Red Nose Day mini marathon
1/4
Mini marathon
2/4
Cheering on friends
3/4
Waiting for our turn to run
4/4
Welcome to Chestnut Class.
I am very pleased to welcome the Chestnut class pupils and am very much looking forward to working with them. There is a lot to look forward to, with many interesting areas of learning planned. The adults working in Chestnut class this year are myself, Mrs Fielder and Mr Day.
Spring Term Two
2024
It was lovely to welcome the children back on Monday and as usual they came back to school full of enthusiasm and smiles. It was lovely to hear about all the activities that they had got up to during the week.
Our historical area of learning this half term continues to be the Romans.
Please see below, the knowledge organisers for history and science, as well the curriculum overview for this half term.
Week 6: 11.03.24 to 28.03.24
I just want to say a huge thank you to all of Chestnut Class for being such super children. It hasn't been an easy half term, with many different teachers, but as always the children have done themselves proud. They have worked hard producing some excellent pieces of work. Well Done Everyone.
It has been an actioned packed few weeks.
I took the Year 3s to Midhurst for a morning of singing with other children from local schools. The children have beautiful voices and sung their hearts out. I enjoy singing too, so also had an enjoyable morning. One of our favourite songs is called My World - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWs-Boqk-5s) it has a very catchy tune and rhythm. Do you agree?
We also had the mini marathon for Comic Relief. I was so impressed with how many laps the children managed and how they encouraged each other to keep going.
We were treated to a very loud and enthusiastic Rock Steady concert. Weren't the bands great? I'm always amazed at how confident the children are. Well done all.
A huge thank you to Mrs Woodford for giving up an hour of her time every week to help prepare the children for the poetry recital. Thank you to all the parents who helped with the learning of the lines too. The children were superb. How impressive to stand in front of the school and parents, overcome any nerves and to say the poems with expression and clarity. I was very proud of them all. Again, another huge WELL DONE.
In amongst all of these extra activities we have continued working on fractions. The children can count in halves and quarters and work out fractions of both shapes and quantities. We have a little more work to do yet, so will finish this after the Easter break.
In English the children have been working hard to write their 'threat' narratives. They have thought about the vocabulary and sentence structures needed to create anticipation and suspense. Some of the class have been so engaged in their story writing that they have asked to stay in at break times. Once the stories have been proof read and edited I will send a copy home as they are truly quite remarkable.
We have continued learning about healthy diets, skeletons, muscles and exercise in science. We have almost finished our work on the Romans. We have a couple more important facts that we need to learn which we will do before our trip to Fort Nelson. We will start our new area of learning, all about the Rainforest after the trip.
The children have also been learning the Easter story in RE, branching data bases and data collection in computing and healthy me in PSHE.
Today we went to Church for our Easter service and afterwards were treated to a piano recital from some year 6 pupils. In the afternoon the children worked creatively making a pop up chick Easter card. It's lovely watching the children help each other and to see the improved resilience when trying something new.
Thank you Chestnut Class for yet another enjoyable half term and I hope you all have a lovely Easter break with lots of fun.
Week 3: 4.03.24 to 8.03.24
We have started our work on fractions this week and continued our work on the key text 'The Iron Man'. In science the year two children have been thinking about life cycles and the different stages in the human life cycle. In year three we have been thinking about food groups and learning the importance of each in our diets and that a balanced diet is the best for maintaining our health.
The children looked amazing in their World Book Day costumes. It was really lovely as we had such a variety of costumes and all the children were able to talk about why they had dressed up as they had. We spent time trying to watch the author of the Horrible Histories series and answering questions about the Romans - I was very impressed with the children's knowledge. (trying to watch as the volume was very quiet!). We also watched a live session from the World Book Day site where we learnt about different genre and recapped on fiction and non-fiction. We then used the books as a stimulus for some mathematics. After lunch we watched a video from McGrammar, singing the World Book Day song. In groups the children had to place pictures of the books he mentioned in his song, in the order in which he sang them in a line so McGrammar to get to the library. He sang a rap, which was quite fast so we had fun and difficulty trying to keep up. Thank goodness for the pause button.
