Trip to the Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens Trip - Kizoa Movie - Video - Slideshow Maker

We have been thinking about growing and planting as part of our Inquiry. Today we met with Anneke from the Wellington City Council to talk about plants at the Botanical Gardens. What a fantastic day!

Chris' Garden

Chris' Garden on PhotoPeach

Chris wanted to take us to his garden but it is a bit of a walk so he shared some photos with us today. We were fascinated with the lettuce growing out of the side of his house. He thought that he might have dropped seeds by accident. 

Garden Visit and Sketching

Some of us went to Mitchell's garden and we also spent some time sketching the beautiful view from the lookout. 

Thank you for showing us around Mitchell. What a great leader!

Garden Visits

This week, we have been visiting gardens as part of our growing Inquiry. We have seen some amazing plants and flowers. Thank you to all of the people who let us come in to have a look. 

Planting Experiments

As part of our Inquiry about change and growing we have planted some beans. We are going to test whetether they will grow in different conditions. Last week we brainstormed where we will put the plants and what we will provide them with. Our students can find out more about planting and growing here: https://sites.google.com/a/worserbay.school.nz/matarikiwbs/plants-and-growing

We're excited to see what will happen. Watch this space!

Carnivorous Plants

Today William and Alexander showed us their carnivorous plants. The plants eat flies and other small creatures. Some fly traps attract insects with a poisonous liquid. Flies and other insects use up all of their energy trying to get out. Don't put your fingers in because that will use a lot of the plant's energy. The plants are green and green attracts insects. Venus fly traps go black when they are dead. 

By William, Alexander, Mitchell and Yoshi

After learning about the plant we did some close observational drawings. Greta said that this is a great way to learn. 

Sunflower Art

Today we made sunflower art using pastels. 

Plants need soil to grow! Or do they?

Today we discussed this statement, "Plants need soil to grow!" Our learners said whether they agree or disagree with this.

Blaze: Soil makes the plants grow.

Caspian: I disagree because drift wood plants and cacti don’t need soil to grow.

Izar: I agree because plants need nutrients and there are nutrients in the soil.

Edward: I disagree because upside down plants

Theo: I agree that plants need soil to grow because there are nutrients in the soil.

Lily Ji: If it isn’t in the soil, it won’t grow.

Wil: I agree because plants need soil to grow.

Eva: I agree because it helps the plants to grow fast and the plants need room for the roots to sprout.

Kate:Plants need soil to grow. I agree because it helps the plants because it has lots of nutrients. You also need sun.

Dylan: I disagree because cactus can grow in sand. So some plants need sand instead.

Reuben: I agree- you need soil for the roots.

Georgina: Plants need soil to grow because it is good for them.

Molly: I agree because they need space for the roots and roots and they also need sun and rain. How else would they grow.

Jasmine: I agree because they need soil for the roots to go deep into the ground. Plants need soil to grow.

We have put some information together for students to research:
Planting and Growing

Talia explains how to grow a little garden

Our Inquiry is about change. This term we are focussing on planting and growing. In this clip, Talia explains how to grow a little garden. 

Planting: I am curious!

We are planting beans. We wanted to find out what students know and what they would like to find out...

Our ideas for the new Children's Garden at the Botanical Gardens

Today we had a visit from Anneke and Ally from Wellington Botanical Gardens. They showed us different plants. We learnt lots about different plants and their uses. They were keen to get our ideas for the new children's garden in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. 

"The garden will be a learning space where children will:

• learn traditional plant skills and uses
• find out about the medicinal properties of native plants
• work with plants important to other cultures.

Wellington Botanic Garden will maintain the Children's Garden, and provide an educator to work with school groups and visitors.”

You can read more on the website: http://childrensgarden.org.nz/

Here are some of our ideas for the children's garden:

Thank you Anneke and Ally for talking to us. We are enjoying our growing inquiry! Also a big thank you to Sophie (Matilda's mum) for arranging this for us.