Leaf art

We keep coming back to plants and leaves this year – maybe because they are all around us outside, or because we do lots of gardening?

Earlier in the week we did some coin rubbings – we have been talking about treasure – and money is very important as treasure for some children.

Talking about rubbing things, Reba said we should rub leaves – maybe it’s been on Mr Maker? Anyway, what a good idea.

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We soon found a variety of leaves in the garden and blu-tacked them to some card. Then we had a go.

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We had to learn how to rub rather than draw – and to not put too much pressure on the pastel. This was useful fine motor practice for some children. And we loved the results.

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using more than one color was even more effective.

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Reba said “this is what it looks like how the leaves feel”.

What a good way to explain texture rubbings!

That’s Not a Daffodil!

We planted some daffodil bulbs at the start of term and it has taken a very long time for some of them to come up – but at last they are all up!

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Last week Harrison brought us in a special present – a book about growing daffodils. We loved it – it’s called “That’s Not a Daffodil!” and it’s by a wonderful Australian author called Elizabeth Honey. It was perfect to read as we started to see the shoots appear in our pots.

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What a very thoughtful present – thanks Harrison (and his mum, Bec!)

The science of hygiene

Winter – colds, runny noses, coughs and germs.

We did a demonstration of how germs get shared around.

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put our hands into some pretend germs, like flour…

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then shake hands…and see how you have passed the germs on.

Then how do we chase the germs away?

Some more pretend germs, this time cinnamon sprinkled onto water

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add one drop of liquid soap or dishwashing liquid…

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and the germs rush away…now we know that it’s really because the soap has broken the surface tension of the water but it’s a very effective experiment to see what happens if you use soap to wash those germy hands…

A good one for the start of winter.

Questacon comes to Ouyen

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What are the kinder kids doing? Having fun with the Questacon Science Circus team of Steph and Steve. They only get around to an area once in every 6 years (at the most – we haven’t ever seen them) so we were very excited to have them come to the Mallee.

We learnt about science in the best way possible – hands on and play…

about light…

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about sound…

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about gravity…

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as well as lots of other areas

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We’ll be following up their great ideas – so many of them connect with our bodies and how they work which we are interested in at present. Questacon has a great website with lots of these activities – well worth a visit. www.scienceplay.questacon.edu.au

This was intent and engaged learning – a fantastic learning experience.

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…the faces say it all!

we won something!

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Sorry, not a very good photo – but a nice little CD called Songs of Connection from an Australian singer songwriter called Alice Garrick –  the dinosaur songs are a welcome addition to our dinosaur repertoire. And good on you Alice for using your talents and sharing your music.

And how did we win it? Just by leaving a comment on Kate’s blog at www.pickelbums.com – one of the many bloggers out there who are sharing their ideas, thoughts, activities and interests with the blogosphere. So thanks Kate and Alice!

Our special morning tea

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We had a morning tea at kinder to raise money for the Anti- Cancer Council – we have a friend from kinder last year who is receiving treatment for leukaemia, and lots of our families have been impacted by cancer – we all have, really. So we got cooking and made pikelets for a special treat.

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Cooking is  a great language  and  literacy – maths – fine motor – social activity.

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There’s  science in those bubbles.

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We are always looking for activities that will build self-efficacy – the sense of being competent, of being able to successfully carry out tasks independently, that builds confidence and a willingness to have a go. Cooking is good for that.

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(We had to have a serious discussion about the dangers of a hot frypan first.)

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Adults are often quite vague about how long something will take – just a little bit of time we say – so checking with a clock and counting the seconds was another interesting part of the activity.

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And then it was time to enjoy our culinary efforts.

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Milo poured from a teapot (complete with teacosy) and drunk out of real cups, is delicious – and the pikelets were a hit!

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