At the end of Week 1, students were introduced to a provocation that will be set up in the neighbourhood in Week 2 – a Mystery Treasure Table! We have asked students to think about a ‘treasure’ that represents who they are – a small trinket that they can bring into the neighbourhood from home to share what makes them special. This might be an interest of theirs, something the love to do, a personal strength, or something or someone that is special to them. After reading ‘Ruby Red Shoes’, a picture storybook by Kate Knapp, we talked in class about how different objects could be used to represent Ruby’s different interests – for example, a packet of seeds could show Ruby’s love of gardening, or a bar of soap might represent the claw foot bathtub that Ruby loves to bath in.
We have asked students to bring these treasures into the neighbourhood on Monday, and be discrete when delivering them to their homeroom teacher – for the first few days, these treasures will be a mystery, which will allow the students to write clues about their treasure and their special connection to it. If their objects are particularly precious, students may want to bring in a photo of the treasure instead, or email the photo to their homeroom teacher so that we can print it out. The treasures will remain in the neighbourhood for 1-2 weeks.
The treasure table is opportunity for students to share and celebrate what makes them special with their peers and links to a whole school wellbeing focused investigation as a way of getting to know others and building community – Who are the people of Princes Hill Primary School? You may have noticed a large map on a table in the neighbourhood, which we will be adding more to in Week 2 – as the term progresses we will learn more about our community, and build appreciation and respect for one another and our diverse cultures and heritages . This week, students worked on self-portraits, using mirrors to practice their observational drawing skills that they learned last year in Art with Hannah. Keep an eye out this coming week for the Year 2’s artwork to be put up on display in the Art Studio, as well as all of their smiling faces on our world map!