Year 6 Put Their Research Skills Into Action in the Estuary

 Today, Year 6 learnt about endemic, native, introduced and pest species. We learnt with the Science Learning Hub and then reviewed with a Kahoot, Ms Daniel made using the animals that live in the Wakaagranga Creek. We know the species in our estuary as in 2023 our Eco Warriors went on a trip there.  They observed the animals and then did DNA testing.  Here's the link to the blog post we made at the time : https://wakaenviro.blogspot.com/search?q=edna

Then it was time to put our research skills into action.  We each chose one estuarine species to read about and summarise into posters.  We are going to share our findings on the Piwakawaka windows. We are especially interested in how we can protect these animals. Check out our  beautiful posters HERE and HERE

Year 6 Look at Estuaries as Habitats

Did you know our estuary contains six different habitats that are home to lots of different plants and animals?

Year Six quizzed, read, cut, pasted and played to learn about the salt marshes, mudflats, shallow/deep water, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and sand shores that make up the Tamaki Estuary.

Room 21 had time to draw a tricky mud crab:

Year Six Explore Why Estuaries & Wetlands are Important

 

Today, Year Six learnt about how our local estuary and wetlands protect us from flooding. First we discussed our experiences of heavy rain and flooding and read a slide show from DOC.

We conducted an experiment outside, which showed how much faster rain water flows over concrete than natural surfaces.  

The second group measured the distance the water flowed on the concrete 

and compared it to on the grass.

MASSIVE difference we found out!

Then, we  watched a video about how cities around the world, that drained their wetlands, are now spending billions to put them back in.  Lucky we never drained the Wakaaranga Creek!

Lastly we played Niwa Flood Challenge Game to learn how to make good choices as a home owner and community.

Next we will be learning about the different types of habitats in our estuaries around New Zealand.

Year 6 Introduction to our local Esturary

 Year 6 launched into their new inquiry looking deeply into our local estuary.  We began by defining what an estuary is and locating the Tamaki Estuary.  We read information and recorded what we had found alongside our own experiences. You can see our mahi here

We're looking forward to devising questions to guide our action learning, talking to experts and creating actions to help our local waterway.

Our estuary is a beautiful place to spend time.

Our estuary is a beautiful place to spend time.

Ms Daniel walks her dog along the estuary every morning.

Year 6 dive into our Local Estuary

 Year 6 started a new inquiry into our Local Tamaki Estuary. We explored what we already know,

our experiences and wonderings.

Izzy "Where salt water meets freshwater"

Eddie "Lots of birds and bugs and fish live there"

Anastasiia "There is lots of water" 

Emily "Where water meets  the land"

Christina "There are many species of animals there"

 

Check out the rest of our slides here

We read an online magazine and answered comprehension questions.

Next, we will look into why they are so important....

Anyone for kale chips? Year 5 harvest and plan next steps

 Today Year Five began their E4S lesson by harvesting kale and taste testing kale chips.  So easy to grow and so easy to make!

We also reflected on our learning journey so far and planned our next steps.  We're going to be focusing on the estuary next, so we recorded what we already knew, what we wondered, who could help up us and our experiences with the estuary.  Check out our mahi here.

Next time we are going to be visited by an expert from Watercare to help assess the health of our estuary.

Year 6 Annual Water Testing with WaterCare

 Today, we were fortunate enough to have Kathryn from Watercare come work with our Year 6's to test the water quality of our estuary.  We learnt about the factors that can harm our estuary such as litter, car oil, detergent, concrete making and fertiliser run off.

Next we tested water samples and observed macro water invertebrates. The other half of the class picked up litter and hunted land invertebrates.  Sadly so much plastic litter had blown into our native bush walk. A big thank you to all the Whanau who make the extra effort to pack a litterfree lunch. 

Next lesson we will analyse our results and compare them with last year.