Reception - Beatrix Potter | Scissett CE Academy

Beatrix Potter Spring 2023

Surviving and Growing

In class reception we have been busy learning about what plants need to survive and grow. We have planted our own sunflower seeds, one each to take home (which the children were very excited about!) and some to have in school and observe over a longer period of time. We have watered them every other day and placed them in a sunny position on the windowsill to give them the best chance of initial growth before we move and pot them outside when the weather gets a little warmer. Reception class have loved learning and identifying different parts of a plant and how we need to care for them to develop from seed to flower.

We have been learning about, caring for and observing 5 caterpillars that have developed and hatched into beautiful butterflies over the last 5 weeks. We’ve watched them grow from tiny caterpillars in big fluffy ones that put themselves in to the metamorphic stage and eventually wriggled out in to interestingly patterned butterflies. We placed some orange segments and banana for the butterflies to get some energy before it was time to release them in the warm sunshine which helps their wings to fly. We learned a fantastic fact that butterflies taste with their feet – did you know this?

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Animal Day

To support their topic of Living things, Reception class had a very special visit from ‘Animal Club’ who brought some scaly and furry friends along for us to meet. These included 2 bearded dragons, a snake, worms, grasshoppers, a guinea pig, a rabbit, a tortoise and even a whiptail scorpion. We enjoyed gently handling the animals whilst learning lots of different animal facts - some you would never believe!

Balance Bike Training

Reception class have been practicing their gross motor skills with some balance bike training. This has involved stopping, starting, steering, gliding and manoeuvring bikes around obstacles. They have all listened fantastically to the instructions given so far and had lots of fun in the process.

Potter-ing Outside

Over the last few weeks Potter class have had a great time in our outdoor learning. It has provided us to work on a larger scale using natural materials and large construction to develop skills such as exploring the composition of numbers, inspiring talk for play, investigating floating and sinking, combine gross and fine motor control and using their senses in hands on exploration.

Hot Chocolate!

As the weather has been rather icy and chilly this week, Reception's Forest School session involved some yummy hot chocolate and marshmallows to help keep us warm and enjoy the winter sunshine.

Dina the Dinosaur

It’s that time of year again where Reception had an egg-citing responsibility left to them – Dina the Dinosaur left a note asking us to help look after one of her eggs until it hatches….After catching it starting to hatch on the ‘classroom CCTV’ overnight on Thursday, the children paid very close attention and care and much to the children’s excitement, the egg hatched on Friday!!!!

Fabulous Phonics

Miss James feeling very proud of the whole of Reception class this morning after a fantastic phonics lesson. Superb focus, handwriting development, spelling and sentence writing with some new (and tricky!) sounds.

Fossils

Today we have been learning about Mary Anning - a famous fossil hunter. Inspired by her work, potter class studied their very own fossils and created some beautiful artwork which captures detail, colour and shape.

Storytime

At story time today, we read the books ‘On Sudden Hill’ by Linda Sarah. It is a poignant story about feelings, friendship and working together. After our discussions and inspired by the story, children worked together to create models, machines and interesting constructions using a variety of tools and materials.

Beatrix Potter Autumn 2022

Paramedic Afternoon

Reception class had a very exciting and informative visit from Mr Von Mickwitz, a paramedic. We were very lucky to be able to see his first response car and he even turned on the flashing lights and sirens for us. He then chatted to us about his role and demonstrated how some of his equipment worked - the sick machine was a hit! The children were able to try on various items of clothing and pretend with small apparatus. What a fantastic afternoon and a big thank you to Mr Von Mickwitz.

Delicious Cupcakes

Reception class have been busy following a recipe to make some
delicious cupcakes. Whilst discussing key steps and vocabulary, the children added the main ingredients to a bowl, mixed to a nice
consistency and placed a tablespoon worth into their bun case ready to cook in the oven. Once cooled they enjoyed decorating with icing and sprinkles. The taste test went down delightfully!

Construction Imagination

The children have made great use of their imagination to create a
variety of models using large and small construction both inside the classroom and in the outdoor provision.

Fantastic Fireworks

Reception class have been learning about different celebrations across the world. As bonfire night approaches this weekend, we have been learning why we celebrate it and the activities we may take part in. We have created some beautiful line drawings and print art work concentrating on pattern, shapes and colours.

Exploring Numbers

Michelle Bennett (mbennett) on: Beatrix Potter Autumn 2022

Class Reception have been exploring numbers and their visual amounts. The children were challenged to throw and aim bean bags in to a hoop and encouraged to record down independently how many went inside or outside the hoop. The children really enjoyed this practical activity!