Hot Compost with the Carbon Cycle Company

Thanks to a very generous Mana Ora Youth Resilience Fund Grant, today we were able to get HOT COMPOSTERS from The Carbon Cycle Company.

Tim and Rodrigo came to help the Eco Warriors build the composters and to tell us more about how composting works.

Everyone worked hard even in the rain to level the metal frames and slide in the wooden sides. Next we layered up brown mulch with green scraps to form our first compost starter.

ALL food waste can go in these very special composters.  HOORAY!

Watch this video to see how our system will run:

Photos with the Eco Warriors:

 

Year 3 Worms and Being Kind with the Youth Project

 Today Year Three began by learning about the life cycle of worms.  We compared and contrasted this with what we already knew about the bee life cycle.  To review we created a flow diagram and wrote sentences to describe it using keywords like cocoon, hatchling & juvenile. Did you know that worms are girls and boys at the same time?

We also created detailed drawings of a blackbird pulling out a worm.  The worm can hang on to the ground with tiny hairs.

Afterwards we were lucky enough to have a visit from The Youth Project.  They talked to us about what it meant to be kind to each other and the environment.  Then we made jigsaw puzzles to give to local pre-schoolers.  

Well done Year Three!! 

Year 3 Finishing Off with Fungus, Bacteria & Invertebrates

 Year 3 finished the year with revision of what we have learned about fungus, bacteria and invertebrates and especially those super hero composters - EARTHWORMS. 

After the karakia, we started the session with caterpillar yoga, calming our minds and bodies.

 We revised what we have learned so far and added to our 

kete of knowledge with some more research.

We worked on our worm booklets adding facts, 

a worm farm poster

 and finishing with beautiful colour.

Then we did some Mahi to help protect our native trees for the long-hot Raumati ahead.  We spread mulch, which will lock in moisture and feed the trees as the fungus, bacteria, and invertebrates break it down.

Year Three Investigate Invertebrates

 Today Year Three investigated the important invertebrates in our compost.  They are part of the clean up crew converting our waste into soil.

What are some invertebrates?

Alae "Worms, roly-poly bugs, slugs, and snail"

Max "slaters"

Tom "cockroach and mosquito larvae"

Azariah "worms & snails"

After lunch we moved compost to the native bush walk and went on a bug hunt.