Cedar 2023 - 2024
Summer:
What an exciting half term Cedar have had! This half term Cedars’ topic was ‘Brilliant Beaches’. As part of children’s learning in Literacy we read the ‘Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’. Children wrote recounts about the day in the lighthouse keeper. They demonstrated their understanding of the story but discussing how the characters felt at different parts of the story. Children wither wrote questions that they would like to ask the lighthouse keeper from the story, to gain a better insight. In maths this half term children have been consolidating their understanding of many mathematical concepts, including place value and calculation. In Geography pupils learnt about the difference between seas and oceans. They can now name and locate the seas and oceans surrounding the UK as well as identifying many human and physical features that can be found in coastal towns.
Spring 2:
Cedar have had a busy half term learning all about ‘Flying High.’ As part of this topic children learnt about the history of flight and some significant people in history including the Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong and Tim Peak. One of our focus books for this half term was ‘The Way Back Home.’ In Literacy children wrote character descriptions, story settings and a recount of the story; whilst also refining the English skills expected of pupils in Key Stage 1. During the half term we also celebrated ‘World Book Day’ where we spent In PE this half term children were fortunate to be taught invasion games by Mr Bennet and Tennis at Alveley Tennis Club by Jack. It has been a delight to see the progress pupils have made in their areas of PE in just a few weeks. In RE Cedar class have been learning about Judaism. They learnt the importance of Jewish symbols; how Jewish people Worship and their place of worship. Children even got to taste some Jewish inspired bread and learn a Jewish prayer. In Computing pupils are learnt how to safely search the internet. In Music pupils have listened to and performed orchestral instruments as well as having a weekly music lesson from Mrs Salt. To conclude children enjoyed welcoming in their parents for a workshop. One of the tasks required children to think of questions they would ask an astronaut. Luckily, the children had a surprise visit from ‘Neil Armstrong’ and were able to ask their space themed questions. Children thoroughly enjoyed and embraced this topic and together we are looking forward to out next topic ‘Weather Experts.’
Spring 1:
This half term Cedar Class’ topic has been Amazing Animals. The children have engaged well with this topic, developing a fondness for Plop the barn owl. Plop is the main character from the focus book we have been learning about: The Owl Who Was Afraid of The Dark by Jill Tomlinson. In Literacy children have completed guided reading activities based on the story, writing about the characters and they have even written an additional chapter. Closely linked to our topic, pupils have been learning about animals, including humans in science. In maths children have been practising their times tables, learning about place value, shape and money. Cedar have been fortunate enough to have Mrs Salt in, from the music service, to teach pupils singing and also how to play the ukulele. In History children have had many opportunities to bring in their and their relatives’ toys in from home to compare how toys have changed over time. In Design Technology this term children have developed their joining skills to create a felt puppet inspired by Little Red Riding Hood.
Autumn 2:
Cedar Class have had a very busy and exciting half term! Our topic for this half term was Superheroes. Learning across the curriculum was linked to this theme. In music, pupils created and performed their own superhero music. In Literacy, pupils created pieces of writing link to many different heroes and recited hero related poems. Pupils particularly enjoyed learning about the traditional tale of ‘Mulan.’ As a class we thought of ideas and words to describe the main character. Children then wrote their very own character descriptions of Mulan. They then got the opportunity to share their writing and read aloud to the class. Pupils had to consider their audience and make sure they spoken loud and clear enough to be heard by their peers. In Design Technology, pupils designed and made a ‘moving monster.’ In Art pupils learnt about 3D sculpture and created a spider villain! In PSHE pupils have been learning about the importance of how to look after themselves and others.
Autumn 1:
Cedar Class have had a fantastic first half term back. All the children have settled back in well. Our topic for this half term was ‘Our World.’ Children enjoyed dressing up for our topic day and learnt about where they are in relation to the world. Children got messy and made Papier Mache globes and learnt about the names of the different continents and where they are located.
The class also took a trip to the Severn Valley Country Park. The weather was on our side and allowed us to have an action packed day. Children took part in pond dipping, looking for stickleback fish and pond snails to name a few. The children then went on a minibeast hunt in the woodlands and then the meadow, searching for a range of minibeasts in these habitats. Linked to Literacy the children wrote a recount of the trip and a thank you letter to one of the park leaders who spent the day with the children at the park.
