Author: Lucia

This term we took advantage of the sunny weather and made the most of our learning outside. The children had the opportunity to learn, explore and discover the world around us and learnt about all living things: plants, animals and humans and how they all need a home, a ‘habitat’. A habitat can be huge like the ocean or small like a leaf.

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Magnificent Maths

This term, we introduced the concepts of “multiplication and division” by learning the skills
of grouping, counting in groups and equal sharing.

We explored the patterns of the two, five and ten times tables in a range of real-life contexts and begin to solve and to generate simple puzzles and
number stories.

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Taking our learning further, we learned about fractions and how to identify “whole”, “half” and “quarter”. We worked hard to find halves and quarters of objects, shapes and quantities.

Birch class also teamed up with Maple class to make playdough together and we used it in our fraction lessons.

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In maths, we also learnt about position and direction and practised different movements including whole, half, quarter and three quarter turns.

Birch class learnt to sequence events in chronological order, use language related to dates and begin to tell the time on an analogue clock.

We gained confidence in counting, reading and writing numbers up to 100. We played games and sang songs.

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Loquacious Literacy

This term, Birch have continued to develop their phonic knowledge and apply it to different areas of their learning. We focused on blending and segmenting words that we were familiar with and then applied this to learning new words.

Phonic work

The class then experimented with their new vocabulary when playing games or exploring the local area. It was great fun the use new words and listen to them in sentences.

Games

Birch class have enjoyed taking part in a range of activities that have helped them to grow in confidence when speaking aloud to the class.

Show and Tell

The class then applied their new skills when working with others. As part of our learning this term we were asked to become the teachers and support the children that we wouldn’t normally speak with. The class decided to make playdough with Maple class. This encouraged the children to develop their speaking skills further.

Playdough

They have also worked towards developing their writing skills and are able to use the vocabulary learnt through reading and games to write short sentences.

Descriptive writing

As a class we read a range of different tales that used great setting descriptions. From this we created word banks of words that would help us to describe a setting. Once we had done this the children were set the challenge of writing a setting description using the words they had collected.

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International Primary Curriculum

Savage Science

In science, we learned about living things and their habitats. We explored the school grounds and the forest looking for examples of food chains.

Dynamic Design and Technology with Mr Kralka 

In Design and Technology projects, Birch Class has had the opportunity to extend
their understanding of a variety of different carpentry techniques while completing
our FISP Book swap Box.

The children were always eager to get on with the project straight away and
demonstrated precise actions while using a drill, hammer and a saw and now know
how to use them safely. Birch Class designed their own blueprint for the Puppet
Theatre and then investigated with the different sticks in order to agree on the
measurements of each side.

Linked to our “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle” theme in IPC, We investigated with
the different electric components, discussed their role and then constructed our own
drawing robot out of recycled materials. Our robot was then busy creating one of
the masterpieces that were displayed on the art auction. Birch Class also designed
their own buzzing-drawing robot and it was keen to add its own finishing touches
to the painting. What a Fantastic Year Birch Design Team. You have learnt so
many new skills and thoroughly enjoyed working collaboratively on ‘Stick Man’,
‘Insect Hotel’, ‘Mathematical Christmas tree’, ‘Drawing robot’, ‘Wooden toys’,
blueprint for ‘Puppet Theatre’ and ‘FISP Book swap box’ projects and I am very
proud of your achievements.

Pony Trip

This term Birch and Walnut took a trip to a Pony Camp. This was the first time for some spending a few days away from home. The children were amazing! they learnt new skills, made new friends and developed their independence.

First, we met at the train station and all got ready to take our long trip. It was a fun journey as we played games and spoke with friends. We couldn’t wait to arrive at our camp!

When we arrived we took part in a welcome presentation were we learnt about the different types of activities we would be taking part in over the next couple of days. We also learnt about the different types of ponies that live at the camp.

We learnt how to care for the ponies as well as all the important safety rules that needed to be followed when working with the ponies.

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Show and Tell

This term, the children have worked on developing their speaking and listening skills. They have been given the opportunity to bring into school an object of importance to share and discuss it with both classes.

