This Week in Rowans

22nd September 2023A Barnes

The children in Rowans have worked very hard. In maths the children in reception have compared a variety of sizes, capacities, weights and lengths using objects. The children in year one have completed counting tasks. In phonics the reception children have learnt new phonemes S and A. The children in year one have learnt the diagraph +ow. In science the children have explored the textures of objects using a feely box. In computing the children practiced moving and clicking the mouse.

A super duper week Rowans, well done!!

Bear Hunt Fun!

22nd September 2023A Malone

This week in Acorns we have been reading ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen. This story links to our current topic of ‘Let’s Explore’.

First we listened to the story and shared our thoughts and ideas. Then we re-read the story, making up actions to go with the words. Next we watched Michael Rosen performing the story. He was very funny! Then we made a story map to show what happens in the book.

 

We did some research about bears and found that they like honey, so we made some honey and oat flapjacks just in case we get a bear visitor! We followed the recipe carefully and everyone helped with the mixture. We can’t wait to taste them!

 

The Yellow Emperor and the Xia Dynasty

20th September 2023Mrs Storey

Sycamores began our new History topic by taking part in some drama.  We acted out the story of the Yellow Emperor and the Xia Dynasty; finding out information about it whilst remaining in role.  Did you know that the Yellow Emperor of the Xia Dynasty may not have even existed?  There may be truth in the stories but people often question parts such as the Yellow Emperor being taken to heaven by a dragon.  Great drama work around a historical idea Sycamores.

Acorns Family Phonics Session

20th September 2023A Malone

Today in Acorns we invited our grown-ups into school to join in with a phonics session. They listened to the story linked to the new phoneme, and practised the action and letter formation with us. Then we explored activities linked to our new letter sound.

We received some lovely, positive feedback from parents –

“The session was great. It’s good to see how the children are learning and how we can help at home. Fantastic to see how settled the children are and how comfortable they are in their classroom.”

“Really enjoyed the session. Lovely to see the children in their classroom and be involved in their learning. What a lovely class.”

“It was great to see how well the children have settled in already. I was pleased to see how confident my child was to share her thoughts with the group.”

“Thank you for the invitation to the phonics lesson and providing useful information!”

At Fellgate we understand the importance of involving families with each step of their child’s learning, and sharing reading is vitally important in a child’s development. We are starting weekly family library sessions in Reception class from this Friday onwards, inviting parents and carers to come in and read for pleasure with their child, and then take a book home to share.

 

Our Week in Acorns

14th September 2023A Malone

This week we had great fun getting out the bikes, trikes and scooters and working together to make them shiny and clean!

We filled our buckets with soapy water and used sponges, cloths and wipers to clean the vehicles.

 

 

 

 

We read the story ‘Wow Said the Owl’ and explored our favourite colours. Everyone contributed to a beautiful display on our classroom wall. In the story there was a rainbow, so we discussed how rainbows appear and even sang a French song ‘Arc-en-Ciel’, which taught us how to say the names of colours in French.

 

Collage

 

Painting and colour mixing

 

We had lots of fun outdoors, including investigating water, developing our number skills with the giant dominoes, and learning how to use tools safely and competently.

 

 

We’ve also enjoyed some delicious school meals, and joined in with our daily ‘Wake up Shake up’ sessions.

Chestnuts visit the library at The Word

12th July 2023G Mills

Chestnuts recently visited the library at The Word, where we took part in a story telling session.

A kind librarian read a great story about a young girl travelling around the world in a hot air balloon. She visited lots of different countries, which we have studied throughout our history and geography work. We have also read many books at school about these places.

The children were great at talking about what they have learned. The librarian was very impressed with how many amazing books Chestnuts have read this year.

Before we returned to school, we had a chance to explore the huge collection of library books. The children promised they would come to the library to choose their own books. Hopefully this will continue to improve their reading.

Turkish Delight?

8th July 2023A Tod

Our book this half term is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe written by C.S. Lewis. The children have carried out lots of work linked to it such as; descriptive writing, a biography and instructions.

To immerse them further into the story they got to taste some Turkish delight. The character of Edmund is lured in by the White Witch and given some Turkish delight, which he loves! However, I’m not so sure some of Willows would agree…

 

 

Author Talk With Ed Vere

2nd July 2023L Abbott

Birches class listened to Ed Vere, an author and illustrator. We discussed his book ‘The artist’. The children were able to discuss the story, answer questions and make predictions. We also discussed the characters thoughts and feelings and how we can relate. Birches also looked at and discussed the illustrations in the story and even had a go at doing their own pictures.

 

Virtual Author Visit

19th June 2023A Tod

The children in Willows took part in a virtual author visit with singer turned author JB.

They were introduced to his book ‘Ace and the Animal Heroes’ and got to hear about his career in the band JLS and then how he became a children’s author.

The children got some tips on how to create interesting story lines and also took part in a farmyard quiz.

JB answered the questions we sent him and even gave us a shout out too!

How long did it take you to write the book?
18 months (but about 8 years in total, from when it was first an idea!!)

What is your favourite type of music?
Classical.

What do you enjoy doing?
I love my farm with all the animals and getting to spend time on it with my family.