Number Talks and Rocky Pools

The past week has seen plenty happening both in and out of the classroom. The sailing on Monday and Tuesday managed to take place despite the windy conditions. Unfortunately the snorkelling on Wednesday couldn't take place, but we hope that the weather will enable this to happen on Thursday.

This week, we've begun focusing on developing discourse around mathematical concepts to deepen children's understandings. Number Talks are a method that encourages students to question, clarify, discuss, think openly and inquire around a specific mathematical prompt or focus. Using these Talks, we are aiming to have children share different strategies and collaborate as they build their number knowledge and skills and address any misconceptions around maths.

Here are some images from one of the Number Talks held this week and the prompt that they were inquiring into:

We'll be continuing to build this method into our maths learning during the coming months as we look to develop the students habits of mind.

 

Last Friday, when the sun was still shining, we managed to head back down to the beach for a fantastic session with Katie Fenton and Kimi Moana Whiting. The children stretched marine life as part of our artistic project for developing the Pou with Kimi. With Katie, they researched into the local rock pools marine life and recording data. There was an amazing amount of life discovered the closer we looked into these ecosystems.

We are looking forward to continuing this inquiry over the coming months as the seasons change and we can monitor how this ecosystem changes.