We started off today's adventure with a children's loving kindness meditation with the sound bowls struck after each intention. This is a great way to cultivate our propensity for kindness. It involves mentally sending goodwill, kindness, and warmth towards others and ourselves. We took a moment to establish the boundaries and expectations, which are: - if you ask someone to stop, they must and vice versa - no wandering off - respectful behaviour towards myself, each other and whilst at the museum. Our journey to Fremantle's Esplanade Park was full of hilarity. Earnest endeavours were made to get trucks to hoot their horn and it is very apparent they all love to make each other laugh and working out where the line was with potty humour was established 😉 Oh my... they ran, climbed, jumped, parkoured, climbed and ran some more for an hour before we had a bite to eat. We walked to the Maritime Museum visiting the tunnel and Roundhouse on the way. Even after confirming this morning, once all seated in the Dome, a different movie was played than what was booked. It was still awesome. "Whale Superhighway. Experience one of the greatest animal migrations on the planet. See whales like you’ve never seen them before! Enter their domain, learn more about their habits and meet the Western Australians that dedicate their lives to studying, understanding and preserving these truly majestic animals. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have made an extraordinary recovery. The WA coastline captures the attention of scientists across the globe as it is home to the largest population of migratory humpbacks anywhere in the world. Why this marine highway is so successful, is a question scientists are trying to answer. Why do more than 35,000 humpbacks travel this stretch of water annually? The documentary Whale Super Highway delves deep into this mystery—and into the Indian Ocean—following Humpback Whales and Blue Whales on their 6,500-kilometre migration down the coast of Western Australia to the freezing waters of Antarctica, and back again." We had a meander of the museum afterwards before grabbing an ice-cream for the walk back to the car. A game of car collection was had, where you say your name and a vehicle model to add to your folio. Once again, giggles galore as the 'vehicles' turned into obscurity! and a burping competition ensued. 'twas a full, fun day of connection through learning adventures and facilitated play.

Art

• The children engaged in the loving kindness meditation, which involves mentally sending goodwill and kindness towards others and themselves. This practice fosters empathy and emotional expression, which are important aspects of artistic creation and interpretation.
• Visiting the Maritime Museum allowed the children to experience different forms of visual art, such as exhibits related to the marine world and documentary films about whales and their migration. This exposure can inspire their own artistic expressions and interpretations of nature and wildlife.

English Language Arts

• The experiences at the park and museum provided real-life settings for the children to observe and participate in various activities, which can serve as inspiration for creative writing and storytelling.
• The documentary "Whale Superhighway" offered the children an opportunity to explore and understand informational texts and non-fiction narrative elements, which can enhance their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Science

• The visit to the Maritime Museum and the documentary about whale migrations provided the children with valuable insights into the natural world, including the ecosystems of marine life and the preservation efforts for whale populations. This experience contributes to their understanding of environmental science and conservation.
• Through physical activities at the park, such as running, climbing, and jumping, the children engaged in bodily movement and exercise, which are essential for understanding human anatomy and the importance of physical health.

Physical Education

• The children's active play at the park and their participation in physical activities, such as running, climbing, and jumping, contributed to their physical development and understanding of movement, coordination, and sportsmanship.

Encourage continued development by integrating mindfulness and meditation activities into art and creative writing sessions. Invite the children to create their own artworks and stories inspired by the themes of kindness, wildlife, and natural environments experienced during the field trip. Additionally, consider incorporating physical education exercises that mimic animal movements or themes related to marine life to reinforce the connections between physical activity and scientific knowledge.

Book Recommendations

• Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World by Ann Downer: This book explores the lives of wild animals in urban environments, offering insights into coexisting with wildlife and fostering empathy towards nature and its inhabitants.
• The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz: This heartwarming story follows Flora the pig as she embarks on a courageous journey to the South Pole, highlighting themes of kindness, resilience, and the wonders of the natural world.
• The Whale Who Won Hearts by Brian Skerry: Through captivating photographs and engaging storytelling, this book introduces readers to the world of whales and the conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures.