Ah Christmas is definitely on its way here…

The festive season is here, and we couldn’t be more excited at Little Hadham Primary School! The hall is buzzing with the sound of Christmas songs as we countdown to the big day.

A huge thank you to our very own Mr. Trundle Claus, who has worked his Christmas magic to make our tree look absolutely spectacular. With lots of wrapped gifts, it’s brought a warm, festive glow to our school. Every time we seeit, it feels like Christmas is definitely on its way!

Stay tuned for all the festive fun ahead – from songs to crafts and maybe even a surprise visit from a jolly man in red!

Finding our way around!

Lime Class has had an incredibly busy and exciting week, filled with creativity and learning! In English, we read a Mongolian folk tale called The Swallow and the Wasp. After acting it out to fully understand the story, we rewrote it with our own animal characters, which brought a fresh and imaginative twist to the tale. It was fascinating to see everyone’s unique ideas come to life on paper, and the activity helped us improve both our storytelling and writing skills.

In maths, we’ve been mastering the art of addition and subtraction using formal written methods. While these techniques seemed tricky at first, we quickly realized how useful our previous knowledge was. Number bonds, halves, doubles, and times tables acted like secret tools, making even the hardest problems more manageable. It felt rewarding to see how these smaller facts connected to bigger challenges, giving us a solid foundation to build upon as we tackled larger numbers.

Science and geography lessons brought hands-on adventures to the classroom and beyond. Year 3 had a fantastic time labeling the human skeleton. We used Post-it notes to mark where major bones like the skull, femur, and ribcage are located on our own bodies, turning ourselves into walking anatomy diagrams! In geography, we explored how humans navigate the world, learning about compasses and directions. We even made our own compasses and took them outside to play an exciting game of “North, South, East, and West” in the playground, testing our skills while having fun.

In computing we began a media unit about creating digital content and enjoyed learning about the advantages and disadvantages of using text or images or putting both together by looking at common signs we might find around us.  We also discussed how we use emojis on line and how to be respectful and considerate.

Our creative projects this week were as varied as they were inspiring. For Remembrance Day, we painted beautiful watercolour poppies, which added a thoughtful and artistic touch to our remembrance assembly.  We also got festive, decorating paper bags with Christmas designs to fill with prizes for the Christmas bazaar. In music, we learned about Tchaikovsky and listened to pieces from The Nutcracker Suite. We drew along to the music and discussed our feelings and opinions about the pieces, learning to express ourselves thoughtfully. One of the biggest highlights of the term has been our 3D pencil robots, now proudly displayed in the classroom. These intricate creations were the result of weeks of skill-building and hard work in art.

PHSE has seen us discussing the meaning of ‘odd socks day’ which reiterates the theme of valuing difference which we are following this half term. One of the things which makes us different to others is our birthdays and we had a great time playing a fun warm up game that saw us getting into birthdate order. The twist was that we were not allowed to speak, only sign!

Physical activity and collaboration rounded off our week. In PE, we started a basketball unit, learning to dribble with both hands and travel while maintaining control. It was tricky at first, especially trying to look up while moving, but we’re making great progress! A huge thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our “Learning Together” morning. It was wonderful to see the children take on the role of teachers, proudly demonstrating the spelling techniques we use in class. It’s been a fantastic week in Lime Class, and we’re feeling excited to see what the rest of the term will bring!

15.11.2024 Diaries, letters and seasonal stockings!

Our week began on an exciting note as we received our first letters from our penpals in Greece! In their letters, the Greek children introduced themselves, sharing details about their families, friends, and daily lives. They also wrote about their favourite school subjects, hobbies, and personal interests, giving us a glimpse into their world. Inspired by their thoughtful letters, we wrote letters back, introducing ourselves and describing our own families, favourite activities, and school experiences. The children are eagerly looking forward to receiving the next letters and continuing this wonderful cultural exchange.

 

In DT this week, the children enthusiastically planned their very own Christmas stockings. This hands-on project will allow them to improve their sewing stitches, which will be used both for joining materials effectively and for adding creative decorative touches such as buttons to their designs. As part of the planning process, the children considered the design criteria—the specific objectives their stockings need to meet to ensure success. Two key criteria were highlighted: function and visual appeal, making this decoration attractive and festive for the holiday season. Through this activity, the children have laid the foundation for a thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted festive project.

