Tāwhirimātea and the power of the wind

We have been learning about some of the Māori Atua (Gods). 

One of these is Tāwhirimātea who is the Auta of the wind.

As part of this, we have been learning about wind turbines and how they generate electricity.

We made our own mini wind turbines too. This is how we did it:

1. Take a piece of paper and fold it to make a square. 

2. Cut along the edge.

3. Colour both sides of your paper.

4. Fold your paper into two triangles to find the centre.

 

5. Put a dot in the centre and 4 dots along the folded lines. Use your fingers to measure.

6. Cut along the folds to your dot and then fold 4 edges into the centre and secure with blu tack.

7. Use a pin to secure the centre and attach it to a pencil with an eraser on the top.

You have a windmill!

Getting organised for the Visual Arts Celebration next week...

WBS Bi-Annual Celebration of Visual Art

Tues 13th September 6-7pm / Wed 14th September 5-6pm

We have been working hard in Tautoru (and throughout the whole school) with many visual art pieces for our Celebration of Arts in week 9. 

Our focus has been linked to the Atua (Māori Gods) we have been learning about and links to our environment. We have tried, where possible, to re-use and re-cycle, creating new and exciting pieces. Many of these ideas have been created by the children and we are excited to show you!

There will be collaborative art

Painting

Clay

Diorama

Large installations

And More!

Even Frank the Cat has been helping...

Please come along and see our amazing creations and how hard we have been working.

Exciting Sports Times!

We've been lucky at Worser Bay School this week to welcome Amber from Wellington Softball Association. She ran a lesson with our year 3's where they learnt the fundamentals of the game. This involved learning about the bases, how to score a home run, and most importantly showing lots of sportsmanship whilst batting and on the field.

Amber is coming back again next week to further extend our skills. We will be practicing hitting with a bat and quick reflexes- running as soon as the ball has been hit!

In a couple of weeks some of Tautoru (along with the rest of the junior school) will be heading to Ākau Tangi for the Inter-school Futsal tournament. To prepare us we've been practicing our soccer skills, including kicking, dribbling, and how to score a goal. Our PE program has a games focus and our tamariki have loved playing against each other, making sure their Positive Relationships and Teamwork are at the centre of all play!

Sports are so important for our tamariki's wellbeing. Students physical wellbeing is a critical aspect in our schools vision of supporting the whole child. We can't wait for more opportunities to play sport and have fun while doing so! 

Takaro Tahi

Traditionally on Friday afternoons, the junior school have had 'golden time'. This is where tamariki have been able to celebrate the great work they have completed throughout the week by choosing how they would like to spend the afternoon. Some people bought board games to share and play, others spent time creating craft, music, lego or marble runs and also had more time to choose play outside. 

During this time, the seniors also had 'Friday Games' afternoon. They were able to choose which game they would like to join, after they had completed their weekly reflection.

We have decided to trial a new idea on Friday afternoons this term by combining the whole school together to create a play afternoon called Takaro Tahi (play together). 

Our tamariki can still choose the things that they love to do the most (two ball football with John is a big draw card!), but as an added bonus, we now have the 'big kids' playing with and alongside our juniors. 

We have been using this time to put out some 'loose parts' like ropes, pulleys, pipes and containers to see what the tamariki would create together. 

We have been excited to see how well they work together and help each other create new ways to play. The seniors are experts at helping us tie knots, making swings in the trees and creating a pulley system along the big slide. 

Writing: Falling into the ACTION!

This term we have had a narrative focus on our writing. Instead of starting every story with 'Once upon a time...' (although some great stories start this way!) we have been encouraging students to dive into the ACTION. This helps with our focus on show not tell, our stories allowing the reader to fully engage and feel as if they are a part of the story.

Please enjoy some stand out pieces of writing from this week. Our prompt was diving into the action of being on a pirate ship - ready to tackle an enemy ship, run by a heard of dinosaurs of course! While I'd like to credit your teaching team for coming up with this prompt, it is book called Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs. Highly recommend!

Helena: 

"Walk the plank!" said Captain Lady Bug as the pirate dinosaur tramped closer and closer on the ship. "The pirate dinosaurs are going to attack!" screeched Chief Cicada. Meanwhile... the pirate dinosaur chef was baking a victory cake for their success. "You are going to pay for this!" Said everyone at once, when suddenly assistant caterpillar leapt onto the other ship. They had a fight. Boom! Kapaw! Thwang! 

Kyle M: 

All the dinosaurs jumped into the freezing water, except for the monstrous T-Rex! Flint was fighting the T-rex until the T-Rex could do no more and that took a very long time. The T-Rex said "Flinn, you're a good pirate, you can be our captain." Flint said "maybe one day but I must go back to school it's almost lunch time."