Information Signs

What does our school need to help the plants? Sign we decided!

 A small group from Ara Pakeke have been working hard on cutting, designing and painting information signs about the environment.

Winter Strawberries

What a warm winter we have had. Usually this time is a quiet time for gardening however it has been unseasonably warm. So, we started planting some seedlings and we have our fingers crossed that there won't be a frost.

Our strawberries have gone in early because if you plant them in winter, they fruit more. We are doing an experiment on three different types of strawberries (our old ones fertilised, new ones from the shop and runners). Which ones will do the best??

Term 2 Weeks 5-10

Maintaining the gardens is hard work but it's made much easier pushing a wheelbarrow - it's always a race to see who will get to steer it! We finished with a class treat of homemade vege soup. It was absolutely delicious, nutritious and totally made by the hands of the Eco Kids.

Term 2, Weeks 4-5

The paths around the garden beds were quite muddy so we collected mulch from the field to spread over the path. Having a push on the wheelbarrow was fun.

Comfrey tea making time!  Comfrey is a broad leafed plant that grows abundantly around our garden beds. It is well known for it's amazing fertilising qualities. We picked leaves and mixed it with water to soak for a few weeks. It makes a brown liquid that people call, "comfrey tea." Soon we will pour it over the strawberry garden to give it a boost.

 Check out these baths in gardens. They have little worms living inside. Worms love to eat your uncooked left over kitchen scraps. The 'worm tea' drains off down the plughole and a bucket underneath collects the tea... or you can drain in back straight into your garden. Your veges will be healthier, more resistant to disease and much tastier.

Banana and Apple Smoothie.
By Nishita Ganatra.

Ingrediants 
1 banana                                                                           
1 red apple
2-3 cups milk
3 teaspoon sugar
3 big spoons of plain youghurt

Equitment
A Bowl
Blender
Glasses
Knife

Method
1. Peel and chop the banana.
2. Cut the apple into small pieces.
3. Put the apple & banana into a bowl.
4. Put the youghurt in the bowl.
5. Pour milk in the bowl.
6. Add sugar into the bowl.
7. Blend until smooth.
8. Put it in thr frige to make it cold.
9. SAfter it is cold, pour it into glasses.
10. Enjoy!!!

Ara Pakeke Stepping Up - Making Eco Signs

The Ara Pakeke Stepping Up group have begun the measuring up and cutting of the signs. Thanks Phil for all your help!

Ara Pakeke Stepping Up

Last term the Ara Tuakana Stepping Up group created a display on New Zealand's native birds. It is in the library if you want to have a look!

This term, Ara Pakeke is having its turn in the Stepping Up group. Our goal is to inform people about areas of the school through signs. We will make signs that give information about plants and explain why some areas are out of bounds: e.g. around young trees because their roots and small branches are vulnerable to foot traffic.

We will be practising our design skills, technical skills and positive language to use on the signs.