We also had fun experiencing how Emperor Penguin colonies keep warm. By constantly moving in a huddle, they shield each other from the icy cold. We recreated this idea in class, keeping our own huddle moving to protect ourselves from a pretend snowstorm … brrrrrrrr! The children were fantastic at recalling the facts they had learned, and we were so impressed that we awarded everyone a ‘Penguin Expert’ certificate!
This week, we also thought about how to keep warm in winter and discussed how animals and birds adapt to different climates. Along the way, we learned some new vocabulary: hibernate, insulation, migration, and blubber. On Tuesday, the children made apple-and-seed bird feeders to take home. Crafting these feeders was a wonderful opportunity to practise fine motor skills as we carefully added sunflower seeds to the apples. While making them, we enjoyed watching an RSPB video showing birds feeding, spotting sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, and even a cheeky robin!
On Friday, we conducted a fun and educational ‘blubber experiment’ to explore how animals stay warm in icy conditions. The children tested their fingers in icy water and discovered that adding a layer of fat, acting as blubber, provided great insulation and kept their fingers warm. What a revelation!
In art, we used charcoals to create stunning pictures of winter trees. To complete our masterpieces, we added white chalk to depict snow on the branches and ground. The results were truly beautiful!
In mathematics, we focused on using the 100 square to help with counting and practised saying the names o
f larger numbers. We also enjoyed counting in tens and introduced the ‘Part-Part-Whole’ model to explore number bonds for 5. Using counters, the children investigated all the different ways to make numbers up to 5, developing their understanding of number relationships in a hands-on and engaging way.
Next week, we’re excited to dive into our new topic: Fossil Hunters and Mary Anning!
