'Let's Celebrate'

Our first week!

Everyone in Chameleons was very excited to come in and start exploring the Chameleons classroom. We went on a tour of each of the areas and learnt how to use them. We had lots of fun exploring and choosing our own learning, making new friends and sharing smiled and laughter. 

Phonics

Everyday the Chameleons are learning Phonics, focusing on one sound a day we learn what it sounds like and use it in a range of words. We practicing forming the letter both with our writing and our bodies using 'Squiggle me into a writer'. As we learn more sounds we will be able to start reading and writing CVC words.

Maths

We started the year looking at measure, comparing different objects with each other. We used our mathematical vocabulary to describe height (tall and short), length (long and short), size (big and small), weight (heavy and light) and capacity (empty and full).

We had a Teddy Bears Picnic and picked out different sized objects for each of the teddys to use. We also made a whole class potion using full cups of different liquids and in the water tray we kept using our mathematical language.

We started to look at numbers and focused on 1, 2 and 3. We practiced subitising (recognising numbers without needing to count) by playing a dot game. We showed those numbers on our fingers and came up with as many ways as possible to show each of those numbers. Using counters we experimented moving counters around to form different patters showing even more ways that 3 can be constructed. Finally we set out to find our own groups of 1, 2 and 3 from pictures.

We have been practicing our counting skills and looking at different tricks that we can do to help us count accurately. First we focused on whatever the last number we say when counting is the total and that is the number we need to remember. Second counting objects when they are in a mess is very tricky, so we helped ourselves by putting objects into a line so we know where we started and finished. Finally to help us focus on what we are counting we made counting wands that we can use to help us count things close and far away.

We focused on making 2's, everyone was given an object and then they had to hunt for another of the same object to make a 2. If we had one object in one hand and one object in the other hand then we knew that we had made 2.

Next we focused on the number 3, and we had a Teddy Bear's Picnic. We had three Teddy Bears, 3 plates, 3 cups, 3 apples, 3 oranges and 3 bananas. We counted out each of the objects to make sure that we had the correct number. At the end we even spotted that each bear had 3 different pieces of fruit on their plates.

We have been practicing our subitising skills in the Chameleons. Instead of counting we are trying to spot different numbers, we started by subitising dot patterns before trying to subitise sounds.  We all closed our eyes and listened to how many times the bell chimed, we then showed that number on our fingers.

The Chameleons have been counting to 5 on their fingers, we drew round our hands to show 5 and then counted out 5 objects putting one on each finger to show that we had 5 total objects.

Art

When we read 'The Mixed up Chameleon' we loved looking at the art inside the story and we learnt how Eric Carle created the pictures from his stories. We discussed what we enjoyed about some of his artwork before setting off to make our own. Just like Eric Carle we painted pieces of paper and used different tools to add texture and patterns. Each group used their group colour which will then be cut up into small pieces and used in a collage.

We experimented with using paints and mixing colours. Mr Gill rolled his sleaves up and then covered his hands in different colours of paint, we made predictions about what colour would be created when he mixed them together. Afterwards it was our turn, with a friend we each picked a colour and then did a high 5 mix, before printing it onto the paper.

Using our colour mixing skills and knowledge we created our own shape monsters. Each part of the monster was made using a different shape and we mixed our paints to get the desired colour.

School Council Voting

The Chameleons took part in the school council voting. First we watched the candidate statements before heading up to the library to cast our votes. Everyone was given one voting cube which we then had to place in the tray of the pupil we wanted to vote for.  

The Little Red Hen

The Chameleons read the story of The Little Red Hen, we created actions to retell the story as a whole class. During our choosing time we used puppets and masks to recreate the story and add our own twists and changes to the tale.

To celebrate the story of The Little Red Hen, the Chameleons went for a walk round the school grounds and we found some apples, we collected them up brought them back to the classroom and then we made apple cookies as a whole class. We grated apple, mushed banana and gave everything a good mix before scooping out cookies onto a baking tray. We enjoyed trying them the next day during snack time.