Term 1

It was wonderful to welcome all the children back to school today. We had a lovely day in Willows class getting to know each other and our new classroom. 

During the first term in Willow trees, our science focus will be animals (including humans), we will be making moving books in Design and Technology and in Art we will be making bug and bird sculptures. In Maths lessons, Willow trees will be learning all about place value from zero to twenty. We will be focussing on 'writing to entertain' in English using the book Mixed by Arree Chung and the poetry book Zim Zam Zoom by James Carter, whilst our class shared reading book will be Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl. The class will have PE with Mr Brooks on Mondays (invasion games) and Fridays (dance). 

Our learning experience

Willow trees will be learning all about animals, developing identification and sorting skills as they discover different varieties and classifications of animals such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish. They will also learn the differences between herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and classifying animals appropriately. We will also be using our research skills to work on fair testing, pattern seeking and making observations around the school as the season changes. The class will also be visiting the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch (more details will be provided).

If you would like to read more about what we will be learning about in Science, please click the link below: 

Animals (including humans)

Maths

This week in Mathematics, we have been learning to count on from 10. The children in Willows class were making use of manipulatives to create teen numbers.

                                         

English

Our class book this term is Mixed by Arree Chung. The children did brilliantly in retelling the story by making story maps. These are just a few examples of the excellent work that they produced. We're all very proud of our work in Willows. 

 

                                                                                                                                                     

Art - Animal Sculptures

During our art sessions this term, we explored the work Barbara Kobylinska and Vicki Atkinson. We looked at the materials and techniques that they used within their work and used these to inspire our own bird and insect sculptures.

 

       

 

Design and Technology - Moving Picture Books 

Willows have been learning about moving picture books. We have looked at the different types of mechanisms that can be created, such as levers, wheels and pop-up flaps and how they can make the images move. The children looked at pre-existing moving picture books and after planning and testing their ideas, produced their own versions of the Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. 

         

Dover Transport Museum 

During our History topic, we have been learning about transport through the ages. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit the Dover Transport Museum where we wowed the brilliant volunteers with our knowledge of historic transportation. 

                                      

  

Christmas Fire-pit and Marshmallow toasting

As part of our twelve days of Christmas celebrations, the children had the opportunity to toast marshmallows on the school fire-pit. 

           

 

Music - Glockenspiels 

In our music topic this term, Willows class have been learning to explore and play with the school glockenspiels. The children will be developing their skills on the glockenspiel throughout their time at Greenfields, so they will soon be expert musicians! 

      

                                                                    

Term 2

Religious Education - Christianity

The children have been learning all about Christianity and Christian beliefs in Willows class this term. The class have been looking through artefacts and discussing what Christians believe, where they worship, their celebrations and ceremonies. 

      

 

English 

This term, our class picture book is "The Pirate Mums" by Jodie Lancet-Grant. This is a wonderful book about diversity within families, and it has been inspiring the children as they learn about conjunctions in sentence structure. Our chapter book this term is "Sam Wu is not afraid of ghosts" by Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang. The children have been thoroughly enjoying taking it in turns to read out loud all about Sam Wu's adventures. Our poetry book this term is "Wiggle and Roar" by Julia Donaldson.