Biodiversity Talks to Grade R's in South Peninsula - eMzantsi Carnival 2011

[Liesel James]

I would like to start of with saying thank you to eMzantsi Carnival for giving me the opportunity to go and speak to the different pre-schools in the South Peninsula and well done on an amazing parade! It was a wonderful positive experience for all of us living in the South Peninsula and I encourage everyone in Cape Town to support 2012.

With every class I had used props so that kids could learn through the senses of listening, touching and smelling. Even though the message was the same I customized the talk depending on the maturity and aptitude of the specific class.

I spoke about biodiversity and what it means; the threats to biodiversity; and then specifically focused on our valley the 3 threatened species I pointed out was the Western Leopard Toad, The African Penguin and the Cape Clawless Otter. I had   examples of the following:

• The invasive Port Jackson, how it got here and the indigenous Cape Ash tree.
• I had lots of visual material on the Western Leopard Toad and most of the insects that they eat.
• I had Earth Worms our most important animal on earth as it feeds the soil that all living things need to survive. This was a great thrill to all the schools. Some kids got the opportunity to hold one.
• I managed to take a tortoise on Thursday, which was very exciting for the children.

Most of the children knew quite a lot all ready about the environment and that was very assuring to see. They all had seen a toad or frog. Many kids from Ocean View and Kommetjie had seen the otter and some had been to Boulders Beach and had seen a penguin.

They learnt about waste and littering and the effect it has on animals and on us humans.  They also know to respect all living things and that we don’t kill anything – we can remove insects from our home and I showed them how their parents or guardians must do it.  At all the schools the kids were very interactive putting up hands wanting to share their own experiences with us. Very heart warming.

As a leave behind I got copies of Creature of the South –an environmental guide to the Southern Cape Peninsula from Wally Peterson at KEAG who wrote the book. This will be the follow up on the workshop delivered.

Please find below feedback from each school:

 

16 November at 10 am – Masivelani Pre School in Masiphumulele:
Teacher –  Nosandise and another teacher
34 kids

These kids were the youngest in age and maturity. They were really little still and even though the teacher confirmed that they were all 5, I am convinced that there were 3 year olds in between. However they were delightful and I got a hug and love from all of them. The teacher translated my talk, as these kids didn’t really speak English.

It would be great to get a shade tree sponsored for this school to continue the message about planting trees and not cutting down indigenous trees.

 

 

17 November 9:30 – Ikahayabantwana Pre-Primary in  Masiphumulele:
Teacher – Nontseko
35 Kids
3 Volunteers

These kids were very interactive and excited to learn about the different animals and plants. They loved the tortoise at the end of the workshop and knew substantially more about biodiversity than the first class. This school does seem like it gets much outside support and funding and it is making a difference with the education of the children.

This school could also do with a shade tree and there is space. They asked when Bush Baby would come and visit their school.

 

17 November 11:30 – Tiny Tots Pre-School in Ocean View:
Teacher - Carla
36 Kids

It was great to understand each and everyone at school. Most of the kids knew me, as my classroom is right next door to their class at Marine Primary. The kids loved sharing all their own stories about snakes, frogs and spiders. They also knew how animals in the ocean eat rubbish. They were willing to learn more about nature and it is great that they can actually join our environmental club next year at Marine Primary and be part of our sustainability programme.

21 November 9:30 – Synergy Pre-Primary
Teacher – Kerry
29 Kids

These are mostly privileged kids. All of them have swimming pools and know about the Leopard Toads. Many of them find them in their pools and know to save them. It was great that some could share about their worm farms and vegetable gardens at home. Again so much enthusiasm and wanting to share their stories.

I suggest they create a little pond to attract frogs and hopefully the Leopard Toad.

21 November 12:00 – Noordhoek Valley Pre-Primary next to Masiphumulele:
Teacher – Gail
36 Kids

This class had only black children and spoke perfect English. They have a big space at school and we were sitting under the trees and had an outside classroom experience. They shared beautiful environmental stories and were very receptive to what we were sharing with them. They were very spontaneous and had eager helpers taking my equipment to my car.

Their school could also benefit from an indigenous tree as Pine trees surround them. They are planning to get a vegetable garden off the ground.

Fish Hoek Pre Primary went very well. This school blew me away. The kids were phenomenal!

29 November 8:45: – Imhoff Waldorf Kindergarten
Teacher – Laura
15 Kids

I gave a talk to Imhoff Waldorf’s Kindergarten /Laura’s class who is falling into this category where my daughter is attending. It was a wonderful experience and the kids studied the book for ages afterwards in the garden.  Even their local frog came out to show us biodiversity, which is so great for kids to experience at Imhoff. They do experience nature the whole day.

Please view the album called eMzantsi Biodiversity Talks 2011

 

 

 

2012:

 

As soon as I get a brief for 2012 I will post onto the blog. The carnival is usually the first weekend in December.

 

Wishing you a safe and blessed festive season.

 

Warm regards,

 

Liesel James

 

 

Liesel James
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Web:  www.creatingchange.org.za

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