Week 1: 19.02.24 to 23.02.24
This week, in maths the children have continued learning division, thinking about it in terms of division by sharing as well as division by grouping.
In writing, they have finished their description of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The children worked hard to ensure that each of the sentences in the paragraph contained a noun, verb, adverb and preposition thus enabling their peers to really imagine the sights sounds and smells.
In art, the children painted using squares of card. They pushed the paint, they swirled the paint, they dragged the paint, they smeared the paint. It was great fun and was the final piece in the series of lessons on 'expressive painting'.
Our PSHE theme for the next few weeks is Healthy Me. In this lesson this week we talked about what makes us healthy, in particular looking at exercise. We shared what exercise we do and then we tried to think of some fitness challenges. I think we might struggle to complete some of them!
Finally, in PE, today we practiced marching, jogging and sprinting and learning the importance of pacing ourselves when exercising.
Before half term the children were able to choose some books for the classroom using the rewards from the scholastic book fair. On Thursday we opened the box to 'yeah', 'ooh', and even more comments of excitement. It was lovely watching the children read quietly to themselves or sharing the new book with friends. A lot of them have put in book marks and have continued reading them whenever there has been a spare moment since.
Week 5: 22.1.24 to 2.2.24
I can't quite believe that another two weeks have passed. The children have been working hard and I hope learning lots along the way. They are as always keen to learn and an absolute pleasure to teach. In English we have finished writing a description of Pompeii, used a dictionary to improve our vocabulary, learned how to use apostrophes correctly and practiced our spellings. Yesterday we did a shared write and today the children have been learning the features of a non-fiction piece, so that next week, our shared write can be edited and written correctly using those features.
In maths we have moved onto multiplication using lots of resources to support our learning. Next week we will look at division and learn how these two concepts are linked.
In PSHE one of the tasks was to work in a small team to design a garden. The class were very good at this and produced some lovely drawing and ideas. It was lovely listening to their conversations...'Shall we draw this here?'......'What about having a pond?'........'What colour shall we use?'
In computing the year 3s have been using scratch to program a tune and the year 2s have been programming the bee-bots to follow a path and to avoid obstacles.
Art has been enjoyable as the class have been looking at how some painters such as Van Gogh and Cezanne use their paints and brush work to create their paintings. The children then explored using brushes of different sizes with different amounts of paints to create effects that they liked. Finally this week, the school was entertained by visiting hedgehogs. Each class had their slot during the morning where they learned all about hedgehogs from a lovely gentleman called Graham. He rescues hedgehogs and keeps them in his converted garage until they are ready to be released back into the wild. We were fortunate in being able to watch Polly, a rather energetic hedgehog (name after Mrs Woodford) walking around and around the pen at quite some speed. Chestnut class were beautifully behaved, but at one point we did get the giggles as Polly decided to walk through her water bowl!
Week 3: 8.1.24 to 19.1.24
I would like to start my writing this week by saying how kind and caring the children have been towards each other and their teachers. They have looked after the resources in the role play area and been really helpful keeping the classroom tidy, especially after our art lessons. Thank you Chestnut Class - you are all amazing.
We have started our work using the key text Escape for Pompeii. We are currently writing a description of the city from the point of view of the character Tranio. The children have tried really hard to include verbs, adjectives as well as prepositions. Next week we will proof-read and edit the work to make it the best it can be.
In maths we have had a break from addition and subtraction by using rulers to measure accurately to the nearest cm and mm. They have had fun measuring different objects as well as drawing straight lines to a given measurement. Today we learnt that the Romans used just seven letters to write their numerals and we had a go at trying to predict how 15 or 22 might be written.
Last week we started our history by digging in trays of sand to find hidden artefacts. We worked in groups to try to work out what these artefacts might tell us about how the Romans lived. During the topic we will return to our predictions to see if we were right or not.
The title of our art this half term is expressive painting. In the first lesson we learnt about two abstract artists and watched clips of them painting. From this the children have explored colour and colour mixing which they have really enjoyed - there were lots of happy children covered in paint.... and they were wearing painting overalls!!
We are dancing in PE on Friday afternoons and I have been very impressed with the children's rhythm as well as their willingness to join in. It was lovely when I played the music again today as most of them shouted 'yeah'.
