What a busy and exciting week we’ve had in Beech Class!
We were incredibly lucky to have Mrs. Groot, Francis’s mummy, who is a vet, come in to give us a special talk, along with Liz Lloyd Williams and her lovely dog. The Year 1 children were thrilled to meet the dog, and they even got to feed it! They learned about the foods dogs shouldn’t eat, which is so important for keeping our furry friends healthy. The children also practiced their bandaging skills, listened to the dog’s heartbeat, and had a fascinating look at some x-rays! It was such a great hands-on experience, and everyone learned a lot about animal care.
On top of that, the whole class has been buzzing with excitement as we’ve been chosen to have our class name, Beech Class, included on the David Attenborough Voyage to the Arctic! The ship leaves from Harwich this Sunday, and we’ve been eagerly following the route, imagining the adventure ahead. The children have been learning about what kinds of clothing are needed for such a cold, snowy place. We discussed how explorers need to dress warmly with special gear like thick coats, boots, and gloves to protect them from the freezing temperatures in the Arctic.
Our Year 2 children have been busy with science experiments! This week, they explored the idea of floating and sinking by testing different objects to see which ones stay afloat and which ones sink to the bottom. They made predictions and then tested their ideas using water trays. It was exciting to see their reactions when their predictions were correct – or when they were surprised! They learned that objects float or sink depending on their density and what they’re made of. It’s amazing how science can teach us about the world around us in fun, hands-on ways!
Reading continues to be a big focus in Beech Class, and it’s clear that all the children are really enjoying it. They’ve been reading both independently and with their friends. We’ve talked about how important reading is—not just for learning new things but also for opening up whole new worlds through stories. The more we read, the better we become at understanding and using words, and it helps build our imaginations too!
In music, the children have been exploring their creative side by making their own musical compositions! They’ve been using cut-out notes to create patterns and rhythms, which has been such a fun way to learn about how music is made. They’ve been working together to build tunes and then playing them back. It’s wonderful to see them discovering how music is all about combining sounds to create something unique.
And later today, we’ll be heading out on our local geographical walk, where we’ll be exploring the features of our local area. A big thank you to Mrs. Battle and Mrs. Elicott for coming along and helping us on this adventure!
What a week we’ve had—and there’s more to come! Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Beech Class.