HELP!! Harling's Burning!

Hazelnuts and Cherries took their first steps into the local community on 24th November to visit the local fire station.

We were very excited to walk into the village, looking at the sights and familiar surroundings. When we reached the fire station we were welcomed inside by some of the Cherry parents who are brave fire fighters and help to keep the community safe. They had very kindly opened the 'unmanned' station for our visit and talked about their job.

We got to try on the uniforms and use the walkie talkies. We saw the fire engine and even got to squirt the hose ourselves! It was very powerful! the fire fighters showed us "behind the scenes" and we were able to see historical fire fighter artefacts and ask questions!

We saw some of the tools that are used to help rescue people who are trapped in cars and free them from car accidents.

Miss Grant and Mrs Hough even had a race! They had to get dressed in full fire fighter uniforms like the fire fighters really do in times of emergencies! A real alarm was even sounded so the teachers knew when to go... There was lots of cheering and excitement! We do have a video of Mrs Hough's victory that will hopefully be uploaded later...watch this space!

Hazelnuts and I would like to thank all  the parents of both Hazel and Cherry classes for their help in walking to and from the fire station, and for opening the station and giving us a fantastic and memorable experience! Thank you!!

Hazelnuts celebrate the Festival of Lights (Diwali)

Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated in November around the world and marks the celebration of the fight of Prince Rama over the ten-headed demon Ravana. In Hazel class we have been learning about this special celebration...come and see...

We have made our own diva lamps using our Funky Fingers and some airdry clay. It really works those muscles and is a lot tougher to mould than Playdoh! We used tools to decorate our divas and checked that they were big enough to hold a tealight candle. When they have dried we will decorate them!

We have watched Bollywood dances and turned our arms and feet to it... We watched the children on Boogie Beebies and the adults in the music video for Jai Ho and copied their dance moves. We even got to wear authentic Indian clothing... What do you think?

We have learnt about how Hindu women paint their hands with henna paste and that these are called Mendhi patterns. We didn't paint our hands... instead we used our hands to make biscuits (with Mrs Sait cutting carefully around our hands on some dough)! Look at our chocolate/caramel Mendhi designs!

We had to use our "Funky Fingers" to squeeze the icing pens and we had to concentrate really hard!

 Some Hazelnuts used the felts to create Mendhi designs by drawing around their hands, or cut out one of the hand templates, complete with their designs!

In the Outside Area, we had coloured rice, lentils and pulses to make Rangoli patterns. At Diwali time, Hindus design Rangoli patterns on the ground outside their homes to welcome guests and bring good luck...
This was our Rangoli activity before...and during...

 We hope everyone had a very Happy Diwali this year!

Whizz, Bang, Wheeeeee!!!

In Hazel Class we have been celebrating some of the festivals and celebrations that take place in Autumn. We have really enjoyed learning about Bonfire Night... take a look!


We have danced to special music and used our bodies to create the shapes and movements of different types of fireworks!

We used our special writing fingers and wrote our names using glittery-glue mixtures and paint. Here is a fab video of one Hazelnut using his Read Write Inc mnemonics to help him remember his sounds and how to form them!

WOW! Look at my super firework writing.

We went on a whole class drama into the countryside where we looked at Autumnal changes, rescued animals from the leaf litter before lighting a bonfire and watching fireworks. We then had REAL hot chocolate for our super teamwork skills, and as a scientific exploration of how hot water can change states e.g. from solids to liquids.

Using our senses to explore hot chocolate. Talking about how it changes when hot water is added!

Look at our chocolate moustaches!

Prisoner Cell Block Hazel

It would appear a little theme is emerging in the outside area with the Cherries and Hazelnuts! The children have been particularly interested in 'Cops and baddies', with 'jail' being a favourite area of focus...

The jail cell in its early stages

"jl" Jail- a super piece of writing!

So we began building a jail cell with our wooden blocks! We remembered the rules for carrying the bricks, showing an awareness of safety but also great teamwork! With a bit of adult help, Hazelnuts created a jail cell for those baddies... But even more exciting, we caught biscuit thieves, bank robbers and cake robbers! A custodial sentence was definitely needed here... Custard- hee hee...
We have had some excellent writing emerge with the boys labelling the jail and police station ..."So that everyone knows!"

We're going on a leaf hunt, we're going to catch a colourful one...

Our Autumnal interest table.

   This week we have focused on the Autumn season. We went for an Autumn stroll around the school grounds, using all of our senses to explore and investigate the environment. We tried to bring back all the leaves that had fallen from the trees but Miss G said we could only bring back some of each colour!

What is this in the tree?

Look at my leaf!

We have looked at an artist called Andy Goldsworthy. He uses natural objects and makes his artwork outside. We looked at how he arranged leaves into patterns and made rock and ice sculptures. We then got to make our own leaf art but ours will be 'fixed' and permanent once each piece of artwork is laminated!

Our Andy Goldsworthy art in the making!

A "heart-shaped" leaf.

Matching conkers to numerals.

Squirrels collecting horse chestnuts in a maths game.

Mr Wrinkles has returned!

The Book Nook has had a few more changes since half term! Miss G's best friend has made the Hazelnuts a fairy house using a paperfolding technique. The fairy house has been made from a book where the pages have been carefully folded and it now adds to the "Foggy Foggy Forest" scene! Hazelnuts love this book by Nick Sharrett so much that Miss G painted a scene from it on their window.

 But who can this be in the cosy, comfy Book Nook...
Low and behold Mr Wrinkles has returned! Before half term he left Hazelnuts a message to say that he was cold and so had gone on an adventure. Well he was found this morning in the Book Nook listening to the Elmer story and wearing his own school uniform! Wow Mr Wrinkles, you look great!