The Autahi Cloud Appreciation Society

Our rich and lively Atua inquiry moved on this week from the ground beneath our feet (Papatūānuku) to the sky above our heads (Ranginui). 

Our school is named for the stargazing pā that originally occupied the site: Te Whetū Kairangi. Our elevated position gives us an uninterrupted view of the sky which is as spectacular during the daytime as it is at night. 

Rangi has many moods, expressed through changing light, colours and cloud formations. The sky is always changing.

We have been making a daily walk to the lookout on Seatoun Heights Road to observe the sky. Gazing at the sky from the lookout is a beautiful connection to the people who stood in the same place to observe the sky in the centuries before us.

It has been fascinating to notice the daily changes and try to capture them in our drawing and writing.

 

 

We have even begun to learn the names of some of the clouds so that we can collect some statistics about common cloud formations (we'll begin work on this next week).

One of our Character Strengths is Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. We have enjoyed taking time to look carefully at the sky and notice its beauty. Already our observations have inspired some art. We will be keeping the final product under wraps as we will be sharing it with you at the Arts Celebration towards the end of term 3.

Curiosity is also a key Strength in Autahi. We have gathered some ideas about what we know about clouds.

But we have questions, too, especially about what clouds are made from and the part they play in weather. We will be exploring more about this next week. So keep an eye on Seesaw for updates - and keep watching the sky, too.