Welcome to Acorn!
2024 - 2025
Mrs Smith/Ms Wise - Class Teachers
Mrs Sullivan/Mrs Hooper/Mrs Spencer/Mrs Winyard/Miss Gregory - Teaching Assistants
Autumn 2
Awesome Autumn
On Thursday 14th November we had a visit from a Warwickshire Road Safety Officer and her friend Warwick the Bear. Through story, song and interactive activities we were taught key road safety messages. We were introduced to the Road Safety Code and the safe behaviours of holding hands with a trusted adult, stopping before the kerb and looking and listening for traffic.
Acorn and Chestnut class really enjoyed their first Forest School session on Thursday 7th November. We were set a challenge by Mr Jackson, who looks after our school. He sent us a letter to tell us all about the problems he was having with things making a big mess on the school playground. We went on a walk to investigate. To our amazement we found the things he wrote about were the signs of Autumn. This prompted us to start collecting some of these Autumn treasures that were littering the floor. We talked about the different shapes and colours of the leaves and why they were falling from the trees.
Autumn 1
We All Belong Here
People who help us - Ambulance Service - 17.10.24
Today we had a visit from Bec, Meg and Matt who are paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service. We got to look around the ambulance and car and they showed us how the lights and siren worked. Mrs Robilliard had to try and lift the heavy bags that they carry, and Mrs Smith volunteered to help them demonstrate how to move somebody with a neck or back injury. They also told us about some of the equipment they use.
Banana Sandwiches and Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Thursday 17th October
If you went down to Acorn and Chestnut Class, you were sure of a big surprise. For every bear that ever there was, had gathered there for certain because, that was the day the teddy bears had a picnic!
The children in Acorn and Chestnut Class went on their first visit to the cooking room to make banana sandwiches for their special picnic. They learnt how to cut the bananas carefully using the bridge method. Later on in the day, they got to try their sandwiches and enjoyed a fun afternoon singing teddy bear songs, playing games, listening to teddy bear stories and even doing the conga with their teddy bears.
Acorn class have been learning about algorithms and how they are a set of specific instructions to achieve something. These are the first steps in computing and if we get the steps wrong then we need to correct them "debug" the instructions. We compiled our own algorithm using the well known song of 'Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes'. This is our final version!
Acorn and Chestnut class thoroughly enjoyed a week full of poetry. They played some rhyming games with our visiting poet Ash Dickinson, before coming up with some amazing ideas for a poem about a pet monster. The children looked fabulous on National Poetry Day when they came dressed up in clothes that represented who they were as an individual. They learned the rhyme ‘One, two, buckle my shoe’ and confidently performed it to children in Year 1.
Acorn and Chestnut classes have been learning all about the number three this week. They have been looking at the numeral, how to make 3 and even got to have their first Now Press Play session on the story of the Three Little Pigs. Now Press Play involves the children using their listening skill and following the instructions that they are given through their headphones. It's an immersive learning experience that gave us a lot of laughter and fun.
On the 3rd of October the children in Acorn Class were surprised to have a visit from the local Polesworth Fire Service. They came to school in their special red fire engine and told us all about their very important role in the community, how they help us and what equipment they use to save people and keep everyone safe. We were fascinated and asked lots questions and even got to have a go on their big hoses.
'What do you like most about your job?' Caspar.
'What special equipment do you use in lakes?' Chester.
Algorithms - such a big word with very specific meanings. Acorn class have been learning the concepts of computing and constructing algorithms through the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". We have looked at how we can "debug" (fix) our algorithms when they are in the wrong order by using photos of our class mates.
We have so many lovely areas in school and are so privileged to have access to so much Outdoor Learning. Acorn Class have been taking advantage of this great outdoor opportunities to improved fine motor, writing, drawing, gross motor and balance skills. Look at all the lovely things we can do!
We have been on a number 1 hunt around school and we found so many! Maths is so much fun especially when we can use our wonderful school environment to apply it.
Starting school can be really exciting but also quite nerve-racking for not just the children but for their grown-ups at home. We hope you enjoy looking at some photos of the children’s first few days and weeks at Birchwood. They have been learning new routines and school rules, meeting important people in school, making friends and getting to know our school. The children have been exploring all the areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage and teachers have been getting to know their unique characteristics of learning. What a lot of fun we have all had trying new things and making new memories that we hope will last a lifetime.