The Epic Brain

We've been learning about our amazing brain! Ever heard the saying "Your brain is like an elastic band"? Well it's true! 

Take a look at the fabulous posters we created after we did some learning about our brain. We watched this video first and then created a piece of writing to explain why "Your brain is like an elastic band".

 

 

According to research by Carold Dweck, connectivity between neurons can change with experience. With practice, neural networks grow new connections and strengthen existing ones. 

  

These neuroscientific discoveries have shown us that we can increase our neural growth by the actions we take, such as using good strategies, asking questions, practicing, and following good nutrition and sleep habits.

  

Singing...Great for BUILDING those Positive Emotions!

We have been focusing on identifying, experiencing and building positive emotions in Tautoru. 

Did you know that singing and listening to or playing music are some of the ways you can boost your wellbeing?

Singing and music help you to release endorphins - which are associated with feelings of pleasure, and  oxytocin - which can help alleviate stress and anxiety.

With that in mind we have been singing our hearts out in Tautoru!! This morning we started with some warm ups (which made us giggle).

 

Then we practised 'Count on Me' and 'Whakarongo ra'.

Here are the words to 'Whakarongo ra'. We are practising this song to present in our next assemby. Ask us to teach you the actions and words to this beautiful waiata at home.

A Trip to the Botanical Gardens

On Thursday Tautoru visited the Discovery Gardens as part of our Inquiry, Kaitiaki O Te Ngahere.

While we were at the Discovery Gardens we discussed the parts of a plant and what their functions are.

One activity we did was matching different food items like coffee, bananas, popcorn and mint to the actual plant they came from.

Then we made our own little plant pot out of newspaper. We found out that plants need, sunlight, air, water and space to grow. We filled it with soil and planted a bean seed. It was so exciting because we got to take these back to school. We are going to look after them and measure how tall they grow during maths.

Before we left we got to explore the gardens and find out which plants grow really quickly. Some of us tried flowers.....they tasted a bit peppery!

Of course we got to have a play at the awesome playground.

Thanks to all the parents that came along to help, we had a wonderful time exploring.

Positive Emotions

Tuesday mornings are our Positive Education mornings in Tautoru. Over the last two weeks we have been exploring emotions.

We all experience a range of different emotions at different times. Did you know that you can feel all sorts of emotions during a day?! Your emotions are what make you, YOU!

During our Pos. Ed mornings we have been mixing colours and thinking about how they make us feel.

We have also been showing different emotions on our faces and drawing self portraits.

We know that we can't feel happy all the time and that's ok. But the more we experience positive emotions and build on them, the more perspective, perseverance and creativity we have for our learning throughout the day.

If you are interested in finding out more about building positive emotions, check out this blog post by Georgiana Cameron here.

Cross Country

What a fantastic morning for the annual Worser Bay Cross Country. Not only was the sun shining but all of the students participated with zest, positivity, and perseverance.



We would like to thank the students that ran alongside our runners and everyone that supported us  along the course. It was also great to see so many students give the cross country a go and using a growth mindset when facing a challenge.

I Am Powerful

How can I be a powerful learner? What could that look like?

This term we are practising being powerful and what that might look like when we are at school.

We know that being powerful means:

• I can think about overcoming challenges 
• I am excited about new learning and I challenge myself
• I understand that not knowing is good
• I take action 
• I keep trying and don’t give up 
• I can make decisions about my environment 

We have started to think about what we do that makes us powerful already, and how we can keep learning how to develop other behaviours that make us powerful.
Here are some examples of our ideas so far: