Birch Class - Term 4 - 2022/2023

Through an active, rich and diverse curriculum, we continued to make excellent progress in our learning during this term.

Maths

During this term, Birch students have been exploring the exciting world of measurement in their mathematics lessons. They have been introduced to the concepts of length, height, mass, and capacity.

In their lessons on length and height, students have learned how to measure and compare the sizes of different objects using non-standard units as blocks, cubes and clips and standard units such as centimeters and meters. They have also practiced using tools such as rulers and measuring tapes to accurately determine the length or height of an object.

Meanwhile, in their lessons on mass and capacity, students have been introduced to the units of grams and liters and have learned how to use measuring scales and containers to measure the weight and volume of different objects.

Through these activities, we have developed our skills in measuring and comparing different quantities, as well as their understanding of the importance of standard units in accurately describing measurements.

Also, through a variety of engaging activities and games, we have learned about the parts of a whole, including halves and quarters, and have practiced identifying and naming fractions using visual models such as fraction circles and number lines.

We have also been introduced to the concept of equivalent fractions, learning how to recognize different representations of the same fraction, and have explored the relationship between fractions and numbers.

Through these activities, Birch class have developed their understanding of the basic principles of fractions and have laid a solid foundation for future learning in this important area of mathematics.

Literacy

During this term the children of Birch have continued to develop their phonic knowledge and understanding. They have been able to do this through completing a range of different activities.

The children also worked on their letter formation, reading and sentence structure. They were then asked to apply this new knowledge and understanding to different types of tasks.

Labelling

As part of our learning this term we learnt about how labels help us in our day to day lives. We explored a range of different images and then were asked to label what we saw. From this, we were set the challenge of labelling items from around the classroom.

Instructions / Recipes

We explored a range of different recipes and identified the key features used when writing or following instructional texts. We learnt that they had to be clear and organised, we also learnt that they had to come in short sharp sentences.

Developing writing skills

By using different resources the children worked on developing their writing skills by practicing their handwriting, sentence building and spelling.

From this they were able to apply their skills to other creative writing activities.

Cartoon Strips

First, we read the story of Supertato and the adventure he took with the different veggies through the supermarket. From this, We were set the challenge of creating our own new adventures for Supertato. We created cartoon strips to tell our stories.

Poetry

The children have begun to learn about different types of poetry. They have learnt about the different features of poetry. The children have begun to focus on rhyming words as well as verses. They will continue this learning into next term.

International Children’s Book Day

What great fun we had celebrating the many different and equally wonderful characters from children’s literature. The children shared their favourite characters, with their peers, and discussed what they like about them.

Science

This term in science, we have been exploring the fascinating world of microhabitats and the creatures that live within them. Through a series of engaging activities and challenges, we have learnt about the features and behaviors of different animals, and have gained a deeper understanding of the intricate food chains that exist within these tiny ecosystems.

One of the highlights of the term has been the Micro-explorers activity, in which students were tasked with creating their own micro-habitats using shoe boxes and other materials. We learnt about the different features that make up a habitat and were able to customise our habitats to suit the needs of the tiny creatures we created.

Another exciting activity was the Food Chain Challenge, in which we explored real-life food chains and were able to analyze the needs and behaviors of different animals. We then created our own simple food chains and sketched them out, gaining a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things.

Through these activities, we have developed our observational and analytical skills, as well as our appreciation for the complex and fascinating world of microhabitats and the creatures that call them home.

Design and Technology

Planted runner beans,

In an old and cracked rainboots.

We are sure they will have some strong,

healthy roots.

Collected some stinging nettles,

And conjured our own plant food fertilizer.

No need to go to the Jardiland, parents.

We have a solution that is wiser.

Explorer Pythagoras,

Fibonacci and Newton,

Still plenty to go through,

Will start with Darwin’s evolution.

Found Mathematics present all around us in nature.

On the house of the snail or the beautiful sunflower.

Better start designing that

rain water collecting tower.

Compost box, windchime,

wormery and the birdfeeder.

Observed how seeds are growing

and my fingers get greener.

Trellis for the runner beans

and horse manure for potato.

Just wonder of Mona Lisa

knew about that Golden Ratio.

