School Testimonies
Testimony from Kererū Rua at Te Ao Mārama School,
Hamilton
25-07-2023
What an incredible day for the kids and big kids alike!
Our tamariki were immediately hooked by the large scale museum casts, as were the parents as they dropped their children off for the start of the day. Our caretaker came through the space and was wowed, wanting to come back to the classroom for the day to learn with us all. It became the buzz of the school with word spreading and many faces pressed up against the windows at break times of staff and students in other spaces within the school taking a sneak peek.
But it wasn't just a flashy show of dinosaur bones and fossils. There was so much learning that went on, in an interactive way. Tamariki appreciated being able to get up close and touch the artifacts, the coprolite (fossilized dinosaur poo) was definitely a hit!
Who would have thought their child would make friends with a baby Velociraptor at school? Yet Tai was instantly loved and many now say they have made their first dinosaur friend.
The take home element was also enjoyed. Panning and sifting the bags of sand to reveal the amazing gem packs you had put together had everyone buzzing. We felt like real paleontologists as we used brushes to wipe sand to the side and reveal an i-spy of fossils in the different containers. As well as the impressive trace fossil footprints you left for each child to paint and have as a memento of your visit and the information you had to share with us all.
What was also special for us was the legend aspect. As we incorporate more NZ history within our curriculum this was a perfect way to begin our journey into sharing the Te Reo Māori worldview/perspective. We will now spend the rest of the term exploring the legend through our own oral storytelling and writing programme, but what an incredible hook Darren and Rista's visit was to begin our exploration into the idea of Ngarara walking alongside Tane in Aotearoa.
Thank you so much for your time and effort in bringing your incredible dinosaur museum to us, you definitely inspired many!
Teacher: Danielle Head
Te Ao Mārama School,
Hamilton
25-07-2023
What an incredible day for the kids and big kids alike!
Our tamariki were immediately hooked by the large scale museum casts, as were the parents as they dropped their children off for the start of the day. Our caretaker came through the space and was wowed, wanting to come back to the classroom for the day to learn with us all. It became the buzz of the school with word spreading and many faces pressed up against the windows at break times of staff and students in other spaces within the school taking a sneak peek.
But it wasn't just a flashy show of dinosaur bones and fossils. There was so much learning that went on, in an interactive way. Tamariki appreciated being able to get up close and touch the artifacts, the coprolite (fossilized dinosaur poo) was definitely a hit!
Who would have thought their child would make friends with a baby Velociraptor at school? Yet Tai was instantly loved and many now say they have made their first dinosaur friend.
The take home element was also enjoyed. Panning and sifting the bags of sand to reveal the amazing gem packs you had put together had everyone buzzing. We felt like real paleontologists as we used brushes to wipe sand to the side and reveal an i-spy of fossils in the different containers. As well as the impressive trace fossil footprints you left for each child to paint and have as a memento of your visit and the information you had to share with us all.
What was also special for us was the legend aspect. As we incorporate more NZ history within our curriculum this was a perfect way to begin our journey into sharing the Te Reo Māori worldview/perspective. We will now spend the rest of the term exploring the legend through our own oral storytelling and writing programme, but what an incredible hook Darren and Rista's visit was to begin our exploration into the idea of Ngarara walking alongside Tane in Aotearoa.
Thank you so much for your time and effort in bringing your incredible dinosaur museum to us, you definitely inspired many!
Teacher: Danielle Head
Te Ao Mārama School,
Kia ora Dinosaur Darren,
21st Nov 2022
Thank you for the wonderful day we had with you and your amazing professional team of educators.
As we entered the hall, I could see that the staff had friendly and clear communication which was great for directing junior students. As a teacher, it was easy to pick up on your staff’s cues as to what you wanted the students to do. I thought that the tikanga at the beginning of the session was valid and an important part of every child’s learning and daily life. The pace and audience interaction was just right, and easy for teachers to manage behaviours.
You had multiple chances for learners to engage with a focus on learning. The children’s faces lit up with joy and excitement. They really enjoyed the discussion, especially being involved with the display of dinosaur models.
I can tell that you are passionate about the topic and education. Your story-telling was very exciting and interesting which helped with student engagement.
It was a relief that the children were able to touch the fossils, casts, and models. The children were very well-behaved because there was a range of hands-on activities for them to do. I thought that it was a good idea to have the girls first to do the panning activity while the boys used magnifying glasses to look at the models.
I thought that the takeaway gems were such a great idea. The learners were so happy that they were able to keep something that they used during their panning learning activity. Many of my students said, “It’s the best day of my life!”. The students thoroughly enjoyed each part of the and it was a worthwhile experience for them. They also liked that they could take home the footprint and shark’s tooth bag.
Thank you for taking the time to view our school values. I am glad that you noticed these were reflected in the learners’ behaviour. Student voice is also an important part of our school way. I thought that you were able to allow the children to ask questions after the whole-group discussion time.
All the teachers were very impressed with the whole experience, and we know that the children loved learning about dinosaurs.
Ngaa mihi nui
Benjamin Twinn
On behalf of all the Year One & Two teachers at Hamilton West School.
21st Nov 2022
Thank you for the wonderful day we had with you and your amazing professional team of educators.
As we entered the hall, I could see that the staff had friendly and clear communication which was great for directing junior students. As a teacher, it was easy to pick up on your staff’s cues as to what you wanted the students to do. I thought that the tikanga at the beginning of the session was valid and an important part of every child’s learning and daily life. The pace and audience interaction was just right, and easy for teachers to manage behaviours.
