Headteacher: Anna Moss

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23.04.21

Hello Red Class,

Well done for making a great start to the new term. This week, we met Okeyo who lives in Kenya. We will spend the next four weeks finding out about Okeyo and his life in Kenya.

We used Google Earth to find the continent of Africa before looking for Kenya and Okeyo’s school. We had enough time to find some of the main features of Blackwell including our school, park and St Catherine’s Church. We looked at photos of a bustling Kenyan market, mountains and a beautiful savanna.

The children asked some fantastic questions about Kenya.

• Are there volcanoes in Kenya?
• Why is their flag different to our flag?
• What is their money like?
• Can Okeyo see animals from his garden?

When Okeyo travels to school, he sees tigers and elephants. We see houses, shops and lots of cars. Okeyo has a lot of friends and they all enjoy learning together. However, we discovered that Okeyo’s school is different to Blackwell. He doesn’t have any toys to play with and they have one meal a day. We decided to help Okeyo by raising money for African Promise. This is a charity helping to improve primary schools in rural Kenya.

It takes Okeyo an hour to walk to school every day. Next week, we would like to take the children for an hour long walk around the village to help them to appreciate Okeyo’s experience. If you would like to help raise money for African Promise, by sponsoring our walk, please send an envelope into school labelled ‘African Promise’.

At the end of the topic, we need to present our learning to Mrs Moss during a Zoom assembly. Mrs Moss will then decide if each class deserves a donation for their chosen charity.

What a busy week! Now, it’s time to enjoy the sunshine with plenty of time to read, rest and play.

Mrs Webb and Red Class Team xxx

26.03.21

Hello Red Class,

Today was the last day of our ‘Native Americans’ topic. We celebrated with an online Zoom showcase of dance, singing and storytelling. We recorded our rain dance for all our friends to see. Next week, we start our final topic of the spring term, ‘Easter’. We’re looking forward to a virtual trip to Worcester Cathedral.

In Phonics, this week, we learned to read and write words using ‘oi’ (boil), ‘ur’ (turn), ‘ow’ (cow) and ‘er’ (flower) and talked about the keyword ‘are’. Handwriting sessions focused on ‘v’, ‘w’ and ‘z’. We’ll learn about ‘x’ next week. You can find videos to help below:

V and W: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2blzGPk2Eg

X and Z: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5RHwFCkWM

In Maths, we compared and measured the weight of objects using bucket scales and explored weighing in everyday life e.g. baking. Can you find any scales at home? How do they work? We also had time for some pattern work and we explored patterns in different ways e.g. drawing, using natural objects and finding patterns in the classroom. Can you find and make patterns at home? Try making repeating patterns.

At Forest School, Mrs Flynn showed us how to use a saw and we started to make tree cookies. She was proud of your listening and behaviour. You used the tools and equipment sensibly and safely. We also had a lot of fun playing Forest School tig.

We’re looking forward to seeing Red Class families at our virtual Easter event on Thursday, 1^st April at 10am.

Here’s a link to ‘I’m A Spring Chicken’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEey4LZLeGw

Listen to the song over the weekend and you’ll be ready for our performance.

Hopefully, the sun will shine for you this weekend.

Mrs Webb and Team Red Class xxx

19.03.21

I’m really proud of you, Red Class. I know many of you were under the weather this week. However, you still tried hard to listen and learn. Dr Webb suggests lots of rest, play and cuddles over the weekend.

We revisited ‘oo’ (moon), ‘oo’ (look), ‘ar’ (farm) and ‘or’ (cork) and introduced a new keyword ‘all’. Every lesson, we read words, phrases and sentences with our target sounds and keywords. You will find a new phonics book in your book bag.

Handwriting sessions focused on ‘p’, ‘j’ and ‘s’. You can practise your letter formation at home using the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ad5hDpIkmM We start every day with a fine motor or handwriting activity. We draw Write Dance pictures, practise name writing and letter formation. All before 8.45am! We write throughout the day during Phonics, handwriting sessions, focus groups and during play and explore time. Try to write at home too. Maybe you could write a shopping list for your family or you could write cards for your friends.

In Maths, we used songs and storytelling to find out about subtraction. We used the word ‘difference’ to name the answer in a subtraction. For example, Redmond Bear had 8 biscuits in his biscuit tin. He munched one biscuit and the difference was 7. Sometimes, in subtraction, we reduce the number by removing objects and sometimes we compare objects to find the difference. We can also use the part-whole model. However, we’ll learn about that another day.