Week 1: 3.1.24 to 5.1.24
As always the children achieved a lot in only a few days. On Wednesday they chatted about Christmas and their presents. They also had PE and finished their work on levers and linkages in DT.
On Thursday, in maths the children created block graphs from the pictogram which we made before the Christmas break. In science the year 2 children found out about scientists such as John Dunlop, Charles Macintosh and John McAdam. The year 3 children completed an experiment which was looking at how different surfaces affect the distances objects move.
On Friday the year 2 children carried out a science experiment looking at which materials are best for waterproofing, whilst the year 3 played a game to learn about whether two magnets will attract or repel each other depending on which poles are facing.
In the afternoon it was PE. The children hadn't let me forget my promise that I would get out the large apparatus. Oh, the excitement as the large climbing frame and ropes were fixed into position!
Week 7: 16.10.23 to 20.10.23
I can't quite believe that this first half term has finished and what a high it has finished on. Thursday was our class trip to Butser Ancient Farm. Although the weather forecast looked awful for the day, we only had one downpour at lunchtime when we were sheltering in one of the houses. The trip was planned to bring together this half term's learning about the Stone Age to Iron Age and it definitely delivered on that. We were very fortunate to have Kathy as our leader for the day - she was engaging and brought the learning and activities to life. Thank you Kathy and for the parents who joined us for the day. I also need to say a huge thank you to the children as they were superb all day, from their knowledge, to their questions to their behaviour. Kathy also commented on this too, so WELL DONE Chestnut Class, we are all very proud of you.
During the day the children made a bead string (cordage), a ring, a chalk carving and handled artefacts. The cordage and ring were tricky to make but they persevered, some of them finding it easier to do than the adults! Hopefully the children now have knowledge about how society, tools and weapons have changed over the course of the prehistoric era and that evidence for what life was like all those years ago is still coming to light.
Next half term our area of learning has a Geographical theme, map skills and the local area. Please could families look for maps of Harting, Petersfield and the surrounding areas and bring into school next week. Thank you.
I hope everyone has a relaxing week and I look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 31st October, dressed as a fairy or a scarey!
Week 4 to 5: 25.09.23 to 6.10.23
I always start with the same phrase - what a busy two weeks we have had - and surprise, surprise these last two weeks have been no different!
We are still working on place value in maths, 2-digit numbers in year two and 3-digit numbers in year three. Year 2 are now using base 10 to represent the numbers having moved away from using numicon. Year 3 are partitioning numbers using resources such as arrow cards, the part-part whole model and stem sentences such as 321 is the same as 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 1 one. I am very impressed with their understanding so we will start applying this knowledge to addition and subtraction calculations soon.
In English, we have started another key text called Stone Age Boy. The children are enjoying the story and have already written a short description about one of the illustrations.
Art is particularly fun at the moment, as the children have been drawing to music using charcoal, linking their work where possible to the history learning.
The children have done very well learning about life in the Stone Age. One of their tasks last week was to create a stone age scene using both natural and man-made materials. I wanted them to demonstrate their understanding by thinking carefully about what they would place in their settlement. The buzz in the room was just great and their settlements were accurate and very detailed. Well done everyone.
The year three children also made rocks from chocolate. By layering milk chocolate and white chocolate shavings then pressing down with their hands they made sedimentary rock. By adding dark chocolate shavings igneous rock was created. The most exciting part was placing their wrapped 'rocks' in warm water and watching the chocolate change; this showed how metamorphic rock is formed. The children were a little cross with me because I wouldn't let them eat their rocks as some of the water had seeped in. Hopefully we will get some time to make some more and then eat the 'rocks' as promised!
The weather has been kind for forest school and the morning group have come back smelling of bonfire, covered in charcoal as well as carrying something they have made whilst there.
