Learning!
Summer 1
Maths
In maths, Year 1s have been using cubes to measure different objects, and trying to estimate whether an object would need more or less cubes than the previous one. Year 2s have been working out 1/2, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 and 1/3 of numbers and shapes. . Both year groups have worked exceptionally well listening to instructions; well done!
English
As part of our current English unit, we are looking at Rapunzel by Vera Southgate and Bethan Woollvin. Apples and Pears children worked together in mixed ability groups to retell the traditional story of Rapunzel by Vera Southgate. After recapping the story, children helped Miss Kennett and Mrs Glover to draw a story map and then acted out the section of the story where Rapunzel was trapped in the tower. Children were either given the part of Rapunzel, narrator, witch or the prince. We then watched one performance politely at the end. Well done Apples and Pears!
English
For our current English unit, we are planning and writing a letter to King Charles III. We started by planning our letter, discussing what we liked and disliked about the coronation, and asking questions to the King. We subsequently wrote the beginning of the letter, introducing ourselves, our name, age and class. Apples and Pears have made a really great start to their letters and Miss Kennett and Mrs Glover are very proud of them!
Coronation celebrations!
As part of our coronation celebrations, Apples and Pears students learned about the coronation of King Charles III and made their own Union Jack and crown with paper plates, glitter and paint.
Computing
In computing this week, Apples and Pears students looked at how to operate Beebots. They discussed what robots are and what they do. They predicted what would happen before they pressed a button on a Beebot and then evaluated whether the Beebot did what they expected it to. Well done Apples and Pears!
Trip to Whipsnade Zoo!
Last week, Apples and Pears went to Whipsnade Zoo. We were treated to a fur, feathers and scales workshop and got to explore some animal skeletons and ask lots of questions! After this, we went to the butterfly house and aquarium, saw the cranes, elephants, rhinos and tigers, and spent some time in the adventure playground. All the children were excellently well-behaved and listened very well to adult instructions. Well done Apples and Pears!
Spring 2
English
As part of our latest English topic, Apples and Pears students worked together in mixed ability pairs to plan a letter to the teacher Mrs Smith, persuading her to let Beegu stay at school. We thought of adjectives to describe Beegu, what Beegu enjoys in the playground, how Beegu would feel if they were left alone with no friends, and gave reasons as to why the teacher should let Beegu stay at school.
Art
Apples and Pears children painted the Easter eggs that they had designed earlier in the term. Children took their original design and did their best to replicate it in egg form. Well done Apples and Pears!
P.E.
This week, we were fortunate enough to have a tennis coach to help us improve our tennis skills. We practised serving and hitting the ball to one another and played a game called "Cross the River". All children thoroughly enjoyed this taster session and were extremely well behaved. Well done Apples and Pears!
Science
As part of science week, Apples and Pears students learned about the phases of the moon. We learned there were eight phases, and the meaning of words such as "waxing" and "waning". We made up our actions to support our understanding of these words. Children then worked to make a moon dial. Well done Apples and Pears!
Computing
In computing this week, Apples and Pears class discussed a variety of different technology (for instance, computer, camera, speed camera, Ipad and phone) and sorted them into two groups; ones which could take photographs and ones which could not. After this, we discussed the importance of asking someone's permission before taking their photo. We played photo bingo, talking a picture of a building, a person, a close-up of an object, an action shot, a selfie, and something in the distance. Children shared their preferred photos and discussed why they were successful. Well done Apples and Pears!
In PSHE today, Apples and Pears children worked together to look at pictures of people showing different emotions. They then had to sort the emotions out on a scale from 0 (completely relaxed) to 10 (angry and stressed). Mrs Glover mentioned it was an excellent lesson; well done Apples and Pears!
Spring 1
Music
In music this half term, we have been listening to and learning to play the song "Sing Me a Song". Apples and Pears children have been learning the difference between xylophones and glockenspiels and learning to play a simple song with one beater. The children have worked in partners, one as a pointer and one as a player, and then they have then swapped. Well done Apples and Pears!
R.E.
This week, Apples and Pears were fortunate enough to have our own Reverend Chris Kilgour to discuss baptism. We asked questions such as "Have you been baptised?," "How cold is the water?", "How many times have you baptised someone else?", "What does it feel like being baptised?", "How big is the font?" and "Are fonts the same in every church?" After talking on the subject and answering questions, the Reverend demonstrated what a baptism looked like. Thank you so much for visiting us!
