We Are All Makers!

Dear Gecko Class Families,

Thank you to all the parents who shared their beach photos in the Google Albums. They sparked meaningful conversations among the children about their experiences at the beach, allowing them to share and discuss the different sights, sounds, and activities they encountered during their beach trips. By using the beach photos as a starting point, the children have been able to explore and discover new ways to engage in dramatic play, recreating beach scenes, acting out beach-related activities.

The children have thoroughly enjoyed adding various items to the beach area. They added foam blocks to make pretend sandcastles, shells to add decorations and go on 'shell hunts', boats to play in the 'sea', hats and umbrellas to protect them from the sun, and sea creatures to swim in the 'ocean'. It has been wonderful to see the children connect with the space they co-constructed and come together as they communicate their ideas with one another. 

**Some snapshots from both AM and PM class can be found here Beach Role Play**

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Tuning in to our new unit 'How The World Works'

On Thursday, Sophie the Snail came to Gecko class to introduce the children to the new unit of inquiry 'How the World Works'. She brought some tools from her shed at home to share with the children including a tape measure, screwdriver, nails, spirit level, and a spanner. Many of the children recognised some of these tools and enjoyed sharing that they had toy ones at home or had seen their grown-ups at home using them - it sounds like we have a very handy bunch of parents amongst the Gecko Families!

With this unit being all about design and creation through play, the children had the opportunity to go next door to Bradbury School to see their Makerspace called "The Shed". Through observing the space and the wall of tools, this meaningful provocation got the children thinking about what they know about tools - what individual tools are called, what they might be used for, and how it might inspire possible directions in inquiring further.
**Some snapshots from our visit can be found here in our new photo album 'How The World Works' AM/PM**

As we reflected on our visit back in our classroom, our Geckos found the small 'Three Little Pig Houses' inspiring as well as the tall tower made with straws and hot glue. This week, the children will be exploring different materials to see which is best for creating their own houses.


The children expressed enthusiasm to use saws and make things using cardboard. This week, we will have a tinkering station with the MakeDo tools and cardboard for the children to explore.There will be an emphasis on using tools safely, as well as encouraging creative thinking by having children come up with ideas of what they can make with the tools and materials.


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**Call out for cardboard boxes**
The children are going to be collaborating and creating projects using cardboard boxes. We kindly ask that you send in a cardboard box with your child's name on for us to use in class. Thank you for your cooperation. Please note we cannot accept boxes that have previously contained nuts or eggs due to allergies. 

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Shapes Are All Around Us 

In the classroom, we have been exploring the concept that shapes are all around us and can be found in our everyday environment. To build on the students' understanding of this topic, we read the story 'Shapes in the City' written by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst which highlighted the diverse shapes we can find in the city and encouraged the children to start noticing shapes in their own lives. We also had fun singing  The Shape Song. 

During small group time, the children engaged in a hands-on "Tap, Tap Art" activity during their small group time. In this creative exercise, they were encouraged to listen carefully to the instructions, select the appropriate shape, and then place it in the correct position to construct a picture. This activity not only fostered their shape recognition skills but also allowed them to express their creativity and problem-solving abilities.

**Snapshots from the activity can be found here AM / PM**

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Call out for Class Experts! 

We would love to learn about how you make at home! If you are interested in joining the Geckos to introduce a new skill or share your passion for making, please complete the form that your child will bring home on Wednesday and return it to school or via email. 



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I look forward to seeing you all at our Parent Teacher Conference next Monday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 29. To sign up please click on the link here. Kindly note the sign up sheet will be closed on Friday, October 25. 

Have a fantastic week ahead! 

Ammie :) 

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