Green and brown for our compost box,

Apparently it is all about the balance of Nitrogen and Carbon,

Something important

like a pair of socks.

Types of soils

and different climates,

Greenhouse effect.

Ohhh no, I have cut my finger, not a big deal,

But I better wash it well and disinfect.

We are off on our holiday,

But plants shall continue to grow.

Automated watering system,

Will look after them,

And it should be quite easy,

Cos we planted those plants in a row.

Horse Visit

As part of our learning journey this term the children of Birch and Walnut classes paid a visit to Marianne’s horse. The children learnt about the important things needed to care for a large animal. Whilst we were there, the children worked as a team to collect manure so that we could use it as fertilizer.

Physical Education

In Physical Education (PE), we have been developing our physical skills and abilities through a variety of fun and engaging activities. We have been introduced to the basic principles of movement and have learned how to move our bodies in different ways, from running and jumping to balancing and throwing.

One of the highlights of the term has been the Large Habits, Small Inhabitants activity, in which we were challenged to create our own “inhabitant” and design a large habitat for it. We were able to explore our creativity and imagination while also developing our gross motor skills and coordination.

Another exciting activity was the Who is Who game, in which we were introduced to different animals and their features. We then had to imitate the movements and behaviours of these animals, helping us to develop our body awareness and control.

Forest Exploration and cycling

Forest exploration is a huge part of Forest International School.

It is particularly rewarding for the children to enjoy free play in the forest.

Music

The children continued to develop their knowledge of tempo, beat and rhythm by applying their skills to compose their own pieces of music.

Art

This term, the children have been learning how to apply their painting and drawing skills to a range of different tasks. They have listened to a range of classical music, been inspired by nature and applied a number of techniques to one piece of art.

Inspired by the beautiful plants and flowers growing in the local area the children decided that they would like to copy them using water colours.

The children explored an art from that originates from South Africa. They learnt about the colours that are used as well as the use of straight lines to create amazing patterns.

Wednesday Cooking club

This term, we came together to explore a range of different recipes. The children worked in small mixed age groups to prepare lots of yummy things.

The children were able to apply their Mathematical and Literacy skills to successfully fulfil the instructions provided.

French

Beginner Group with Joanna

Vive le Printemps! This term we are all excited about spring and learning new vocabulary about gardening, growing fruits/vegetables/flowers and all about the different animals and insects we are beginning to see. We were particularly interested in learning about farm animals like the cow and all the products linked to cow’s milk. We learned about the different celebrations in March and April like La Saint Patrick & Pâques (Easter) and what people do to celebrate in different countries. We read books related to our topic and for each book studied the students very studiously worked on reading comprehension worksheets. The students also learned a new song (video hereunder).

Our Printemps song: Dans mon Verger

Advanced group with Marie

Nous avons continué à étudier les sons et à approfondir les notions de français. Nous avons abordé différents thèmes tels que le printemps, la Saint Patrick, Pâques…

Les livres lus durant cette périodes ont été les suivants:

Diverses activités ont découlé de la lecture de ces albums et du sens a été donné aux apprentissages des voyelles et des consonnes.

Les enfants ont appris plusieurs chansons: Le ciel est parcouru de frisson, L’air du vent, Printemps et Le roi Jazz.

Les objectifs de cette période ont été:

d’étudier la langue française
de s’exprimer plus aisément
d’approfondir la syntaxe autour d’activités orales
de connaître et d’acquérir les consonnes ainsi que les sons complexes (gu, an/en, è/ê, ai/ei, ou, on, oi) par l’acquisition du principe alphabétique.
s’entraîner à la dictée de mots et de phrases courtes et simples.
de lire et de répondre à des questions de compréhension de petits textes.
de lire de petits livres (collection Sami et Julie) “La chasse aux oeufs”.
de réciter une poésie “Le printemps”
de chanter collectivement une chanson

French IPC with Joanna and Marie

This term our IPC French topic was linked to the whole school ‘Green Garden Project’, which we started in early spring. We read books related to growing plants/vegetables/fruits from seeds. We made posters and presented the topics to our friends while learning new vocabulary in French. We listened to different bird songs and how there are so many different sounds. We also learned two new songs all about spring and regrowth/revival.