PORT CHALMERS KINDERGARTEN

What Can We Plant Into?

2011-09-23T15:56:00.000+12:00

Together with the children, we thought about the types of things we could plant into. We cut things out of magazines and brainstormed ideas for our portable garden!

The call then went out to our whaanau for creative containers for our garden and WOW what a great response we have. Here are some of the things that our families brought to plant in!

One of the grandmother's brought this already made for us!

Next step:

Planting into those awesome containers!

The PORTable Garden Project

2011-09-23T15:21:00.003+12:00

We have entered in the Tui School Garden Challenge by Tui and Mitre 10 Mega!

We are currently in a temporary kindergarten building as we are lucky enough to have a new building being built to replace our old one!

We decided to make a portable garden with the children because we will not be here long!

We can take our portable garden with us.

We use sustainable practises in our garden.

We utilise our guinea pigs ‘output’ and our worm farm ‘juice’ as well, we in turn will be sharing our produce with them.

We will be watering with watering cans and will mulch where possible.

Watch this space for our progression of our portable garden!

New Kindergarten Building...here we come!

2011-09-02T15:41:00.000+12:00

Wow! The whole kindergarten building was demolished by one digger on July 7th 2011.

We all went to watch with our hard hats on! It was loud!

Now it is nearly all gone!

We've had a lot of demolition play since the big event!

Here we are with the roof on!

There will be a lot of windows. It is not two storied but is high at the front to catch the sun!

We are expecting to be into our new building around mid December.

We have travelled the solar system

2011-05-30T16:00:00.000+12:00

As we explore planets and the universe around us, aliens visited

We also travelled the solar system on our flying saucers.

Off to Pluto we flew. It took us a real long time to get there because we know that Pluto is the furthest planet away from the Sun.

Then off we flew to Jupiter where we explored the hot planet and all the volcanoes.

WWWWW next it was to Jupiter’s neighbor Saturn.

What great fun we had but we started to miss our Mum’s and Dad’s so home to Earth we flew.

Afternoon at the Rugby Field

2011-05-23T15:34:00.000+12:00

We had some great fun last week visiting the rugby field! We had rugby matches and relay races. Then we got to visit the playground!

Photo Gallery-Term One

2011-04-12T14:39:00.002+12:00

Making 'Stone Soup'!

A volcanic eruption in the sandpit.

Best mates having fun on the swing!

'Filling' up the bikes.

Playing music with te rakau/sticks.

Playing in the pink goo is fun, fun, fun!

We purchased some cool new 'buildings of the world' blocks this term with the money raised from the chalk toy catalogues we fundraised from at the end of last year! They are a great addition to our block area-thanks everyone for your support- you make our kindy great!

We look forward to another great term!

We're Back for another Great Year!!

2011-02-02T14:53:00.001+13:00

It's great to see all the tamariki and their families back for a great start to the new year! The children are enjoying spending time with their friends and exploring new things!

We have another great term planned! We will be learning about more life cycles (to continue on from last term with the tadpoles and snails). We have a caterpillar at Kindy who will continue through his lifecycle into a Monarch Butterfly and we have also got a hen and chicks to watch grow!!

Our stuffed possum, Mr. Munchies is also off for a holiday! He is joining the children at Koputaroa School in Horowhenua in the North Island! He will be doing some adventurous things and it will be recorded on their school blog! Address will be posted soon! Keep an eye out!

Our Kindergarten rebuild is well underway now with our temporary premises to be announced soon! This term will bring in the demolition of our old Kindergarten building... but lots of excitement for the new one!

Keep watching our site for photos and stories from this new and exciting term!!

Christmas at Kindy!

2011-02-02T13:42:00.000+13:00

Santa gets into his bag of goodies!

Our grand entrance!

Rudolf left his mark!

We all had a great time coming together!

October Snippets of our tamariki projects

2010-11-08T16:18:00.000+13:00

October 2010.

A wee few snippets of projects our amazing tamariki have undertaken over the last few weeks

The children designed and created ‘Sarah the scarecrow’ out of recycled

materials.

We hope she will scare away the cheeky seagulls so they won’t eat our bean tee pee

we have planted.

Look at the watering can the children designed, created

using amazing co-operative discussions, problem solving and

use of technology.

Now we can water the beans. 

