The Sunroom - 8s & 9s
Sunroom Bush School Experience
The Sunroom children have been attending Bush School each Tuesday throughout Term 4. We have linked Bush School with our Unit of Inquiry - Nature Elicits Emotions (Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder).
We have inquired into...
- the impact of nature upon our emotions
- how people express their appreciation of nature
- how artists evoke emotions through the construction of ephemeral art.
Our first adventure was to Herring island Sculpture Park where we explored the island and looked at artworks created by using natural materials.
We visited Blackburn Lake and used our senses to connect with the natural environment, noting how the sights, sounds, smells and textures made us feel.
Our visits to Darebin Parklands brought a new focus to Bush School as children observed the litter that was in the creek and took it upon themselves to ‘clean up’. The children were appalled by the litter and made a concerted effort to remove as much as possible to maintain the natural beauty of the area. This litter inspired some ephemeral artworks including ideas such as the word ‘THINK’ made out of aluminium cans, ‘CARE’ made from sticks, as well as ‘Think Climate’, made from leaves and rocks.
The time spent in nature was clearly appreciated by the children as evidenced by some of the following quotes.
“It’s good because you’re not stressed, you’re not rushed.”
“Just being in the water, being around nature, climbing things - overall it’s a really fun experience.”
“I feel free.”
“I feel happy.”
“I’m excited that I might find something new.”
“I feel happy and calm and relaxed.”
“I really like cleaning up the creek. I like exploring, watching time go by.”
Michael Price and Sophie Dall'Ava
8s & 9s classroom teachers
sophia.dall'ava@preshil.vic.edu.au michael.price@preshil.vic.edu.au