Celebrations and Science

Yes, it is only November but with just 4 weeks left at school we are beginning our unit on "Celebrations" - focusing on how Northern Hemisphere countries celebrate Christmas. We are looking for similarities and differences.

 

We talked about the difference between the seasons, how those in the North may have a snowy Christmas, while we will hopefully be enjoying Summer!

 

Looking through a number of Christmas cards the children quickly sorted them into a graph.

They found most of the cards we receive show snowy scenes.

The next column were cards that had images relating to all countries - nativity scenes, decorations, candles, Xmas trees

The smallest columns were pictures that celebrated genuine Kiwi and Australian Christmases - fun in the sun, beaches, NZ plants, summer clothing

 

The first of our Christmas art.
Applying dye with cotton buds

 

 

Science - another chance to experiment with magnets and

water surface tension

 

 Moving paper clips and nails around on top of the tables with 2cm of wood between the magnet  and desktop proved an absorbing activity.

 

 

We found there is quite a skill in gently pressing out one drop at a time to fit as many drops as we could onto the surface of a coin.