You had multiple chances for learners to engage with a focus on learning. The children’s faces lit up with joy and excitement. They really enjoyed the discussion, especially being involved with the display of dinosaur models.
I can tell that you are passionate about the topic and education. Your story-telling was very exciting and interesting which helped with student engagement.
It was a relief that the children were able to touch the fossils, casts, and models. The children were very well-behaved because there was a range of hands-on activities for them to do. I thought that it was a good idea to have the girls first to do the panning activity while the boys used magnifying glasses to look at the models.
I thought that the takeaway gems were such a great idea. The learners were so happy that they were able to keep something that they used during their panning learning activity. Many of my students said, “It’s the best day of my life!”. The students thoroughly enjoyed each part of the and it was a worthwhile experience for them. They also liked that they could take home the footprint and shark’s tooth bag.
Thank you for taking the time to view our school values. I am glad that you noticed these were reflected in the learners’ behaviour. Student voice is also an important part of our school way. I thought that you were able to allow the children to ask questions after the whole-group discussion time.
All the teachers were very impressed with the whole experience, and we know that the children loved learning about dinosaurs.
Ngaa mihi nui
Benjamin Twinn
On behalf of all the Year One & Two teachers at Hamilton West School.
Hi Dinosaur Darren
15th March 2005
Thank you on behalf of everyone at Mauriceville on a wonderful day when you brought your mobile Dinosaurs museum to us. The children are still buzzing and parents tell me that they are still hearing of the activities they did and what was learnt, from children who never have much to say about their school day!
We were impressed with the way you kept the children fully interested and involved, the fun way you presented information to the students, for , the amazing resources you have and how the children were allowed to be completely hands on, and fully involved in a variety of relevant activities. It was certainly an awesome day, your passion for your work certainly enthused us all. Thank you.
Regards
Cecile, School Principal
Mauriceville School
Wairarapa.
15th March 2005
Thank you on behalf of everyone at Mauriceville on a wonderful day when you brought your mobile Dinosaurs museum to us. The children are still buzzing and parents tell me that they are still hearing of the activities they did and what was learnt, from children who never have much to say about their school day!
We were impressed with the way you kept the children fully interested and involved, the fun way you presented information to the students, for , the amazing resources you have and how the children were allowed to be completely hands on, and fully involved in a variety of relevant activities. It was certainly an awesome day, your passion for your work certainly enthused us all. Thank you.
Regards
Cecile, School Principal
Mauriceville School
Wairarapa.
Kindergarten Testimonies
To Dinosaur Darren
5th Aug 2005
Thank you for bringing Dinosaurs to life for not only the children, but the teachers and parents.
It was so great to have you and your pets at our kindergarten.
The fact that everything was so hands on made the whole day so exciting.
Our children have not stopped talking about you.
The photos are wonderful and we now have a great display on our wall - that will be hard to take down.
We highly recommend your Dinosaurs to young and old - you can't help but be fascinated.
Thank you once again and good luck for your future adventures - keep us up to date!
Regards
Martinborough Kindergarten
Hi Dinosaur Darren
25th June 2005
Once again, we want to thank you for coming to us on Thursday and bringing along your amazing collection of dinosaur exhibits. Children and adults found the whole experience educational, exciting, intriguing, and, above all, fun. From the moment you started unloading the exhibits to the time the certificates were handed out, the children were absorbed and engaged. The hands-on and interactive opportunities enabled the children to extend their own knowledge as well as discovering new and fascinating facts
We highly recommend your services to other early childhood centers and kindergartens and would be more than happy to be used as a reference.
Dinosaurly yours,
Lyn, Jo, and Frances.
Maungaraki Kindergarten
Pencarrow Kindergarten Wainuiomata
1st Dec 2004
It was to be an interactive fun filled morning for the children. It was much more than that. And it all started when they pulled up in their wagon. They passed over the fence to the children the ‘mini’ dinosaurs – they were much bigger than the ones that we have, some of the children were able to name them. While the children were playing with these, they set up their display inside. The last thing to be unpacked was the blow-up dinosaur.
It was huge, taller than the outside swings. The children were able to measure themselves against it to see how big some dinosaurs actually were. It was a pleasure for the children to be able to play with the mini dinosaurs anywhere – inside or out; it was a definite hands-on experience.
After everything was finally set up inside the children came in for a mat-time where Dinosaur Darren then explained to the children all about dinosaurs, the different types of fossils – trace fossils and body fossils. The children were invited to take part in the presentation and to interact by comparing their bodies against the dinosaur bones and fossils.
Dinosaur Darren told stories to the children about how dinosaurs would capture their prey; he pretended to use a child as ‘bait’- comparing the dinosaurs jawbone size to that of a child’s head. He also showed how the dinosaurs would have used their claws to grab hold of what they wanted to eat; again, he used a child as ‘bait’.
This was followed by the children painting a plaster cast of a dinosaurs ‘trace fossil/foot print. Some children did dinosaur sponge painting others drew pictures. All the children were then able to touch, hold and feel the dinosaur items on display. Several children were able to sit on top of the three-foot-high T-Rex.
At the end of the session Dinosaur Darren officially shook their hand and presented them with a certificate, which they were immensely proud to receive.
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