In English, the children watched a thought-provoking clip about Esther, a homeless woman searching through a junkyard. The story showed how she passed by useful items to find broken or discarded treasures, showing her unique way of seeing things. Inspired by Esther’s journey, the children wrote diary entries. They used noun phrases, similes and metaphors to make their writing more vivid and tried different sentence starters to improve their descriptions. This activity helped them build empathy and develop their creative writing skills.

 

In Maths, the children explored the concepts of multiples and factors. They practiced identifying multiples of given numbers by recognising patterns in times tables and explored factors by finding numbers that divide exactly into a given number. Through a variety of activities, such as drawing factor bugs, they developed a clearer understanding of these key mathematical ideas.

 

Thank you for joining us for our Learning Together Morning! We loved sharing our spelling strategies with you and engaging in a variety of activities to reinforce this week’s spellings. Your participation made the session very enjoyable!

 

Choosing Respect!

In Early Years, we started our week in a reflective way, as we thought about Remembrance Day and the symbol of the poppy. The children felt that it was a very important day “because there was fighting and people died”. They decided to make poppies during their choosing time, and really enjoyed the story Stubby, read to them by the school captains.

Odd Sock Day, to mark Anti-Bullying week, had us thinking all about how special it is to be unique and different from one another, and how difference is to be celebrated! We listened to a song to help us remember to Choose Respect, and read stories that celebrated difference and kindness. We even worked together to find odd socks all over the forest, and found matching pairs as part of our maths learning!

The children have continued their work in Literacy, having read our core text ‘I will not ever NEVER eat a tomato’ by Lauren Child. They have enjoyed thinking about their favourite foods and have used the sounds that they have been learning to write captions for their pictures to create our class display. In the story, Charlie plays a trick on Lola to get her to eat her food… we decided to give this a go ourselves! We thought about how a carrot could be disguised as… “a snowman’s nose”, “a unicorn horn” or even “a point from a star”! Some of the children then enjoyed using a carrot as a paintbrush and created some wonderful paintings.

Early Years have been learning about how important it is to look after their teeth, by brushing them and eating healthy food. This week, we discussed what it is like when you visit the dentist. The children were able to share their own experiences of when they have visited the dentist. They enjoyed acting out a dentist visit during choosing time.

Ash and Saplings thoroughly enjoyed their Learning Together Morning with their grown ups, sharing their learning and activities so eagerly. With a focus on our Food topic, children were busy making fruit out of play doh and pizzas from our loose parts and shapes. Collages were created, of food they liked and disliked, and dinners on paper plates were drawn. There were also plenty of spellings games for the children to choose from and share the sounds that they know with their adults. It was a very busy and happy morning in the classroom!

 

We will remember them

On Sunday 10th November, our School Captains played a key role at the Little Hadham Village Remembrance service as they laid a poppy wreath on behalf of all at Little Hadham Primary School. It was incredibly moving to hear the names read aloud of those individuals from our village who had lost their lives in the Great War.

On Monday 11th November, we led a whole school Remembrance assembly. Our Captains had asked all children across the school to make a poppy to wear for this special assembly. In Willow Class, we made pinwheel poppies. How wonderful to see a sea of poppies of remembrance!

Our Captains shared information about the First World War and the signing of the peace agreement. They told us how at 11 o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns fell silent and the fighting stopped. Our Captains then shared information about the significance of the poppy and why people wear poppies. We held a two minute silence and watched a beautiful and evocative video that sees war as experienced by animals in a WWI battlefield.  You can click the link here to watch this moving two-minute film. Poppies

In the afternoon, our Captains read the story of Stubby to our children in the Early Years. The story of Stubby is a true story. Stubby was a brave soldier, a loyal friend… and a dog! From an army training camp to the trenches in France, the book tells the incredible true story of Sergeant Stubby, the dog who served bravely in the First World War, sniffing out gas attacks, catching spies and winning the hearts of his fellow soldiers.
Thank you to Belle, Dylan, Abigail and Max for your planning and delivery of these Remembrance activities.

