Otatara School Term 2 2022 - the estuary, bird flight, seeds and pesky possums!
Term visits to Otatara started on 17 May with me visiting the six senior classes and using Environment Southland’s enviroscape model to tell the story of the New River Estuary catchment and what contributes to the end point state in this tidal estuary. It was great to have the wonderings of the students as we built up and added activities, learning that everything in a catchment is connected, and every estuary is unique.
24 May it was an inside day (due to the weather!) and learning ranged from estuary life (with Akapuka), to birds (Kōwhai) to seed types (Tōtara and some Ponga class members). Akapuka learnt all about estuary habitat types and what lives there - plants, shellfish, birds and fish. We explored the adaptations and features that these life forms have to survive the extreme conditions of estuary life. Focusing on the cockle, flounder and oyster catcher, we finished the session with a game to guess what living thing they were. Kōwhai class were focused on birds. We started by reading the very familiar book “Whose Beak is that?” before seeing locally found birds up close by viewing footage by local Jason Hosking. We identified birds and their features and looked at what they are eating and how they use their beaks. We then grouped birds into insect, fruit, nectar and fish & mice eater categories! Acting out different birds and how and what they eat got us moving before we started thinking about how we can help birds during the winter season. Some bird seed was given to all students to help feed the birds. Tōtara class spent the session looking at native plnat seeds and seed type, using examples of seeds and matching these to the type of seed (fluffy, hard coated etc) leading to discussion on seed dispersal methods. Seed packs were given out to all students to plant some NZ natives.
31 May the focus switched to the New River Estuary again, with all senior classes going on a fieldtrip to the estuary. The earlier work done with these classes on the history of the place, how a catchment works, and estuary life were explored on the ground using observation skills to get a sense of this local place. An awesome day out in the sun.
The 2 June I spent time with two classes back in the bush adjacent to school. The Horopito class learning about pests showed that this class had certainly learnt heaps already and it was great to have them share their knowledge with me. After meeting Eric the possum, and singing “Oh no, Mr Possum” we looked at the traps that the Otatara Pestbusters have in the reserve to catch rats and mustelids. We wondered why we are trapping pests, and using the flip boards from the nursery we saw that possums, ferrets, stoats, weasels and rats eat our native trees, eat birds, baby birds and birds eggs, and eat insects (which is also the bird’s food). What a great job these pest species have done adapting to their new home in NZ, but not animals that we want in our special areas like the reserve. There was lots of slipping and sliding up and down hill as we explored the sand dunes in the reserve and all that lives there. As kaitiaki we have to manage these pest species and we can all become an Otatara Pestbuster. With the Mataī class we headed off into the bush looking out for flying birds - seeing the distinctive flight of the tui. Their inquiry into flight is transcending all subjects (maths, writing, reading, art and inquiry) which is great to hear. We focused on what features of birds help with flight - including their wings, streamlined body, light skeletons because bones are hollow and full of air, a large heart, strong flight muscles, a light beak - to reduce drag, decrease weight, allow lift and give thrust - all the forces related to flight. The students practised flapping, gliding and soaring. Feathers were looked at closely and we noticed how lightweight, strong, flexible and smooth they were - all features to ensure flight is successful. The parts of the feather were named learning that the stalk is hollow, a feather has veins and the veins are held together by air filled barbs and barbules that knit together giving a smooth feather surface. Some more flapping, gliding and soaring was practised and some birds spotted on the way back to class.
It has been a privilege learning alongside the students and teachers of Otatara School.
Bronwyn
Posted: 25 June 2022