Raparapa, 2025 Term Two
Inquiry: Crazy Chemistry
Get ready for some fizzing, bubbling, and popping—students are becoming scientists. In Crazy Chemistry, there will be mixing, stirring, and experimenting to see what happens when different things come together. Will they change colour? Will they grow? Will they disappear? Will students use their eyes, ears, and words to describe what they see as well as learn new science words along the way?
We are learning to:
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Ask questions and make predictions.
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Watch closely and describe what happens.
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Work together like real scientists.
Week 1: Explore simple physical properties and use them to describe and group everyday materials.
Investigate the different states of water.
Week 2: Make predictions based on what they see and their prior knowledge.
Investigate everyday materials' solubility. Classify materials as soluble or insoluble.
Week 3: Investigate the pH of everyday substances using a pH indicator made from red cabbage.
Learning the scientific terms pH, basic & acidic.
Week 4: Observe and describe what they see, hear and smell when mixing together baking soda and vinegar.
Week 5: Slime and baking - to show how some materials change when they are mixed, heated, or cooled.
Week 6 - 8 : Matariki activities. Learning through these weeks will be centred around the connection to the stars. This will include hāngī preparation, and coming together to enjoy the meal at the Celebration of Learning in Week 8.
Ministry of Inspiration - Coding
Students will take part in an hour-long coding session with an expert from the Ministry of Inspiration. This charity supports schools across New Zealand by providing facilitators to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM). These sessions will introduce students to coding as well as enhance their digital literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
