Room+10+-+2010

[[image:DSC02593_[Desktop_Resolution].JPG width="257" height="250" caption="Hi we are the Room 10's Enviro Reps"]]

 * As a class we are involved in a lot of areas : **

__World Environment Day__ - As part of our Literacy work we have produced posters to display around the school to publicise 'World Environment Day' on June 4th. Click @here to see them.

**Project 1**: The students in Room 10 have identified a problem across the school.
Where should the branches go? Jeremy said " We use a mulching machine at home". That gave Room 10 the idea of thinking about a mulching machine.
 * The Issue**- Children across the school break branches or sometimes they just break and then the branches are used as weapons or toys. However, the broken branches are finally sent to our caretaker and they land in the **Landfill ( RED) bin**.

1. Put the sticks in a safe place. 2. Break them into little pieces 3. Put them around trees 4. Use our Compost Bin
 * Options at school**:

Discussions around using our Compost Bin: The sticks seem very big to be pit in our Compost Bin. Sometimes they are even bigger than our Compost Bin!! Students pull the sticks out of the Compost Bin. Who will break these branches to make them small?

So what can be done?? We discussed a new option, what if we understood how a chipper works and its use. Room 10 used You-tube to look at various clips on chippers and mulching.

Then the students asked a number of questions about Mulch and Why do we need it?

We looked up the internet together to find out more about mulch -

We need it - 1. To retain moisture 2. Stop weed growth 3. Give the important nutrients to trees
 * What is Mulch**- It is a protective covering over the soil.

The students drew many pictures of " **Why Mulch" ?**



Room 10 has now emailed Mr Baddeley ( Kaurimu) to please visit Room 10 as the students have some questions to ask about mulching and need some advice regarding our project.
 * __Action Cycle :__**

We made use of the time and the Middle and Senior school got involved as well - here is some photos from the day.
 * Friday, 18th June, 2010**- Room 10 requested Lucy, a parent to demonstrate how a mulcher works. She brought her mulcher to Room 10 and the students gained a lot of information about the safety precautions and how the blades work. She also discussed the type of mulch you get from different machines. Room 10 had collected many broken branches from across the school and Lucy and Mrs Ghadiyar had a go at mulching. The students had to cover their ears when it got too loud!!



Room10 has now 3 options to consider: 1. Buy a mulcher for our school 2. Think about storing the branches somewhere and hire a mulcher 3. Use jumbo sized Green Bins for all our school garden waste

Room 10 is looking carefully at the costs of all the above. The students will then present the best option to Mrs. Moodie.

We made use of the time and the Middle and Senior school got involved as well - here are some photos from the day.

Using jumbo sized bins for green waste is a good idea, however the mulch would then go somewhere else. Room 10 decided we want the mulch and we want to get it at a low cost or no cost. Nicky then discussed how a parent of our school has agreed to mulch our branches for free!!! Now the students had to think of where and how to store the branches. Room 10 have finally decided with option 2.
 * Friday, 25th June**- Room 10 invited Nicky Elmore to discuss our options. After a lot of discussion, the students decided the first opion would be too expensive.

Nicky also discussed the consequences of throwing branches in a landfill and how it affects climate change. Then Nicky discussed the **criteria** for storing branches with the students: 1. It had to have access to the driveway 2. Would be better near the native garden 3. Could we use wire and other material we have in school? 4. A lid would be really good. 5. A door with a padlock would be fantastic 6. Could also be like a cage The students then drew pictures of their storage designs, our next step is to invite Mrs Moodie to our class and present our project.

**Project 2- Growing vegetables in tyres - ongoing**
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Room 10 grow vegetables in tyres. Every year, the students plant vegetables and harvest them when they are ready. This year, we planted lettuce in term 1 and the lettuce was ready to be harvested in term 2. The students are learning all about sustainability and celebrating by eating together. Parents helped too and the children are learning the importance of growing and eating fresh vegetables.