Autumn 2
Why Do Squirrels Hide Their Nuts?
This week as we have been continuing on our journey through Talk 4 writing and ‘We're Going on a Bear Hunt’, we looked at the art of questioning. We investigated how to construct a question and then made a list of questions from the children to the bear. We were fascinated to find that the bear sent us four videos replying to our questions. One is attached. The children then role-played being the bear constructing more questions for the bear in talk partners. It was very fun and super educational.
We have been learning about why we have bonfire night, what happens and how to keep safe. We recreated a bonfire night scene in the outside area by making up firework dances and building a bonfire with construction materials. Inside, we made up stories in the small world area and made firework patterns in the funky fingers and mark making areas.
On Thursday 13th November we went on a sound walk through the settings of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. We used brooms to create the swishy swashy sounds of the grass and jelly to create the squelching of thick ooozy mud. We then poured water to make splash splash sounds of the river. When we got to the deep dark forest the children banged wooden spoons together to create the stumble trip of twigs snapping. Off they then went to the snow storm where they blew over the top of empty bottles to make the sounds of the swirling whirling snow storm. We used our fingers to create the tip toe through the dark narrow cave. Then ran home to bed pleading NEVER to go on a Bear Hunt again!
Using sound to create memories and expose the children to onomatopoeia is a fantastic way to secure the order of our new Key text which will enhance their story telling skills in preparation for writing.
Acorn Class have had their first Forest School session on Thursday 6th November with Mrs Smith. It was such fun to learn about how to move safely around and how to help the Little People that live in the Forest. The children helped to build them new homes after the terrible weather broke theirs, they used sticks and leaves. After they built the new village the Little People let the children know they were so pleased with their new homes that they could play and explore.
On Wednesday morning Acorn and Chestnut classes went into Mrs Smith’s room to listen to some music and think about the way the music made them feel. However they were rudely interrupted by strange sounds coming from Chestnut Classroom.
WHEN THEY WENT TO INVESTIGATE THEY FOUND THE CLASSROOM IN DISARRAY!
Chairs were overturned, work everywhere and pencils scattered all around. On closer inspection they found foot prints.
We went back to Acorn classroom to discuss our findings whilst poor Mrs Hooper and Mrs Cooke cleaned the mess and we discovered that a big, friendly bear had come to our school. The only thing for us to do was to make some binoculars and magnifying glasses and go on a bear hunt! Look at all the bears we found.
Banana Sandwiches and Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Thursday 23rd October
If you'd gone down to Acorn and Chestnut Class today, you were sure of a big surprise. For every bear that ever there was, had gathered there for certain because, this was the day the teddy bears had a picnic!
The children in Acorn and Chestnut Class went on their first visit to the cooking room to make banana sandwiches for their special picnic. They learnt how to spread butter on to the bread and cut the bananas carefully using the bridge method. Later in the day, they got to try their sandwiches and enjoyed a fun afternoon singing teddy bear songs, playing games, listening to teddy bear stories and even doing the conga with their teddy bears.
Acorn have been exploring their imaginations and using loose parts to create their very own art. They used a mixture of natural and man-made items to create these. Some used inspiration from their own lives and others from the photo prompts.
The children in Acorn class all took part in Now Press play. It is an immersive experience where they follow the instructions they listen too and begin to become part of their very own stories.
Acorn class were really good at spotting the number 1 when they went on a number hunt around school.
The children in Reception have settled in really well and have made a wonderful start to their learning journey. Here are some photos of the children’s first few days and weeks at Birchwood. They have been exploring all the areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage and teachers have been getting to know their unique characteristics of learning. What a lot of fun they have all had trying new things and making new friends and memories.