During our History lessons, we found out about a little girl called Awena. You asked some wonderful questions about her life as a Native American. Throughout the week, you discovered a lot of things about Awena including where she lived and the toys she liked to play with. Well done for being good historians by looking carefully at artefacts, asking questions and thinking about the past.

Every day, we dance to Mrs Hampton’s wake and shake with a little bit of help from our wake and shake leaders. We enjoy a movement break in the afternoon too and this week we joined Jack Hartmann for his ‘Animal Dance and Freeze’. Click the link if you want to dance at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpOe8lngp_o

Rest, play and enjoy your weekend.

Mrs Webb and Team Red Class xxx

13.03.21

Hello Red Class,

Put your finger on your nose if you feel tired. I’m touching my nose too. Well done for completing your first week back at school.

Play and Explore was a hive of activity and talk for the first few days. It was obvious you’d missed each other. We added a Red Class verse to our Blackwell Sea Shanty. It celebrated our ability to play and learn together again. It was wonderful to see this in action at Forest School. From imaginative play (using the old log as a rocket and creating houses under low-lying branches), to making natural discoveries (spring flowers and worms) and teamwork (making a rope swing and tipi). You were happy, settled and fully engaged in your play with your friends.

We played games in Phonics to recap sounds and actions for ‘ai’, ‘ee’, ‘oa’ and ‘igh’ and discovered a new keyword ‘they’. To learn new keywords, we think about the part we know (th) and the part we might find tricky (ey). We also find ways to remember the word. So, we decided that ‘they’ was ‘the’ with ‘y’ at the end. Over the next week, we will update your little blue phonics books. You can take your time to draw pictures during the half term and Easter holiday. If needed, we will also send home a second reading book to recap some tricky letter sounds.

In Maths, we revisited 2D shapes and described and counted sides and vertices (corners). Handwriting lessons focused on ‘b’, ‘h’ and ‘k’. If you would like to recap these letters at home, you can find the You Tube clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMEIvn3B1nk

The milk routine is in full swing again. Children aged 4 are entitled to free school milk and you can purchase milk for your child once they turn 5. Just contact Cool Milk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like further information.

Hopefully, in your bookbags, you will find a little surprise for Mothering Sunday. Give it to your mummy on Sunday and say a big ‘THANK YOU’.

Play, rest and relax this weekend and we’ll see you ready for learning on Monday.

Mrs Webb and Team Red Class xxx

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18.12.20

Dear Red Class Families,

Can you believe the children have finished their first term at school? We’ve achieved so much already. From learning letter sounds, to playing with numbers, writing letters in our name and making new friends. It’s certainly time for a rest.

We’ve popped a new book into your child’s book bag tonight and if there’s time for name writing that would be even better. We’ve spent the last two weeks learning number rhymes to support formation too.

0 – Around and round and round we go. When we get home we have a zero.

1 – Start at the top and down we run. That’s the way to make one.

2 –Around and back on a railway track. Two, two, two!

3 - Around the tree and around the tree. That’s the way to make three.

4 – Down and across and down some more. That’s the way to make four.

5 – Down and around then a flag on high. That’s the way to make five.

6 – Down we go and make a loop. Number six has a hoop.

7 – Across the sky and down from heaven. That’s the way to make seven.

8 – Make an ‘s’ and do not wait. That’s the way to make eight.

9 – Make a loop and then a line. That’s the way to make nine.  

During the holidays, please check name labels, especially in jumpers. If your child has picked one up by accident, just return it to school in January. We’ve sent wellies home just in case you need them for any muddy walks.

At the end of the day, the children treated me to a wonderful surprise. They’d planned a song, dance and card along with cheeky Elf Hampton. There were tears. Happy tears! It was a wonderful surprise.

Wishing everyone in Red Class a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic 2021.

Lots of love,

Mrs Webb, Mrs Hampton, Mrs Dyson, Mrs Flynn, Miss Barber, Mr Moran and Miss Edwards xxx

12.12.20

Hello Red Class Families,

We enjoyed a busy week piecing together a masterpiece! If you like masks slipping down faces, slightly squeaky singing from the teacher and a lot of sweet faces, then you’re in for a treat! In fact, at one point, I was told my voice was ‘a little dominant’ by the filmmaker. Mariah Carey move over. Mrs Webb is the Queen of Christmas.

