Pumpkins

As part of our look at autumn we looked closely at a pumpkin - describing what we could see, wondering why Mrs Gleeson had brought it in and tell each other what we know about pumpkins.  The pumpkin had been sitting on the painting table as an invitation to have a go at painting it.  

There’s a pumpkin – why do think I’ve put the pumpkin out?

JM so we can have a look at it

Jake so we can shoot away

Sophia so we can see how big it is

Ginny – so we can look at it # because it has holes in it

JY pass

Haylin so we can be happy # because it’s orange

Daniella so share with it # we can put our hands up and tell what it looks like

Coben – we can paint it and have a happy face when we paint it

Lucas so we can see the stuff on it # green stuff

Harrison – so we can pass it # because we can share it

Madison – we can put it in the garden

Samantha – so we can look at it and pass it to each other

Charlotte – we could roll it like a game

Bella – we could paint it and put a happy face on it

Emily because we could look and see what it is like on it

Jimmy – there’s a green bit on the top # so we can have a look at it

Adam – I think you put it out so we could have a look at all the beautiful colours on it

Toby – I think you put it out so we can cut it open and have a look at it.

Tell me what you know about pumpkins

Toby they grow under ground

Adam it looks like there is a big seed inside it

Harrison it grows in the garden

JM cut some eyes out and put a mouth and put it on a scarecrow

Jimmy – there’s lots of seeds inside pumpkins

Lucas it’s got lots of orange on it

Bella because it has lots of brown holes # we can eat them

Ginny I know it’s orange

Madison – it’s heavy

Sophia – because that we can cut it and look inside it

Harrison – we dig them up

Jake – because we look at the marks of it

Coben – the green is like beans

Lucas – that’s why it’s got a little bit green on the top # it looks like …

Daniella – it looks like there’s a seed on the top of the green

JY – it’s got holes on it

Charlotte – the whole pumpkin when it’s almost the end of summer # it grows into a normal pumpkin

Samantha – they grow under ground

Emily I know about pumpkins because they have little lines on them

Haylin – it’s got some little holes.

We went outside to see the pumpkins growing in the gardens to clarify the children’s understandings about where pumpkins grow.  Some thought underground.  Unfortunately the pumpkins had all been removed.  Some children said their families were growing pumpkins.  Most of the ‘what I know’ came from their observation of the pumpkin in front of them.  They were not able to bring forward ideas about their experiences with pumpkins other than the one in front of them. 

# Indicates teacher prompt for clarification or more information.

For our display we have put the pumpkins onto the vines - then we noticed "something is missing." We realised we need to add leaves to our plant to help it grow.

The pumpkin patch

PMP

Our Perceptual Motor Programme is well underway.  The children move around four stations in teams.  The activities are design so everyone is moving and engaged all the time.  Each station builds different motor skills such as, balance, laterality, eye hand co-ordination, big body movements.  (Sorry the camera work needs a bit of attention.)

Creative Compositions

This week I set out a new provocation to invite the children to create using circular mats and interesting beads, stones and shapes. When finished they were able to put their name card next to their work and take a photo before putting all the pieces back for the next user.  Taking photos of children's constructions enables them to 'let go' of the materials or dismantle as they have a permanent record of their work in the photo. For some it is their first time using a digital camera.

A Perfect Summer's Day

Room 1 have had a display of 'summer' on the exploration table and a book called Sky Tree, which we will be using throughout the year.

We painted what we thought a perfect summer's day would look like. (Not easy when there is torrential rain pelting against the windows.) The children's paintings are on display in the classroom. After discussing how we felt, the colours of summer and what we would do on a perfect day we wrote our own stories. 

The warm sun brightens the day.  Trees are swaying gently as I do roly-polys on the grass.  Emily

In summer I would play in the grass. The sun was warm and I would pick flowers. Jake

I went to the beach. Alexey

The warm sun shines on the playground.  I smell the yellow daisies and they smell like strawberries. Bella.

I like my picture. Haylin

It is a perfect day because the green grass is there and the sun and a big tree. Coben

I went on the playground and I rode the Ferris wheel.  Madison

I went to the beach and I made a sandcastle. Lucas

I looked at the rainbow and I am getting warm. 

I went to my backyard and I played with my dog.

I went to the beach with my grandma.  I like going to the beach because there is lots of dead seaweed. Harrison

It is a sunny day and I had my pool our. Jacob M.

It is a sunny day for a rainbow and for a swim with your sister. Adam

I like it when it is sunny.  I am playing in my garden.  I saw a rainbow.  Jacob Y.

I saw the warm sun and I saw the tree sway. Ginny

I went to the beach.  It was sunny. Toby

I am picking juicy apples for my mum, dad and brother. Sophia

I was in Tekapo when we were having a swim.  Jimmy

Room 1 skipping

 Room 1 had our first skipping practise this year.  Some of the children are already able to skip confidently.

All the children were able to turn the rope and jump over it by the end of the session. 

We also drew a picture of ourselves skipping.  Note the way the children perceive the rope as they swing it.  We will be working on drawing our bodies and how they look during this term; trying to get away from the stick figure drawings.

The skipping was like we were doing a show. Adam

I am at school and I was outside.  I like skipping.
The rope is swinging. Ginny

It is fun. Also I was jumping over the rope. Lucas.

I went to skipping.  I was skipping with my
skipping rope. Daniella

It is fun I can jump over it. Jacob M.

I was skipping because our teacher told us to. Jake

We are out skipping on a rainy day.  I am about to jump over the skipping rope.  Jimmy

I went skipping at Rolleston School.  It was fun.  The rope was
tall.   Toby

I liked skipping.  I was grateful.
Jacob Y

I went outside and skipped.  The rope is going around and I gave it another go.  Madison

I was on the concrete.  I can skip backwards.  Emily

I learned to skip because I like skipping. 
I was excited when I could skip.  Harrison

I like to skip.  I can't do it but I keep trying. Sophia

I was jumping over the skipping rope and my feet jumped on my feet again.  Coben

I skipped far away on the grass. Alexey