SOLO Taxonomy with the NZTA resource “ The Big Event”
Hawera Primary School in Taranaki are focussing on professional development using SOLO Taxonomy with the NZTA resource “ The Big Event”
The staff have decided to focus on the science resource this term- exploring the geology of a local area where a big event is held - and the safe travel implications of the geological landscapes for Big Event tourists. They intend to bring in local experts to introduce the specialised content knowledge of the geology of Taranaki to teachers before they start working with students and to create a student resource that explores safe travel around geological highlights of the region.
Some Hawera School teachers had this to share
This resource gave us the opportunity to distinguish man made from natural features in Taranaki – and as such are able to link this with building a smart travel resource which we plan to test out with a road trip. This will create an authentic challenge for our students.
It will be exciting to explore natural features of Taranaki from the perspective of 5, 6 and 7 year olds. Will they identify the same highlights that tourist brochures do? - or will they bring a fresh perspective on what is cool about the cone volcano of Mt Taranaki, Paratutu, Sugar Loaf Islands, volcanic rock, the ring plain around the volcano, towering sandstone cliffs, black sand beaches, lahar volcanic mud flows, debris avalanches, terraces, rivers, gas oil deposits etc. Will they identify and understand the safe travel implications of the limited access routes into and out of the area? Civil Defense volcano alert levels for Taranaki/ hazard mapping etc.