Hazel Class

Week 1 Summer Term 1 WC: 23.04.25

This week we began our new topic 'Nurturing Nurses'. On Wednesday the children came into school and found a suitcase. They made predictions about who they thought the suitcase belonged to and what they thought was inside it. We then looked inside the suitcase and found a lamp, scrubbing brush, medicine bottles. a diary and dip pen, bandages and bonnet. The children concluded that the suitcase belonged to a nurse. Her name was Florence Nightingale. We then learnt some facts about her and made lanterns, bravery medals for the soldiers she helped and dip pens. The hall was transformed into Scutari Hospital where she worked. The children role played as nurses, soldiers, cleaners, cooks and gardeners! We also learnt about another brave nurse Mary Seacole who was forgotten about for many years after the Crimean War. We made herb bags as she treated soldiers using herbal medicine. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day and can't wait to learn more about these famous nurses!

Week 6 Spring Term 2: WC 31.03.25

This week was Art Week. The children learnt about the multi-media artist Lorna Simpson. We used photgraphs, magazines and watercolours to create our collages. On Friday, we visited the art gallery where all the children's work was displayed. We spoke about what we liked about each child's work that was created and what our favourite piece was!

Week 5 Spring Term 2: WC: 24.03.25

We began our week taking part in the Great British Spring Clean and walked up and down Shenley Road to make sure there was no litter. A big thank you to all the volunteers who came to help and to Mrs Rios for organising it! We also had our termly discovery afternoon. Thank you to all of our Year 1 families who came. To end our week, we had our 'Spring' Seasonal Change Day. The children went outside to look for signs of Spring. We saw daffodils, birds making nests and even frogspawn! We cannot wait to go back and see the frogs and hopefully lots of tadpoles!

Week 4 Spring Term 2 - WC: 17.03.25

In Science this week, we recapped our learning of animal groups from last half term and practiced sorting and classifying. We learnt about carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. The children were very excited to see the 'animal poo' and work out if the poo belonged to a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore. In Discovery, children used the small world and block area to create zoos and sort animals into different groups. They also used the creative area to paint different mammals using the watercolours!

Week 3 Spring Term 2 - WC: 10.03.25

We have had a very busy week in Year 1 this week. This week was Science Week. The children took part in many 'ice' based experiments and focused on the working scientifically skills of observing closely and taking part in a simple test. We also practiced making predictions. A big thank you to Mrs Gladdy our Science lead for organising a fantastic week! In English, we continued our learning linked to the book 'Martha Maps it Out'. We made maps of our local area and labelled them with singular and plural nouns. Thank you to all parents who attended our reading breakfast on Friday. Our books were in theme with our Mantra - I am Kind, I am Brave, I believe in myself. We hope we inspired you with some new book titles!

Week 2 Spring Term 2 - WC: 03.03.25

This week we carried on our History learning about the Titanic. We had to sequence the events of the Titanic in chronological order. We also took part in a true or false quiz about the Titanic to see what we could remember. In Discovery time, children decided to build the Titanic ship and have barrels as 'lifeboats'. The children constructed an amazing ship! It was also World Book Day this week and we were treated with an author visit. Our whole day was themed around the book Mighty Maurice and linked to our mantra - I am Kind, I am Brave, I Believe in Myself. We made moose ears and mustaches and learnt some facts about moose. 

Week 1 Spring Term 2 - WC: 24.02.25

Welcome back! We began our first day back with a Titanic Day! The children 'boarded' the ship in the morning and were either given a First Class or Third Class ticket. They were welcomed on board by Captain Smith. In First Class, children were treated to a First class dining experience with fresh fruit, scones with jam, orange juice, candles and flowers. They also went to the Turkish spa, the reading room and the gym. In third class, children had cards to play with, bread with marmalade or butter and a piano to play for music. During the day, children were shocked as the lookouts spotted an iceberg, a bell was rung as a warning and they had to go to the 'top deck' to find out what had happened. The children were told that the ship had hit an iceberg! The children thoroughly enjoyed their day and it was a great start to our topic!

