Beauty in maths: Fibonacci numbers in nature

Can you keep this sequence going?
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. 13, ...

We were pleased that many of our students can... we've been exploring Fibonacci numbers and how they keep cropping up in nature. Here are some videos to whet your interest...


We also explored counting spirals in pinecones and draw our own spirals using Fibonacci numbers, we're wondering where else they are around us. Here are some of our first thoughts:

Ziya - it made my mind super screwy. I know I can do maths with patterns and swirls.

Pyrenees - it makes me wonder how many more things have spirals. I wonder about trees and fingerprints and in Maori tattoos.

Sammy - it made me feel like dizzy and swirly. It makes me want to learn more about swirls.

Cameron - Eloise’s necklace is a swirl!

Coco - There are so many swirls in the world.

We also drew spirals using the Fibonacci code...

Whanau Day: Anna and Susie's Group

On Friday the whole school split into Whanau groups to explore some of the Character Strengths we talk about daily at school.

Susie and Anna's Whanau group explored the Character Strengths of:

-Leadership

-Teamwork

-Curiosity

-Prudence

-Self-Regulation

Throughout the day we worked in small groups to unpack each strength. Some of us read picture books about the strengths and did role plays. 

Some of us had challenges or scavenger hunts to help us find out more about the strengths. We all worked together to contribute ideas and help each other understand the Characters Strengths better.

Our aim for the day was to create a collaborative piece of artwork to represent the Character Strength we were focusing on. Each piece of Character Strength art will be put together to make a display for us to use in each space across the school.

Our Whanau group was lucky enough to have two very talented artists from our community share some advice on important things to think about when creating a piece of art.

Check out our amazing artwork. Thanks so much to all our wonderful parents who came to help run workshops.

Kitchen chemistry

What a week! In small groups students have chosen a food product to explore the chemical changes that happen when they are made or cooked, and over the last couple of days they have made the products themselves. Products made include:
 - ginger beer
 - oreo ice cream
 - banana ice cream
 - smoking warehau
 - cooking meat
 - bread
 - souffle
 - meringues and
 - dried apples.
Another group has explored whether food is acidic or alkaline, and what happens when two types are combined.

There's been a development of reading skills, focusing on the method of the recipes, development of culinary skills, development of taste buds and development of curiosity (wondering how they could have improved their recipe), as well as lots of fun. Things haven't always worked out exactly as expected but, like all good cooks, we've learned lessons along the way about the importance of following a recipe, measuring and careful observing.

What's in the Rock Pool?

We had a great time exploring our rock pools. We were amazed to find so much different flora and fauna. It sparked lots of questions and ideas for getting into the inquiry. Our next step is in researching what some of these creatures are and classifying them like scientists.

Do you know what these are?