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. 

Year Three Do the Rot Thing

Today Year 3 had their first Education for Sustainability (EfS) session for 2024 with Ms Daniel & Ms Everitt.  We discovered that not all sustainability is fuzzy bees and delicious kai; some of it is yucky and a bit gross, but just as important for keeping everything going on Earth.  

We were learning about the FBI - fungus, bacteria, and invertebrates and how they play a vital role in creating new soil for growing new food. 

Inside our lunch boxes, we thought through how all our kai comes from the soil and it's only humans who have created non-biodegradable things like plastic packets that just junk up the world. We realised how important it is to compost our food scraps.  Do you use your food scraps bin at home?

Lastly, we looked at the school worm farms and composts.  We combined worm tea and compost to create a supercharged fertiliser for our new mara kai and native bush walk.  Carefully we spread the nutrients over the soil.  We're turning food we don't want into food we DO want.

Some of us were lucky enough to eat peaches and apples fresh from the school trees and yes of course we composted the scraps. Do you grow food at home?

Next time we have EfS we're looking forward to investigating the invertebrates in our compost.