In true Robins style, we visited the Hall on Monday to collect our groceries. Never missing a learning opportunity, the children counted the items and made links to how we use them. Everyone worked as a team to ensure everything was packed into our reusable bags. 

Once back in class, lots of fun was had playing the Kim’s Game (recycling theme). Miss Ruby was very impressed with the children’s language and listening skills. They did a fantastic job of listing all the missing items. Abracadabra, Kalamazoo, something’s gone missing…it’s over to yooooooou. Perhaps you could also extend on this week’s learning at home and play it with your child. 

We watched a video based on recycling and the children worked very hard on working out whether the items should go in the recycling bin or waste bin. I am very impressed with how much information the children remembered and they were able to identify the recycling logo on the class bin. 

A discussion was had around food waste. Some of the bananas were turning a little bit squishy and soft. Therefore, rather than wasting them, we used them to make a delicious banana smoothie. In fact, we enjoyed the smoothies as part of our picnic on the Paddock whilst watching the older children play cricket. 

Biological Diversity can be described as all the different kinds of life which can be found in one area. With this in mind, we strolled into the long garden with our magnifying glasses to see what we could find. We carefully looked under logs, ensuring we did not disturb what was living underneath. The children were amazed to find ants, beetles, centipedes, slugs and woodlice. They enjoyed it so much that they showed their Form 6 helpers when they visited us. It was wonderful listening to the older children explain to our little ones about their knowledge and understanding of different types of insects/ minibeasts. There were lots of ants moving around on the wooden sleepers and the children were mesmerised watching how some of the ants all followed each other. 

Our sunflowers are growing bigger and bigger each week so hopefully we can plant them out in the front garden when we return after the half term. The children remembered some of our growing facts and they were able to explain that in order to grow, the sunflowers need sun and water . I will therefore take our special plants home next week for a little holiday! 

Working in partnership with parents is key to children’s learning and development and it has been wonderful to share the children’s interests as part of this week’s topics. One of our Robins brought in a lovely book linked to our topic and connections were made to our minibeast hunt. Another Robin brought in a container to show us as she had planted some tomato seeds. To extend on this, Miss Ruby and I showed the children our big tomato plants and explained that if she continues to water and place the container in sunlight, her seeds will grow. 

The sensory tray was explored by all and it was used in a variety of ways. Some children used magnifying glasses to find the missing minibeasts and others used spoons to transfer soil into different-sized containers. 

This week’s cooking activities consisted of sandwiches, oaty honey flapjacks (Bee Day), giant bread rolls and fruit cake. The flapjacks were truly scrummy and we had a cheeky taste in class!

Spending time exploring the school grounds is what we enjoy doing the most and it’s these experiences that support the children’s learning and development in many ways. Whilst on our walk, we noticed footprints in the sand and a very big hole on the wildflower bank. We had a little discussion about which type of animal could live in the hole and we decided it was either a badger or fox but also possibly a small dinosaur! Dinosaurs are one of the children’s favourite resources, so once back in class, the Robins had lots of fun playing with the dinosaur activity table.

The sensory circuits in PE provided lots of challenges for the children and they navigated their way around, going up and down and across the water. 

Our topic for our first week back after half term is 30 Days Wild and Child Safety Week. Your child is welcome to bring in something from home linked to our topic or their interests (bookbag size). They will have the opportunity to share these during Show and Tell. It will be full steam ahead when we return for the second half of the Summer Term. The children are looking forward to our school trip to Stonepitts Farm, Sports Day and our Summer Celebration of Learning. We will certainly be very busy Robins!