The Sky Tower

 

Constructing with interconnecting blocks

 Constructing with the interconnecting blocks!

 A sunny day, heads full of building ideas and teamwork was the recipe for last weeks construction outside.

I had moved the construction blocks to a larger area, throughout the morning a few tamariki played but a group of 5 decided they needed a project!

We began with a simple rectangle. We looked at sizes, sorted “short or long”. And learnt how to stack the interlocking blocks correctly. “ two shorties then two long.” Was the terminology we used as we began layering them higher and higher. These blocks only connect correctly when worked on level by level. So there was a method to how they had to be stacked. Some of our older children helped the younger ones, as they measured the blocks against each other they could see if it would fit. Higher and higher it was built.

“Let’s hop in it.” Well, it was a little high for some of our smaller legs to get up and into

“ It needs pillows!” A suggestion came from Keelan.

A soft spot for them to hang out.

Inside came cackles of laughter at the sneaky space they had created together.

“We need a roof!” Another suggestion came. We searched the resource room for a roof suitable and with the help of the teachers we tied a “roof” on.

A special fort to play in for the day!

After lunch, one of our friends added some ramps to help get in and out and some more touches around the edge.

What great mahi in the sun!

We talked about moving safely around and in the fort and with the blocks, body awareness, spatial awareness and measurement aspects. Problem solving, turn taking, and we practised a lot of oral language and social skills.

What might our garden look like?

Uxbridge has adopted a box to care for in the community garden next door. 

After a few tamariki went on a trip to Kings Plant Barn, the plants were placed inside at the art table. It sparked creativity, discussion and discovery of others ideas. Using paint and cotton buds ( and some hand painting) the children expressed their ideas with paint using all the beautiful putiputi ( flowers) as inspiration.  It was fantastic to see purposeful strokes and reflection as they studied the plants as they painted, looked for specific paint colours and spoke about their drawings as they sat in the company of friends. 

Having a plan is a life skill for many projects you undertake and it’s purposeful learning where the children can see a project is completed in steps and it does not always provide instant gratification. Children learn  that we have to work at longer term projects and revisit them. 

If you have time, take a sneaky park at how it’s coming along, it’s located behind the mud kitchen fence  in the community garden next door. 

Lily's garden ideas.

Blake's garden ideas.

Chloe P has tall flowers in her garden.

Isla did two, one for our garden and she drew another for home.

Samantha's plants connected with each other!

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023

It's been an āatahua (beautiful ) week at Uxbridge where we have continued to celebrate Te Reo during Te Wiki o te Reo Maori 2023.

Our children took the opportunity to practise words they already knew whilst adding to their vocabulary banks by learning new kupu too!

We know that we all learn through repetition, and that is what we did. We were lucky enough to have some new games to support us in learning the language. Our tamariki loved our new bingo game  and we even practised saying  āe and kāo ( yes and no) in te reo. It was great to see the tamariki pick this up and practise it throughout their games.

We always enjoy Myths and Legends and this week, Te Ika a Maui was the hit- How Maui Fished Up The North Island.

We even learnt the matau is the word for hook and we showed mahi tahi ( collaboration) as we collaged a giant hook which was then played with in the waka! 

The Taniwha is a mythical creature, we read stories and drew some of our own taniwha, showing creativity and expression through the Mana Reo - Communication Strand of Te Whāriki. We also painted our own āniwaniwa and revisited our colours in Māori.

We explored kōwhaiwhai designs, patterns like the koru whilst exploring through ephemeral art!

Our Tamariki took great pleasure in going on a bug hunt around the centre... Did they find a mumutawa-ladybug? a 

pī-bee or a pungawerewere-Spider? 

 

All of our learning has been supported by waiata at our mat times. Perhaps you have heard your child singing one of these songs?

Tahi,Rua ,Toru, Wha or Whakarongo Mai Mat time and a favourite sing a long book here at Uxbridge is:

Titiro Mai he aha tenei

Enjoy singing along at home! 

We enjoy celebrating te reo in the centre every week of the year but Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023 was a huge success here. 

Bush walk

It was a beautiful spring morning, so we decided to take a small group of children to the next-door bush. As we walked through we photographed  a lot of native trees and some children identified the distinctive patterns in the environment, for example the ponga tree  has a koru. We spotted a bug hotel but found out no bugs living there. We wondered that we could make some bug motels too. On the way back up we took some time to practise mindfulness, listening  and feeling  the nature. The children closed their eyes and took some time to  listen to the leaves rustle, birds singing, running water and feel the wind on our skin.  Look at these beautiful photos they have taken.  This was a great opportunity to the children to  make connection with our community and explore the nature. 

Celebrating Tongan Language Week

At Uxbridge we have been celebrating Tongan Language from the 4th-8th of September.  The children enjoyed creating art inspired by turtles. We learnt that Fonu is the Tongan Word for turtle.  

Ephemeral art was also a favourite as we drew a turtle outline the table for the children to collaborate and use natural resources, such as shells and rocks.

  

 

   

We made some special Tongan Fans. We don't need them here in NZ at the moment but in Tonga it can get very hot. Check out the children taking ownership of their own designs.

Amelia spent a long time perfecting her fan.

A very proud Mason! 

Frank learnt how to put the little bits of paper around the edge of his fan. He said, " This is going on the fridge!"

Tyler wrote his own name as his design.

Jack learnt how to use the stapler!

Matthew shows his finished fan!

We also experimented with tapacloth, with different dyes, making Tongan designs.  

The children loved drumming to the Tongan beats inside and outside in the sunshine. 

"Every language is a beautiful melody that deserves to be celebrated and embraced"(unknown)