Central idea: Collaboration helps build a community

The Nursery learners have been busy exploring a wide range of engaging learning opportunities that link to our Unit of inquiry, ‘Collaboration Helps Build a Community.’ They have become fully immersed in ‘story world’, using great story language and puppets imaginatively to retell the stories, ‘The Enormous Turnip’ and ‘Goldilocks and The Three Bears.’ We introduced a new ‘Tinkering Tray’ where the learners have experimented with old ICT equipment. They were posed with the questions such as, “What is it?” “How does it work?” The learners have shown responsibility and demonstrated how to use different tools safely and used their problem-solving skills to dismantle the equipment. They have also worked collaboratively to develop a new Nurses station where they have engaged in writing for a purpose and created signs and labels for the area as well as showing taking empathy and care for the ‘patients’.

Central idea: Exploring light helps us experience the world

Last week the Year 2 learners had an ‘enlightening’ experience when we visited the ArtScience Museum to support our inquiry into how ‘Exploring light helps us experience the world’. The children were in awe when they found themselves immersed in some of the light exhibits. They saw their own artwork take on a life of its own, played games with light and learned how light can create a calming influence. It was great to take our learning outside of the classroom and to hear the discussions prompted by our trip once we returned to Nexus.

Central idea: Forces Change the Natural Environment.

Year 3 learners have begun to explore their new Unit of Inquiry looking into ‘How the World Works’. This unit provides a lot of hands on science exploration and deepens their understanding of the Earth’s constant evolution. This week learners were introduced to different earth process through class rotations The learners made models of the rock cycle, tectonic plates, volcanos, erosion and weathering and are beginning to understand the forces that are constantly changing the Earth.

Year 3 learners have also been enjoying the new Tree House. Each class has been spending time listening to stories, completing geometry scavenger hunts and enjoying the wonderful space.

Central idea: People apply their knowledge of forces to solve problems and assist in everyday life.

Year 4 are continuing to delve deeper into the forces at work around us. We have been observed the where push and pull forces are used to start, stop or change momentum of everyday objects and in sports We have investigated the laws of gravity using objects of different mass and items of different shapes. We have explored the impact of air resistance. We have considered how we can use water resistance to work for us - and against us. We have seen how friction caused by different surfaces impacts speed and effort. While we explore lots of hands-on experiences we are learning different methods to record our results and considered our conclusions. Next we will apply our knowledge to some simple machines.

Central idea: People can promote awareness through creative actions

Year 5 learners have enjoyed tuning into their new unit of inquiry this week. Learners have used their prior knowledge of persuasive techniques to explain how a 'random' object could actually be used in a functional way. This provocation has created excitement and a great deal of creative thinking. Learners enjoyed trying to convince us to buy their item. We look forward to inquiring further into our new lines of inquiry.

1) The features of persuasion (Form)

2) Action as a tool to influence opinions and points of view. (Change)

3) Provoking critical thinking (Connection)

Central idea: Energy can be transformed and used for human purposes

We are very excited to be starting a new unit of inquiry this week. Our next six weeks will see the learners of Year 6 exploring how humans transform and use energy. The understandings we gained from our prior unit into our impact on the environment is a terrific springboard to begin to explore how we can utilise energy more efficiently to create a sustainable future. We are looking forward to our trip to the Science Centre next week and cannot wait to delve deeper into what makes our modern world tick!