Koru trip to Auckland Museum - 20th May 2021

Koru whānau went to the Auckland Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira-

on Thursday 20th May to further learn and research about our

insect Inquiry. The primary focus for the day was to visit the Weird

and Wonderful Discovery Centre in the Auckland Museum to look at

and explore the thousands of collection items on display. 

We received a warm welcome in the Auckland Museum.

Learners have become like scientists, closely looking at the

Weird and Wonderful specimens and collection items using

microscopes, viewing a series of dioramas to learn about the

habitats and characteristics of creatures in our living world. 

Sophie, Asli and James exploring the microscope and interactive

media in the museum. 

George and Bruno looking closely at the insect body parts.

Celine, Yuxin, Tansley and Ellie are listening and talking to the

educator about the colourful butterflies.

Kiasha and Tansley are looking at the specimens of a giant Weta

and comparing them to the picture. 

Aren’t we lucky to be able to see one of the heaviest insects in the

world in the Auckland Museum?

The Weird & Wonderful gallery is home to some of the most

amazing collections from across the living world. 

Tawa was amazed to see the beetle collection at the museum.

His favourite one was the golden beetle. 

Violet’s favourite was the dung beetle because dung beetles lay

eggs in elephant poo and adult dung beetles enjoy eating elephant

poo!!

The museum educators were surprised by our learners' knowledge

and terminology about insects and bugs. The educators were in awe of

the empathy our learners expressed for dead animals in the Auckland

Museum. Our learners wondered why there were so many dead animals

in the museum? How did they come to the museum? Who killed them?

Why are the eyes of the dead animals open?  

“ The relationship is all. It is a matter of life to the child.” 

Dr. Emmi Pikler (info about Dr. Emmi Pikler)

The Weird and Wonderful Discovery Centre

Did you know that being able to share things out equally is fundamental to learning about Fractions and Multiplication?

During play for the first two weeks of Term 2, teachers provided play opportunities to explore fractional concepts. At the playdough table, Jonathan started the game "Tacos". The muffin paper (imagined taco), prompted lots of conversation about halves. The children agreed that the halves had to be equal and that meant the same size when they folded the muffin cups/taco. The sides had to meet exactly. The game lasted for quite a while and many children came to take part. They practised their counting along the way. Teachers asked questions like: How many children are here? How many tacos each? Will that be equal?

 

Baskets of objects and containers with 2, 3, or 4 divisions inspired a shop run by Zoey, Olive, Ting Ting, and Isobel. Teachers saw the opportunity to extend children's knowledge of numbers and record children's findings. 

The dolls had a happy time at the playdough table as the children naturally practiced sharing out playdough food equally.

For the following four weeks, teachers will draw children out for small group maths sessions where they will develop their understanding of fractional concepts in collaborative inquiry. They will solve open-ended problems that have come from authentic contexts like the "taco" game and relevant literature that the children enjoy. We will keep you posted with some great picture books that develop fractional understanding.