Kia ora e te whānau We are at the end of a very different term 2! This edition of Pitopito Kōrero showcases teachers across Aotearoa including nature in their classroom programmes! We then look forward to some exciting opportunities in Term 3 - Including Conservation Week and a virtual field trip to Tamatea Dusky Sound. Celebrating Nature as a ContextThis section of Pitopito Kōrero celebrates learning in nature taking place across Aotearoa! Activity in action: Near, There, FarNear, There, Far activity completed by a Year 3 student at Hunua School, Auckland. Teacher, Nola White has utilised nature activities which link to Art, Physical Education, Literacy and Science curriculum areas. Photo credit: Nola White © Activity in action: Nature JournalsKeeping a nature journal provides great opportunities for descriptive writing and developing observation skills. Check out these incredible journals from students around Aotearoa. Nature journals from students at Hunua School. Left - Nature journal cover page. Right - sounds of nature descriptions. Photo credit: Nola White © Students from Discovery School show off their amazing nature journals, made with teacher Natalie Packer. Photo credit: DOC Activity in action: Experiencing BirdsWhat birds can you spot in your schools grounds? What nature can you find that's interesting to you? This is an example of a Year 3 students bird count and nature observations in their nature journal. Photo credit: Nola White © Activity in action: Three Good Things in NatureParamata School in Porirua has been using the 'three good things in nature' as a way to help students enjoy the outdoors and practice their observation skills. Student, Cam Farrow from Paremata School noticing 3 good things in nature Student, Sebastian Knighton from Paremata School noticing 3 good things in nature Students from Somerville Intermediate and Hillpark School have been noticing things in nature around their local green spaces and they encourage others to do the same! Photo credit: Hillpark School and Somerville Intermediate Activity in action: Museum of NatureMuseum of nature and Boat making (and racing) are a great way to use nature as a context for learning, linking to Art, Technology, Literature and Science. These photos come from children who were busy during alert level 3 and 4, learning from home. Photo credit for images below: Margaret Wakelin Activity in action: Leaf artUsing nature to create extends imagination and nature easily provides materials and inspiration for projects. The photos and children below provide us with amazing ideas and inspiration! Cherry's nature art during level 4! Photo credit: Pearl Freemantle, Ngati Toa School Creating nature mandala during level 4. Photo credit: Abigail Monteith This class from Ngāti Toa School have taken leaf art to the next level! Using their local nature they created beautiful nature adornments as part of their place-based learning. Thanks to teacher Pearl Freemantle for sharing. Photo credit: Pearl Freemantle. What's coming up in Term 3?Week 5 of Term 3 is CONSERVATION WEEK!August 15th - 23rdwww.conservationweek.org.nzWant to start planning now? Check out these awesome options:Nature TastersDesigned to pick up and go, like a recipe card, these six 'nature taster' cards make it easy to get outdoors and use nature for teaching and learning. 50 things to doGet outside with these great ideas created by kids for kids from across Aotearoa. Ranger KōreroThis video series brings real-life rangers to your classroom to discuss important environmental topics such as ‘what is conservation’ and ‘what is biodiversity’. Kiwi GuardiansGo on a Kiwi Guardians adventure or do a Kiwi Guardians action at home and earn cool rewards. Let Nature InThis web page is a hub to find fun, easy and practical ways to learn in and about nature - all while having fun Paws on PatrolCheck out the Paws on Patrol episodes to see some of the amazing work of our conservation dogs and their handlers. There are also new lesson plans to support conservation learning around the episodes. Join Expedition Fiordland14th - 19th SeptemberPure Salt, LEARNZ and the Department of Conservation are bringing Tamatea Dusky Sound to New Zealand classrooms THIS September through a LEARNZ virtual fieldtrip! Tamatea/Dusky Sound is one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth, with the vision to be New Zealand's largest ‘bio bank’ – a source of endangered native species that can be sent to introduced predator free locations across the country. Enroll for FREE and take your students to Tamatea Dusky Sound on this amazing LEARNZ virtual fieldtrip! BUT WAIT....... THERE'S ALSO A COMPETITION! To celebrate this exciting fieldtrip - Pure Salt and LEARNZ are running a competition for two students and their guardians to join them on a five night expedition into remote Fiordland! All you have to do to enter is post a fun and creative 1-minute video to Instagram with the hashtag #conservationheroes2020 and fill in the form (or get a parent or guardian to help you) at https://www.puresalt.co.nz/learnz. But be quick - this competition closes on July 31st! That's a wrap for this edition!We will be in touch again once you're up and running in term 3 with some hot tips for getting your students outside this Conservation Week! Any questions before then - get in touch at conserved@doc.govt.nz Mā te taiao, kia whakapakari tōu oranga. Let nature in, strengthen your wellbeing. The DOC Outreach and Education team Share your learning in nature stories and ideas!Can you share with us? We would love to hear your stories and see how you and your students are connecting with your local nature. We will share your photos and stories in our future newsletters to help inspire others to get out and enjoy learning in their local nature. |