Week 4 Spring Term 1 - WC: 27.01.25

This week in Maths, we practiced our number bonds to 10 using a tens frame. In Geography, we finished our Fire and Ice topic learning with a 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' quiz to see how much we remembered. There were lots of millionaires! We also had an Explorer Afternoon across Year 1. The two classrooms transformed into a hot place and a cold place so the children could compare what they had learnt.

Week 3 Spring Term 1 - WC: 20.01.25

This week we finished our unit of The Gruffalo and had a Gruffalo party. The children made masks, invitations and followed instructions to make food for the party. In Geography, we looked at Antarctica as a cold place and practiced putting the North Pole, South Pole and Equator Line on the globe.

Week 2, Spring Term 1 - WC: 13.01.25

This week we had our 'Winter' seasonal change day. The children looked at our class tree to spot any changes. We found out that in Winter most trees have no leaves on them. It was also very cold so we ended the day having a hot chocolate with marshmallows! In Art, we practiced weaving with paper and looked at Kente cloth patterns. In Geography, we started comparing hot places to cold places.

Week 1, Spring Term 1 - W/c 06.01.25

Welcome back! We hope you had a lovely Christmas break! In English this week, we began looking at different recipes for an upcoming Gruffalo party. We followed a recipe called 'Terrible Tusks'. The children got to try some new fruit!

In Music with Mrs Simpson from Herts Music, we began learning how to play the ukulele. We learnt a song to help us remember all the parts of the instrument.

In Geography we began our new topic 'Fire and Ice'. The children learnt the names of the 7 continents of the world and tried to find them on a globe or in an atlas.

Week 6, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 09.12.24

Week 4, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 25.11.24

Week 3, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 18.11.24

Week 2, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 11.11.24

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Week 1, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 04.11.24

It has been lovely welcoming all of the children back after the half term. This week we had our first seasonal change day of the year. The children had a great time observing all the things Autumn has to offer... especially the endless leaves that have fallen off the trees! We also began our new topic 'Toy Story'. The children brought in their favourite toys from home and we looked at what materials they were made from and why they liked playing with them.

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Week 7, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 14.10.24

In History this week we learnt that before our school was built it used to be a fireworks factory. It was called Brocks Fireworks and it was once the largest fireworks factory in the world! The children transformed our small world area into a fireworks factory! In our workshop area, the children designed and made fireworks. We continued to look at collage in art and practiced making collages using different textiles. In our outdoor area, the children role played Guy Fawkes and the plotters and made 'gunpowder' to blow up the Houses of Parliament. 

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Week 6, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 07.10.24

This week we began learning about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children then wanted to make Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to retell the plot. They also made the barrels of gunpowder! In Geography, we made maps of our local area Woodhall Farm with symbols. On Wednesday, we went to the theatre to see 'The Smartest Giant in Town'. The children had a great time and were great representatives of our school!

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Week 5, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 30.09.24

We have had another busy week of learning this week. In Art, we have practiced cutting different materials to make a collage. The children made collages of gardens, puffins, under the sea. In Science, we have continued to practice naming and identifying wild and garden plants. The children made these out of lego or paper and then labelled them. On Friday, we were very excited to have spotted a frog in our outdoor area! The children named him Fred and we researched some facts about frogs together. 

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Week 4, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 23.09.24

This week as part of our challenges we have been practicing our flange joins in DT. We have used our flange joins to turn them into cameras and even flower pots! In Geography, we have been locating different places of Woodhall farm on a map. In Science, we have been identifying and naming wild and garden plants.

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Week 3, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 16.09.24

We have had another busy week in Year 1. This week we practiced planting linked to our story Jasper’s Beanstalk. We planted lots of different bulbs and seeds. We even followed instructions for ‘How to make cress heads’. We can’t wait to watch them grow! Next week we will be writing our own instructions for ‘How to plant a bulb’.

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Week 2, Autumn Term 1 - W/c: 09.09.24

This week in English we have been reading the book Jasper's Beanstalk. We practiced labelling different gardening equipment. In Maths, we use positional language to describe positions of different objects. We had our first music lesson with Mrs Wilkinson from Herts Music on Wednesday. We loved singing and playing on the drums!

