Bugs & Insects

During our bugs and insects topic we had lots of opportunities to explore and learn what different bugs live in our green spaces and where they like to live. After researching different bugs and insects we chose the best bug and gave reasons why we would prefer to be that bug/insect. 

Check out our writing and some bug art that we did with them. 

For the art, we first had to carefully trace the bug/insect we chose. Then we used a vivid over the top of our pencil lines. We then used jumbo art crayons to colour our bug/insect. We tried to keep the colours similar to the real bug/insect. Once we finished colouring our bug/insect we then had 2 different shades of green dye which we used to dye the background. Finally, we glued a picture of our face in the correct spot. 

If you got to choose to be a bug/insect for a day, what would you choose to be? Share your answer in the comments below. 

Stick insects

Once we got back to school after the April Lockdown we did a mini-unit on stick insects. 

First, we read a big book called Stick Insects by Dawn McMillan. 

You can find the story and our learning activities here. 

After reading the book we complete lots of different activities. 

For 1 activity we did our own drawing of a stick insect and labeled all the different parts. 

Here are the keywords we used:

• antennae (feelers)
• thorax
• abdomen
• legs
• head

We then looked at the life cycle of a stick insect. We learnt some big words such as 

• antennae

• camouflage

• nymph

• moulting

Using all our learning we then made stick insects using real sticks. We had to think about all the different parts of a stick insect and how stick insects camouflage. 

Check out our camouflaged stick insects:

Matariki

To celebrate Matariki we read Matariki Breakfast by André Ngāpō. 

First we learnt about different ways Matariki is celebrated. 

Then we looked at celebrations in our own culture, we compared these to how Matariki is celebrated. 

                   By Asmah                                                           By Hope

                By Karolina                                                        By Khadeeja

Then we wrote an explanation about our special celebration in our cultures. Here is one by Asmah:

Finally, we got to celebrate Matariki! To celebrate Matariki we made our own Pou. 

How do you like to celebrate Matariki? 

Discovery Box

Challenge # 18

What is a discovery box: A discovery box is made up of things that represent something or someone.

What do you put in a discovery box: Anything that you think represents you or the topic. This could include flowers, pictures, accessories, photos, drawings, clothing items, flag, ornaments.

Create task:
Find things around the house to make a discovery box about our culture or where our family is from.

Diverse cultures in our class: Afganistan, New Zealand, Indian, Muslim, Hindu, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Filipino, Bengali, Somalian, Persian, Rohingya.

Get creative to make your discovery box. If you can't find things around your house, you could: 

- Draw some things on paper.

- Find photos online and make a collage. 

- Take photos around your house.

Check out our discovery boxes. We had a lot of fun scavenging around the house and the internet.

What would you include in your discovery box?

Favourite toy explanation

Challenge #12

Following on from our Funday Friday crazy hair day we had a bring along your favourite toy day. 

Everyone brought their favourite toy to our Google Meet video call. We all had the opportunity to share something about our favourite toy. Then we had some questions Miss Mangabhai gave us to guide our writing. 

The questions here:
Where did you get it from? Who gave it to you? What is the name of your toy? Why is this your favourite toy?

We had to make sure we used full sentences when answering the questions.

Check out our responses:

Have you got a favourite toy? Share in the comments telling us about your favourite toy. You can use the questions to help you.

Shared Book: Bread

Challenge #10

During lockdown, many families did some home baking. 

We read a book called Bread and then answered the following question:  How do you like to eat your bread?

Check out our challenge on our class site. 

Check out our writing we crafted:

So tell us: How do you like to eat your bread?

Step by step animal drawings

Challenge # 2

Drawing animals can be tricky at times. 

Miss Mangabhai found a range of step by step instructions on how to draw different animals. 

We followed the step by step instructions to draw an animal of our choice and then wrote a story about our animals. 

Check them out: 




You can find the step by step drawings here on our Class Site.

Why don't you give it a go? We would love to see what you come up with.