Moanamana: Sharing our Learning

We are going to be spending some time in the rockpools/intertidal zone again this year. Our very keen marine scientists are itching to get involved in data collection, contributing to a pool of information being gathered by schools on the peninsular. Before we do this we wanted to give the new students to Mahutonga Matariki an overview of last year's learning.

Katie Fenton, our mentor marine scientist then did a presentation which explained her research. She is looking at environmental impacts on Kai Moana in a small East Coast, Ngati Porou community. Students were fascinated and full of questions. Katie will continue to work with us this year. A great role model!

Henare is Back!

Henare has been helping us prepare for tomorrow's Mihi Whakatau. He has amazing knowledge and knows how to lift the enthusiasm within our group. It is great to be back into the swing of it and our new Kapa Haka leaders are looking and sounding really good. Come see us in action tomorrow.

Problem Solving: Our Maths Focus

This is what collaborative problem solving looks like. Everyone is around the problem contributing their thinking, exploring the strategies we have been learning to use. These include: Finding a pattern, drawing a diagram, making a table, acting out the problem, working backwards, guessing and checking or trial and improvement. We have realised that in order to solve a problem we usually need to use more than one of these approaches. We also need to listen to each other, encourage each other and explain all of our thinking. Discussion or mathematical discourse enables collective knowledge building. We don't have to work in isolation but can experience success together. It's amazing what we can achieve together!

This problem asks us to make 4 squares into 2 by removing 2 matchstickes. We tried to solve this problem by drawing it. There is more than one way to solve it. Can you?

These guys did!

Nursery Visit

We are excited about getting the shade house up and running again this year. We have had a few challenges, most recently a snail attack which decimated quite a few fresh sweet seedlings. So, in true Worser Bay style we show some grit and get the show on the road again. We want to be part of the reforestration of Te Motu Kairangi, to try to replace some of the forest which existed here in the past. Did you know that we have lost about 99% of the forest cover in the region as a result of human impact?

If we are to take positive action we need to be developing our knowledge around how to run a nursery. Who better to ask than the experts, Tom Mayo and crew at the Berhampore Nursery. Tom told us about seed collection happening all over Wellington, seed raising mix and methods, irrigation and hardening off before the rākau are planted out. Did you know that the nursery grows about 100 000 trees are year to be planted outz/ We thought that was incredible.

The trip organised by Chloe Bisley-Wright our Enviroschools coordinator also involved students from Miramar Central who have their own plans and questions. It was great connecting with other kids interested in this environmental work.

We have made a great start to the year. We have been thinking about making positive contributions, using mamaakitanga and making new students to our Whānau feel welcome. And we are making the classroom come alive with new art works which are going up on the wall. The masks are inspired by Pablo Picasso. He was inspired by african art. We are trying to represent a part of ourselves. I noticed that many of the masks look fierce and zesty. I think that's because we have Ngakaunui, enthusiasm and energy for learning! Please come in to see the artwork. We are looking forward to seeing you all at goal setting meeting coming up early week 4.

Beach Week:

The highlight of the year which many of our Year 6 students mention in their speeches, Beach Week! We are so fortunate to be able to access the beach the way we can, and do! We have developed a great connection with the Worser Bay Boat Club over the last few years and again we have benefitted from the amazing 'Learn to Sail' programme they run. All of our students have had the opportunity to sail and most have seized it.

And the weather has been incredible! We celebrate the conclusion, for the time being at least of our Moanamana Inquiry with a presentation of some of the learning at the Boat Club this Sunday from 10:00. This is a great way to conclude our learning for the year and has helped us remain focused on the important journey we have come on with Moanamana, upholding the Mana of the ocean. Some examples of the work we will be sharing.

And our Survey results:

Joke Night:

Joke Night turned out to be quite serious. Seriously FUNNY! We showed the best parts of our characters; grit, energy, bravery, and of course humour. If there is a Character Strength of Silliness I think we possess it in spades. When viewing these short plays, the learning that went into them might not be apparent. We have explored the world of comedy and considered the very personal nature of comedy. What I find funny, you might not. Last night's performance demonstrates that our students are developing a good understanding of comedic devices and tools. Most maintained that ever so important straight face, delivering their lines deadpan. Not easy! The fact that this was the first time many of us have performed in front of a crowd is another achievement and sets us up well for future adventures on the big stage, under the bright lights, ah....Broadway beckons!