Getting Out In The Sunshine

The Pioneers have enjoyed the fresh air this week and have taken the opportunity to inhabit new areas to play. Often they restrict themselves and get stuck in to play in the same place each day. They are creatures of habit but the sunshine and new growth has sparked their curiosity to go and dig somewhere else. The corner near the fence has become popular for perfume makers and capturing worms. The area and the front of the classroom has some hidden areas to explore,under the cover of big trees. This was exciting this week. Kicking a football against the gate is always popular. We have also seen a lot of interest in planting sticks,some of which may actually root.

Some children like bugs. Some children do not like bugs. It has been beautiful to see how they care for each other and understand their different needs,likes and dislikes. 

Mre Idle said that they could have some water to add to the blossom and cutgrass mixture. This was very popular-almost as popular as digging holes.

Such happy learning.

A visit from the Islamic Diversity Centre

On Tuesday 9th April, we were really excited to be able to welcome Miriam and Amar from the Islamic Diversity Centre in Newcastle. During the day, the children enjoyed a workshop, in their classes, with Miriam and Amar to learn about the Five Pillars of Islam.

The children asked lots of really thoughtful questions and were incredibly interested and respectful of the Muslim faith. We were also pleased to be able to welcome family members to the workshops, who also shared lots of positive feedback.

Thank you to the Islamic Diversity Centre for helping our children understand and compare about faith different to our own.

Click here to see a copy of the family feedback about the workshop: Islamic Diversity Centre Workshop Evaluation (April 2019)

Making Butter

This week, we made butter with Mrs McGill. Everyone had a go at whipping the cream until it split into buttermilk and butter. The children shaped the butter into pats before we got a chance to spread it onto bread and have a tasty snack.

The discussion developed about the change in the cream from liquid to a solid and a liquid. The children discussed the other liquids they knew about. We will use the rest of the butter to make flapjack and the buttermilk to make bread.

 

Wow in the Forest

It was the most beautiful day to explore Spring changes in the forest. The Pioneers were tasked with finding things to make them say “WOW”. Once they had found something they were seen writing labels and “WOWs” all over the place. I heard one little voice say,”I’ve found 5 WOWs .” A reply was heard,”And I’ve found 7″. The WOWs ranged from flowers to worms. We also checked out the pond, where we are due to release our tadpoles into the wild.

Very beautiful learning.

Painting Flowers,Hearts and the Odd Tractor

I set a table with a selection of paint, pallets and brushes. In the centre, I placed a few jugs of flowers. They were not the usual jugs-usually I use a red rubber vase for our classroom flowers. The children painted. Some painted flowers. Some painted hearts. Some painted tractors. Some painted the flowers in the red vase that is usually there, but wasn’t there this week. Some enjoyed moving the paint to create patterns and mix the colours. 

The resulting works are now displayed in a classroom near you. 

Beautiful Learning