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Worms in our Garden
Working theories are the evolving ideas and understandings that children develop as they use their existing knowledge to try to make sense of new experiences. Children are most likely to generate and refine working theories in learning environments where uncertainty is valued, inquiry is modelled, and making meaning is the goal. (Te Whariki, p. 23)
In our Kakano Ruma, we support our pepe to be investigators and discoverers as they explore and make sense of the world around them. Greeting the worms has become part of our outdoor kaupapa, so we started to research facts about worms and snails, how they help the garden, and how many different types of species New Zealand has.
Our research taught us that there are 171 native species of worms that live mainly where the soil is not disturbed—such as forests, old gardens, hills, and mountains. Worms have no arms, legs, or eyes, and their droppings (casts) are rich in nutrients for plants. Interestingly, snails can sleep for up to three years and have approximately 14,000 teeth!
Our next step will be choosing the plants that will go into our garden and discussing how the worms will support plant health and growth, as well as how we can stop the snails from eating everything we plant.