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Week 1, Autumn Term 1 - W/c: 02.09.24

Welcome back! This week we have been exploring our new classrooms. The children have settled in very well and we are looking forward to the upcoming year.

Oak Class

Week 1, Summer 1 - W/c 23.04.25

The children had a very exciting start to their week learning all about Florence Nightingale which is our topic for this half term. They created a role-play hospital where children reenacted the nurses and soldiers. They made an ink pen, a medal and lantern too. In addition, they made medicine bags! They are very eager to continue their learning about her.

In English, the children have been introduced to the story ‘Paddington’s Post.’ They have been looking at a letter’s journey. They found it fascinating how long it takes for a letter to get from A to B.

In maths, the children have been looking at money. They’ve been looking at different ways to make 20p. We have been super impressed with them!

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Week 6, Spring 2 - W/c 31.03.25

The children have continued to impress us with their learning- even though we know they are tired and very much ready for the Easter break. In maths, the children have been looking at adding numbers using the dienes cubes and we’ve began to look at data in pictograms. The children have enjoyed their music lessons and sang a beautiful song based on animals.

They’ve also continued their learning in discovery and have been creating all things Spring. Their Seasonal Change Day has definitely inspired them and a change of weather has too!

Have a wonderful Easter and well deserved break!

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Week 5, Spring 2 - W/c 24.03.25

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Week 4, Spring 2 - W/c 17.03.25

Another jam packed week of learning for Year 1! The children have been creating their own story maps based on the book ‘Martha Maps It Out,’ in preparation for writing their own book. They have focused on including their own feelings and practised writing the personal pronoun I. In maths, they have been looking at whole part models and discovering which part is missing.  This week, children have been looking at identifying and classifying animals. They especially enjoyed looking at different animal poo and working out whether or not it belonged to a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore.

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Week 3, Spring 2 - W/c 10.03.25

Year 1 have had a very exciting time with their learning this week as it has been Science week! The children have participated in lots of different experiments based on ice. They predicted what they thought would happen before beginning their simple tests. The children were fascinated to see the result and whether their prediction was correct! In English, the children have been looking at the story ‘Martha Maps It Out’. They’ve looked at different punctuation throughout the story and had a go at writing their own sentences using an exclamation mark. In maths, we have been working on making different number sentences for the same value.

Thanks to those parents who made the reading breakfast morning- it was great to have so many of you.

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Week 1, Spring 2 - W/c 24.02.25

A really lovely start to Spring 1!

Year 1 started the week with their Titanic day. They boarded the ship and experienced what it was like to be upper and lower class. They have found out lots of information about the Titanic and have been comparing old and new ships. Year 1 had the opportunity to create their own ships using junk modelling, painting and collages, as well as building using Lego.

The children have been building on their knowledge of counting using the ‘Think 10’ method in maths. In English, they have been looking at the story ‘Ruby’s Worry’ and writing their own sentences focusing on the pronoun I.

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Week 6, Spring 1 - W/c 10.02.25

We have had a very busy week! The children have been busy making their own books based on the story ‘Stanley’s Stick’. They have been coming up with ideas of what their own stick could be. They finished their learning by sharing their stories with one another.

The children have been learning how to add numbers using the ‘Think Ten’ method- a strategy that speeds adding up. It has been lovely to see their understanding grow with this concept. Well done Oak!

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Week 4, Spring 1 - W/c 27.01.25

The children ended last week with their very own Gruffalo party! They enjoyed making a yummy treat in the style of a Gruffalo and creating masks of the different creatures from the story.

This week children have been writing sentences using the conjunction and. The story we have been working on this week is ‘Stanley’s Stick’. The children have been using their own imagination and creating their own sticks for adventures. In art, the children have had a go at weaving different types of paper. They found the tissue paper the most difficult!

