To help build on and extend this Active Movement interest we were very lucky to have Char visit Lumsden this month. Char is the Early Years Active Movement Coordinator at Sport Hawke’s Bay and has visited Lumsden several times in the past. Char came to do some fun physical activity with all the children going between Little Lumsden and Big Lumsden.

At Little Lumsden Char started with a warm up, stamping around the room to music.
Char brought some exciting resources to use with the children, some of which were bean bags. The children were then challenged to listen to the music and pass the beanbag to each other according to the tempo of the music e.g. Fast or slow.
We then tried out Char’s raffia shakers, shaking them on our body parts to a song called ’Tickly Rain’. Those shakers sure did tickle on our bodies! Char had also made some shakers out of little bottles, plastic tubing and sand. We shook them in lots of different ways, up high, down low, quickly and slowly.
Char saved the best surprise until last, her parachute! We all had so much fun shaking the parachute up and down, giving soft toys a fun ride as we shook them all over the place! What fun the children had today, getting involved in lots of different types of active movement, learning what their bodies could do, whilst developing a range of gross motor skills and concepts. Ausgezerchnet – Excellent!

At Big Lumsden Char started by showing us her STOP and GO signs that she would be using during her visit. Then it was time to warm up our bodies! Char had two dice, one with a number on it and one with a type of exercise. She asked two people to roll each one, and the number it landed represented the number of times we had to do each exercise.

There were all sorts of different movements that we had to do. Some of them were a little bit tricky, like the jumping jacks, some of them were easy, like the toe taps. This was such a fun warm up and it definitely got the heart racing!

Next, we were all given a hula hoop as our car. We hopped inside the hula hoops and made sure we put on our seat belts. Char then led us around Lumsden into different car parks. She used her GO sign when we were moving and her STOP sign when we got to the car park.

The first car park was the ‘Jumping Car Park’. We put our hoops down and did different types of jumps in our hoops. We had to glue our feet together so that we were landing properly and safely.

The second car park was the ‘Running Car Park’. Again, we unbuckled our seat belts, put our hoops down and did some running, in and around our hoops.

The final car park was the ‘Balancing Car Park’, where we had to practice our balancing. This was definitely the trickiest car park. We balanced around the hoop and also on one foot inside the hoop.

WOW, what another awesome session we had with Char.  We learnt some different but enjoyable ways of practicing some physical skills that are essential for our bodies and help us with everything we do. It was a good way for the teachers to learn the activities as well, and goes to show that you don’t always need lots of equipment to have heaps of fun.
A huge thank-you to Char.  We look forward to her next visit to Lumsden Kindergarten.

Amelia LOVES her ponies and is always telling her friends and teachers all about her special pets. Amelia was so excited to bring her ponies into Kindergarten and she told everyone; “You can all have a turn riding my ponies if you want.” Thank-you to Amelia and her Mum for practcing their generosity – Ohaoha-nga and kindness – Ngakau Atawhai.

We practiced our gentleness – Huarika and our respect – Whakaute for the animals when we were riding them and showed lots of love and care.
It was also important to practice our safety when walking around and riding the ponies. We all needed to make sure we had the correct shoes on, either gumboots or covered in shoes, and most importantly we had to be wearing a helmet when riding to protect our head.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6F8FSr0Bls

A HUGE thank you to Amelia, Miranda and Olivia for sharing Bella and Smokey with us today. We absolutely loved riding on them and looking after them.
We think Bella and Smokey enjoyed their visit, they LOVED eating our grass too.

Observing and caring for an animal instils a sense of responsibility and respect for life. They bring increased sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others – both animals and humans.
The Pet Care Trust, 2011.

We have been learning about fiction and non-fiction books. We have also been learning that books are written by Authors; the pictures are created by an Illustrator; really good books can be published and lots of copies are printed; books have a beginning, middle, end; books have a back cover, front cover and spine; books are precious and should be respected; what books are for and so much more!

We decided to set up a special Lumsden Library in the family corner. We just put a few Lumsden books on the shelves and invited children to bring in their favourite book to share at mat time and then put in our library for everyone to read. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm the children have had to come and read a book with their friends, a teacher or parent, or even just to sit quietly and read a book by themselves.

We have thoroughly enjoyed listening to people share their favourite books at mat time.  It has been really special to hear our friends tell us all about their precious book.

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We had some very exciting visitors during book month too. Lynette the children’s librarian from Havelock North Library came and told us all about being a Librarian.

She brought in some very special books written by Kyle Mewburn, a New Zealand author. Lynette read us his newest book, ‘Seesaw Po’.  She said we were the first people she had read it to! Next she read us ‘Daisy’s Maze’. We LOVED listening to both of these fabulous stories.

Lynette showed us how we could make our own ‘Maisy’ puppet and decorate it to make it our own character. Lynette even had time to read another one of her neat books in our Lumsden Library.

