Term 2 Update

Term 2 saw us back in 3 classrooms teaching around 60 tamariki.

We worked with ruma 3, 6 and 18.  Later in the term we did some work with one of the senior classes.  It was so lovely seeing the tamariki back out in the gardens having fun and learning about how to garden.

In the morning tea and lunch times groups of tamariki would come out and help me and Whaea Sarah in the gardens.  It’s such a privilege to spend this time discovering and pottering in the garden and seeing the tamariki returning to class with muddy hands (even though we were meant to be preparing for the next lesson).

Ruma 6 had a blast on their treasure hunt finding kumara that we planted last year.  The excitement at finding them buried in the soil was contagious as we tried to the find the biggest, skinniest and longest ones.  In term 3 we are going to do some baking with them –  not sure if we are going to make kumara soup or kumara chips, ruma 6 can’t make their minds up.  What do you think they will pick?

We also planted peas in cups with ruma 3 and 6 so they can see how seeds germinate.  They loved following the seed’s journey to becoming a seedling.  They then planted out their seedlings into the garden and will be excited to see them growing in term 3.

The tamariki also learnt how soil is made and about composting and worm farms.  Matariki was also celebrated by planting an orange, apple and mini kowhai tree (dragon gold).  Ruma 3 talked how they will be able to follow the apple tree’s progress throughout their schooling.  As the apple tree grows bigger, so will they.

Ruma 18 sowed seeds and watched them grow and planted them out.  We made newspaper pots for the seedling that needed more time.  Made our own worm farms.  Learned about how soil is made and LOVED finding the worms and learning about the soil food web.   We had so much fun with Whaea Sarah making our own fertiliser and learning about soil conditioning, then a group learnt how to prune the fruit trees.

Who is Whaea Sarah you may ask?  Whaea Clare had to go into surgery for her wrist so is off for half of term 2 and half of term 3,  the lovely Whaea Sarah has taken over and is doing an amazing job. Thank you Sarah. Can’t wait to see what happens in Term 3.