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Week 2, Spring 1 - W/c 13.01.25

Year 1 have done lots of learning this week and finished the week of with Seasonal Change Day. The children have continued to build on their knowledge of 3D shapes and exploring their properties. In English, children have been using the conjunction ‘and’ to write simple instructions for their Gruffalo party. In Geography, children have been learning about the equator and finding the North and South Pole on a globe.

Seasonal Change day was full of wonderful wintery activities for the children to enjoy. We made water gauges, stickmen, created some paintings of our class tree, creative writing and some nature art on the playground. We even explored our pond but unfortunately didn’t get to find much! The children finished the day by watching Stick Man and drank a nice, warm mug of hot chocolate!

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Week 1, Spring Term 1 - W/c 06.01.25

A great start to our first week back after the Christmas break. The children have had a fantastic week of learning. We have been looking at instructions in English and focusing on the book the Gruffalo. In PE, we are continuing gymnastics and have been working on different jumps and how to land safely. In maths, we are identifying 3D shapes and their properties. In art, children are looking at Ghanaian Kente cloths and have tried weaving paper to create their own.

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Week 6, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 09.12.24

This week the children have been working hard on creating more complex sentences and joining clauses together using the conjunction ‘and’. They have really impressed Mrs Shaw in their final PE session of this term. This half term children have been working on their gymnastic skills and we finished by using the apparatus and putting our stretches and poses into practice.

Deco day was a huge success and the children worked so well creating some beautiful Christmas crafts. Thank you to those adults who helped out – it is appreciated! The children finished off their busy day with a film and some popcorn.

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Week 5, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 02.12.24

It has been a very fun week! This week we have had art week and our artist focus was Vincent Van Gogh. We have been learning some fun facts about him and recreated a picture of his famous painting ‘Sunflowers’. In maths, we have been looking at adding and subtracting 1 from numbers 11 to 19. We have continued to look at ‘Princess and the pea’ in English and writing simple sentences using adjectives.

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Week 4, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 25.11.24

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Week 2, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 11.11.24

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Week 1, Autumn Term 2 - W/c 04.11.24

It has been a very busy start to the second half of Autumn term! The children have enjoyed our seasonal change day and had fun exploring outside and used the sparklers safely. In English, we have begun looking at fairy tales and discussing our favourites. Our story focus has been ‘The Three Billy Goat Gruff’ and we have had fun retelling the story in our story-telling area of our classroom. We have also been keen scientists investigating different materials and guessing what they could be in our ‘feely bags’. The children have been making brilliant use of the scientific vocabulary in their explanations.

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Week 8, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 21.10.24

This week the children have been writing some beautiful poetry using adjectives to describe things in nature. All the children came up with some wonderful adjectives and were able to write them in their books. In maths, the children have looking at subtraction using tens frames. They have really enjoyed playing ‘Snakes and Ladders’ during their discovery learning too.

In discovery, the children have enjoyed creating firework pictures, sorting fruits and vegetables and writing lists for an imaginary bonfire night. They have had such a busy half term!

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Week 6, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 07.10.24

Oak class have started learning about Guy Fawkes in History focusing on the Gun Powder Plot plan this week. Children have had fun using the resources to retell the story.

In English, children have been working on the story ‘Puffin Peter’. They have made wanted posters for Paul and drew story maps to show their understanding of the story.

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Week 5, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 30.09.24

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Week 4, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 23.09.24

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Week 3, Autumn Term 1 - W/c 16.09.24

Oak have been enjoying creating their own collages in the style of Henri Matisse. In PSHE, we have been looking at the rights and responsibilities of a learner and coming up with what this should look like in our classroom.

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Week 2, Autumn Term 1 - W/c: 09.09.24

This week in English we have been reading the book Jasper's Beanstalk. We practiced labelling different gardening equipment. In Maths, we use positional language to describe positions of different objects. We had our first music lesson with Mrs Wilkinson from Herts Music on Wednesday. We loved singing and playing on the drums!

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Week 1, Autumn Term 1 - W/c: 02.09.24

Welcome back! This week we have been exploring our new classrooms. The children have settled in very well and we are looking forward to the upcoming year.