Spring 2- 1.4.22

Although our week was broken up by an unexpected day off on Wednesday, as usual plum class are super busy learners and have been doing lots.
 
At the start of the week we spent some more time looking at maps (map of Kenya and map of Alnwick). We revisited our previous learning and recapped important vocabulary- North, East  South, West, City, River, mountain, hill, reserve, coast, beach, landmark, landscape. Then year one had a go at  drawing their own map of Kenya and created their own map key to identify the features on the map.
 
Reception looked closely at a map of Alnwick and worked together to draw a giant map. We then stuck on pictures of various landmarks (the column, war memorial, Alnwick Castle, town square etc) and talked lots about what a landmark is. We had fun directing the bee bots around our map!
 
Later in the week, reception had a go at drawing their own landmark and writing a sentence about it. I encouraged the children to think about what they wanted to write first and be brave writers and have a go independently. I was really impressed with their writing and it was great to see the children checking their sentences for a capital letter, fingers spaces and a full stop. 
 
As we approach the end of our topic work, this week year one children have been creating their final information texts. Over the past few week they have been busy learning about Kenya and gathering facts. This week they spent time looking back through their books and using the information they found to create a final draft of their own information text. We recapped the difference between a fiction and non fiction text and then looked again at the features of a non fiction text (headings, subheadings etc). The children are so proud of their work and we have decided to laminate their texts to put in our own book corner for others to read. 
 
In maths, year one have been practicing fact families (e.g. 11+7=18, 7+11=18, 18-11=7, 18-7=11, 18=11+7, 18=7+11) within 20 and then later in the week continued to have a go at comparing heights and lengths. We had fun comparing each others heights and had fun making a height chart! We also used play doh to make long and short snakes!
 
Reception have been busy this week learning about repeating patterns. We have moved away from the classic ababa pattern and are now doing more complex patterns such as a,b,c,a,b,c or a,a,b,b,a,a,b,b.  We played a racing game where the children had to finish each others pattern before the timer run out. We also had fun using our bodies to make patterns. E.g. clap, stamp, wave, clap, stamp, wave.
 
As well as all of this we managed to squeeze in handwriting, music time, some PSHE time to talk about keeping healthy.
 
As usual the children in reception had so much fun taking part in games with NUF and year one loved going to gymnastics on Thursday morning.
 
Next week will be all things Spring and Easter!
 
Have a restful weekend everyone and don't forget to check out this week's maths home learning on plum class page.
 
Take care- Miss F