We have had a fantastic start to our new Coastline topic, exploring the geography and history of a town called Whitby. Oaks have become experts at reading simple maps and their keys. Identifying both human and physical features from the maps. They’ve discovered what Whitby was like in the past, learning a little bit about whaling and the famous Whitby jet gemstone. 

In Art, Oaks have been exploring the natural shape, form and textures of flowers. They explored how different materials form different shapes and which materials make better natural shapes. Then looking at texture, Oaks created soft and wrinkly textures by using tissue paper and PVA glue. Oaks also created patterns in string and carefully laid then flattened tin foil over the top to create smooth and shiny textures. 

This half term we introduced our key text of the Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson. Oaks have done amazingly in their new VIPERS lessons and are developing a great understanding of the story. They have created wanted posters for sneaky sharks and written post cards from far off lands in our Curious Quests lessons with Professor Klunk.

A massive well done to Oaks for their fantastic performance in The Nativity. All the children worked and performed so brilliantly on both days. Even despite the collapse of the innkeeper's door!

Our Movers and Shakers topic has come to an end and the children marked this by hosting a History Fair in our classroom. Oaks invited some children from Cedars and Maples alongside Mrs McBurnie and Mrs Wiemer to come view their projects. 

Oaks had worked in pairs to create detailed poster presentations about one of our significant people. During the fair, the children were able to discuss and answer questions from the 

visiting children or adults about their significant person.   

Each pair worked very hard on their final presentation and were proud of the work they had produced. 

Also as part of our Movers and Shakers topic, Oaks went on their own protest around school to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ arrest. Together, we chose a cause and a message we all agreed with, created placards and marched around the school grounds. Oaks finished their protest by holding a sit-in in Mrs McBurnie’s office where we read a Rosa Parks story. 

Well done to Oaks for their fantastic first term and we look forward to seeing them back ready for our new topic in Spring.

Well done to Oaks for a great start to this year! Year 1 have settled into the classroom fantastically and have been taking on all the new lesson types in their stride.

A shout out to Year 2 as well for coming back that bit more grown up and ready for the new challenges of this year.

Our Movers and Shakers topic has started on a great note with Oaks learning about our local hero - Alan Turing. They created mini fact files about him and his job during World War Two. Towards the end of this half term, Oaks have looked at significant explorers from history. Discovering Christopher Columbus’ journey to America and the treasures he brought back to Europe. Then finding out all about Neil Armstrong and his brave trip to the moon. Our end of half term mini project was to create a triorama displaying what Oaks had learnt about Neil Armstrong.   Next half term, Oaks will be learning about two significant activists - Rosa Parks and Emmeline Pankhurst. 

In Art, Oaks developed some firm foundations in relation to colour. They have learnt the primary colours and explored what the secondary colours were through paint mixing. Oaks were introduced to the colour wheel and how it shows the relationship between the colours.  We ended the unit by completing the colour challenge. Oaks were tasked with creating a colour pallet by mixing different colours of their choosing and picking their favourite template. Some of their pallets and final colour challenges were put on display in the hallway.