Adventures in learning

In September we read the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The children really liked Baby Bear and were very angry with Goldilocks as she ate all of Baby Bear`s porridge and broke his chair. The children decided to make Baby Bear some new porridge by following a simple recipe and tried out different flavours. Honey flavoured porridge was the most popular.

The Greedy Rainbow is a story that taught us the importance of being kind and sharing. In this story Monkey found a rainbow who takes all the colours from the forest allowing it to grow bigger and bigger. This leaves all the animals and plants grey and feeling very sad. When the Greedy Rainbow shares all the colours it makes everyone happy again. While reading this story we also learned about rainbows and the beautiful colours they have.

The children at Hottingen School have been learning to read in English. The children have been developing their knowledge of phonics and sight words. Children have developed and practised their knowledge through different mediums and games such as memory, treasure hunt, bingo, fly swat, run to the word, painting the words and playdough.

We like to spend lots of time outside. We like to play in the playground, outdoor and drama games. The games that we enjoy are:

• Playing in the sandpit
• What time is it Mr Wolf
• Tag
• Duck, duck, goose,
• Frisbee
• Hand Ball Catch
• Ball handling skills
• Beans
• Keeper of the Keys
• Miming

Jack and the Bean Stalk was a very popular story with the children. They worked together to make magic beans, a giant bean stalk and a castle. They were able to retell and sequence the story. They really liked Jack as they thought he was very brave.

Children at Hottingen School are given the confidence and support to begin to read and write in English. We have a variety of age appropriate reading books both in fiction and non-fiction. This allows us to cater for the individual learning needs of each child. Exposure to different reading mediums expands the children's reading experience. Children are challenged and supported so that they reach their full potential.

Our pupils really enjoy arts and crafts. We like to make arts and craft that match the topic we are learning about.

The children develop their fine motor skills through a variety of activities such as play dough, threading, pegs, cutting, colouring, painting and Lego.

Our school location has a great advantage as it gives us access to the forest. We often take the opportunity to explore the plants and animals that live in the forest.

We had lots of fun learning about space through play. Together we transformed an old cardboard box into a rocket and made astronaut suits. In Hottingen School we understand the importance of sustainability and recycling. The children are always encouraged not to waste materials but to reuse them. With this topic they did a wonderful job.

On a wet winter day we took the opportunity to go to Trampolino. We had so much fun on the trampolines and in the bumper cars. We are looking forward to going again.

In Hottingen school we believe in child centred and child led learning. Often the topics we cover are instigated through the natural curiosity of our pupils. Within these topics we provide opportunities to learn scientifically, technically and mathematically. Throughout the year we have done various experiments and STEM activities. Here are some areas that we investigated;

• How to make a bridge using news paper
• How best to make a catapult so it throws objects the furthest
• How bees transfer pollen
• The effect of mixing water and oil
• Chemical reaction of water and alka seltzer – Lava Lamp
• What plants need to grow

Play is an important part of a child’s development. It helps them to develop emotionally, physically, cognitively and improve their imagination. It also provides an environment when children can express themselves and practice oral language without feeling judged. Our pupils love to play shop, home and doctors in our role play area.