This week, Ralph brought in some photographs of his great, great, great- uncle who served in the First World War. We learnt that he had been injured in combat five times before sadly being killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. Thank you, Ralph, for sharing this piece of your family’s history with us and for sharing your great, great, great-uncle’s story.

In History, we learnt about the Blitz during World War Two. We learnt that the word Blitz comes from the German word Blitzkrieg meaning Lightning War. After learning about the events of the Blitz, we wrote eyewitness accounts of this period.

In English, we used different editing techniques to improve and redraft our flashback writing based on the short film ‘Piano’ by Aidan Gibbons. The editing techniques helped us to focus on key aspects of our writing such as using the correct register and voice throughout our writing and ensured we didn’t get distracted by punctuation and spellings.

We are proud of our final flashbacks and thoroughly enjoyed sharing our writing with each other. You can watch the short film ‘Piano’ by clicking this link. The Piano

This week has been Anti-Bullying week and this year’s theme is Choose Respect, linking beautifully with the work we have been doing on Rights Respecting Schools. We wore odd socks to  show we’ are ALL unique and different, and to remind us to be kind to each other and respect each other’s individuality. We designed posters with the theme ‘Choose Respect’ and listened to this year’s Anti-Bullying theme song. You can listen to it here by clicking the link. Choose Respect song

In Science, learnt about how light travels. We created 3D models explaining how light travels in straight lines from a light source, bounces off an object as it is reflected and then continues to travel in a straight line into our eyes.

We tested different objects to see if they were transparent, translucent or opaque.

As the date for our annual Christmas Bazaar approaches, we are putting the final touches to our Christmas decorations and Christmas paper bags.  Please fill your beautifully decorated paper bag with goodies such as stickers, pencils, note pad, bubbles, sweets (no nuts, please) etc. and return to school by Friday 22nd November. The filled paper bag stall is always a firm favourite with the children at the Bazaar! Thank you in advance for your contributions.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Creativity, curiosity, and collaboration

We’ve had a fantastic week of learning in Beech Class! One of the highlights was our Learning Together Morning, where we focused on spelling strategies. It was wonderful to see so many parents join us, engaging with the various techniques we explored to support spelling at home and in the classroom. For those who weren’t able to attend, please don’t worry—we will be hosting another Learning Together Morning next half-term, and we look forward to seeing you there.

In English, the Year 1 children have been diving into the much-loved story Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy. They worked hard to sequence the events of the story and used it as a tool to spot and practice key grammar patterns, such as sentence structure and punctuation. Their enthusiasm for the story has been wonderful to see. At the same time, the Year 2 children have been embracing the world of poetry, focusing on onomatopoeia and how words can create vivid sounds and images. They channelled their creativity into writing calligrams—shaped poems that visually represent their subjects. Their festive calligrams about Christmas trees were truly impressive, capturing the sparkle and magic of the season.

In History, we’ve been continuing our exploration of the Great Fire of London. This week, we delved into the causes of the fire, discussing how factors like wooden houses and narrow streets contributed to its rapid spread. The children also reflected on the important lessons learned from the fire and how these led to changes in building materials and city planning that have made London safer.

Art has been an inspiring area of learning, with Year 2 children exploring the technique of pointillism. They compared different paintings that use this method and discussed how tiny dots of colour can come together to form beautiful, detailed images. Meanwhile, the Year 1 children have been practicing various line styles, taking inspiration from the work of Paul Klee. It has been wonderful to see how their confidence in using different artistic techniques is growing.

Computing has been another area of focus this week. The Year 2 children have been developing their confidence with technology by practicing how to log onto laptops independently and safely shut them down—a valuable skill for their growing digital literacy. The Year 1 children have been using Scratch Junior on the iPads, an engaging and child-friendly app that introduces them to basic programming concepts. Through Scratch Junior, they’ve been learning to create their own animations and interactive stories, developing problem-solving skills and creativity along the way.

It’s been a week full of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. The children’s enthusiasm and hard work across all areas of learning have been a joy to see. Thank you for your continued support, and we’re excited to share even more learning adventures with you in the weeks to come!