Design and Technology
This week, Apples and Pears children have had two design and technology days. Their focus has been to "design, make and evaluate a bridge for Lego people to cross a river safely". To begin with, we worked in pairs to explore the four types of bridge, and research facts on the Ipads. We designed and made a prototype to test our bridge for potential flaws and afterwards built the bridge for real. After this, we tested and evaluated them. The vast majority of bridges worked and we recorded some excellent evaluations for improvements; well done Apples and Pears!
Maths
In maths, Year 1 have been investigating addition and subtraction number sentences using digit cards and practical resources, while Year 2 have been comparing number sentences with an unknown quantity on one side. Both year groups have demonstrated great resilience when introduced to more difficult learning. Well done Apples and Pears!
Computing
In computing this week, Apples and Pears worked on an Ipad using the app "Sketchbook" to create a self-portrait. Some children could achieve this; others found it difficult. Well done to all those children who demonstrated resilience and perseverance when the Ipad didn't do what they wanted it to - even Miss Kennett found this tricky!
Science
In science this week, Apples and Pears children explored different materials. There were three zones where children had to explore different materials, discuss similarities and differences, and used adjectives to describe their properties. We recapped the definition of "material" multiple times. Well done Apples and Pears!
R.E.
In R.E. this week, Apples and Pears have been revising what Christians remember when they celebrate Christmas. After recapping the Nativity story, children discussed the meaning of the four candles in the Advent wreath (hope, faith, joy and peace) and began to make their own advent wreaths to decorate the classroom with. Well done Apples and Pears!
English
In English last week, we looked at the story "Dogger" by Shirley Hughes. As part of this unit, we pretended we were either Dave (the main character) or an interviewer. As a class, we discussed possible questions to ask Dave, such as "Where do you think you left Dogger?", "How are you feeling now?" and "What reward will you give if you find him?" All children thoroughly enjoyed this activity; specific pairs also got to demonstrate their ideas to the class. Well done!
History
In history, we have been learning about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. This week we have been working on sequencing the events of the Gunpowder Plot.
PSHE
This week in PSHE, Apples and Pears discussed what "bullying" is and how someone might be feeling if they were bullied. Children worked in mixed ability groups to act out a scenario and discuss if it constituted bullying. Students then recorded how they would help someone who was being bullied. Well done Apples and Pears!
English
Apples and Pears have been reading the poem "A Silver Speck" by Laura Purdie Salas. This week, they have worked together to read and act out the second verse together. At the end of the lesson, all children performed the second verse at the front of the class. Well done!
Science
Apples and Pears worked in mixed ability groups to think what they already knew about different weather types. They considered what kind of clothing they would wear, what they already knew, how the weather made them feel and any questions they had about the weather that they wanted to find out. Students worked very well considering it was a Friday afternoon - well done!
R.E.
In R.E. this week, we looked at how Buddhists show thankfulness in the Rice Festival in Bali. We discussed where Bali was on the map, and that villagers create bamboo templates and small rice dolls to keep evil spirits away and show thankfulness. We coloured in Buddhist flags, created Buddhist temples out of Lego and made our own rice dolls.
English
In English this week, Apples and Pears have been acting out the story of "Farmer Duck". We have been taking turns to be one of the characters (the duck, the farmer and the narrator). When Miss Kennett rang a bell, children had to freeze and explore how their character was feeling at that point in the story. Lots of fun was had by all!
English
In English this week, Apples and Pears children have been reading the book "Farmer Duck" by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenburg. Children have completed work sequencing the story and explaining how the main character is feeling.
Science
In science this week, Apples and Pears children started the lesson by answering a quiz on senses. They then worked together in mixed ability groups to sort fruits and vegetables by sight, texture or touch. Finally, the children designed a poster explaining their groups to potential customers and "sold" their items to one another.
Computing
In computing this week, Apples and Pears children worked together in mixed ability groups to log on to a computer. The children had both a username and password which use capital and lower-case letters.
Music
In music this week, Apples and Pears have been learning how to keep the beat of the music. We have been having lots of fun learning to copy patterns, funny facial expressions and melodies.
Science
In science, we have been looking at adult and baby pictures and trying to work out who is who! It was definitely harder than we expected!
