What a fantastic start! This term we learned all about ourselves and made new friends. We took advantage of the nice end of summer and autumn weather to spend as much time as possible outside and in the forest.
Maths
This term we focused on numbers. We gained confidence in counting, reading and writing numbers and practised using the language of less than’ and ‘least’, ‘more than’ and ‘most’, and ‘equal to’ to compare numbers.
We particularly enjoyed singing and dancing the ‘Silly song’ to learn how to count from 1 to 100 and playing BINGO!
Taking our learning further, we learnt more about numbers by playing different board games to find ‘one more’ and ‘one less’ of any given number.
We also used different objects to sort them out depending on colour, size or shape and learnt to represent numbers in many different ways.
Furthermore, we have also begun to use pictorial representations as well as number lines and our fingers to help us add and subtract and use mathematical symbols to compare numbers.
Literacy
This term Birch class have worked extremely hard on developing their Literacy skills. They have enjoyed taking part in many different activities that support their phonic, reading and writing development.
We began the term by recapping and building upon or phonic knowledge and understanding, this enabled use to lay the foundations for reading.
As a class, we read the story of ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’. When reading the story the children decided to created actions to help them remember the different sections of the story.
In groups, the children were set the challenge of sequencing the story using pictures taken from the story. The children were able to retell the story using the sequenced pictures.
We have been working on our developing our writing skills and focusing on our use of punctuation to finish a sentence. We have also been working on developing our understanding of sentence structure and the order of which words appear in a sentence.
As a class we have also explored the story of ‘Whatever next?’. The children enjoyed learning about the adventures of baby bear and owl. From this, the children were asked to create their own adventure for baby bear to go on.
Taking their learning further, the children have applied their knowledge of sentence structure and written sentences including capital letters, full stops and adjectives.
Science
In Science, we learnt all about ourselves and how we have changed since we were babies. We compared ourselves and noticed that we are all the same but different at the same time and our uniqueness makes us even more special.
We sang and danced the body parts song and discovered the five senses. During Science we went to explore the forest but this time we had to use our five senses to discover it! We could hear the beautiful sounds of the forest and feel the smell of the trees and the wet ground.
Design and Technology
We worked with different materials and carpentry tools to create our very own Sling Hockey Game. We measured, estimated and solved real-life problems and most importantly supported each other on our challenging carpentry mission. The children realised how important it is to measure and re-measure. They now know that only when certain should we cut. We discussed and tested different ropes and elastic bands to create our perfect launching mechanism for the game.
Fantastic work, Birch and Walnuts! You are our Design and Technology Dream Team.
Woodworking projects are extremely important for developing children’s creative and critical thinking skills. Through these projects, not only do children get to handle and smell the wood but also learn how to use the different carpentry tools. They develop their mathematical thinking, broaden their scientific knowledge and, most importantly, acquire a ‘can do’ mindset.
Swimming & P.E.
In our swimming we had develop our swimming skills and practised the common strokes such as crawl, breaststroke and backstroke. We also tried different ways to jump into the pool and played different games. We really enjoyed it.
In Physical Education/Sports we focused on improving our coordination and our balance skills. We played and learnt new games that also helped us to realise that is very important to work as a team.
Forest Exploration
Forest exploration is a huge part of Forest International School. As always the forest is a great opportunity to explore, run, climb and play!
This term we particularly enjoyed going to the ‘bike area’ to experience speed by running up and down the hills. Likewise, we really liked bringing the skipping ropes to the forest and practice our jumping skills.
We shared some time in the forest with other classrooms so we could play, sing and dance altogether.
We were also interested in spotting mushrooms and learnt to stay safe when searching for them and that we may need a specialist to help us verify that it is is edible.
History and Geography
During our Geography sessions, we have been learning about the different continents of the world.
In History, we learnt about different types of technology and what it would have looked like in the past. We were set the challenge of sorting the technology into past and present.
From this, we were set the task of identifying things that we see today in the classroom along with things that would be found in a classroom from the past.
Art
At the beginning of term we created half and half portraits of ourselves. First, we took close up photos of ourselves and then cut them in half. From this we completed our faces by carefully drawing a matching side.