Celebrating Our Year 5 and 6 Tag Rugby Stars!

A massive well done to our incredible Year 5 and 6 pupils who took part in a local schools’ tag rugby competition this week. Not only did they play with heart, teamwork, and skill, but they also didn’t lose a single game! That’s right—our team was unstoppable!

The children showcased fantastic sportsmanship throughout the day, with swift passes, daring runs, and some impressive tries that wowed the crowd. Their hard work in practice certainly paid off. Could we be seeing future England or Ireland rugby players in the making? Watch this space!

We’re so proud of all the players who represented our school with pride and determination. You’ve inspired us all—whether it’s on the pitch or cheering from the sidelines. Well done, team!

We Will Remember Them.

On Sunday, 10th November, our School Captains played a key role at the Little Hadham Village Remembrance Service. They laid a poppy wreath on behalf of all at Little Hadham Primary School, joining the local community in an act of remembrance. It was incredibly moving to hear the names of those from our village who gave their lives during the Great War, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Then on Monday 11th November, we led a whole school Remembrance assembly. Our Captains had asked all children across the school to make a poppy to wear for this special assembly. In Willow Class, we made pinwheel poppies. How wonderful to see a sea of poppies of remembrance!

Our Captains shared information about the First World War and the signing of the peace agreement. They told us how at 11 o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns fell silent and the fighting stopped. Our Captains then shared information about the significance of the poppy and why people wear poppies. We held a two minute silence and watched a beautiful and evocative video that sees war as experienced by animals in a WWI battlefield.

 

 

Happy half term!

Half-term has arrived, marking the end of a productive eight-week period for Lime Class! The children have accomplished an impressive amount, making incredible strides in their learning and personal growth. It was wonderful to connect with all the parents on Wednesday, and the children were thrilled to show off their work and share their progress.

This week, the class wrapped up their project on non-chronological reports with a research-driven, step-by-step approach to writing about the blue whale. This report ties directly to their science unit on animal identification and classification, allowing them to apply their knowledge across subjects. In math, the children have been using base-10 materials to develop their understanding of addition and subtraction, focusing particularly on regrouping across tens, hundreds, and thousands. They’ve become adept at explaining and proving their methods, strengthening their critical thinking.

In history, the children had a meaningful opportunity to enhance their discussion and empathy skills by interviewing each other about how life has evolved for Black communities in Britain over the past 60 years. They approached this challenging topic with maturity and insight, engaging thoughtfully with each other’s perspectives.

Together, the class created a human timeline to visualize and discuss key events, beginning with the arrival of the Empire Windrush and culminating in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. This interactive timeline helped them explore how each event impacted different communities, promoting a deeper understanding of historical and social change in Britain.

In art, students have been honing their drawing skills, showcasing their talent by creating a shaded, 3D illustration of a robot. Comparing these with their earlier work, the children were able to see their progress since September, boosting their confidence and pride in their artistic growth.

Reflecting on the term, Lime Class has truly settled into their learning environment, becoming more independent and enthusiastic learners. I am so proud of their maturity and dedication. Enjoy a relaxing, well-deserved break, everyone!

A Golden end to Half Term

Ash and Saplings have had a great last week of this half term. In dance, we continued with our under and over work with our partners to spooky music. The children moved around each other really well and were able to move their bodies in different ways. We finished off with our spookiest poses.

After reading the story of The Very Busy Spider, the children covered the forest in glittery spider webs, using sparkly wool. They enjoyed threading the wool through branches and trees.

During choosing time, the children have enjoyed using saucepans and pumpkins to recreate making their own pumpkin soup. Outside, they have also been working together to create a race track out of gutters. The grown ups were so impressed with the teamwork and managing to solve problems together. They have also enjoyed leaf printing and painting. The classroom has been feeling very Autumnal!

The children enjoyed their Golden Morning and couldn’t wait to tell their friends and the grown ups about the activities they had been busy doing. Activities included making miniature gardens, water colours, cookery and circus skills. A great morning was had by all.

We finished off our half term with a jewel in the jar treat and this time we had an Autumn Party! The children had great fun playing games such as musical statues and Simon Says, as well as dancing and cakes.

 

 

 

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