Here are some photos showing the different stages of the build for the hide Chrissie and the children are making. They used Isla's design from her "Cone People Hut instead of a tee pee design that they originally thought they would build. With this design they would have 2 opening ends so they can observe different ends of the school and more than one person can be in there to bird watch.

They discussed how to strengthen the design and dug in their main frames a little. For their main frame they used Manuka sticks and when their rope ran out they tied the rest of the frame with cabbage tree leaves that had fallen on the ground ... they did a super job. Ryker discovered bug art in the wood while adding the outside covering that he wanted to share with the class.

Ryker and Maddy were practicing their knots and they were really chuffed that their knots made the frame very strong. We used old branches along the fence line and tied the branches to the frame using the cabbage leaves once again. Each child collected grass cuttings to help cover the hide. There is still a bit of work to do on the outside and inside so they can be comfortable while sitting. They are hoping to make a few bird stands in the bush line where feeders can be hung to attract more birds and Isla is very eager to decorate the area with maybe a flag made from materials found in nature.😀

 We have started ‘Let’s Explore Nature' afternoons with Mrs Lunn and Mrs Preece. Our topic was trees and from there the tamariki set off for a fun afternoon exploring their environment. Isla made a bird swing. Delrio tried tree climbing. Indy, Maddy, and Ryker discovered birds’ nests, bird eggs, and identified trees with the help of an app. We watched the lambs skip along in the neighbouring paddock. We ended up our time in ‘Paradise’ creating perfumes with kowhai flowers, seeds, and other colourful leaves. We used sticks and shells for our mixing and cutting tools and then we had a pop-up restaurant with some delicious looking dishes that the students delighted in serving up to the Kaiako

Photography Hide

Delrio and Chrissie had a practice run using 3 long sticks tied at the top with rope and positioned the photographic hide in an area where they will be able to spot the pair of herons nesting in the nearby macrocarpa tree. They are hoping that next term all the children will be able to create their own hide in different areas of the school for bird watching. Delrio wrote step by step instructions on "How to Build a Photography Hide" so the children can all read it and follow the instructions next term. 🐣

Vine art using vines found in native bush

While weaving the dried vines it gave us the opportunity to cover many topics of conversation such as:

• Materials to create art can be found outside in nature.
• Identifying the flowers /trees that our leaves came from when the children decorated their vine art.
• Discussion how amazing birds are to build their nests and to be able to weave sticks with just their beaks and feet.
• What bird life is around the school.
  

While sourcing our decorative material and creating our art we were able to do some bird spotting outside using our binoculars that was enjoyed by all.

 Manuka Art

Using manuka slices for a creative art piece, the children painted these just using tips of earbuds, toothpicks and straws dipped in paint to create unique designs. Indie chose to hang hers in paradise for a decoration and Ryker was kind enough to hang Chrissies on a branch for her. 

Exploring daffodils

Today we were learning about parts of daffodils. For example, stem, petal, trumpet, anther, and stamen. We cut open the seed head between the flower and the stem and discovered tiny seeds!

We put all our daffodils in some dyed water and made predictions as to what would happen and why. Later in the day we checked the daffodils & noticed the edges of the flowers were beginning to take on the colour of the dye which showed us that the stem carries water up to the flower.

Golf

This week we had a golf session with Shea.

All the children did really well. Lydia Ko and Ryan Fox might have some competition soon!