Spring 1: Animals All Around

W/C 7th February

As part of Children's Mental Health Week, we went on a wellbeing walk in the Wildlife Garden with children from 6A. One of the initiatives within mental health week is to "Take Notice'. We spoke to our Year 6 buddy about what we noticed i.e. what we saw, heard etc. and they noted it down. Their notes are in our book bags for us to share with our families at home!

We have been practising our underarm throwing in PE - we were very proud of ourselves when it landed in the hoop!

Keeping Myself Safe - We explored how we can keep ourselves safe in our homes, in school, on the internet and on the road. 

W/C 31st January

What a super day we had for our animal theme day on Friday! We completed lots of different animal challenges relating to animals from different habitats such as the jungle, sea life, farm animals, and even mystical creatures. The children have loved our learning about dinosaurs this week and we therefore made our own pet dinosaurs to take home. We can’t wait to bring these home to show you. The children also completed a Safari with Mrs Davy. They did a super job at recording the number which was with each animal. What a super day.

We enjoyed making a hideout in the outdoor classroom with Mrs Davy. In here we could use our binoculars and look for animals whilst being camouflaged. 

It was a very exciting morning when the children arrived at school on Thursday. An egg has hatched in our classroom and there was footprints leading to the outdoor classroom. The children were so excited to arrive and follow the footsteps. They were running around the outdoor classroom, shouting to their friends, and were so curious to find out what could’ve hatched from our egg. We discussed what it could and could not be, recapping the story we had a read on Monday about which animals hatch from eggs. In our special writing books we then drew what we thought it would be and added labels. I was so amazed at the children’s writing. They should be so proud of themselves!

Exploring how 5 can be partitioned. 

Chinese New Year!

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We have been exploring 5. We separated towers of 5 between us and a partner, and spoke about the parts and how many we have altogether. Later in the week, we will explore ways to make 5. 

We discovered an egg in our classroom! We discussed what it possibly could and certainly could not be. After listening to the story, “Chickens aren’t the only ones” we spoke about animals who do and don’t lay eggs. We also used our ninja word “delicate” to talk about the egg. 

Lots of exciting dinosaur themed provision! Children have been telling me all about dinosaurs, and how they are now extinct. 

W/C 24th January

Another day of special visitors! This time, Rob from Zoo Lab and some different animals! We met a snake, giant snails, a tarantula, a cockroach and a frog! We learned lots of different facts about them, and got to hold and stroke some too! I am very proud of the children for their bravery, enthusiasm and super listening & speaking skills.

We used sponges to print colours and create a jungle backdrop. 

We loved having a visitor in class today! Frankie, a local artist, kindly came into class to help us paint some different jungle animals. We were so enthusiastic, and wanted to carry on with our paintings all day long. We were very lucky to have Frankie come in and help us!

We are enjoying using the iPads to spend time on White Rose 1 Minute Maths - a super fun and easy way to practise our quick number eyes (subitising)! 

W/C 17th January

We loved our safari in the outdoor classroom! We made our own safari truck, and dressed up as animals! We needed to hide and camouflage, and the explorers tried to find us!

We enjoyed practising our sticking and collaging skills to make binoculars - our challenge was to make sure they were camouflaged. I was amazed when one of our superstars told me that camouflage is when an animal is “identical” to the things around it.

We have been representing numbers,  talking about the groups we can see i.e. “I can see a group of 2 and a group of 3... 5 altogether.”

We received a letter from Explorer Ellie! She has heard we are super explorers and whilst she’s explored lots of places, she hasn’t quite managed to explore a jungle yet. She needs our help! We made a list of things we already know, and want to find out. Our rainbow challenges and provision have supported our learning and enthusiasm for jungle exploring!

W/C 10th January

We have thought about what it is like for birds in winter. We have made some bird cakes to feed the birds. It was good fun but very messy! We will bring them home to hang outside for the birds.

We have been representing numerals using objects. We turned over the number cards, and counted out that many friends for the penguin. Outdoors, we build towers which were equal to the numerals. Once we had mastered this, we had a go at adding 2 numbers together, using objects to help us. 

Our story, “Lost and Found” had led to lots of exciting learning opportunities! 
Penguin drawings in ICT.

Drawing by observation to create penguin paintings. 
Exploration of floating and sinking. 
Character hot seating. 

W/C 4th January

After listening to a poem called “Cold” by Shirley Hughes, we created our own winter poem using the pictures we took on our winter walk. 

We have been using the words “first” “next” and “finally” to sequence our morning routines. 

We have enjoyed lots of winter themed provision!

Our first story in our new storytelling area! Mrs Davy read us a story about Jack Frost!

On our return to school, we have been learning about the season of Winter! We needed to be winter explorers to go on a winter walk to find out about signs of winter. The children enjoyed using iPads, binoculars and checklists. They found holly branches, ice, frost, bare trees and even a robin!