Chestnut class have looked lots at measuring this week and we started the week by going outside where the children had to order themselves in height order. They did a fantastic job of problem solving, communicating and working out where they needed to stand. Reception have also drawn round each other to see how tall they were which has become a display in the school. Year 1 were set a challenge of measuring different objects around the classroom in cm and comparing lengths and heights.
 
We have continued to look at protecting our oceans and rivers this week in literacy with learning about the water cycle and writing non-chronological reports about turtles. The children have dived into fact finding and dissecting lots of elements across our oceans.
Reception have looked at MOG and the V.E.T in drawing club, drawing and labelling their own cat and designing hiding places for MOG to hide from the vet. Lots included special hidden compartments full of treats and games!
 
We have learnt all about raw and synthetic materials in science this week. We started by understanding the difference and then sorting objects and materials into groups of raw materials and synthetic.
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We had a go at drawing  a map of North Tawton this week in geography using satellite images to support our drawings. We compared satellite images and maps of North Tawton to a village in Uganda. The children picked out the key things that were needed on their map such as the roads, the school and the park.
With Miss Brooking, chestnut looked at the last supper in RE, the importance of the day, relevance and significance and then discussing what they think is their favourite meal.
 
Have a lovely weekend
Miss Warwick and Team.  

This week in chestnut class we have begun exploring our new story in literacy and learnt lots about the importance of looking after our world. The children have been passionate about showing ways we need to protect our waters, whether that be the seas or rivers as well as the life that lives in them. We have made posters and written poems to express how important it is to take care of our environment including putting litter in the bins and not taking shells from the beach.
 
Drawing club this week has been the story Farmer Duck and the children have drawn their own farmer duck, designed a new tractor for the farm and considered a way for the animals to chase away the lazy farmer.
 
In science, year 1 conducted an experiment looking at absorbent materials. We made a prediction and then tested different materials to see which was the most and least absorbent when placed in water.
 
Both reception and year 1 have been looking at measuring this week. We started the week comparing lengths thinking about shorter and longer and sorting objects by length. We have also measured using objects such as cubes before using a ruler to measure in CM. 
 
On Thursday we had a lovely afternoon, starting with painting our pinch pots that the children began making last week with Miss Brooking and then enjoyed the sunshine out in forest school with Acorn and Sycamore class. It was lovely seeing our youngest children spending time with our eldest children in school everyone helping Karen with the pond.
 
Have a great weekend
Miss Warwick and Team 

This week in Chestnut Class we had a special visitor come in and talk to us about being a nurse. Amanda talked to the children about what her job means and the children asked lots of questions about what happens when you are poorly or injured. Reception used Amanda’s visit as inspiration to create their own nursers using 2D shapes.
 
Reception have also had a fabulous drawing club week, looking at a story called You Can’t Call an Elephant in an Emergency. The children discovered how animals aren’t always the best helpers in an emergency! They created a suit for a porcupine and a new bed for a sloth.
 
Year 1 have finished their fantasy stories and have started their new book We Are Water Protectors this week, starting with a prediction lesson. The children had to write sentences about what they thought the story might be about just from looking at the cover.
 
In Maths this week, we have been looking at Odd and Even numbers as well as one more and one less. The children loved the alien odd and even tuff tray, using playdough to make their own monsters and aliens with odd and even number body parts.
 
We have looked at the Holy Week in RE and are beginning to think about why Easter is important to Christians. We ordered the timeline of the Holy Week and are starting to retell the story.
 
We conducted an experiment in science this week, with year 1 looking at how we can change the shape of solid objects, we twisted, squeezed and bent some solid objects including socks, elastic bands and sponges, recording our results.
 
Miss Brooking has made clay pots in DT this week, the children have looked at manipulating and using the clay to make different shapes in preparation to make clay houses.
 
Have a lovely weekend
Miss Warwick and Team 

We celebrated Shrove Tuesday at the beginning of the week, with a pancake and baking inspired tuff tray and designing our dream pancakes. During RE and class assembly we talked all about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday and its significance to Christians as well as a very important discussion of what toppings we would be having with our pancakes Tuesday night!
 
In literacy this week, Year 1 have started writing their own fantasy story, starting with the opening, setting the scene and introducing their characters. We will be concluding Toys in Space and finishing our stories next week. The children have worked incredibly hard on planning and thinking about their stories over the last week and I am looking forward to reading their completed stories.
 
Reception have looked at Doctorsaurus this week in Drawing Club and wondered what a Doctorsaurus might have in their drs bag, how Dino World might look as well as creating their own new Doctorsaurus to work with Doctorsaurus from the story.
 
In Maths this week, Year 1 have been looking at making groups of tens and one more, one less using manipulatives while Reception have worked hard spotting and making double numbers within 10.
 
All the children looked brilliant in their World Book Day outfits and we had a fantastic day overall. Thank you to those who came in and read some stories in the morning, it was nice to see everyone. The children also had Sycamore class come and read stories in the morning with Miss Penny. It was lovely to watch our oldest children support and chat with Chestnut class. They all really enjoyed this.
We also drew ourselves in our book character costumes and had a great session in the afternoon from the Bookery in Crediton via Zoom where we were introduced to some great new stories from the Top Titles collection and waved to children in schools across the country including the Isles of Scilly!
We are really focusing on reading as a whole school with World Book Day being a great way show children’s interest in stories and reading for pleasure. Can I remind parents and carers to please encourage reading at home in any capacity as it greatly supports their learning through understanding the world, inspiring imagination, growing language as well as building confidence in individuals.  
 
Parent Consultation Evenings will be the penultimate week of this term. I will be available 3:45 - 5:30 on Monday 24th March and 3:45 - 6:30 on Wednesday 26th March. From Monday morning there will be signup sheets at the door. 
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Have a lovely weekend
Miss Warwick