Art – Weaving

In art, we focused on the skill of weaving. Using paper strips, students learned how to create simple woven patterns by going over and under to build colorful and creative designs. This activity helped improve fine motor skills and introduced the idea of patterns and textures in art. Everyone enjoyed seeing their work come together in a unique and satisfying way.

Science – Absorption and Materials

Our science topic this week was absorption, where we investigated how different materials soak up liquids. We tested materials like paper towels, sponges, plastic, foil, and fabric to find out which ones were absorbent and which were non-absorbent. Students recorded their predictions and results, then discussed why certain materials are better for specific uses. It was a great way to explore everyday science through hands-on experiments.

Literacy – "The Magic Bed"

In literacy, we read the story "The Magic Bed", which took us on a journey into the world of imagination. After reading, students used their creativity to innovate the story by coming up with their own magical beds. They wrote about where their beds would take them, what adventures they’d go on, and what magical features their beds might have. This helped develop their narrative writing and encouraged the use of descriptive language and original ideas.

History – Florence Nightingale

In history, we learned about the remarkable life of Florence Nightingale. Students created informative fact files about her, including key facts such as her work during the Crimean War, how she improved hospital conditions, and why she is known as the founder of modern nursing. We looked at images, timelines, and quotes to better understand her impact on healthcare and why she remains such an important historical figure.

P.E. – Football Cricket

In P.E., we had lots of fun playing a game called football cricket! This exciting team sport combines elements of both football and cricket. Instead of using a bat, players kick the ball to score runs, while the fielding team tries to stop the ball and get players “out.” The game helps build a variety of skills including kicking, aiming, teamwork, and quick thinking. It was fast-paced, energetic, and enjoyed by everyone!

This week has been full of exciting learning experiences and memorable moments! In English, we have been focusing on writing the story of The Magic Bed from memory. Everyone has worked really hard to remember the key events, use descriptive language, and sequence the story correctly. It's been wonderful to see such creative ideas and imagination coming through in our writing.

In Maths, we successfully completed our unit on mass and volume. The children have shown great understanding when comparing, measuring, and estimating different weights and capacities. We have now started a brand-new unit on multiplication and division, which is already proving to be a fun and engaging challenge for the class.

In PE, we had the opportunity to try our hand at cricket. The children showed great enthusiasm and picked up the basic skills quickly. We even spotted some fantastic fielders during our practice games—excellent teamwork and quick reflexes all around!

During our PSHE lessons, we have been learning about friendship and how to be a kind and caring friend. We also explored the idea of personal space, discussing how to recognise when someone feels comfortable or uncomfortable with things like cuddles or holding hands. These important conversations are helping the children build empathy and respect for others’ boundaries.

In History, we continued our learning about Florence Nightingale. We began by recalling everything we’ve learnt about her life and work so far. Then, we looked more closely at the huge impact she had on hospitals. The children were fascinated to compare what hospitals were like before and after her contributions and were able to explain why she is such a significant historical figure.

Our Music lesson was an exciting one this week as we had a special session with Mrs. Butlin, who introduced us to the ukulele! The children were thrilled to have a go at playing, learning how to hold the instrument properly and strum a few basic chords. There were lots of smiles and laughter throughout the lesson.

To top off a lovely week, we enjoyed a fabulous picnic on the school field yesterday. The sun was shining, and it was the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate all our hard work.

This week's overview-

Maths – We have now completed our work on length and height, and are moving on to learning about mass and volume. We will be exploring how to measure weight using different units and comparing the volume of various objects.

English – This week, we have been using our imaginations to design our very own magical beds! We’ve been writing descriptive sentences to bring them to life, focusing on using adjectives and expanded noun phrases to create vivid images in our readers' minds.

RE (Religious Education) – In RE, we have been thinking about the idea of belonging. We’ve explored different groups we are part of—such as family, school, or clubs—and discussed what it means to belong and why it is important.

ICT – In our computing lessons, we have been learning how to create pictograms using a special app on the iPads. We’ve collected data and represented it visually, helping us understand how to interpret and present information clearly.

History – We have started learning about the life and work of Florence Nightingale. We discovered why she is a significant figure in history and answered true or false questions to check our understanding of key facts about her contributions to nursing.

PSHE – In our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, we have begun to look at the topic of relationships. We are discussing what makes a good friend and how to show kindness and respect to others.

Design and Technology (DT) – In DT, we have been trying our hand at weaving. We are learning how to use different materials and techniques to create patterns and textures.

What a fabulous first week back it’s been! We’ve packed so much into just a few days, and the children have loved every moment. One of the highlights was our exciting visit to Deer Park Farm. We had an amazing time exploring the outdoors on a nature walk, getting up close with the animals—especially holding a lamb!—and enjoying a bumpy but fun tractor ride while feeding the animals around the farm. It was such a memorable way to start the term.

In Maths, we’ve begun our new topic on length and height. The class has really enjoyed using rulers and measuring tapes to compare different objects—and even each other! We discovered who is the tallest and who is the shortest in the class, sparking lots of great discussions.