In PE, we explored the meaning of ‘travel’, ‘follow’ and ‘amazed’ from our topic vocabulary map. We followed a star around the playground and travelled in different ways. Finally, we danced with a partner to create a short phrase. We considered how to look amazed through our facial expressions and movements.

In Phonics, we discovered the sound, action and song for ‘j’, ‘v’, ‘w’ and ‘x’. You should find matching letter cards in your little blue book. Please draw or cut and stick a picture for each letter sound. We also tried hard to discriminate ‘b’ and ‘d’. We used photo cards of mouth shapes and a picture of a ‘bed’ to match the correct sound to the corresponding letter shape.

Hopefully, in your bookbags, you should find a Christmas card made by your little one, a calendar, Christmas cards from friends, a name card to support name identification and writing and a b/d photo card to support recognition at home. In fact, the latter could be used as a bookmark. We received quite a few packs of cards on Friday, so we’ll send them out next week.

In Maths, we compared and measured length and height. The children compared items in the classroom using appropriate vocabulary e.g. ‘short’, ‘long’, ‘longer’ and ‘longest’ for length. Later in the week, the children used cubes and wax crayons to measure the length of items. Can you find and use measuring equipment at home? You could compare the length of your family’s shoes or the height of your favourite teddies.

In RE lessons (Religious Education), we discussed Christian beliefs and practices around the festival of Christmas. We talked about how the children celebrate Christmas and how our experiences are similar and different. We introduced the children to the Jewish festival of Hannukah which is also celebrated at this time. Throughout the year, and throughout their time at Blackwell, the children will learn about different religions, reflect on their own thoughts and feelings and learn to appreciate and respect the ideas and beliefs of people in their community and around the world.

As part of our Christmas play, we’ve been singing ‘Follow the Star’ and on 21^st December, Jupiter and Saturn will align to form a very bright ‘Christmas star’. The best time to see it should be an hour after sunset. Thank you, Mrs Flynn, for letting us know.

We believe some Red Class elves have been working very hard recently. Yesterday, we received some beautiful gifts and they’re currently under my tree ready for the big day. On behalf of myself and the team, we would like to say a big ‘thank you’. We know life, in the middle of COVID-19, is very tricky and we appreciate all the support you’ve shown our little Red Class team.

Enjoy a lovely weekend and we’ll see you on Monday for the last week of term and Christmas Story Night (5.30pm-7pm).

Best wishes,

Mrs Webb, Mrs Hampton, Miss Barber, Mrs Dyson and Mrs Flynn xxx

4.12.20

Hello Red Class Families,

It was a wet Forest School session but we made the most of it with lots of games and activities. We started the session with a co-operation game, called ‘sticky elbows’, where the children moved around the site with their partner by joining elbows. We used other body parts too. We discovered how to use materials from the forest to play games. We used sticks, leaves and pine cones to play ‘three in a row’. We also used the loppers to trim the holly. Today, was our final Forest School session for this half term. The children can wear their usual school uniform for the remaining days of term.  

In Maths, we recapped how to make numbers between 6 and 10 using the ‘5 and …’ rule. We used a timer to see how quickly we could make each number and the children were very speedy. We also practised writing numerals using rhymes and pictures. The children created great numeral animals by using a different numeral for each body part. We covered 1, 4 and 7 (straight line numerals) and we’ve just started curved numerals (3). Here are the rhymes so far:

1 – Start at the top and down we run. That’s the way we make 1.

3 - Around the tree and around the tree. That’s the way we make 3.

4 - Down and across and down some more. That’s the way we make 4.

7 - Across the sky and down from heaven. That’s the way we make 7.

Literacy sessions focused on the Christmas story and we identified and talked about interesting words, such as ‘amazed’ and explained words that we might take for granted that the children know, for example, ‘travel’ and ‘follow’. The children enjoyed using Grandma Webb’s knitted nativity in the classroom.

If you would like to write Christmas cards for the class, please email the office and we can pop a list of names into the book bag.

Have a great weekend,

Mrs Webb, Mrs Hampton, Mrs Dyson, Mrs Flynn and Miss Barber.