Port Otago Trip

2010-11-08T16:03:00.000+13:00

We went to visit Port Otago just down the road. We have lots of Mums, Dads and Grandparents who work at the Port so it was great to go and see what they do!

All the adults needed to wear a bright vest to help keep us safe from the many dangers at the Port.

We saw the boats that carry the containers full of different things, trucks and trains which distribute the containers around and the straddles which move all the containers around. All of the vehicles are very big and the driver sits up very high!

We went inside the building where all the Port operations are controlled.

See how big the tyres are on this vehicle!!!

We got to have a turn to sit in the big red vehicle! It was a long way up!

Thank you to Harlan and Jensen’s Dad for organising such a cool trip.

Revisiting Firetruck Making

2010-08-26T15:31:00.000+12:00

Dramatic play unfolded over the days after the children had made the fire truck.

We set the truck up outside and the children as a group took control of the equipment that was needed on the truck to fight all the fires.

Ladders, hoses, fire fighter helmets and coats were added to the growing pile.

Problem: How to fit everything into the truck as well as all the fire fighter (as there was many).

Jordan had an idea, “Lets get a trailer”

A climbing box was added to the back of the truck.

Hemi added a steering wheel for driving which sparked Finn to add two rocks in front of the wheel for “The brakes”

Tyla added a small box behind these for the seats.

Make it.

Then more boxes arrived and as we had planned from the day before discussions the children set to work on the rescue helicopter.

And WOW what great team work as the children discussed and negotiated how they would. Jordan who had been one of the leading ideas persons the day before when they had discussed making a helicopter ran off and had a look at the posters that we displayed on the walls.

He told us the colours we would need and how there needed to be propellers on the top and a tail at the end.

Over the remainder of the day the children engaged in large group dramatic role plays using the box and the fire engine.

They did revisit a number of times over the next day but once the initial making had been completed the interest was not the same.

Learning occurring.

The children had the opportunity to build on the plans they had discussed and use visual prompts such as the posters to help to extend their thinking on how they would achieve their plans.

They used lots of negotiations and language and listened to each other.

Peer tutoring was very evident as they discussed and worked together with some of the older children taking on leadership roles.

This was a large project with lots of interest from many children with provided opportunities for children to develop the ability to work as a team and alongside others on a joint interest.

AND FUN FUN FUN!!!!

Andrew the Builder - Ella's Dad Helps Us Out

2010-08-22T20:56:00.001+12:00

Andrew came to fix our trusty little kindy boat that needed holes repaired.

Power tools, hammers, and saws in hand he set to work with many very willing helpers and his special wee apprentice Ella.

Step 1. Take off the damaged panels, front and back of the boat. Claw of the hammer under the wood and carefully pull up.

Step 2. Place the new panels on the frame. Oops! They don’t quite fit. Now for the exciting part. Andrew gets out the power tools and safety ear muffs. (They were a great hit) Now Andrew sands and cuts the panels. We all had to stand back a bit to keep ourselves safe. WOW it was noisy.

Steps 3. Drilling and screwing in the nails and screws. Everyone got a turn to do this. Lots of turning, screwing and hammering and everyone got a turn with the ear muffs.

The children watched very carefully as Andrew repaired our boat. The carpentary table was moved over to where we were working and lots of hammering and trying out the things Andrew showed the children.

Thank you for coming to Kindy Andrew the children really enjoyed watching and working with you and being involved in purposeful tool work.

Our carpentry table has been very popular since and we had to add ear muffs and safety glasses to our tool list when we purchased new equipment.

Joan the Dental Therapist Visits!

2010-08-22T20:46:00.000+12:00

Joan our local dental therapist came to visit us at Kindy. Joan showed us her uniform, her coat with her badge, rubber gloves to protect her hands, her face mask, and her safety glasses. She read us a story about clean teeth and showed us how to brush our teeth, how much toothpaste to use and how to move our tooth brushes to keep our teeth clean. Joan also told us that Mums and Dads should help brush our teeth until we are about 9 years old. That's so the toothbrush reaches all the corners of our mouth. Joan brought along "Tigger" who opened his mouth wide to show us all his lovely clean teeth. Joan got out her special little mirror that she uses to look in all the children who visit her teeth. Then we all got a turn to look at Tigger’s teeth with the little mirror.