In English, we've been diving into the magical world of The Magic Bed. We’ve been working on sequencing the events of the story and writing about what’s happening in each part using our own words. The creativity has been wonderful to see!

During our ICT sessions, we've started learning about data and how to sort and organise information. The children had fun sorting different zoo animals into groups and discussing how we can use data in everyday life.

We also had a brief introduction to our new topic about Florence Nightingale. The children are already curious and asking great questions—we can’t wait to learn more about her inspiring story.

In Music, we’ve started learning some lovely new songs for our upcoming assemblies, and the classroom has been filled with singing and smiles.

To top it all off, we had a very special visitor from Discover Islam who came all the way from Oxford to talk to us about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about different cultures and beliefs, and the children asked some thoughtful questions.

In Maths, we’ve been learning all about place value, focusing on numbers up to 50. It’s been fun working with different ways to represent numbers and understanding the value of each digit. We’ve had a lot of hands-on practice with comparing and ordering numbers, which has helped us get a better grasp on this important concept.

We also went on an exciting trip to Lanhydrock, where we had an amazing time exploring the beautiful gardens. We took part in a nature hunt, which allowed us to discover various plants and animals while enjoying the fresh air. After that, we ventured into the house, where we learned about what life was like during the Victorian times. It was fascinating to see how people lived back then, and we even had the chance to dress up in Victorian-style clothing, which made the experience even more special.

In our Art lessons, we’ve been exploring colours and learning about how to mix them. It’s been so interesting to experiment with different combinations and see the different shades we can make.

In English, we’ve started a new unit all about poetry, specifically focusing on dragons! We’ve been reading different poems about these mythical creatures and even started writing our own. It’s exciting to use our imaginations and come up with creative ways to describe dragons in our poems.

In Geography, we’ve been learning about the Berbers, a fascinating group of people with a rich history and culture. We’ve discovered a lot about their traditions, way of life, and the places they live. It’s been an enriching lesson, and we’ve gained a deeper appreciation for different cultures.

Finally, we are really looking forward to our sharing afternoon tomorrow! We can't wait to showcase everything we’ve been working on and share our learning with others.

An update on a few on the areas we have covered this week-

In Maths, we focused on understanding place value up to 50, using tens and ones to help visualise and organise numbers. 

In Science, we embarked on an exciting bug hunt, exploring the natural world around us to identify and learn about different insects and their habitats. We also had the opportunity to toast marshmallows in the Forest School area, learning about fire safety while enjoying the experience of cooking outdoors.

In Geography, we delved into the fascinating culture of the Maasai tribe, locating their homeland in East Africa and studying their traditions, lifestyle, and the unique aspects of their society. This helped us understand global diversity and the rich cultural heritage of different communities.

In English, we worked on innovating the story of Zahra, reimagining different parts of the narrative to make it our own. 

This week we have covered a wide range of exciting subjects and learned many new things. In art, we explored the life and work of the artist Dora Carrington, studying her unique style and the influence she had on the world of art.

In cricket, we focused on both batting and bowling techniques, learning how to improve our skills and understanding the strategies behind the game.

In science, we studied seasonal changes and how the weather can vary throughout the year. We also had the opportunity to create our own wind socks, helping us to observe wind direction and speed in a hands-on way. During PSHE lessons, we explored the importance of healthy eating and how the right foods can help our bodies stay strong and energised.

In music, we practiced singing, learning new songs and developing our vocal skills. In maths, we delved into place value, focusing on numbers up to 50, which helped us to strengthen our understanding of number patterns and how to compare and order numbers accurately. In English, we worked on using adjectives to describe the desert, learning how to create vivid and detailed descriptions that painted pictures with words.

Finally, in geography, we studied the nomadic cultures of Mongolia, learning about their lifestyle, traditions, and the challenges they face in such a unique environment. 

This week has been filled with lots of exciting activities and learning experiences! We had a wonderful day celebrating World Book Day, where the children wore fantastic costumes and took part in a fun and lively catwalk. It was so wonderful to see the creativity and imagination that went into each outfit. The children also had the opportunity to design their own bookmarks, which they got to take home, and create a beautiful book cover, showcasing their artistic talents. To top it all off, we spent time sharing and enjoying lots of wonderful stories together, sparking plenty of discussions about our favourite books and characters.

In Maths, we continued to build on our subtraction skills. The children have been working hard to understand the concept of subtracting numbers.

In RE, we delved into the teachings of the Qu'ran. The children learned about its significance in Islam and how it guides the lives of Muslims around the world. They asked thoughtful questions and engaged in meaningful discussions about respect, faith, and understanding different cultures.

In English, we focused on describing Zahra using adjectives and expanded noun phrases. The children used their creativity to come up with vivid descriptions, learning how to make their writing more detailed and interesting. They really enjoyed exploring the different ways to describe a character.

On Wednesday, we had a special treat when we made pasties in celebration of St Piran's Day. With the help of Ginsters, the children got to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at making this traditional Cornish dish. The pasties were delicious, and it was a fun and educational way to learn about Cornish culture and traditions.

It has truly been a week full of fun, learning, and celebration, and we can’t wait to see what next week brings!