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Super Swimming

This term, we continued with our swimming lessons and had the opportunity to further develop our skills and learn more about water safety. We practised the common strokes such as crawl, breaststroke and backstroke. We also tried to grab objects from the bottom of the pool and played different games. We had so much fun!

Summer Fête

What an amazing day we had at our summer fete! The whole school took part in an amazing performance in the forest.

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Sports Day

We had an amazing day at sports day!

First we prepared poster to cheer up our teams! We took part in a range of different sports and gained points for our teams.

We learnt about team work and good sportsmanship.

Forest Exploration & P.E.

Forest exploration is a huge part of Forest International School.

As always the forest is a good opportunity to explore, run, climb and play! They improved their fine and gross motor skills, as well as, bonds with their classmates. Pupils used their imagination of being in amazing places, in the rainforest, desert,… playing different roles explorers, hunters,… by using objects found in the forest they developed their imagination and creativity.

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In PE we played so many new games such as “polis y cacos”, “spyder”, “el pañuelo” or “el pistolero”. We learnt the importance of playing and competing as a team and that no matter the result, the point is to have fun and always try your best.

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Fascinating French

We continued to build our vocabulary in French, exploring everyday words that describe our habits and environments as well as some inter-disciplinary learning (IPC) in French.

Click on the links below for our learning in French.

Our Topic this term has been ‘From A to B’. It was linked to an in-school project called ‘Exciting Eggs’. The children had the opportunity to learn and observe the incubation of chicks and follow their journey from eggs to chicks. The next stage of the chicks development will take place in the upcoming term. We are excited to share this with the children as they will be learning how to care for them.

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Marvellous Maths

Measurement: Length and Height

This term, we learned to define length and height and compare the lengths and heights of everyday items. We also learned to use non-standard items such as cubes, feet, hands and linked chains to measure the length and height.

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Taking our learning further, we learned to use a ruler correctly, measure using a ruler and even add and subtract length and height.

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Some of us even learned to use a measuring tape correctly, measure our friends and compare centimetres, metres and millimetres! There were some marvellous measuring skills on show. Perhaps, we have some future engineers or designers in Birch!

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We really loved reviewing our prior learning by playing games. Bullseye and Whiteboard football were particularly thrilling.

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Measurement: Mass and Capacity

We also learned to define mass and capacity and compare the weight and capacity of everyday objects. We used vocabulary words for mass and capacity such as heavier, lighter, empty, full, almost full and almost empty.

We used non-standard units to measure mass like cubes and cupfuls and spoonfuls to measure capacity.

Deepen our learning, we used balance scales to compare the mass of different items and we even resolve mass and capacity problems by adding and subtracting weights and volumes.

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Lively Literacy

This term Birch class have been up to lots of amazing things! They have continued to build on the skills that they acquired last term. The children have been working very hard on developing their phonic knowledge and understanding, which, they are now using this to read independently. Great job! 

First, the class read the story ‘Egg Drop’ a story about an egg that wishes to fly. The class received a desperate letter from the egg asking for help. The children all agreed it would be a good idea to help the egg achieve his dreams of flying become a reality. The class quickly got to designing flying machines. 

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The children later worked with Mr Kralka to build and test their flying machines. This supported the children with the development of their English-speaking skills. 

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We then read the story about a boring looking egg. Which taught the children that it doesn’t matter what things look like on the outside but it is important what is on the inside. The children then discussed the events of the story and were set the challenge of sequencing the events that took place. This encouraged the children to develop and improve their skills of story retelling. 

From this, the children learnt about how all eggs look different depending on the animal that has laid them. They were set the challenge of creating a new egg that would have been laid by a mythical character of their choosing. 

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Finally, the children have been learning about the life cycle of a chicken. They learnt about the different stages of a chicks development. As a class we discussed  what happens at each stage and what is needed to support the chicks development. From this, the children created a life cycle using the information that they had learnt. 

