a classroom where we learned about the Matariki stars and how to identify them by drawing a line from the bottom of the Pot star cluster.

Next, we all went to the Planetarium to watch some shows. We listened to three stories about Matariki. Finally, Whaea Jade showed us a comparison of the size of our solar system to that of some giant stars.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and looks forward to visiting Stardome again!

From: All Room 4 Students