This is the last blog of the half term. It has been an exciting first half term back in Robins Class. In our topic work we have learned lots about Families and Neighbours, we have explored what it means to be part of a community and we have discovered what animal communities live around the school.
This week we have focused on hibernation and Autumn, following on from our Forest Schools afternoon last Friday and connecting to our Harvest Farmers Market on Thursday. On Monday afternoon we talked about different animals that are starting to hibernate, and what animals do to prepare for hibernation. We found out that some insects (such as bees) hibernate as well as animals like bears, bats and tortoises. We created our own cosy dens and role played as different hibernating animals. We also used our noses to sniff out food (popcorn!) to gather for our long sleep.
On Wednesday morning we baked Hedgehog Bread for the Farmers Market on Thursday. We worked in groups of 4 making the bread dough from scratch with flour, yeast, warm water, butter, sugar and salt. When the mixture was combined we kneaded the dough for five minutes – it was very good exercise! Then we shaped our dough into a hedgehog, snipped spikes with a pair of scissors and put currants on for its eyes and nose. We then left the bread to rise before baking in the oven. The whole school smelled of our delicious bread! We hope that all of our bread sells at the market, otherwise Miss Compton and Mrs Greenwood will be eating bread all half term!
In the afternoon we went to see Zoe at the National Trust who took us around the park looking and listening for animal communities and any signs of wildlife. We had a wonderful afternoon in the Autumn sunshine, walking through rustling leaves and searching for creatures and insects as well as evidence of larger woodland animals. We saw a large and beautiful buzzard flying over us, circling and looking for prey. We also spotted a woodpecker, as well as a rabbit, a squirrel and various birds such as crows. We found evidence of a squirrel eating acorns as he had left crumbs on a tree stump! We also found the food of various animals in the woodland community such as creepy crawlies like millipedes and woodlice. We collected up some of the insects in magnifying pots so that we could examine them more closely. All the children had a fantastic time searching for animals, and although we did not see many larger woodland creatures, we were very pleased to have seen a buzzard and a woodpecker! We decided that most of the animals in the park come out at night time when all the children are tucked up in bed.
Thursday was a busy day preparing for the school Farmers Market. The morning was filled with putting the finishing touches to the bread we baked on Wednesday morning, as well as making sure the school was tidy and ready for all our visitors. The afternoon was a huge success. Lots of stalls were set up selling a huge variety of goods from dairy to clothing. The children loved seeing their bread on the school stall, and also looking at everything else that was on sale. The school cooking club made some delicious looking Autumn treats such as parkin and cinder toffee….mmm!
Below are some photos of what we have been up to this week. When we return after the half term holiday our topic will be ‘Fire’. Some of our learning will involve finding out about The Great Fire of London and how fire is used in different celebrations and festivals such as Bonfire Night and Diwali. We are all looking forward to this exciting new topic!
Have a happy half term holiday!
Love From Robins Class
Above: Walking around the park in the Autumn leaves looking and listening for wildlife.
Below: Baking Hedgehog Bread for the Farmers Market. We were very pleased to hear that all our loaves sold!
Robins Class 