Term 5 Week 2
We started our week in the best possible way… outdoors at Forest School, and what a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining, the space was full of lush green leaves and the yellow flowers were in full bloom. It really felt like spring had arrived.
The children made the most of every part of the environment. They were busy insect spotting and using magnifying glasses to look closely at what they could find. Some explored fungi using identification guides, while others collected leaves and created their own leaf prints using hammers, showing real care and focus in their work.
There was a lot of teamwork as the children built dens and created their own spaces using tarpaulins and natural materials. We also had children climbing trees, using the rope swing and working together to explore safely and confidently. Down by the pond, there was great excitement as we spotted ducks gliding across the water.
What stood out most was how engaged and calm the children were. Our Forest School area is full of life, and it gives the children a chance to slow down, be mindful and connect with nature. These moments are so important. They are learning to respect the natural world, work together and enjoy being outdoors.
Most importantly, it reminds us how valuable outdoor play is. It gives the children a break from screens, from sitting at desks and from the busy pace of the classroom. It allows them to explore, imagine and just be children.
This week in English, we used Flotsam as our inspiration and the children took on the role of advertisers, trying to sell the mysterious camera found on the beach.
We focused on using product description to help persuade the reader. The children thought carefully about how to describe the camera in a way that would make someone want to buy it, using ideas like mystery, adventure and discovery beneath the sea.
Some found this quite challenging, but I was really proud of how they persevered and kept going. This links closely to our Christian value this term, perseverance, and it was lovely to see the children showing this in their learning. It was also great to see their confidence grow as they began to think more about the reader and the purpose of their writing.
In History this week, we started our new topic on explorers. We are looking at local history, focusing on Great Shefford and Newbury, and how this links to the English Civil War.
We began by showing the children different photos and asking them what they could tell about the past. This helped them to think like historians, using clues to make observations and ask questions.
We then moved on to learning about King Charles I and the Royalists, and Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads. The children were really interested in understanding the different sides and what they were fighting for. We also explored the role of Donnington Castle, just near Newbury, and how it was used as a stronghold during the war. We learnt that Shaw House in Newbury was also linked to the English Civil War, as it was used by King Charles I and the Royalists during the Battle of Newbury.
It was fascinating for the children to realise that these events took place so close to where we live. We are looking forward to exploring this further and continuing to build our understanding of how our local area connects to wider historical events.
In Science, we have been looking at animals including humans, focusing on teeth and how they help us eat.
We explored how different animals have different types of teeth depending on their diet, learning about carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. The children enjoyed identifying and classifying animals and thinking carefully about why their teeth are shaped in different ways.
We also looked more closely at our own teeth, learning about the different types, including incisors, canines, premolars and molars, and the job each one does. The children found it really interesting to see how each tooth has a different shape depending on its function, whether it is used for biting, tearing or grinding food.
They really enjoyed thinking like scientists, asking questions and making observations, and were keen to share what they had noticed.