Thank you for your visit Joan. It was so good for the children to meet you and get to know you in a familiar setting. When they come for a visit to your clinic they will know what to expect.

Making a Firetruck

2010-08-22T20:31:00.001+12:00

Fire trucks were definitely the area of interest for a few weeks. We had songs, books, and dramatic play with fire trucks and fire safety. Julie and the children even thought it would be a great idea to build their very own fire truck!

With a plan in mind the children set to work on making the fire truck.

Great co-operation, a shared project was underway.

SOOOO much energy and enthusiasm the truck so took shape.

Painting and climbing, red and more red paint.

111 was rang there is a fire at Morgan’s house, Reagan is trapped and the ambulance is also called.

Sirens blazing, hoses at the ready and fire fighters on the way.

Oh my goodness the roof is on fire; Julie gets Reagan out of the building and ambulance person Nic comes to save the day.

What great drama with wonderful co-operation.

The children worked together adding more drama to their role playing as it evolved.

Firetruck Visit

2010-08-19T15:49:00.001+12:00

Hannah and Josie’s dad, Ant, came to visit us in his firetruck from the Central Dunedin Fire Station! We all sat down on the mat and listened to him talk about fire safety. Ant talked to us about where he goes to work and what he does there, including eating and sleeping. But, all the gets interrupted if the fire alarm goes off! Ant also showed us some matches and a lighter and asked what we should do if these things are found. The children decided it was a good idea to give these things to an adult! Ka pai! We also talked about what we should do in case of a fire at our house. If the fire alarm goes off, we yell “FIRE!” and then we GET OUT AND STAY OUT! (and wait by the letterbox). Next, the fireman’s uniform. Of course it wouldn’t be as much fun unless one of our teachers dressed up. The children talked me through what I needed to put on to keep me safe from fighting a fire, my boots, pants, jacket, gloves, and hat. The children also got to take turns going out to the firetruck and learning about all the different parts, and even got to sit inside!! After all the wonderful learning, the children finally got a turn spraying the water from the fire hose! They got to feel how heavy it was and turn the nozzle to make the different pressures of water change. What an awesome learning experience to see what one of our community members does!

We're Back!!

2010-08-15T18:58:00.002+12:00

Kia ora everyone and welcome back to the Kindy blog! This term Julie, Sapph, and Amy are going to try their best to blog and allow family and friends to keep up with the children's learning!

We have had an exciting start to the term already. This term has sparked an interest in the community and the jobs and hobbies of people in the area. We have had visits from Ant (Hannah and Josie's dad) and his firetruck to learn about fire safety, Joan the dental therapist, and Captain Cornflakes from the local kid's radio station. Trips to the local garage and supermarket, a visit from a hairdresser, and lots more are planned!

Our biggest news is that we are getting a brand new Kindergarten soon!! This is currently in the pre-planning stages with the Dunedin Kindergarten Association, but our present building will be getting bulldozed and a brand new one will take it's place. We'll need everyone's help in fundraising this year and we will keep everyone updated as we find out more information!

Keep watching this page for updates in the children's learning journeys!!

Fortune Theatre

2008-06-13T16:29:00.005+12:00

We had a amazing day exploring the in's and out of the Fortune Theatre. What excitement there was on the way to the Theatre, it was great having the opportunity to act on stage, under lights and real live audience. This was a first time experience for some of our new children and they are looking forward to going on another trip in the future. We learnt lots about stage sets, props and how they are made, it was fantastic that we got to try on many different hats. there was a lot of tired children on the way home!

Breakfast at Kindergarten

2008-06-06T13:31:00.006+12:00

To celebrate the change in seasons from Summer to Autumn our children ddecided that we could have breakfast at Kindy. Some of our older children who had breakfast here before, really wanted Carmen to make her special waffles. Along with the usual breakfast items like toast, and cereals we enjoyed a hot Milo and waffles. It really was a family affair with the baby brothers coming along in their PJs too. Lots of fun was had working alongside each other in our PJs, playing in the dough, building in the sand and even have a story read to us before bed time that night.

Billy Goats Gruff

2008-05-28T13:51:00.002+12:00

Princess Song

2008-05-28T13:04:00.004+12:00

Here at Kindergarten we have been exploring the art of acting. This is one of our favourite songs to act out in a group with our friends. We are starting to make different props to go with our plays, because we have learnt that they can tell the story too! It is great to lots of supporting, turn taking and communicating with each other, while we perform. All the children want to have ago at once, but it is always important to have the back ground singers. Next week we get to take our play to a real theatre and act it out on stage. Watch this space!!!