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International Primary Curriculum

Smart Scientists

In science, we learned about everyday materials. First, we learned to name and identify everyday identify materials such as wood, glass, plastic, metal, fabric and rubber. Then, we hunted for items within our environment that were made using these materials. We also learned about the sources of different materials and were particularly shocked to learn that metal comes from rocks and plastic from oil!

We also tested out different shopping bags to see how insulating they were. We thought the blue insulating bag was insulating but not much better than using a plastic bag during a thirty minute experiment. The paper bag wasn’t very insulating at all. Don’t place your ice cream in a paper bag!

Game-based Learning: We greatly enjoyed sharing our learning with the Walnut class by playing games around Rock, Paper, Scissors with them. Which material is strongest?

Delectable Design and Technology with Mr Kralka 

During this term we continued working on our collaborative creation “FISP Book Swap Box”. Students had the opportunity to extend their understanding of a variety of different carpentry techniques. It is pleasing to see that Birch and Walnut students now demonstrate precise actions while using a drill, hammer and a saw. Birch and Walnut students should to be congratulated on their efforts and eagerness to get on with the project right away from the beginning of each session. Fantastic work young designers and carpenters, you should be proud of your achievements! 

Linked to our studies on “Egg drop”, we created our own flying contraptions and investigated with the different parachutes. We conducted a serious of tests and investigated with the air resistance, made predictions and tested them three times. We carefully recorded our findings and then made some important conclusions about the size of the parachute and how it effects the time it takes for the object to land. 

Fantastic work, Birch and Walnuts!

Amazing Art

This term, we have been learning about POP ART. The children have look closely at a range of different artists that use this art form. We have explored bright colours, patterns and printing.

First, we focused on the work of Andy Warhol, the children chose a famous face from the present day and recreated the well known print of Marilyn Monroe. The children had to ensure that they used bright colours to recreate a new work of art.

From this, the children learnt all about the Brazilin artist Romero Britto. The children created images of people, places or objects and then cut and stuck different patterns to fill their artwork with colour.  Finally, we created our own POP ART pieces onto canvas using all of the different techniques we have learnt.

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Trip to the Airfield

As part of our topic learning this term both Birch and Walnut took a trip to the local Airfield. This was a great opportunity for the children to take their learning outside the classroom. 

We were very lucky to have a guided tour of the hanger, workshop and air traffic control tower. Whilst on our visit the children were able to see a small aircraft take off and land.

We took turns sitting a light aircraft and learnt about all the different controls that they have to control the movement of the plane.

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Show and Tell

This term, the children have worked on developing their speaking and listening skills. They have been given the opportunity to bring into school an object of importance to share and discuss it with both classes.

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Capoeira and Music Workshops

The children have taken part in weekly Capoeira and music workshops, where they have learnt about the special movements needed to create this beautiful dance. The children have learnt how to control their bodies as well as the history behind the dance. Both classes have also explored the music and rhythm.

Orienteering

The children of Middle School were set the challenge of teaching others how to direct themselves through the forest. The children worked together to set up presentations and games to support development of others orienteering skills.

The learning was then taken outside of the classroom into the forest. This is where the children were set the challenge of applying their new skills to map reading, through Treasure hunting and compass work.

Easter Egg Hunt

On Good Friday, the children had a surprise visit from the Easter Bear. The children were able to successfully catch up with him as he dropped eggs along the way. They sadly lost him deep in the forest.

On our return to school, we decided as a group that we should share the eggs evenly between all the children. They were yummy!

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International Book Day

For international book day the children all dressed up as their favourite book characters. We were also lucky enough to have a visit from a local author that has her books published in both English and French.

Outdoor, Forest Exploration & P.E.

Forest exploration is a huge part of Forest International School.

Both classes have spent a lot of time in the forest this term learning how to work in teams as well as developing skills learnt in previous terms. The children have enjoyed taking part in different challenges and games.

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We also played lots of different games and we had so much fun.

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Fabulous French

We continued to build our vocabulary in French, exploring everyday words that describe our habits and environments as well as some inter-disciplinary learning (IPC) in French.

Click on the links below for our learning in French.

Weekly Updates