Savouring

Savouring is about taking our positive emotions and 'absorbing' them. This can help us to face challenges in life and learning with more resilience. Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky (see below) tells us practicing this 'gratitude absorption' can help us to be happier. Although, it is important to practice at the correct dose!

Dr Lyubomirsky's 30+ years of research in happiness suggests that people need to do a variety of positive interventions (such as gratitude, counting blessings, acts of kindness etc). She also talks about focusing on others (rather than ourselves) in these interventions helps us to be happier and feel the positive effects of happiness for longer.

In Māhutonga Matariki we have been motivated to act for others often. We are learning about Savouring as we try and absorb positive feelings.  Dr Rick Hanson (see below) talks about how we can 'hardwire' happiness in our brains through this.

We are looking forward to learning more about savouring in the next few weeks, watch this space!

How is Limestone Formed?

We spent the day on Thursday thinking about how the land is formed.  We realised that the land; mountains, hills, valleys and beaches are constantly changing.  Zoe said that the thing that causes mountains to change shape and send sediment towards the sea is, "water and time."
 

Our focus was on Limestone, one of the sedimentary rocks.  We were exploring how the calcium in shells, when heated and/or compacted cause rock to form.
In our first experiment we put shells in vinegar.  The acetic acid in vinegar went to work on the alkaline (base) of the shells (calcium)


  Sea shells are made of calcium carbonate The vinegar breaks down the carbon, turning it into carbon dioxide.  We saw the carbon dioxide bubbling around the shells.  It blew up the balloon!

We placed shells in a bottle with vinegar.  As carbon dioxide was released from the shells it blew up the balloon!

In the youtube channel, Primitive Technology, a type of cement was made by burning shells.  This has the same effect, burning off the carbon.  Carbon dioxide remains and this can then be ground up and turned into a cement like product.  We used Pāua shells as a mould.  It is great to do hands on activities to make discoveries in science.

The raw shells were cooked in the pizza oven.

This is our Limestone made from burnt,  ground up shells.  It is in a Pāua shell mould.

This diagram explains the what is happening when rocks form.

Science Rotations - Thinking like a Scientist

Our 'Think like a scientist' Inquiry started with an experiment rotation today. We learnt about the Earth's mantle and magma, landforms and erosion, liquid density and sedimentary rock. We recorded our observations, wonderings and predictions in our books.

We are all really excited about this Inquiry! We'll be connecting to other ideas like mapping and the environment. We'll learn about famous scientists and the many challenges they've faced. Of course, we'll carry out our own investigations and experiments, too.

Beach Day- Reconnecting at the Beach

Today was our first day back at school. We went to the beach to reconnect with our friends and teachers. We were also immersed in our beautiful surroundings. What a wonderful day. It is great to be back!

Home Art Gallery: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

Wow! We continue to be blown away by the awesome things that you are all doing at home. Here is a gallery of art for you to dial up your Character Strength of Appreciating Beauty and Excellence. 

By Nuala

By Kura

By Caleb

By Pyrenees

By Luca S

By Charlie

By Octavia

By Jake

By Chris

Kia Ora #4

How to Garden

These guys followed the pattern of one of their favourite YouTubers who translates english text into about 10 other languages, then back to english. This was the result... it is not recommended you follow the google translate version if you want to succeed at your gardening!!!

 

Whakpākehātia tēnei Kōrero: Translate this conversation

Translating conversations makes us have to really use our ears, our previous knowledge and our research skills.  When two brightly coloured Teddy Bears talk you never know what they will say. 

1. E Teti Pea Karaka, kei te aha koe i tenie rā

2. Kei te hāere au ki te tātahi

1. Kei te aha a Teti pea Kākariki?

2. Kei te hāere mai ia hoki

1. Kei te kaukau kōrua?

2. Kei te kāukāu au, engāri kāore a Teti Pea Kākariki e kāukāu ana.

1. Ka panui pūkapūka ia?

2. Ae, he tino mōhio ia

Here is a translation by Finn of the full conversation is on Seesaw.

Travelling Tales

Our first Worser Bay Travelling Tale is ready!

Well done to Sitara, Taiga, Jenny, Amelia and Solly. 

5 students used the mountain story planner to create the story!

Story Mountain Planner:



If you are keen to take part in a Travelling Tale, you can sign up on this Google Form.

Praying Mantises by Ethan

Since lockdown began, Ethan has been working on his own Inquiry inspired by the 'What is in your backyard?' activity.

Now that it is finally complete, Ethan wants to share his learning with everyone. What a wonderful way to showcase all our Learner Attributes! He tino pai tō mahi, Ethan.

There is a very special message at the end that Ethan would like everybody to take away from this.

Enjoy!

Kindness Cards

It is very strange at the moment being away from all of our friends at school. 

I really miss seeing all your friendly faces and hearing your funny stories.

So this is a good time to think about someone who you could give a kindness card or drawing to. 

It might be someone in your bubble, or you could go for a walk and put it in the letterbox of a friend...? 

Here are a few ideas to get you started...

Draw a picture, write a letter, include some jokes, anything you like!

Then roll it up and tie it with a ribbon and place somewhere for them to find.

 Make an envelope, decorate it and put your letter inside. 

Put it in a friends letter box or somewhere for your family to find (like under a pillow!).

Don't forget to put their name on it!

Make some little cards with notes attached to a string and hang it somewhere for them to discover...

Or try making them a Warm Fuzzy Friend like this...it can have all of the things you like and miss about them written either on the front or back of it. 

Such a nice thing to receive.

Have a go at one of these...or try your own idea.

(Don't forget to put a photo of it on Seesaw so I can see what you create!)

Hayley xxx