Working with Steve on projects

>
The children had been very excited to have Steve come to work with us. Steve started the day with a morning meeting together the children's ideas for projects. They were written down so that we could prioritise and revisit. To get a taste of the possibilities it was discussed and decided to attempt a bird house. Then it was time to draw the plans. What great ideas the children had. Next it was time to implement some of the plans. With guidance in using the tools, the children measured sawed and hammered. There wasn't time to complete the project, however there was time to have a reflective planning meeting. So many questions were asked. How would the bird get in the bird house? Did the hole need to be big or small? Why did a bird need a bird house? who are the predators of birds? What else might the birdhouse need? How busy we were documenting this flow of ideas. You'll have to watch this space to see the progress of the bird house next Tuesday.

Since writing this blog we have had a number of people asking how to contact Steve ... so we have put his contact details on our website

Beautiful bathroom

There has been so much excitement over the last two days ... just because we have a new children's bathroom. Rocky rushed out saying 'beautiful toilet, beautiful toilet.' There was animated discussion relating to the taps. They are just stalks and turn off by themselves. How fascinating. Logan had it sussed. 'You just press and wait,' he said. we look forward to using our fabulous bathroom.

There is never a shortage of ideas at Botany Downs Kindergarten

It was the first day back after our Easter term break ... and Archie arrived towing a box. What could that box possibly be used for? We would just have to wait and see. Before long a plan had hatched ... and what a plan it was too! The plan was to tow the box with a bike. With a rope firmly tied between the two and the passengers on board the plan was put to the test. Initially the box would not budge ... and neither would the passengers! What could be done? Lots of animated discussion took place and it was decided that some would hop out and push. In no time the box began to slide along the ground, around the corner and down the hill. What a ride! What great ideas! What great problem solving!

Archie's new game

Only three more sleeps

Can you believe it ... it is only three more sleeps till we are back at kindergarten. Yeah, I hear the parents say!
As I go to write this I see we have reached 10,000 hits on the blog. How cool is that!
Well, the bathroom is complete. awe have spent the day washing, vacuuming and putting things back where they belong. There are a few changes. You will have to see if you can spot what they are.
Kerry is in Italy. The conference is complete and she is starting her travels.
Althea and Kathie (above) will be job sharing her position. Althea will be working the first 10 days as Kathie is off to walk the Queen Charlotte Track. We look forward to a full and creative term. We are So excited to have procured the services of Steve Mackay. Steve works with wood and will be working with the morning children on a Tuesday morning. Next Monday (4th May) the morning children and the teachers will be swapping kindergartens with the children from Cascades kindergarten ... sounds like fun. See you next week.

Another toilet update

Guess what happened at kindergarten today ... new toilets and new taps

bathroom update Monday 20th April

Well, our new lino looks brilliant! We also have new lino in the adult toilet to match ... but where are the children's toilets? And Archie you are right ... there are no taps! I guess if there are no toilets you won't be able to go to the toilet and therefore you won't need to wash your hands. What do you think? You will have to keep checking the blog to see if there is any more progress.

The Bathroom continued

Now you can see the new windows, the new cupboards/change table, the new mirror and the wall board behind the toilets. Still no toilets though .... what are we going to do .....
Lino is the project today (Friday)

The toilet upgrade

Prior to the Easter break I had been telling the children that their bathroom was going to be refurbished ... and that everything that was in there now would be taken away ... and it has ... on day one of the project! You can see the before and after photographs. The children were concerned about where they might go to the toilet. There were some pretty radical solutions offered ... holding on, wearing nappies, going to the school! We had to wonder what would really happen ... you'll have to watch the blog to see. It is hard to see in these photos but we have new, easy open windows fitted already.

Holiday ideas

I have just posted a few holiday recipes on our website
http://web.mac.com/bdownskindy
that might tickle your fancy.
Try them out. Happy holidays.

We wish you a happy Easter and a safe term break

Many of you will have seen this Happy Easter picture published on the front page of the Howick and Pakuranga Times.
A big thanks to our friend Heather O'Neill for the loan of her 4kg bunny. Happy Easter.

Thank you and goodbye

I have had a really fun and exciting time here meeting all the wonderful children, their families and the amazing teachers, Thank you so much for welcoming me into your centre. It is a special place. I will miss everyone very much and will certainly be back to visit. Have a wonderful Easter and holidays. Love Rachel (Student Teacher).

Volcanic inspiration

Emily, what a cool drawing! It seems that you drew this at home ... a provocation from our UNLEASH THE GOO entry. How detailed your drawing is. It is evident that you have been following the process of creating a volcano very carefully. Emily, we already know that you are a competent artist, however this picture gave us such a thrill. We loved the fact that you wrote our names as well.

Yey!!! Our competition entry is up on the Cadbury web site

PLEASE EVERYONE follow this link www.unleashthegoo.co.nz and look for a video titled Kindergarten children.... MAKE SURE YOU VIEW IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES as there are prizes for most viewed and the children will be so delighted to see their entry up on the site. WISH US LUCK!!!
Raelene

What a great idea

Yey!!! Our competition entry is up on the Cadbury web site

PLEASE EVERYONE follow this link www.unleashthegoo.co.nz and look for a video titled Kindergarten children.... MAKE SURE YOU VIEW IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES as there are prizes for most viewed and the children will be so delighted to see their entry up on the site. WISH US LUCK!!!
Raelene

Emilyʻs mouse

The carpet

Cicadas

Yey!!! Our competition entry is up on the Cadbury web site

PLEASE EVERYONE follow this link www.unleashthegoo.co.nz and look for a video titled Kindergarten children.... MAKE SURE YOU VIEW IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES as there are prizes for most viewed and the children will be so delighted to see their entry up on the site. WISH US LUCK!!!
Raelene

Humpty Creme Egg Animation

While we wait patiently for our 'Unleash the Goo' movie to appear on the Cadbury web site we have been busy in both the morning and afternoon sessions making very short animations of Humpty Creme Egg falling from the wall. The children really enjoyed unleashing the goo again as Humpty cracked at the bottom of the wall. The morning group also explored with adding their voices to the movie singing the Humpty Dumpty song in time with the animation they'd created. What a lot of fun we had!
Raelene

Unleash the Goo update

The movie is completed and is in the process of being uploaded to the Cadbury Creme Egg competition site. It may take 72hrs or so to show up on their site so watch this space for details on how and where to view the Kindergartens entry. Remember to tell anyone you can to go and view it once it's up as there are prizes for most viewed entry and the children would be incredibly delighted if they won something for all their hard work. WATCH THIS SPACE CLOSELY FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND DETAILS!
Raelene