Storm Arwen had pretty much cleared most of the leaves off the trees by today. The Silver Birch tree was still hanging on to a few golden leaves. Today we went on the hunt for little treasures - anything that we considered to be beautiful. We collected them into a tin foil dish, that already had some woollen ties. The trays were filled with water and placed in the freezer over night, by tomorrow we hope to have some frozen mobiles.
Our literacy topic has taught us to do little things to protect our planet - all our resources today were reused or recycled and no plastic! The mobiles were free to make.
We had a seagull flying over us today - maybe blown inland from the seaside in the storm.
We listened to a poem about a Jackdaw today...
J-J-J-J-Jackdaw,
circling the back door,
showing off your knack for
letting rip that high caw,
cutting like a hacksaw
through the evening's calm core
giving it your jaw-jaw...

Today we read and agreed to our school internet safety and acceptable use agreement. We discussed the different things we needed to do to ensure we stayed safe online. We used the website Think U Know  www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ which explained everything we need to know about staying safe online. One of the main messages, is that the internet can be an exciting place to learn and have fun, but sometimes you might see something online that makes you feel worried, scared or sad. If that happens, tell an adult you trust like a parent or a teacher, and they can help.

We wanted to find out more about the geographical features of the Antarctic. So, we decided to do some research. We used the information books and the website www.dkfindout.com/uk/earth/continents/antarctica/.
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Today, we received a letter from Professor Alan Shepherd, who is in charge of the research that is happening in the Antarctic. He has found out that we have become experts in Antarctica and has ask us to join him at the Halley research base in the Antarctic.
We went on a virtual tour of the base and discovered lots of different areas – we even discovered a games room! We were particularly impressed with the observation room and the bridge linking the modules together.
We discussed what skills we might need to join the research team at the base in the Antarctic.

These were some of the skills we said we would need:
“To read maps”
“To be a good geologist”
“To be able to cook” 
“To know about the animals in the Antarctic”
“To be good at rock climbing”
“To know how to read data”
“To be good at maths”
“To understand the climate and weather in the Antarctic”
"To know what equipment we would need"
We then got into role and showed what skill we had.

As part of our Design and Technology, we have been exploring what food types scientists and explorers would need in the Antarctic to keep their energy levels up and to keep them healthy. We then tried some of the foods that the scientists would take with them on a long expedition. We tried some freeze dried pasta carbonara and Kendall mint cakes. We were surprised that it actually tasted quite nice!

Daffodils class watched an assembly from the NSPCC to help them to understand that they have the right to be safe and what to do if they feel worried or scared.

Today, we took part in our school assembly for remembrance day. Mrs Chapman spoke to us about why it was an important day and read us a poem called The Fallen. Reverend Harvey also spoke to us and helped us to remember those who had lost their lives in war. Some of the children in Daffodils dressed in their uniforms.

This week we have continued our work about the Antarctic. This half term we will focus on the geographical aspects of the continent. Today, we looked at the globe to locate the Antarctic and looked at where it was in relation to England. We discovered that it was in the Southern Hemisphere. When we looked on Google Earth, we could locate Argentina, where Ernest Shackleton had departed for his journey to the Antarctic. 
We then looked at the different regions of the Antarctic and located the various ice shelves. We even sent beebot on an adventure around the Antarctic using the correct compass directions! 

A beautiful Autumn day today, checking out the leaves that had fallen over the half term. Mrs Kavanagh had done some homework, and discovered that the HUGE leaf was a type of oak - a 'Red Oak', brought to the UK from America because of its beautiful colour in the autumn. You can see them along the river bank in Shrewsbury.
We found some amazing skeleton leaves and then focused on finding natural materials which would make a forest cone creature. The afternoon wasn't long enough!!

We have a new friend in Daffodils - Wilbur the worry monster! If we have a worry, we can write it down and give it to Wilbur. He then shares it with a grown up, who can help sort any worries we may have. We still have our worry box too, which we can put questions in about things we aren't sure about or news we want to share with a grown up in school. 
We enjoyed listening to the story 'The worry box' by Suzanne Chiew. It is about a bear called Murray who has lots of worries. We discussed that sharing worries makes them feel smaller and less scary. One of the characters in the story said "When my worries are in the box they don't stop me from having fun!"

We hope that you have all had a lovely half term break and have kept safe and well.
We are in for another busy half term!
Our main topic this half term is still the Antarctic but learning about the geographical features and environmental damage caused by climate change. Through our mantle, we will become scientists, that will be based in the Antarctic measuring the melting ice glaciers. We will be locating different areas in the Antarctic and taking daily readings of the ice. We will learn about how scientists work to help prevent climate change. As part of our Design and Technology project we will be finding out about and making food that explorers would take with them to the Antarctic.
Maths
We will be focusing on multiplication and division this half term. Remember to go on TTRocks as much as possible – you will learn your time tables whilst having fun!
PSHE
We will be continuing to discuss families and friendships this half term.
Science
This half term we will be learning all about light and how shadows are formed. We will be finding out about how light and dark are different in the Antarctic.
Reading
Please make sure you bring in your reading diaries and book bags every day. We read every day in some form or another and also, for enjoyment.
Forest school
Forest school will continue to be on a Tuesday every other week. Please make sure you have the correct kit with you. It is getting colder now, so make sure you have plenty of layers! We will go out in all weather.
We are looking forward to catching up with you all over the next few weeks. If you are unable to make an appointment at a convenient time for you, please come and see us and we can find time that would suit you.

We are always here if you have any worries or questions. 
Mrs Kavanagh and Mrs Humphreys