Dream Home

If you could live in any kind of home, what would you choose?

This was the question we thought about when we first met this morning. The children had time to draw their ideas and WOW - I would love to live in their dream homes! From tree houses to giant bubbles, Amazon rafts to underground caverns and volcanic retreats, the children's imaginations went wild!

We shared our drawings with each other, then talked about the essentials - what does every home need to have? It was interesting to think about how things we see as essentials in New Zealand are not necessarily things that all people around the world have in their homes. Many don't have indoor toilets, kitchens or even beds like us to sleep in.

So what is the main purpose of homes? The children decided on shelter and protection.

We read a short story about a Hermit Crab and discussed how the shells we find on the beach are often homes to all sorts of creatures.

With that in mind, off we set to explore and play, shell-collecting as we went. It was a beautiful day and we had all sorts of fun!

The children wanted me to add this photo - it's a dead and almost mummified possum in the sand!

The incoming tide persuaded us to go back to base, where we were treated to some delicious cake as a farewell for two of our group who won't be here next term. A sad thing for us but the cake was yum!

Then we looked at the shells we found together and played 'I Spy' with them. We noticed how different shells would be suitable for different creatures. The lumpy, thick shells were strong and good protection from birds and waves beating on rocks. The corkscrew shells were handy shapes for creatures who liked to bury themselves in the sand. Different shells had different patterns and colours - great for camouflage.

Time to create! We could choose whether we wanted to use Lego, Playdough or drawing to design new Dream Homes, either for the shell creatures or any other creature. The children had great ideas.

After a quick game of Sardines, it was time to go home. It was a lovely day to end our term with. I can't wait to see people again after our two-week break!


Ideas for home:

- Continue to design your Dream Home - you might want to make a 3D model of it!
- Remember to be grateful. Things we expect to have, like warm beds, fridges, glass windows and space of our own are not things that everyone has. Perhaps your family might want to talk about ways you can help people less fortunate together. Maybe you are already doing some great things. There are many charities in NZ and overseas who work with the poor and homeless.
- Why not find out more about some of the shelled creatures who live on our beaches? What are they called? What are their special features?

See you next term!