The next exciting visitor that came to Lumsden was Joy Watson. We were all ecstatic to meet a real life, published author. She told us all about how you become an author, that it takes lots of hard work and dedication. Next she read her book ’Grandpa’s Cat’ to us, we all LOVED listening to it, even Collie the Kindy cat came in to listen!

As a special thank you we got some flowers for Joy and Matthew did a fabulous job of presenting them to her. Phoebe had been busy writing her own  book and she especially wanted to publish it in time for Joy’s visit so she could give her a copy. Joy was absolutley delighted with Phoebe’s amazing book!

A huge thank you to Lynette and Joy for coming to visit, it made our book month celebrations even more AMAZING!

We have a lot of AMAZING readers and writers at Lumsden Kindergarten so teachers thought it might be a good idea to help extend children by encouraging them to make their own books.
Those who were interested had to come up with an idea of what they wanted their book to be about. They then had to do the illustrations for their book. Once the pictures were done it was time to add the writing. It was soon realised that to be an author and illustrator it takes a long time to create a book. Persevereance – u-tonu-tanga, commiment – herenga, and dedication – hiri-nga, are needed.
We have some AWESOME authors and illustrators at Lumsden Kindergarten.

Once all the illustrations and text were done for each book it was time to send the pages to the printers so our books could get published.
Rakelle took a group of authors and illustrators to Copy & Design in Havelock North. Here Sandra and James showed the children how books are made. The children got to see their own individual book being made and even got to staple it all together.

A HUGE thanks to Sandra and James from Copy & Design for letting our Lumsden authors and illustrators visit your work place.

Here are our finished books.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YXAQ-Fup2o&list=UUYWVeHHEbJAwLjIQZf07mJQ&index=1&feature=plcp

‘There are opportunities to access the wilder world to find out about places of importance in the community through stories, visitors or trips.’ 

Te Whariki Early Childhood Curriculum (1996)

Books help children develop vital language skills. Reading can open up new worlds and enrich children’s lives. Barbara Freedman-De Vito

The first step is to draw a picture.  Next we need to cut around our drawing. We need to cut very closely to our drawing so that the picture prints clearly. This was great practice for our cutting skills and Jo was on hand for anybody that needed a bit of help.

Next the cut out pictures are put down on top of a piece of card on the printing table. Then we close the screen down on top of our picture and spoon some paint onto the screen. We use the scraper to spread the paint evenly all over the screen. We lift the screen up next and it is really exciting to see the print we have created!

Once the print has dried we stick the cut outs onto a white piece of paper and draw the details of the picture onto the print. Finally we have the option of adding colour, using dye to paint the print.

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Wow, the end result is INCREDIBLE!!

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What amazing creative skills our children have! We have all had so much fun doing screen printing. The children have enjoyed it so much that many have come back to repeat the experience, trying out new ideas and experimenting with new techniques.

It has been wonderful to explore this media with the children, it has been a great way to further extend drawing and paint skills.

The sheer joy and delight that the children have taken in both the process, and in the result has been really exciting and we have all had such a wonderful time creating together.

As part of this study we have identified some of the Art Deco buildings we have in Hawkes Bay, Lumsden Kindergarten being one of them. We have looked at the fashion, old cars, steam trains, old planes – particularly the Red Checkers who put on aerobatic shows.
We have been listening to Jazz music during the day while learning about Charleston dancing and Gatsby picnics.

To get us in the spirit, Rakelle and Selina thought it would be a great idea to set up our own Gatsby Picnic in the socio-dramatic room.
They found lots of interesting resources to use to create an Art Deco themed picnic.
There was a picnic blanket where a table was set up with good china and cupcakes, a parasol, a picnic basket filled with fruit and an Art Deco tin holding breads and buns. There was also jazz music playing in the background.
The best part of course were the dress-ups. Hats, boas, bow-ties, gloves, braces, beads and dresses.
We have had a lot of fun dressing up and having an Art Deco picnic.

Kaye suggested we learn a dance called the Charleston. She taught us some wonderful dance moves and she introduced us to Jazz music too.

After some discussion by the children it was decided that we would showcase our Lumsden style Charleston on the day of our picnic.

Jo & Estelle thought it would be a good idea to set up an area in the art room where we could create and make our own bowties and headbands.
Jo put out containers of beads, sequins and ribbons on one table and a variety of material on another table.
We had fun decorating our bowties and headbands.

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We decided to hold our own Lumsden Kindergarten Gatsby Picnic to coincide the up-coming Art Deco celebrations held this time every year in Hawkes Bay.
We had a WONDERFUL turnout from families.
A HUGE thank-you to all of our AMAZING families who made such a WONDERFUL effort for our Art Deco day.
The costumes of the children and adults were truly great and it was lovely that everyone got behind it and supported the learning that was happening for the children.

