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4.10.2024 Let’s be creative!
The visit to the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens was amazing. Children had the opportunity to learn about how Henry Moore experimented with plaster and other materials to create his sculptures. Children looked at some of his sculptures and went inside his maquette studio to see some of his ways and techniques of working as well as what inspired him.
The plaster workshop was very interesting and – needless to mention – fun! Children were introduced to creative processes using plaster. They built plaster up by casting various, natural objects and carved plaster down using different tools such as rolling pins, cheese graters and dental equipment. Children loved being creative, working on different skills and using different tools and objects to create imprints. At the end of the workshop, the pupils were thrilled to take their creations home with them.
The children loved it! The teachers loved it! Enjoy some of the photos.
Lime Class 27.9.24
This week in Lime class was bustling with enthusiasm and creativity! We started out on Monday with our very first learning together morning where we showcased our artistic talents for sketching and shading.
We dove deep into the life of Nelson Mandela, crafting incredible biographies in our English books that not only showcased our writing skills but also tied seamlessly into our history lessons. Learning about his journey has inspired us to think critically about leadership and resilience, making it a truly meaningful experience.
In Maths, we rolled up our sleeves and got hands-on with place value, exploring how to partition large numbers in various ways. This practical approach helped us grasp the concepts more firmly and enjoy the process of problem-solving together. It’s always rewarding to see our skills grow as we tackle challenging numbers!
Our French lessons this week were focused on greetings and sharing how we feel. We practiced phrases for inquiring about each other’s emotions, which complemented our PSHE discussions about the complexity of feelings. We learned that while we can’t control our emotions, we can choose how to respond, empowering us to express ourselves effectively. Understanding the nuances of our feelings brought a deeper level of connection within the class.
In science, the year threes had a fantastic time sorting and classifying marine species, matching names to various ocean creatures, whilst the year 4s become nature detectives through understanding and creating their own classification keys. The children looked carefully at the features of different leaves and flowers found within our school grounds and focused hard on creating closed questions to identify each one. We were rather impressed by their varied questions and how they incorporated their prior learning on evergreen and deciduous trees. Impressive work!
In RE, year 3 explored the vibrant celebrations of Diwali and compared them with other familiar festivals, highlighting both similarities and differences. Year 4 enjoyed learning about the beginnings of Judaism. This week we watched, then role played the story of the covenant between Abraham and God. Did you know that God promised Abraham and his wife a child, in return for Abraham’s trust and following? We could hardly believe that Abraham became a father at the ripe old age of 100! The children thoroughly enjoyed recording the story in a comic strip – the speech and thought bubbles captured it perfectly!
Although our hockey lesson was washed out by terrible weather, we embraced the change with some calming yoga instead. To round off the week, we expressed ourselves through music, enjoying a lively Latin piece, and continued to develop our artistic skills where we drew 3D shapes and created ‘popping’ bubbles. It was a week filled with learning, creativity, and joy!
Learning Together
Ash and Saplings have been looking for the changes of the season this week, especially during their forest school session. We observed the colours of the leaves and the children did some super leaf rubbing. Early Years have been thinking about how it is getting colder now and what we need to wear when the weather changes.
In Maths, Saplings have been helping their grown ups count objects for a picnic, including plates and food. They have been pointing to one object at a time whilst counting carefully, saying the number as they go. Ash children have been busy sorting objects into groups, thinking about different categories and ways they can group objects. They have even been organising themselves into groups!
We have been continuing our theme of all about me, discussing who helps us and how we can help each other. During a class discussion, many of the children confidently told the rest of the class about the adults that help them and how they help them, for example, when they fall over or if they are feeling sad. They also worked together in pairs, taking it in turns to listen to each other’s thoughts.
We have been thinking about using our different senses to explore things. We have looked at objects, touched objects and this week we were using our sense of smell. We smelt a range of things including, ginger, cinnamon, lemon balm, lavender and peppermint.
In Phonics, Ash class are continuing to learn new sounds and are becoming more confident at blending the sounds they have been learning in order to read words. They are also practising their letter formation as they write the sounds in their books.
The children thoroughly enjoyed welcoming their families into the classroom for our first Learning Together Morning of the year. It was wonderful to see them share the activities with their grown ups. There were some beautiful portraits drawn, play-doh faces created and loose parts playgrounds designed. As a special treat for being so sensible when the grown ups left all the children got to have a cuddle with Cookie and Snowy.
Exciting learning experiences and shared moments
This week in Beech Class has been full of exciting learning experiences and shared moments. One of the highlights was our “Learning Together” morning, where it was fantastic to welcome so many parents into the classroom. It was a joy for the children to share their progress, and equally lovely for the parents to see the learning process first hand—particularly how we approach writing. If you missed out this time, don’t worry! We will have another “Learning Together” morning next half-term, and we look forward to welcoming you then.
In English, Year 1 children have been focusing on an important skill—writing lists! From everyday shopping lists to magical, imaginative lists, the children learned how to organise their thoughts and ideas in a clear and structured way. A key part of this was adding adjectives to describe the items in their lists. This encouraged them to think about how words can bring their writing to life. For example, instead of just writing “apples,” they might say “crisp, red apples.” Through this process, they are learning how to be descriptive and expressive in their writing, which is a crucial step in building their literacy skills.
Meanwhile, Year 2 students have been exploring the story The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch. This delightful book gave them the opportunity to explore speech, and they have been learning how to use both subordinating and coordinating conjunctions to create more complex sentences. These conjunctions help link ideas together, and the children practiced using them in their own writing, making their sentences richer and more detailed. For instance, they might write, “Mr. Grinling prepared lunch while Hamish the cat watched closely,” or “Mrs. Grinling packed the sandwiches, but the seagulls swooped in to steal them.” This focus on sentence structure is helping to elevate their writing to the next level!
