The Squirrels class had a go at planting some tree saplings along the fence line of the school field. They planted a hawthorn, silver birch and rowan tree. They looked closely at the structure of the saplings; noticing the complexity of the roots and how leaves were emerging from the shoots on the trees small trunks. They had a great time digging holes for the saplings. The class found lots of worms and even a small snake in the soil. This inspired some children to create a small bug hotel in the corner of the field. Once the saplings and plants were planted, the children spent lots of time watering them.
We discovered lots of bindweed, which is really fast growing and invasive and would cover the fruit bushes planted in he growing area, so the Squirrels class spent lots of time removing it and making the growing space tidy.
Each of the children had a diagram of plants and had a go at drawing how the water is drawn up from the roots and how the food created in the leaves from sunlight is passed around the plants. Some of the children had a go at making some rubbings of wood with paper and wax crayons.
This term Squirrel Class’ topic is all about growing and plants, so the children took care to spot how the environment has started growing this spring. They walked to the woods and they identified blossom bluebells, violets, celandines and wood anemone flowers.
Once in the woods the children each chose a ‘sit spot’ and spent 5 minutes sitting quietly whilst listening to the sounds of nature. They talked about the importance of not playing in amongst the bluebells as they are flowering, to preserve them. There was time to all climb up on the dinosaur tree, where the children showed great agility and risk taking.
Well done Squirrels class and again a huge thank you to the parent volunteers who came and supported the children so fantastically.
