This week a parcel arrived for Class One and inside was Pip, an emperor penguin.

Pip had a challenge, to think about where he had travelled from. After sharing their initial ideas, the children used globes, atlases and maps to identify cold areas in the world. They then used information texts to discover that emperor penguins live in Antarctica.

This week, Class One received a letter from Max. He wanted to journey to the land of the wild things but his boat had a leak. The children were challenged to design and make a new vehicle for him.

After evaluating the main features of wheeled vehicles, the children explored how to make a moving chassis. They then designed and made their vehicle for Max.

The children then wrote a letter to Max, identifying what they liked about their vehicle and also how it could be improved.

This week, the children have been planning their own stories based on Where The Wild Things Are. Using drama, they changed the main character, the setting and the wild things. There were some very imaginative ideas including travelling in a campervan, scary aliens with terrible teeth and taming goblins with disco dancing.

The children then became story tellers, using props, small world and their boxing up plans to orally tell their story.

Class One have been drawing their own story maps for their journey text topic, based on Where The Wild Things Are. In talk4writing we learn a text with actions using a story map of pictures to represents words, phrases and sentences as our guide, this helps all children to internalise the language features and the ‘tune’ for the story.

Inspired by a dandelion Nursery’s learning led to to many creative outcomes.

In RE, we have been reflecting upon creation. After discussing the awe and wonder of the natural world, the children were challenged to think about how the world was made. They then used artwork to represent their own ideas.

After looking at “The Snail” by Henri Matisse, the children were inspired to create their own colourful cut out pictures. They returned to their artwork several times, adding, modifying and adapting.

This week all children took part in 2 days of collaborative art led by the artist Kate Johnston, to create two beautiful school banners. These banners are inspired by our new school vision.

Along with our 3 words courage, ambition & kindness.

The children were actively involved in drawing, printmaking and sewing. All the words, phrases and drawings were created by the children linked to Clun River and their understanding and interpretation of our vision and 3 words.

Guided by  Kate’s artistic skills the children have worked to brilliantly together to create these powerful and striking pieces ready to be sewn together to create 2 distinctive banners.  The finished banners will be displayed in the hall and entrance way in the new year.