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By taking part in this experience, children and families are developing an awareness of how we can connect events and experiences, making learning ‘real’ for children.
Te Whāriki, ECE document (1996)

After practicing the song many times, we talked about the things that our family and friends might like to see at the concert. The children decided that a good concert should have singing, dancing, and music, which we all agreed we could achieve.

Firstly, the children chose the character they wanted to act out in the concert. We made a big list, and we needed to make sure that we had the right number of children in each group.
Once our parts were sorted we got busy making the costumes for each character.

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Our End of Year Concert was also a great opportuinty for us to offically open Little Lumsden. Craig Foss our local MP did a wonderful job of doing this offical job for us.

This year the children from Little Lumsden chose to interpret and perform two Wiggles songs for the opening act of ‘A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree’ at our end of year concert.
After practicing their dancing and singing many times, the Little Lumsden children were eager to show our families and friends all their moves and great singing voices. They pointed their fingers, did the twist, stood on one leg, shook their hands, stretched up, stretched down, turned around and put their bears to sleep.

Miss Safiya Roberts had asked if she could do a solo at the concert. She practiced and practiced everyday and on the day of our concert she sounded beautiful.
It was lovely that Safiya felt so confident to want to sing in front of everyone all by herself.
At Lumsden Kindergarten we believe children should be given opportunities to showcase their individual talents.

Maddy then introduced the next item, ‘A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree’ She explained how hard we had been practicing and that ALL the costumes had been made by the chidlren.
Everyone could see their families out in the audience. It was exciting and nervous at the same time.

Children have been able to integrate the different art forms of singing, dance, drama when performing, as well as incorporating their own creativity when making props and costumes for our concert. Children’s sense of belonging is reinforced through participating in the arts and rituals of their own community and kindergarten culture.
Through practicing our commitment – Herenga, confidence – Māia, courage – Hautoa, and creativity – Waihanga-tanga, the children put on a concert that you won’t forget!

To end our concert we asked our famlies to join us on stage. We taught them our Wiggles song ‘Can you Point your Fingers’. It was so much fun.

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After our concert we moved net door to Little Lumsden and had a lovely afternoon tea with everyone.

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A HUGE thank-you to our WONDERFUL families who supported our special day.
Special events always mean so much to EVERYONE; the children involved; the proud parents and it is always special for extended family members to also be part of the occasion.

‘Children’s learning and development are fostered if the well-being of their family and community is supported; and if there is a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child’s world.’

The children all had a wonderful time exploring the environment of Little Lumsden and eating Kaye’s fabulous cupcakes which she had provided for morning tea.

Maggie,Christine, Kaye, and Maddy all enjoyed meeting everyone and showing them around. We received lots of lovely and positive feedback about Little Lumsden – thank-you. 

Thank you to all the families who took the time to come and visit Little Lumsden for morning tea to have a look around. We hope you enjoyed your visit as much as we did.

“Honestly though Lumsden Kindergarten, for pre-schoolers to identify the Prime Minister, know his name and be that interested in him to want to say hello, I think it says a great deal to what they have been exposed to and learned at Lumsden I really do mean that. So thank you!”
Kirsty Skidmore, Mum of Evie & Sammy

We decided that we would make Cape Kidnappers in the art room out of some of the boxes and polystyrene that we had. We stuck it all together with staples and cellotape first.
Next we mixed up some glue and tore up newspaper. We used paper mache to make the boxes look like Cape Kidnapppers. We all worked as a team to paint it and when we were finished we thought it looked FANTASTIC!!

We also made Gannets to live on our Cape Kidnappers. We used white feathers, stuffing, wool and different coloured sticks, paper and card. We selected what we wanted to use and then used cellotape and the hot glue gun to put them together.

Some people brought Hawkes Bay things in to share with us.

Some children have made some of the Hawkes Bay things we have been learning about. Rosa and Evie made Splash Planet out of blocks in the mat room. Harriet, Finn, Ed and Safiya made an “Art Deco Spanish Mission building.” Lots of children have enjoyed making Splash Planet in the sandpit too!

Olivia told us that the Art Deco car was different than our own cars because it doesn’t have seat belts and you have to push a button to make it go.
WACKY!

We had so much fun trying on the costumes and playing in the Art Deco car, pretending to drive it and of course tooting the horn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dhCXGhH2vY

A HUGE thank-you to Sally and Olivia Jackson for sharing their knowledge about Art Deco with everyone at Lumsden which made our study of Hawkes Bay extra special.
Sally even suggested Lumsden could do something for Art Deco month next year. GREAT idea Sally.



Come and join us for morning tea on the 4th November at 10am. 

You will get to preview the new centre, your child can have a play, as well as meet the teachers. 

We would LOVE to see you there.