
Making a magnifier – Tētahi mea hei Activity
Using a magnifier encourages tamariki to be curious
Why do it?
- It strengthens observation skills and the ability to notice details
- It’s easy to make with your tamaiti using everyday materials
How to do it
You’ll need: a round pottle – an empty margarine container works well, some cling wrap, a rubber band and a small amount of water
- Cut an opening low on one side of the container big enough for your tamaiti to slide things in to look at. Check for and tape along any sharp edges
- Loosely drape cling wrap over the open top of the container, press it over the sides and secure it with a rubber band
- Get your tamaiti to put a large spoonful of water onto the cling wrap to make a ‘lens’
- Slide something into the magnifier through the small hole you cut in the side
- Look down at it through the watery lens. Talk about what you can both see
- Ask an open question like ‘What do you think will happen if you put in more water?’ Try it out.
- When you’re out and about, look for interesting things to look at under your magnifier
- Encourage exploration by asking questions like - What happens if we make the cling wrap looser? or tighter?
- What about if you make the magnifier with a bigger, or smaller container?
Using more reo Māori
Te reo Māori | English |
---|---|
Whakakaitā(tia) | To enlarge/magnify |
Whakanui | Magnifier |
Arotahi | Lens |
Kei raro i te mea whakakaitā | Under the magnifier |
Mā roto i te āputa i te taha | Through the gap in the side |
Me titiro | Have a look |
Tētahi mea rerekē | Something different |
He nui rawa te āhua | Looks bigger |