Wombat Stew

2008-05-19T14:58:00.007+12:00

What a great story teller you are Max and Felix. It is really great to see you both sharing the story together. I was talking with Mum Felix and she said that you sing this song all the time at home. Here is another example of our children working with dramatic play!

Dramatic Play

2008-05-17T14:46:00.004+12:00

Over the past 2 weeks our children have been exploring dramatic play, creativity and re-telling stories. We have been working in small groups to act out many different stories, like the Three Billy Goats Gruff. The children have also found that props can help tell and story too. Here we are using head bands with ears to help decide who is the big Billy Goat, The Middle and the smallest Billy Goat. Can you tell?

Visiting the Fire Station

2008-04-08T11:22:00.006+12:00

Early this term the children saw a house on fire up on the hill above the Kindergarten, and then the Fire Engine came to put out the fire. This cause a huge discussion at mat time, the children had lots of questions, answers, and ideas about fires. A trip to the fire station was one of the suggestion that came from them, so that is what we did!
The bus arrived early and took us to the Dunedin Fire Station to meet the brave people that fight fires for a job. It was a great day and we learnt many new things about fire and keeping ourselves safe all the time. Here is Lukin exploring the inside of a fire engine.It was a busy morning and we had lots of tired children on the bus home, but is was worth the trip!

Alex discovers

2008-04-05T20:16:00.007+13:00

Wow!! Alex you spent a long time at the table today, using the pens to write many different letters. It was great to see you making your own discoveries of letters and colours. With the special pens you could write over the top of the letters that made up your name. You could tell me that 'ALEX' is your name.

Wombat Stew again!

2008-04-05T20:04:00.007+13:00

Yes, we have lots of storytellers here at Port Chalmers. The children have shown an amazing interest in the book 'Wombat Stew'. In our extended session the children decided they needed their own pots to fill with many different shape and sizes of bugs. It was fantastic to see how creative the children became, expressing their ideas and imagination through the arts. Jaimin here is holding up his creation of the big pot of 'wombat stew.'

Sam the bug man

2008-04-03T16:18:00.006+13:00

It is wonderful to know that we can count on Sam when it comes to feeding our new frogs. "Watch out buzzing flies, Sam will catch you and feed you to the frogs."
Our little tadpoles are not so little anymore, they are now green frogs that like to eat flies and thanks to Sam we don't have to worry about finding them food. When there are lots of bugs around the kindergarten, Sam will get his container, stand very still and then BANG! he's got them. Even when he is at home the flies are not safe. Sam will hunt them high and low, making sure that our frogs don't go hungry. Thanks Sam we know that if there are flies about, you are on the job!

Taylor makes muffins

2008-04-03T15:39:00.008+13:00

At our Kindergarten we do lots of baking. Today we made carrot muffins, we decided to make them because they are a lot healthier than chocolate ones that we normally make. Through baking we learn that it is important to wash your hands before coming to the table to help. If we don't then we might get lots of other bugs on the food, which will make it unsafe to eat.
Taylor loves to bake, he is always there helping with his friends. We have to do lots of mixing, stirring and pouring to get the right kind of mixture. We learn what some of the names of the ingredients are and count lots of different times as we measure all the things that go into the bowl. If we are lucky the baking is usually cooked by lunch time, that is when we get to be the taste testers for the teachers. The muffins today were yummy!!!!

Max and wombat stew

2008-04-03T15:28:00.007+13:00

What a wonderful day you had Max, re-telling the whole story of 'Wombat Stew' out in the playground today. You used the natural resources from your environment to fill up your pot, just like in the story. You are amazing at acting out the different elements on each page, dramatic play is one of your strengths and we enjoy watching you learn through this skill.It was great to see you connect our environment to the outback of Australia. We know this because you told us that wombats live there. You have been revisiting this story now for a few days, and have been including lots of your friends in your play.You are a great communicator Max!

Here we go!!!

2008-04-01T15:35:00.010+13:00

Welcome, it is great to have this opportunity to use a tool that will enhance our relationships with our families and the wider community. We look forward to your comments about your children's learning on our blog.