A 'Tiger Slug' in our Wild Area

Boston discovered a ‘tiger slug’ down in the wild area.  In no time we had magnifying glasses to examine this beautiful creature.  I asked, “why do you think it is called a Tiger Slug?”  Boston quickly responded, “’cause I can see black stripes” “Yeah, like a tiger” added Hayley.

 

We watched it’s feelers stretch and quickly shrink back, it moved it’s way slowly around the cable reel and eventually found it’s way back into the hole It obviously came out of and curled back up – “for a snore” Boston commented.

 

We explored the internet to discover Slugs are nocturnal and a detrivore (an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter).  Plus other interesting facts.

 

Documented by Karen

 

 

Frozen whips up a snow storm at Kindergarten!

 The interest in Frozen has whipped up a snowstorm at Kindergarten with the popular music playing over and over and groups of children appearing from nowhere to join in the singing and dancing. 

It all began with  Izzy and Annabelle (who have moved up to school) and Ruby,

As soon as the movie Frozen came out at the theatres we started to hear girls singing choruses of the song ‘Let it go’ around the kindergarten. We were very impressed with some wonderful singing particularly from Ruby, Izzy and Annabel and we were frequently serenaded by them with the chorus from the movie.  The three girls found some long flowing shimmery voile material and danced around the kindergarten and on many occasions the girls would stand together with arms wide open singing their hearts out with such dramatic exuberance in their expressions and dance movements. 

 

And now the craze has continued with our children belting out the four most popular songs at the tops of their lungs... you cant help but join in!

 

 

                                                            Isabella and James in a duet

 

 

 

The Teachers are all discussing what learning is happening here and what is it that has given this current interest the rise that it has had?  Is it the joy of being a performer, an actor or a singer? Or is it the music?

 

Hayley and Isabella role play their favourite characters 

 Hayley and Isabella with their shimmering capes act out the parts of Elsa and Anna

 

Hayley plays Anna "Do you want to play?

Isabella plays Elsa, "Stay away! I'm trying to protect you!"

 

Hayley dances away just as Anna would in the movie.

 

The music very is dramatic. It changes the mood and therefore is a guide into the complexities of emotions. Combining the dress up, music, dance and drama, you cannot help but be drawn into the feelings within this story.  The children are learning about sadness, excitement, love, kindness and happiness.  These are opportunities for us as teachers to support their understanding about what is happening for Anna and Elsa and how to build the language skills and resilience to cope with these feelings.

Karen is really getting it the swing of things - Tobias (left) not so much

But most of all we just want to enjoy it, feel it, and dance… dance...dance!

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, a few of the boys have really enjoyed the music, but in a different way....

 

Who let the dogs out?

Our boys have also had their musical interest, but with a few less dramatics and more instruments

 

Boston is quite the drummer with a very good rhythm and he is often joined by Zane, Solomon and Zac

 

 

 

 

James frequently asks for the Bob the Builder music and just loves singing along as he watches the stereo

 

 

Documented by Leanne

 

 

 

The new Screen Printing table arrives.......

Friday 15th August.

Today there was much excitement at Kindergarten!

A big truck pulled up outside the gate, a man opened up the back and lifted a very large article up onto his shoulders.  We were impressed with his strength!
In the gate he came like the Pied Piper with a group of enthusiastic children dancing around him, "What is it?"  "What have you got?"
He came inside and placed the item down.

 Yay! it was our new Screen Printing table.

The children were eager to unwrap it so we set to work.

 

We used our 'team work' to pull off all the plastic....

 

 

....to reveal a fabulous work station!

 

 

We look forward to the children creating many more wonderful prints

 on our new table.

 

Monday 18th - 19th August

 

The new screen print table is in full swing...so many children have visited it and demonstrated their independence in using a much more child-friendly table.

 

Jaihe is a keen screen printer...

 

 

Tobias's first screen print ....

 

 

"This is for Mum"

 

Jayden LOVES screen printing - and has become a very competent printer

 

 

So has Ellie...

 

 

You may have noticed a 'Frozen' theme creeping in!

 

Lace is an avid printer and embellisher

 

 

As she returned to create her third print for the day she had an audience...

 

 

Lucia claiming the next spot to do a print

 

 

 

Lucia at work....and play!

 

 

Now Graces' turn....

 

 

...and back for a second print....

 

 

(now here's a girl who is full of life and loves to play)

 

 

 

Left alone Grace painted up to her elbows and announced "Princess Elsa's gloves!"

(cleaning off Princess Elsa's gloves)...

 

 

Screen printing is so much fun and allows children to express themselves in a creative way.

 

Wednesday 20th August

 

Ciara starts her day with a print.

 

Henry is an avid printer

 

He knows the steps well.  First, he writes his name on the back of the paper

 

 

and follows the steps through to completion.

 

Boston created a new print....

...and embellished an old.

 

 

Zane observed Boston and was eager to follow suit...

 

 

James made a print, "this is for my Mum"

 

 

Then of course, there is the embellishing....

 

 

cutting...

designing and gluing....

...to completion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documented by Karen