Pioneers Class

The Pioneers continue to be inspired by the Elves and the Shoemaker. One of our elves (Pop), has gone off on an adventure and was spotted on video at various locations in Whitby. One Pioneer suggested that we needed to design and build a trap to get Pop back. We also discussed methods of transport with “wagon”, “speedy boat” and “unicorn” being among the top choices they wrote down.

Using an array of materials, tools and locations, the Pioneers built their traps and vehicles. They used saws, hammers and screwdrivers. They discussed the properties of the materials used and why they were the right choice for the job. We built inside and outside, reviewed our plans and drew annotated diagrams. The Pioneers are now adventurous in their writing, choosing to add adjective and using the Grapheme Mat to support composition. Some wrote dominoes and even Lamborghini!.

We made ramps for the vehicles we built. We explored different surfaces on our ramps. We made a lot of mess and there is a lot of cardboard!

This week has been a fabulous mix of learning in the classroom and outdoors. We checked the weather and certainly picked the best day to enjoy the winter sunshine. 

In the classroom we have been noticing how a sentence is formed and starting to write more and more. This is so exciting to see. We have had lots more elf letters and we have found out what the elves need-food, drink, warmth, shelter and love. 

Our elves had a mug of coffee and a glass of milk and a can of pop. These all featured in our writing and our reading and maths. We explored capacity using a selection of jugs, pots and cups. Much fun was had while making comparisons and recording results.

The Pioneers began their coding journey using the BeeBots, using the features of our forest.

We managed a whole day outside using every area of our wonderful school grounds. The sun shone and we supported each other identifying and managing risks.

The Pioneers continue to explore a range of gadgets from the past. We discussed the functions of a smart phone and then looked at all the equipment needed to do this-a record player, a cassette player, a CD player and a range of cameras. The elves brought a typewriter and this was a very exciting addition to the classroom. The Pioneers were able to take the top off and look inside noticing all the levers and moving parts.

We got used to the vocabulary of “past and present” and talking about how things were the same and what has changed over time.

The Pioneers have been making maps of the village in the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker. They were introduced to maps with a grid and compass points. We walked around the classroom with a compass noting where north was. We then build all the features from the story using a selection of loose parts. The Pioneers were then very keen to add labels.
We read a number of words together-path, tree, bush, road, street, shop, flat and cabin and map. We also added a pond and a pool.The Pioneers wanted to add bridge and tunnel. They experimented with their phonics to do this.
While working, they retold the story.
This was intense, focussed and very serious. So much is now possible!

We begin this week by reading a traditional tale, The Elves and the Shoemaker.An elf arrived in the classroom and he left us a letter to read. He was there to help the little old man who made shoes in the shop. The Pioneers handled artefacts from the past, examining shoe lasts, leather and old part made shoes. They took a close look at a very old sewing machine and noticed the levers and the cogs that make it work. We discussed manmade and natural materials, learning where the leather comes from and the tools required in the workshop. We discussed where the shop was and what it was like to live in a flat. The work gave us so many new words to use in our play in the Cobbler’s Shop.
The Pioneers have a variety of building materials to combine, working together, sharing the space. There was a lot of conversation and negotiation. There was not a piece of cardboard big enough to make a roof so compromises had to be made!

Happy Learning

As all the excitement of Christmas goes on around us, the Pioneers enjoyed the calm of exploring a variety of tools and materials with the conversation focussed on shape. We made comparisons while we were building and sorting. We noticed the length of sides and used phrases like “stretched out” with lots of hand gestures too. 

The Pioneers used paper squares and noticed what happened when they folded and folded again. It to a bit of teamwork to get corners matched up! We also made shapes with matchsticks, making a variety of squares and rectangles that turned out to be doors and houses-lots of great chat and listening.

The Pioneers continue to investigate materials and have carried out some experiments to find out about their properties. 

This week we posed the questions,”Will it stick?” and “Is this the best hat if it is wet?” The Pioneers can read both of these questions which feels very nice.

After making predictions, we tried out magnets on different surfaces and recorded our results by drawing and writing-lid, track, duck, peg, leg and pins. We used Grapheme Mats to support this writing.

Our second experiment of the week was to investigate waterproof and water repellent materials. We talked about the features of the hats in our dressing up box then set about testing our predictions. We got a bit wet!

The Pioneers have been scientists, planning an experiment, making predictions and recording results.
After reading a book called,”Who Sank the Boat?”, we needed to find which materials would float or sink when put on water. We made our own version of the story and then made a list of objects to test. We started with the question,”Will It Sink?” Lucky for us the -nk digraph is on our planning this week! We could segment and blend all of the words on the list which was fabulous.
We filled the water tray with nice warm water and then tested, recording our results as we went. The Pioneers noticed that some objects floated but once they added extra weight it sank to the bottom. A paper bag floated but when they added a cup it sank.
Fabulous learning and so much discussion. Well done Pioneers

The Pioneers like to make their mark. They can do this in many ways. The classroom is well stocked with a variety of pens, pencils and crayons and the Pioneers know what they like. The most popular addition this week was a set of silky crayons, a bit like lipstick and these cover the surface with a rich, glossy colour. They made an impact!

Inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night and our solar system, we explored colour mixing and shape.

We drew and cut out circles and little fingers got a good workout.

It has been a glorious week in Pioneers.

We have had a fabulous week of learning in the classroom and outside. The weather is turning colder, wetter and windier but this did not deter the intrepid Pioneers. We did lots of heavy lifting to move our pumpkins and all the kit we needed to make Forest Soup. We looked closely at the dried sunflower heads and extracted the seeds to add to the soup along with our pumpkin seeds from last week

In the classroom, we read the recipe and then got our kit on and went off to get the job done.

Pioneers filled their bags with forest treasure and mixed and added till their pumpkins were full. The collaboration and conversation were wonderful to observe.

We realised that we could write lots of words and the excitement was incredible-rock, mix, stick, top, mud. Everyone added writing to photographs and celebrated being a writer.

Happy Learning