Spring 1 Week 5

We’ve had a wonderfully busy and exciting week across both Reception and KS1. The children have thrown themselves into every activity with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a real love of learning. From hands‑on exploration to creative expression, it has been a joy to see their confidence grow in every subject.

Reception

Reception have enjoyed a week full of discovery and creativity. In RE, they explored how Christians believe God makes the world better, sharing thoughtful ideas and examples. In maths, they investigated even and uneven numbers using practical activities to help them spot patterns.

Storytelling Week brought lots of excitement as the children shared favourite books, listened to new stories, and joined in with imaginative retellings. They also took part in Number Day, enjoying fun challenges and celebrating with prizes.

In geography, Reception explored polar animals and habitats, learning vocabulary such as Arctic, Antarctic, blubber, and habitat. They moved like penguins, seals, polar bears, and whales, examined real objects like ice cubes and fur fabric, and created their own polar scenes using paint, rice, and animal pictures. A lively Which Animal Am I? game helped them consolidate their new knowledge.

They then compared polar animals with animals from hotter environments, using words like jungle, desert, camouflage, and adapt. Through games, picture sorting, and simple scientific sentences, the children learned how different animals survive in their habitats.

KS1

KS1 have had an action‑packed week of learning. In maths, the children explored multiplication using arrays, building a strong understanding of grouping and repeated addition. In English, they practised using contractions.

In geography, the children continued comparing North Stainley with Kenya, deepening their understanding of physical features and similarities and differences between places. In RE, they expanded their knowledge of the Good News by creating freeze frames and acting out stories as a class.

Music and dance were full of energy this week. The children composed their own beats, moved to rhythms created by their classmates, and developed their dance routines by adding original movements and mirroring each other’s ideas.

Storytelling Week was a highlight, with children sharing stories and celebrating reading together. Number Day brought even more excitement, with challenges and activities. We have had plenty of prizes including dojo rewards, purple ribbons, and even Belinda going home with another classmate.

It has been a fantastic week of learning, creativity, and fun. We’re already looking forward to another exciting week ahead, with animals visiting school, circus skills workshops, parents joining us for Stay and Play, Children’s Mental Health Week, and Art Week. There is so much more to look forward to, and we can’t wait to see what the children achieve next.