In Term 1 we looked at the concept of CONNECTION in various ways.
We looked at connecting with others (friendships, creating connections, finding common interests).
For sea week we looked at kaitiakitanga and how we connect with our environment (the importance of the ocean in our lives to help provide oxygen, as part of the water cycle, food, jobs, recreation etc). Some chose to write letters to the Prime Minister to ask for more marine reserves (they were shocked to learn that less than 1% of NZ waters are protected marine reserves). These letters will be presented at parliament, along with other from schools around NZ, by the Young Ocean Explorers team - Riley and Steve Hathaway. Some children picked up rubbish to help clean the environment.
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We designed and made bridges and looked at the different designs to make strong structures to connect places over rivers.
Lots of fun was had looking at electrical connections and making circuits. Children enjoyed using our brainbox kits and some even had a go with the EPro8 equipment (which will be used later in the year for a year 5&6 competition).
During neurodiversity awareness week we looked at how the connections in our brains work (synapses) and how some people's brains can work in different ways. We looked at strengths of different brain types and different neurodiversities. We looked at famous people who have neurodiversities - did you know that Albert Einstein was gifted and also thought to have dyslexia.
Teamwork was an important concept to look at - how we can work with others to problem solve and support each other.
While looking at all these different topics it is hoped that children can find something that interests them and also to think about some new ideas and get them talking about and understanding themselves a little more.