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Welcome To Our New Website!
Birchwood Primary School

Chestnut

 
Welcome to Chestnut!
 
 
2025 - 2026
 
Mrs Robilliard/Miss Lowe - Class Teachers
Mrs Cook, Mrs S Spencer, Mrs Hooper, Mrs Maw - Teaching Assistants

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.

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.

 
Autumn 1
 
We All Belong Here

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.

During their first PE lessons, Chestnut Class learnt to find a space, move in different ways and control their bodies.
Chestnut class were really good at spotting the number 1 when they went on a number hunt around school.
Chestnut Class enjoyed picking a book to take home on their visit to the school library.
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.
This week Reception classes have been learning about the 'People Who Help Us' within our community. We have had many visitors  who helped us to understand their roles and how they help us. On Monday we met a Police officer who explained how her role is more than just catching bad guys, its protecting the peace. Tuesday we met a Nurse who explained how she works as part of a huge team to help keep us healthy and fit. Thursday we met a Naval officer who explained how he helps keep our country safe by protecting our seas from threats and pirates. Then we met the local Fire department who allowed us to explore their vehicle and see how we can stay safe from fire. Here are some of the photos of our wonderful week!