The class then discussed emotions and what they would be like if they were a colour. From this, the children used pastels to create a mode picture using a range of colours that best represents them and their feelings.
Both Birch and Walnut then explored the medium of Pop Art. The classes learnt about different artists that work using this particular medium. This provided them with the opportunity to express themselves using a different approach.
Inspired by the work of Andy Warhol the children created their own repeated image using a range of bright colours. From this, their journey continued as they explored the work of Romero Britto. They pursue the theme of bright colours adding the use of different patterns.
Continuing on this theme the class then learnt about the work of Roy Lichtenstein. The class enjoyed learning about the use of comic book art as well as his use of dots to create an image.
Applying all what they had learnt about of this term the children were set the task of creating their own pieces of Pop Art. They were provided with a canvas and asked to draw all the things that make them special individuals. They will then decorate them using bright colours and pattens.
French
Beginner Group with Joanna
It has been a very busy first term for our class. We have started learning & revising a lot of vocabulary linked to ‘La Rentrée’ (back to school) & l’Automne (autumn), colours, days of the week, months of the year, numbers & many more new words. We have read books and then practiced our skills of reading comprehension & learned songs with our classmates & made our own posters helping us to remember key French vocabulary.
Books we have read 
Reading words out loud 
Preparing posters 
Our poster displays 
Days of the week and colours 
Autumn vocabulary 
We start each class with the calendar (day/date/month/season) 
Léon le Caméléon song which we have learned
Joanna and Christine’s classes join together to sing ‘Léon le Caméléon’, a perfect song to learn colours in French.
Advanced group with Marie
Cette première période a été riche en activités et apprentissages. En effet, nous avons principalement lu 6 albums de jeunesse (en lien avec la rentrée des classes, l’école en générale et la saison de l’automne) :
De ces ouvrages, ont découlé différentes activités qui ont permis l’exploitation de ces histoires. Nous avons donné du sens à l’apprentissage des voyelles et des consonnes. Une façon plus ludique et une approche plus concrète d’étudier la langue française.
A chaque début de semaine, vos enfants ont appris et chanté une nouvelle chanson (6 semaines = 6 chansons) :
C’est la rentrée, Chanson de l’alphabet, Un monde parfait, Colchiques dans les prés, Le monstre des jouets, La maison citrouille
Les objectifs de cette période ont été de :
– se familiariser avec la langue française
– construire des phrases simples mais correctes
– oser s’exprimer en petit groupe
– compréhension d’histoires lues
– connaître les voyelles et les consonnes (a, é, i, o, u, f, s, ch) ainsi que le principe du code alphabétique
– associer le nom de la voyelle au geste et surtout au son qu’elle produit, qui est complètement différent de celui en anglais (confusion entre « e » en anglais et le « i » en français/ entre « i » en anglais et le « a » en français…)
– réciter une poésie “Les saisons”
– chanter collectivement une chanson
French IPC with Joanna and Marie
In French IPC the students began the term travelling around the world with ‘Le Loup Qui Voulait Faire le Tour du Monde’ (the wolf who wanted to travel around the world). They learned a lot of fun facts about certain countries like France, England, China, Brazil and the USA. They also made their own ID cards with the flags of their countries and then placed them on a world map. We learned 3 songs in French which you will be able to watch hereunder and Marie & myself are sure that your children will sing them for you.
Finding where le Loup travels around the world using a map 
Reading comprehension time 
The students made their own ID cards 
Halloween French vocabulary 
Halloween poster display 
Books we have read this term 
The students got to see all the pictures of world flags
We also read books related to the Halloween theme: Les 3 Sorcières and Halloween à l’école. The students had reading comprehension activities to do also.
The students learned the song “La Sorcière Grabouilla” which they loved as well as two other songs. Here are the videos:
Trip to France Miniature
On Wednesday 26th October, the primary section of FISP made a visit to France Miniature. this enabled the children to apply their knowledge and understanding of landmarks from around France as well as providing them with the opportunity of seeing them up close, be it only miniature.
Halloween
