Making books

For some time now the children have been drawing popular culture images; Minions, Princesses, mermaids, superheros and Star wars figures.
Then we began adding their stories to the pictures and made them into books. the children are absolutely engrossed in the process; first drawing their illustrations, telling the story. laminating the pages and then binding them into books. They are so capable using the laminator and the binder - and if someone is not sure how to do another children helps them through the process. Several children have made 4 and 5 books. They are very proud of their work.

And we even have combination stories with this one telling the story of the Easter bunny and Star Wars.

A visit to the Skytower

Research has shown that having a wide range of experiences is hugely important in the development of oral language and therefore literacy.
A trip to the Skytower combines several modes of transport a range of experiences. We take Martin's bus to the train station from kindergarten.

Then it is off to the city by one of the new electric trains into Britomart. There is so much to see on the way.

There is much excitement when we can see the Skytower from the train.

Once we get to Britomart we need to take a break for morning tea - its hungry work all this travelling!
We check out the station too.

Then we walk all the way up Queen St to Victoria St and once again we can see the Skytower - our destination for the morning.

When we get to the base of the building there is much to explore. Looking at the size and shape and looking up and looking down. It is a very tactile experience too touching the columns.

We get a little side tracked by the big fountain waterfall in the foyer of the Skytower building. Who could resist dipping their fingers in such a fabulous looking pool? Not us thats for sure. We stay and play a while.

Then it is up in the lift - an interesting ride with children watching first through the floor then out the windows as we get higher and higher.

And finally we are there.

Free to move around, explore the glass floors and search out the window for landmarks that we recognise. There way over in the distance is our mountain, Mangere. 

Then it is back down the lift and into Martin's bus - he is waiting at the bus stop to take us home. An exciting and interesting day exploring the world around us.

Story writing

The children have been writing stories to include in a drama show at the end of the term. We have printed the stories and added them to the planning board close to the mat area. Children gather their with their families to read the stories and also in groups to share them. We have some fabulous stories and it is a favourite place to gather.

Reading a story from home.

Thanks Addison for bringing your story from home to read to us all at mattime. We really enjoyed it - it was fun and you read it so well.

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK

This book is just such a huge favourite of the children. It is read with much hilarity and interaction. Some children are even word perfect now, and also understand prediction in stories. What a great literacy experience this book provides by creating such delight in reading for children.

Making books

We have been making books. The children dictate the story, find the appropriate puppets, and friends to play the parts, act out the story and we take the photos. Then they are printed, the words added, the children laminate and bind the book. Lastly they read the story at mat time. There is much competition to be the one to help, as actors and then to use the laminator and the binder.