Mrs Mill put us on to 3-Act Task math problems to teach us how to notice and wonder what math interactions might be going on in three separate but interrelated video clips. Here are some pics showing their working out ideas.
First they watch a clip. Then they write down what they notice. After that they write down (or draw) what they wonder. We then pair up with a shoulder buddy to share our thinking.
Next we are introduced to another clip. This will have more information which will alter or justify their ideas. More thinking ensues.
Finally the last clip is shared which is like a big reveal to share the whole picture. Is it what they thought? Were they thinking with their math brains? How did they show their thinking?
Following our Soil Study during Distance Learning, we moved our focus to the Seasons. We continued our observations of plants, above and below the soil, and learned which vegetables grow best in which seasons.
Part of our season learning was to understand how seasons happen. We played with models of the earth and sun (oranges from the neighbours and torches) and realised that in order for the earth to experience seasons, it must circumnavigate the sun on a tilt rather than straight up and down (otherwise there would be no change). To get this, we marked the equator and the northern and southern hemisphere. It is the most interesting "Planet Earth and Beyond" lesson I have ever experienced, and they are 7-year-olds! Curiosity and a thirst to learn has boundless opportunity.
These are our Autumn Leaves published writing set underneath our cultivated foods artwork.
Understanding how seasons happen...
Notice the rock layer and the weather shown in the sky (Tawhirimatea)
Painting "sand" into our soil to show soil types. We used gold glitter mixed with glue.
Creating a rainbow collage for our art installation.
The other week we went on a class trip to the Tairawhiti Envirocentre so that we could visit their edible garden and learn about the beneficial insects. We even got to eat carrots straight out of the ground. Some students found a spider that was initially thought to be a katipo spider, but with a scientific investigation (classification books and magnifying glasses), we found out that it was in fact a false katipo. Fortunately, they are not poisonous. What a great find!
As part of our Atua study, we are learning about seasons. We have read books about the seasons and played under the trees outside - an Autumn learning experience. Then we sat in and around the trees to write.
Week 2 back in class, Week 7 of Term 2. Our shared book was Granny Groggin and the fun part was that we all helped to narrate it. In this piece of work that we share, we have used shapes, lines, and images. We have even arranged the images. We are getting really good at using the different parts of Google Drawings and learning some helpful Googlelicious tips.
In the first week or so, we have been reacquainting ourselves with our learning space, reflecting on life in isolation and how we are harnessing that as we move forward.
Artists in residence. We have been studying vegetable plants and have now sketched vegetables growing in the garden - roots and all! Here we are using watercolors, blending, colour mixing, shading with paint strengths. Great way to learn about this medium.
