What a fun-filled and busy half term we have had in cherry class.

We started the half term learning all about Bonfire night. The children created Artwork inspired by fireworks, using techniques such a printing and flicking with paints. The children described fireworks using onomatopoeias and we watched lots of fireworks videos for children to explore the colours and sounds.

In addition to this we had a visit from Brent Lodge animal hospital. We learnt about how they look after poorly wild animals and how we can help these animals. The children learnt about hibernation and in the woodland that week we made animal dens for animals to hibernate in.

Following the children’s interests about unwell animals we had vets and pet shop role play areas. We spent 2 weeks with an enhanced theme of ‘pets’. The children brought in pictures of their own pets to share with the class, the labelled pets and wrote lists of what pets need. We learnt about caring for God’s creatures and how we can look after our pets. The children knew lots about feeding their pets, making sure that they have got enough water and how some pets need exercise.

We had focus days on ‘children in need’ and ‘remembrance day’. The children took part in enhanced activities such as making collage poppies and taking part in a whole school silence and also having a ‘challenge to 25’ on children in need day.

The children have been very excited getting ready for Christmas. We wrote letters to Father Christmas and walked to the post box to post them. The children have learnt all about the Nativity story and the Christians ‘real meaning of Christmas’. They have been learning songs, dances and words for our Christmas worship in the final week of term. The children have also created lots of Christmas themed artwork. Such as printing trees, making snowmen with puff paint and cutting and sticking stockings. We will also be making Christmas cookies.

We had a ‘stargazing’ event where lots of the children came back to school to listen to Christmas stories. They loved being back at school ‘in the dark’ and having treats in their PJs. Lots of children also came to our Christmas Fair.

We have our Christmas worships on the 15th and 16th December to perform to the children’s families. We are very excited to share this with you all! In addition to this we have Christmas jumper day, lunch and party on the 18th December.

In phonics this half term we have learnt the remaining phase 2 phonics sounds:
w, y, z, x, j, ch, sh, th, ng, nk
Trick words:
he, she, me, we, be, her, his, has
The children have been reading words and sentences containing these new sounds and tricky words. We were thrilled to see the progress lots of the children have made with phonics this term when we completed our phonics assessments.

In Maths we have been learning about the composition of numbers within 5. They have been learning to subitise numbers (recognising without counting out). They have also been learning to compare amounts using the language ‘more and fewer than’.

In January we will begin weekly PE sessions, so watch out for the PE timetable. The children need to come dressed in PE clothes on this day.

I hope you all have a wonderful and magical Christmas break and we look forward to seeing the children refreshed in January and ready to start another exciting term at school.