Green Grubs Garden Club

Fresh air, bare feet ad grubby hands = active learning! Fun, down-to-earth nature based ideas & educational resources for Grubby kids!

Back to School Resources for the Kiwi classroom!

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Ease into term one’s routines with these handy (and FREE!) ‘first week of school homework sheets’ – perfect for getting to know your new class and their families a little better. It includes a one page print out for the children in your class to complete, plus a double sided sheet for their parents/caregivers.

‘First week of school’ homework sheet for your new students!

I have never failed to be amazed at the amount of new information I learn from these sheets – it’s always interesting to compare the child’s sheet, with their parents and also their previous teacher’s reports. I recommend printing and keeping a few extra copies on hand for any new students that arrive during the year. This simple FREE printable is our most popular download – 60,000+ downloads to date!

You can find this instant download here – I hope you find it useful!

Print the parent/caregiver version double sided to save paper!

The student version of the homework sheet now also includes a space for the children to record their Maunga & Awa (Mountain and River) as a quick and easy way for children of all ethnicities to share where their family’s roots lie. *If you’re looking for a more in depth way for your class to share their full mihi/pepeha, you might want to check out our FREE mihimihi booklet (link in image caption below)

Find our FREE Mihi/Pepeha here!

Another great ‘getting to know you’ activity for the start of the year (which forms an interactive wall display) is using the standard A2 classroom wall maps, labels and string to link children’s names to places they went on holiday (or maybe countries/towns where they have relatives or were born) I always found it useful to have an NZ map, plus a world map on hand as you’re never quite sure where this activity might lead you! *link to our Map Labels resource in the caption below!

You can find our Map labels resource in our store here!

Setting up your classroom this month? You might want to have a peek at some of the other kiwi themed ‘back to school’ resources in our website store (tab at the top) to help you bring a splash colour and fun learning to your classroom. Have a smooth and productive start to the new school year guys!

You can find our full ‘back to school range’ here!

If teachers are a pie, here’s who gets a slice…..

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As we roll into another week of strike action, I’m struck by the fact that so much of the media and general public still seem to be missing the point on what’s actually going on in our classrooms.  This is my attempt to present a complex issue in a more visual way.  So basically, here’s the struggle:

I’m aware that not all classroom are exactly like this, but the overall trend remains the same – too many needs, too many kids, and not enough hours in the day (or night) to meet them.

Do kids seem to be arriving at school with more issues recently?  Yes, but I think it’s only become a massive stress factor recently due to the creeping expectations around EVERYTHING ELSE we’re also supposed to be doing.  We don’t seem to have that buffer anymore of a little extra time or flexibility to be able to absorb the additional challenges, or deviate from our plans to meet needs in a holistic way.  We’re at maximum capacity in so many areas.  

Add to that stress that anyone who’s ever attended school thinks that they’re an expert (and has an opinion), but many people have failed to account for the MASSIVE changes in teacher accountability, expectations, and hours now required to do the job. 

I’m sure everyone appreciates the offer of 600 extra “learning support”staff made by the government in the latest offer – but there is very little information about how this might actually work and the kids need support now, not in 2020 (plus, there are over 2500 schools in New Zealand!)

Kua tae te wā – it’s time and something really needs to change…. (well, actually many things)  Below are a few small examples of how just about everything but the pay has changed over time…

 

 

Fun, simple Harakeke/Flax activities for kids

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Are you struggling to find some age appropriate ways to incorporate the versatile harakeke/flax into your programme?  It’s so tricky to find simple engaging activities that work for a large number of younger children… read on to find some fun road tested projects!

*Not quite sure about how to cut or harvest your harakeke?  Please read the notes at the end of this post to ensure your flax bush is treated with the respect it deserves.

  • This adaptation of a more complicated woven fantail is perfect for our younger children – quick to make and only requires 2 strips of flax, one staple and some scissors!
  • Work with one on one with younger children to gently curve the flax and secure with a peg
  • Vary the width of the harakeke strips used to create a variety of bird sizes
  • Add some self adhesive bobbly eyes or extra feathers for an added decorative touch

  • The humble Harakeke fibre is often overlooked in pursuit of a more glamorous or complete end product, but it has so many uses!!  Use thin strips to make necklaces or fishing lines, use to lash things together (stick frames, kites) or for hanging mobiles or artworks…
  • Making the beads has to be THE MOST SIMPLE flax activity EVER.  Cut up and piece of flax and then leave it to dry and curl in the sun!
  • The longer it’s left to dry, the tighter the beads will be – I suggest cutting the leaves in the morning & threading them in the afternoon.  The beads can be left to tighten on their cord once threaded

  • This balancing toy is always a favourite – it won’t be long until the kids are challenging each other to races and seeing who can keep the mosquito balanced on their fingers while hopping, sipping and jumping!
  • Finding it tricky to keep your mosquito balanced?  Try longer tails!  The longer they are, the more stable and easier it will be to keep balanced

  • I don’t know of any other activities that make use of the under utilised and heavy ‘butt’ end of the flax blade
  • Make a whole heap, then let the kids loose for a noisy run outside!

  • Great for testing out those motor skills and practicing simple under, over and through
  • The perfect hands on and independent activity – make it as simple or complicated as you like!
  • Add in plaited pieces or foraged, seasonal natural items from your garden
  • Use whole flax blades plus smaller strips for interest
  • Vary the size of the frames (they could be used for individual activities or small groups)
  • Use small flax strips to lash your frame together

You can find a printable version of the images in this post included in our NZ Flax Mini booklet resource!  

*Found in our store here*

Looking for more in depth resources to support your learning around this amazing natural resource?  Click the ‘NZ Native Plants’ section in our website store above!