The Joy of Maths

The two math groups have been working together over the last two weeks. We have been supporting the girls to write their numbers correctly, counting one to one, addition, increasing number knowledge and identifying what comes before and after each number. 

The girls have work in their books if you would like to see some of what they have been doing and there are also photos on the wall.

Eyes.

Take a look at our eye drawings below. Don't they look great? The girls have worked so hard on these and are very proud of them. 

Artist: McKenna

Artist: Ria

Artist: Vanessa

Artist: Isobella

Artist: Sophia

Artist: Zoe

Artist: Anika

Artist: Jenesis

"Eyes are for looking." - Vanessa
"Of course they are! We have eyes so that we can see!" - Isobella

"If we didn’t have eyes we would bump into everyone!" - Isobella

"And...we wouldn’t be able to play memory, because we wouldn’t be able to see the pairs. You know, the cards that match." - Vanessa

"We wouldn’t be able to see beautiful flowers." - Ria

"And if we didn’t have a nose we wouldn’t be able to smell the flowers."
- Isobella

"We wouldn’t be able to smell yummy food either!" - Vanessa

"You know, eyes are shaped like lemons. Not circles. But there is a circle bit in the middle."

- McKenna

"Yeah, thats called our pupil." - Isobella

Portraiture.

Last week we began a project around portraiture.

During our group work sessions each morning, McKenna, Isobella, Ria and Vanessa worked to draw their eyes, nose, mouth and nearing the end of the week, their whole face. It has been very interesting to observe the development of their drawings over time.

The girls have been enjoying using mirrors to look closely at their different facial features and they have been able to achieve great detail in their drawings. We have also been writing some fantastic stories about the work that we are doing.

During this time the other girls have been working with Mrs Bayes to develop their number knowledge and challenge their thinking around mathematics. We have some real mathematicians in our class!

This week Zoe, Jenesis, Sophia and Anika have begun their work around portraiture. Today they looked closely at their eyes and have drawn some fantastic pictures. The girls have been engaging in some rich discussions about difference and we have been celebrating how unique and special we all are.

Lightning and Chocolate.

A story about two cats. 

Written and Illustrated by Anika Fletcher.

My two cats are called Lightning and Chocolate. Both of them are white and both of them are girls. When they want to play they sometimes scratch each other but it doesn’t hurt, they just laugh. I love to cuddle them and to kiss them, but they only give me licks. It feels soft. 

 

The end.

Foundation Class

Term Three 2012

Returning to our mountain.

Today was our first trip up Mt St John of the term. For Sophia, Ria, Isobella, Zoe and Jenesis, this was their first time visiting the mountain with us. The weather was just perfect and we had a wonderful time exploring together.

Here are some photos which tell the story of our adventure:

McKenna, Vanessa and Anika shared this sign with the new girls and explained what the different symbols mean.

It was hard work walking to the top...

...but when we got there, we were very excited by the view!

Did you know that you can even see One Tree Hill from Mt St John?

We found some very interesting footprints...

...and wondered who they might belong to?

It was beautiful and sunny.

We enjoyed swinging on branches...

...and climbing trees!

We had a great time up Mt St John, and look forward to returning again next Wednesday.

A visit from a weta!

Yesterday we had a visit from a very unusual visitor. As Sophia and I were getting some things out of our garden shed to work with, we were very surprised to find a weta! He climbed onto a leaf, so we were able to take him in to share with the other girls. When we had done this Sophia suggested we put him into the garden. "He'd like it in there I think. It's wet and muddy and there are lots of leaves for him to play with and hide under" Sophia shared. 

Here are some photos of the weta:

 

Exploring light and shadows...

Yesterday, Jenesis and Sophia spent a long time together encountering our light projector. The girls seemed to be really captivated by the shadows that they were producing. They worked to create lovely patterns and compositions on the surface of the light. They also explored their own shadows when they discovered that if they walked in front of the light, their image was cast upon the wall.

"The more time you spend with children, the more you notice how inquisitive they are about the world and how keen their thinking is even about the most subtle things... A shadow is certainly one of these subtle things." 

- The Hundred Languages of Children

'If' - By Pamela Houk

 If I can
Ask my own questions,
Try out my ideas,
Experience what is around me,
Share what I find;

                                                                

If I have
Plenty of time for
My special place,
A nourishing space,
Things to transform;

                                                              

 If you’ll be
My patient friend,
Trusted guide,
Fellow investigator,
Partner in learning;

                                                               

Then I will
Explore the world,
Discover my voice,
And tell you what I know.

- Pamela Houk

Coming together at morning tea.

This morning we were able to all come together around the morning tea table. This was a lovely occasion, where the girls chatted away and got to know one another. It was so nice to observe the way in which McKenna & Vanessa were sharing their knowledge with the new girls, and assisting them if different ways. 

The new girls seemed to really enjoy putting their own spreads onto their crackers and using the 'tricky tongs' to pick up some pieces of fruit. 

We would like to say a big welcome to our new additions to the Foundation Class;

Ria, Sophia, Isobella, Jenesis, Zoe and their families. We are looking forward to getting to know you all better as well as working and learning alongside you.