Although Storm Bert made its mark on the trees in the Forest this week, the Year 1 children were undeterred and set out on an adventurous autumn walk around the School grounds. Armed with a leaf identification checklist, they eagerly explored to uncover the variety of trees that surround our School. The fun didn’t stop there — they couldn’t resist diving into the giant piles of crunchy leaves on the field, where they made leaf angels and enjoyed throwing leaves high up in the air. Their Forest School session wrapped up with some creative leaf art and colouring, whilst warming up in the classroom.
Year 3
Oak class, 3JL, decided to make a Christmas tree for their classroom, which they hung decorations on. For decorations, they made Monster people from leaves and decorated tree
stumps. Some pupils also made sparkly oak leaves. Finally, some pupils worked out how to make a 3D trunk, 3D stars and some of the class wrapped up boxes as Christmas presents. A lot of fun was had.
3KB had a great day celebrating their new class name – Fir! They went on a hunt for Fir trees in the School grounds and found some at the front of the School by the Year 3 gate and also in the walled garden. They also enjoyed creating some amazing leaf monster pictures – it was great fun! Thanks to Mrs Falco and Mrs Howard for providing all the resources needed.
Year 4
In 4NR, pupils wrote a rap about how they are similar to their new tree. But first, they researched the Acer tree and found:
It is colourful
The leaves are like hands
In Japan, it is the ‘Welcoming’ tree
It lives for over 100 years
The maple produces syrup.
4NR then used these facts to incorporate into their class virtues. They learnt about rhythm and rhyme and spent a long time altering the verses to make them work. The Rap was made completely by the pupils.
We are Acer and we’re here to show that we’ll be the best, that you will ever know.
We’re kind, we’re strong and we are always sweetWe are all very different but you would like to meet.
We celebrate our differences, like tree you’re welcome in
No matter where your leaves fall, they won’t go in the bin
Our name is Acer we’re the oldest of them all
Like trees we’re always growing, but start off very small.
Our class, like tree is colourful and full of fun.
We promise we will always shine brightly like the sun.
We will all reach together to show you Acer’s hands.
We will spread our kindness all across the land.
The pupils of 4PR had a fantastic time celebrating their class name, Palm! After exploring the School grounds and discovering palm trees, they used tree materials and art supplies to create tree-inspired drawings and acrostic poems based on Palm. It was a day of creativity and fun!
In 4RW, everyone had great fun decorating a tree stump with lime-related images. The pupils researched some facts about lime trees and even started thinking about how they could use what they learned in an acrostic poem. Some of them also began linking our class values and qualities within their poem.
Here are a couple:
Lime trees do not grow the limes we know.
It’s a multi-species tree.
Most lime trees are very rare.
Every lime tree has dark green leaves and most lime trees are found in botanical gardens.
Limes everywhere, just everywhere.
IQ full, interesting and loving.
Marvellous class!
Enter the new LIMES!
Year 5
Year 5 made their own bags and went on a hunt in the winter sunshine to find natural resources. They then used these resources to create their names. The children then went on to take part in more tree art activities!
Year 6
Year 6 ventured outside to participate in the tree week activities. We located our various trees around the School and then took part in a creative exercise, creating imagery from leaves (extra points for integrating people into the picture!). A great time was had! Special mention to the 6BD group tree! Whilst 6VS took their inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy’s nature-based art with some fantastic results. 6KO researched their tree name – Willow. We found a very small Willow tree in the walled garden. Mrs Ombok has a Twisted Willow in her garden; we are hoping to take some cuttings and grow our own Twisted Willow on school grounds.
