The Christmas Breakup 16 December 2016 - was a great occasion, as they all are, thanks to those who came brought something yummy to eat, decorated the tree and enjoyed good company for the last time this year. And a little bit of work was done. Thanks Alan for supplying the bubbles!
Hope you have a good Christmas and the nursery will be open again on Friday 6th January 2017!
Kind regards
Chris
Posted: 19 December 2016
Twenty three children accompanied by teachers and parents visited the Community Nursery on 6 December 2016. They divided into two groups – one group in the Education Centre with Dawn and Sally and helpers potting up tiny flax plants, doing bird matching games, the floor jigsaws and the wetland tunnel and the other group with Chris exploring the pond and bush areas. A mother duck proudly showed off her new ducklings by the pond, the net was pulled up and some damselfly larvae wriggled about in the tray, and children used their observation powers to hunt for sensory scavenger hunt items around the track. Tui were observed on the new red flax flowers and a moa was spotted near the birdhide! For more information on edukids visit http://www.best-start.org/centres/edukids-elles-road Chris
Posted: 6 December 2016
A gloomy rainy day didn’t deter Makarewa Playcentre families explore the SCN. Walking through the orchard and past the vegetable gardens highlighted the different foods that can be grown. The worm farm was really interesting with some children also seeing a black beetle and slaters. After some kai and exploration of the education centre, it was off around the track using our different senses to notice. Some trees were prickly while others were smooth. Everything was wet! Of particular interest were the pest traps, so we talked about how we want to keep our native forests free of pests like rats, stoats and possums, so that our native birds can grow and sing. The Makarewa Playcentre is going to be planting native trees around their centre so it was great to see what some of these look like. We potted up some seedlings, helping them grow big and strong. Bronwyn
Posted: 6 December 2016
Just over 50 Year 4 students from Otatara School visited the Southland Community Nursery to continue their learning about NZ native birds and their adaptations to the environments they live in. Five activities allowed the students to discover and learn about native birds. The photo matching game showcased the NZ natives that are found here in their backyard – Otatara, Southland, and discussion highlighted the different beaks that different bird species have, and some interesting facts about the shining cuckoo! The Bird Beak activity allowed hands on (or beak on!) experimentation of how birds have adapted different beaks and how these allow them to feed in different environments for different food sources. Habitats such as the forest floor (dirt, rotting log), streams, wetlands and estuaries (water), river bed (stones), and kowhai flowers had the students thinking. They learnt that the tui have a tongue! “What do I eat?” had students grouping the birds under insect, nectar and fruit eater headings, and then discovered what plants can be planted to attract these birds to your backyard. A walk around the pond and collecting nature (as a bird would) ended in the students building an amazing array of nests. The “Who Am I?” cards were used to figure out what bird was being described and the students, parents and teachers all learnt some interesting facts about our NZ native birds. To finish off the visit their artwork was congratulated with many of these class members receiving a prize from the Southland Community Nursery and Kiwi Conservation Club bird art competition. Bronwyn
Posted: 6 December 2016
Community Nursery Christmas Breakup 16 December 2016 - bring something yummy to eat, maybe a decoration for the tree (which children can help decorate) and come and enjoy good company for the last time this year. Grab a native plant as a last minute Christmas gift!
If we dont see you, have a good Christmas and see you in the New Year.
Kind regards
Chris
Posted: 4 December 2016