Year 1

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What an exciting day!

It all began with a letter from Little Red Hen, that we found on the Talking Tree.

She was asking for help as she had made bread for our chickens (to welcome them into their new home) but someone or something was eating it before the chickens even got a munch or a nibble.

The children were unanimous, “We’ll help!”

What could it be?

“It could be a magic fairy that makes itself invisible?” (Quinn)

“I think it was a fox and it magicked the door open.” (Seb)

“I think it was my dad. He is soooo greedy!” (Anonymous)

What should we do?

“Something sneaky ate the bread when no-one was looking. We need to look for things that are suspicious.” (Benji)

“We could peak through the window and see who it is and set a trap.” (Aiden)

“I’m going to make a trap and tie it to the bench and the tree so whoever is eating the bread will trip on the rope and the bag will fall on its head.” (Alfred)

“We could set up the nocturnal camera.” (Lacey)

“I have found something suspicious….it is a bone. Maybe, whatever it is, is leaving clues for us to find. Listen! I heard something tumbling on the roof.” (Quinn)

Off they went armed with magnifying glasses, binoculars, clip boards and pens to look for anything suspicious.

Would they find any clues in the chicken shed?

Eyes were on stalks and mouths open as they noticed bread crumbs, warm eggs and red feathers.

After discussion they decided to: set up the nocturnal camera; carefully observe the chicken shed; leave letters for Little Red Hen and set up humane traps.

What on Earth (or beyond) will Friday bring?

Today was also Children in Need and Takeover Day.

“I enjoyed showing the little ones the chickens and looking for clues.” (Leo, Year 6)

“I enjoyed showing the Year 1s how to use a bow saw and how to pick up a chicken.” (George, Year 6)

Year 2

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The installation is coming together!

We also shared stories of successful recycling projects carried out at home.

Isabelle said, “When my dad’s sock had a hole in it we made it into a door stop and decorated it with a face and clothes. It was his birthday present!”

Connie shared, “At home, me, my sister and my grandad made a table. It is in our playroom.”

Friday, 11th November

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Due to bird flu we have had to move the chickens into the shed.

We have been observing where they lay their eggs so that we can put nesting boxes in the right place and hopefully stop the eggs rolling off the table!

We were thrilled when they laid in the wheelbarrow tray and other boxes we put in.

Lana was very resilient as she got flapped in the face and Elodie wasn’t initially keen as ‘It’s staring me right in the eye!’

They both returned from the second visit laughing and carrying feathers.

Badges this term are: hammers and nails, hacksaw, scratches and scrapes, dirty knees, gentle hands.

Today the children learned how to use a hammer and nails safely and produced some stunning string art, really beautiful.

“I hurt my finger with the hammer but I bounced back and believed in myself” (Brogan)

“Resilience means jumping out of hurt things and carrying on.” (Alan)

“If my mum misses me, she can look at this nail heart and play the rubber bands like a guitar. That music will make her feel better.” (Benji)

“This pot is all about nature: scented rose petals and pungent sage.” (Elodie)

Wednesday, 9th November Year 2

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A collaborative re-cycled materials art installation project will thread through this term.

Last term in class the children learned about French artist Bernard Pras.

Teddy told me, ‘He uses recycled things that people don’t use and then he makes collage.

Grayson added, ‘Yes, he uses toy cars to make hair’ and Harley added, ‘He uses natural materials, like rocks sometimes.’

In Earthclass today we also started looking at the works of artist, Michelle Reader, who makes figurative sculptures using found and recycled objects.

After research and discussion, the children started planning their ideas and considering what objects and materials they might use.

This project will also consolidate their science learning: Materials and their Properties as we revisit that vocabulary.

Friday, 21st October Year 4

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Today was all about apples: picking them, scratting them, pressing them, enjoying their naturally sweet juice, baking them and spicing them up – not to mention celebrating them and their unadulterated wholesome goodness.

Following that I taught the children how to play Viking Chess or Kubb – kind of a cross between bowling and horseshoes.

Rather than use skulls and bones, we just used Jenga pieces.

This is such a fun game but the main objective was to celebrate team work and consider what that really means.

They talked about strategy and were supportive of one another, collaborating really well.

I’ve handed the wooden blocks back to their owner now, so we will just have to make our own pieces from scratch.