Using Loose Parts

We have containers of lots of equipment.  They have been purchased with a purpose but our creative kids come up with all sorts of things using them.  This is called loose parts play. 

Here are some examples of their creative ideas.

Koru Art

Some of the Room 2, Karaka, children have been using koru designs to make their family.  They chose the koru size that suited each person depending on their place in the family.  Then they thought of a colour that suited that person.  When we have finished we will share them all.

Fun in the leaves

Today we collected leaves for our art. After we were finished, we played in the leaves.

Next week we will be focusing on how we keep each other safe at school.  This is a song some of us will be sharing with the children.

I hope you enjoy it!  Important messages shared in a funny way!

See you on Monday!

Anna and Kelly get new hair styles!

Sophie and Sammy have been at school and their challenge was to come up with a new hair style for their teachers. 

See what they thought!  What do you think we should do?

Life Education

This week’s focus is looking after ourselves

Looking After Ourselves – independent colouring activity and reminder of  self care.

If you don't have a printer look at the pictures and discuss them together.

What else do you do to look after yourself at home and school?

Life Education

This week’s focus is looking after ourselves

Finding calm – this will need a parent's help to read and discuss how we can find some calm in certain situations  - lovely easy activity though.

Eye Spy

This is a really simple way to practice the beginning sounds of words and you can do it anywhere.  Will, Lottie and I played this morning while they ate morning tea.

We play eye spy but rather than saying the name of the letter at the start of the word, we use the beginning sound. 

For example if the word is sock, they make the sound for s.  If the word is shoe, they make the sound for sh. 

This helps the children learn to recognise the beginning sound of words rather than thinking of the whole word.  We use this skill in writing and reading at school so is super helpful. 

Have fun playing!

Just 10 Pieces

Today I set myself a challenge - to build a creature out of only 10 pieces of Duplo.  I think I achieved my goal even if Will did ask me what it was!

A challenge like this is great for getting children counting and problem solving.  Yes, I could have just made a tower using 10 blocks but adding the extra challenge of making some sort of creature made me think more.

The number of blocks could be different - bigger or smaller amounts.  Support your child to count each block individually rather than speed counting one block as two or missing some.  Touching each block as they say the number is a good strategy for our beginning learners.  You can count with them to support them as they learn the correct number sequence. 

You don't have to use Dulpo either, any equipment will work. 

Most importantly, have fun creating something cool together!

Zoom catch up with the girls

Library Story Time

Nelson Public Library is carrying on with story time but in a different way!  Here is a video of one of the stories.  

This link should take you to the You Tube page with the other stories.

Enjoy listening!

Writing with Kelly

Yesterday, Daire and Elias had a zoom writing session with me. Both boys were amazing and wrote very good clues about their animal. Can you guess what animal Daire is?

Wet Day Activity

Day four of rain is tough!  We managed to get in a bike ride and some duck feeding before the rain settled in but it has been a tough few days. 

My two are currently bouncing on the trampoline in the rain as they just had to get out and move! 

So today, an inside activity.

This is from the Clever Poppy Blog again.

I remember making pom poms out of old wool as a kid and the satisfaction of the end result. 

If you have any wool at home, this is the activity for you today!

Paper Dolls

These very cool paper dolls are a free download on the Clever Poppy Blog.  If you have a printer they look like they could be fun!

They come with clothes, both coloured and black and white, so they can be dressed by the children. 

The Clever Poppy Blog has lots of cool ideas so have a look around it.

Have fun!