In Maths, Year 1 children have been working hard on their doubles. They explored the concept by using hands-on activities like counters and cubes to see how numbers can double up. This not only strengthens their number recognition but also builds a foundation for more advanced addition and multiplication down the line. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence growing as they begin to recall doubles quickly and correctly.
For Year 2, the focus has been on measurement. The children worked in small groups, learning how to use rulers and other tools to measure a variety of objects around the classroom with precision. This activity didn’t just teach them how to measure in centimetres but also developed their teamwork and communication skills, as they had to work together to ensure they were being accurate. Understanding measurement is a key skill, not only in maths but also in real-life situations, so it’s fantastic to see the children engaging so well with this.
In DT, the Year 2 children have focussed on free-standing structures. We explored some of the most famous buildings and towers from around the world—like the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the Statue of Liberty. The children were tasked with evaluating these structures, considering what makes them stand tall and strong. They also discussed how they might apply these principles in their own future design projects.
For Year 1, the focus was on creating a pilot (test) slider as part of their design and technology curriculum. This was a fun, hands-on activity that allowed them to explore the mechanics of movement. The children experimented with different materials and designs, learning through trial and error how to make their sliders work effectively. It was great to see their creativity come to life as they tested out different ideas!
Music this week has introduced the children to the concept of patterns in notes. Through clapping, singing, and playing instruments, the children began to notice how certain notes repeat or follow specific patterns, helping to create melodies and rhythms. This is an important early step in understanding musical notation, and it’s wonderful to see the children making connections between sounds and symbols.
As always, the children’s enthusiasm and curiosity have been at the heart of our learning this week. We are looking forward to continuing our journey together, exploring new ideas and deepening our understanding in each subject. Thank you once again to all the parents who joined us for the Learning Together morning—it really made the week special. If you couldn’t make it, we can’t wait to welcome you next time!
Have a restful weekend
Welcome to Lime Class!
Lime Class has had another amazing week, filled with new routines and a lot of hard work. The students have risen to the challenge, adapting quickly and putting in maximum effort. After such a productive week, they certainly deserve a restful weekend. They’ve managed to cover a wide range of subjects, showcasing their enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
In English, we focused on grammatical terminology and explored the fascinating life of Roald Dahl. After reading and analyzing his biography, the students had the opportunity to rewrite it in their own words, which helped develop their writing and comprehension skills. Meanwhile, in maths, we’ve been diving into place value, with a focus on reading, representing, and writing numbers up to and beyond 1,000. It’s been great to see the students’ confidence grow in handling larger numbers.
Our science lessons have been full of new vocabulary, as well as a review of terms the students already know. We’ve been busy sorting and classifying living things, which has sparked some lively discussions. In art, the class has been honing their drawing and shading techniques to create impressive 3D images. Music lessons have had a Latin American twist, with everyone enjoying the rhythms and beats as they danced along.
our PSHE lesson this week has been focused on friendships, with the class creating posters on how to be a good friend—to others and to themselves. In history, we learned more about Nelson Mandela, and in PE, we began exploring different team games such as hockey and football. Each day ends with a reading from Bill’s New Frock by Anne Fine, which has opened up thoughtful conversations about gender and fairness. In RE the year threes learned about the story behind the Hindu festival of Diwali, and drew a story map so that they could remember it. To top it all off, we’ve started learning about France in French lessons and have discussed online identity in computing. What an incredible start to the term!
Little Hadham Welcomes The Selfish Giant…
The recent Image Theatre production of Oscar Wilde’s short story, ‘The Selfish Giant’, brought joy and inspiration to the children of Little Hadham. The performance was a vibrant blend of laughter, singing, and storytelling, captivating the young audience and making them an integral part of the experience.
‘The Selfish Giant’ is a beautiful and moving tale that delves into themes of selfishness, realisation, and redemption. Through the giant’s journey, both children and adults are reminded of the profound value of generosity. The production skillfully portrayed these themes, engaging the children not just as spectators, but as participants in the unfolding narrative.
The involvement of the children in the performance added a unique and heartwarming dimension, making the story’s message of kindness and generosity resonate even more. The children’s laughter and singing filled the venue, creating an atmosphere of joy and community spirit.
Overall, the Image Theatre production of ‘The Selfish Giant’ in Little Hadham was a memorable and enriching experience for all, celebrating the timeless lessons of Oscar Wilde’s cherished story.
Take One Picture comes to Little Hadham Primary!
Today we opened the doors for our Whole School Art Exhibition! The event was a heartwarming celebration of creativity and talent, with our children eagerly showcasing their artistic achievements. The turnout was incredible, thank you for attending to support our budding artists.
It was lovely to see smiles as children proudly presented their work. It was truly inspiring to see the diverse range of artwork, from vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, each piece reflecting the unique creativity and hard work of our students.
Many parents expressed amazement at the progress their children have made. Comments like “I couldn’t believe how much my child has improved!” were heard frequently, highlighting the significant development in our pupils’ artistic skills.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all the parents who attended and supported this event. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world to our young artists. We also want to acknowledge the dedication and effort of our teachers, who have nurtured and guided the students throughout their creative journeys.
Thank you for making this event a memorable success. We look forward to more opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our talented students.
Campfire fun at Gilwell!
Another highlight of our trip so far has been the magical evening around the campfire. Willow Class have enjoyed singing songs, sharing stories, and who knew we had so many comedians- oh the jokes kept coming! The laughter around the fire was great to watch, and it’s been heartwarming to see the children bond and support each other.