Willow Class Blog Spring 1 Week 3

Date: 23rd Jan 2026 @ 12:48pm

We have had a busy and engaging week with lots of learning taking place across the curriculum.

In dance this week, we added an alien theme to our routine. We listened to the story Aliens Love Underpants and thought carefully about the movements the aliens might make. We explored how to show character through movement by changing our levels, actions and speed. We then combined these ideas into a finished routine and performed it to Maple, showing confidence and teamwork.

Our play project was themed around penguins to celebrate National Penguin Day. We created igloos and penguins, using our imagination during explore and learn. We also located Antarctica on a map, learning where penguins live and discussing the environment they need to survive. We watched Andy's adventures to find out more about Emperor Penguins.Andys Wild Adventures - Series 1: 1. Emperor Penguins - BBC iPlayer

In maths, Year 1 have been learning about 3D shapes, focusing on the properties of cubes, cuboids, pyramids and spheres. They explored the number of faces, edges and vertices and identified these shapes in everyday objects. Year 2 have been learning about multiplication, focusing on repeated addition and equal groups. They also created an array city to help represent multiplication visually.

In English, Group 1 have been writing about the boy’s failed attempts at catching the star, focusing on retelling key events. Group 2 have begun to innovate the text, using the original story structure to create their own imaginative versions.

In science, we built our own houses with different types of roofs. We tested our designs using water to see which materials were most effective at keeping the house dry. Through investigation and discussion, we found that foil was the best material.

In history, we began learning about the moon landing. The children explored a range of sources of evidence linked to the main event and discussed how historians use evidence to learn about the past.

In reading, Year 1 have been reading Beegu, focusing on understanding the characters and events. Year 2 have continued reading Ted Rules the World, developing comprehension and discussion skills.

In computing, we developed our programming skills by programming Beebots to move around a mat. Wepractised giving clear instructions and debugging when the Beebot did not move as expected.

In RE, we explored aparable and created story cubes to identify and retell the key parts of the story. Treasure Champs. 30: Forgiveness - 'The Prodigal Son' - BBC Teach In PSHE, we discussed how to take photographs safely and the importance of asking permission before taking pictures. We used Jessie Friends videos to explore the importance of consent and how photos can be shared beyond the person shared with.

We have enjoyed:

Answering questions and writing sentences using and and but to share how the boy caught the star - Frankie and Alfie.
Looking at 3D shapes in Maths - Della.
Playing in the small world - Loris and India.
Playing horses - Sophie.
Watching pingu and creating my own igloo - Bunny.
Drawing a rocket ship - Szymon.
Making a penguin with Octaviah - Daisy-Mai.
Making my nest - Archie.
Making an igloo using lego - Raf.
Doing my number bonds to 10 and 20 - Penny.
Making a penguin picture - George.
Writing a spell - Bea.
Making a chick box -Grey and Noah.