Week 3: 18.09.23 to 22.09.23
As always, this last week has been jammed packed, from computing to forest school, from history to PHSE. In maths we continue to learn about our number system using a range of resources to help us understand place value and how our numbers are formed. In English we have continued using the core text Ug as a stimulus for our writing. We imagined being in the stone age and wrote a short diary entry from Ug's point of view. We plan on editing and proof reading our work next week. In History we continue to find out what life was like to live in the stone age and in art the children have created cave paintings using a variety of media. On Friday the afternoon group were very excited at the prospect of going to Forest School. I was very impressed with their concentration although they were looking forward to their afternoon. The morning group came back to school full of energy and excitement, telling me about their clay sculptures and the little limping field mouse which they had seen. I was also impressed with their ability to concentrate on maths and English in the afternoon. Well done everyone for a really productive week.
Week 1: 4.09.23 to 8.09.23
The children have settled in very well this week. It has been lovely having all the year 3s back together and they have looked after the new year 2s who have all come into school with smiling faces which has been delightful.
We have written about ourselves and what we did on holiday. We have solved problems involving odd and even numbers as well as reading in the library everyday. The children have also explored using charcoal in art with Mrs Perry which they thoroughly enjoyed and have also had some time in the afternoons to play games and to use the construction.
As we have had such a good start to this academic year all the children received a 'star of the week' certificate in assembly today. Well done everyone and thank you for such a positive start.
I hope everyone has had a lovely summer break and was able to enjoy some special times with their families. It was lovely to welcome the children back on Tuesday, those who I have taught before and those who are new to Chestnut class. They were excited to see their friends and had lots to say about their holiday.
Next week I will be introducing the first area of learning for us which is 'The Stone Age to Iron Age'. It is a history based topic which will focus on what it was like to live in that period of history.
Please see below, the knowledge organiser, which provides more detail of what the children will be learning as well the knowledge organiser for science.
The curriculum map also shows what we will be covering in the other curriculum areas.
I look forward to sharing more photos and activities as the term progresses.
Learning Conversations
Curriculum Maps
Knowledge Organisers
Please find below the knowledge organisers linked to your child's learning this term. This document provides details of the key knowledge the children are expected to learn across the sequence of learning. We would encourage parents and carers to look at these with their children and regularly spend time discussing the facts on the sheets.
Reading to friends
1/9
Sharing a book
2/9
Reading to myself
3/9
Reading to myself
4/9
Reading in the library
5/9
Engrossed in a book
6/9
Reading my new book in the library
7/9
Sharing a book
8/9
Reading quietly in the library
9/9
Maths madness!
1/11
Practical multiplication
2/11
Team work in PSHE
3/11
Exploring brush work
4/11
Mixing primary colours
5/11
Creating routes for the bee-bots
6/11
Creating routes for the bee-bots
7/11
Creating routes for the bee-bots
8/11
Polly the Hedgehog
9/11
Polly again....
10/11
Polly in a ball
11/11
Science game
1/12
Which poles will attract?
2/12
Carefully measuring the distance between the magnets
3/12
Which materials will block the hole in the pot?
4/12
Testing with water!
5/12
Climbing the large apparatus
6/12
P.E
7/12
Using the ropes!
8/12
Travelling and jumping
9/12
Climbing
10/12
More climbing
11/12
Look how high I can go
12/12
Digging for artefacts
1/9
What have we found?
2/9
Playing snakes and ladders in RE.
3/9
Part of the history time line....
4/9
Using place value counters to add.
5/9
Using base 10 to add, crossing the tens boundary.
6/9
Colour mixing.
7/9
More colour mixing.
8/9
Dressing Up.
9/9
Entering the Iron Age Settlement
1/30
The skull is to ward off spirits and to bring good luck.
2/30
Making the string (cordage)
3/30
Cordage making......
4/30
Cordage making......more twisting needed
5/30
We're almost finished, just a bit more twisting.......
6/30
The Toilet.........
7/30
Bronze Age House
9/30
Careful twisting to form the ring
10/30
My ring
11/30
The Loom - how did the colour stay in the fibre?
12/30
A pot....
13/30
An antler
14/30
Another pot....
15/30
Bone
16/30
A shoe
17/30
Flint
18/30
What is this artefact called?
19/30
The bronze sword
20/30
A wattle and daub wall
23/30
What is this called?
24/30
Another shoe
25/30
What do we have here?
26/30
What was this used for?
27/30
Why were the spheres made?
28/30
A knife - what is is made from?
29/30
More sword feeling....
30/30