The children in Crew FE used modelling clay to create the composition of the Earth. As a crew we discussed the layers of the Earth and how they are different. Some children even asked questions to further their own knowledge which was wonderful, such as: Is the Earth’s core hotter than the sun?
As part of our current Expedition, Earth Shattering Events, we looked at the different layers of soil. We made our own soil showing the organic matter, topsoil, subsoil and bedrock using different biscuits.
We have some beautiful blossom trees in our outdoor area in EYFS and we have noticed that some of the flowers had started to fall off and onto the playground. During our last expedition, we used small wooden hammers to create flower art so we decided to get them out and use the blossom to make beautiful pictures.
We added glue to our paper before choosing our flowers and using the hammers to flatten them onto our paper, making sure they were well stuck down. The final pieces looked really pretty!
Whilst we were doing this activity, we spotted a huge bee taking a break on the flowers we planted last half term. We looked carefully at how it was moving, making sure that we didn’t get too close and frighten him. We noticed that it was wiggling it’s body, trying to get lots of pollen stuck to it. We left some sugary water nearby in case it needed more energy to continue finding pollen. 🐝
To kick start off our new expedition learning-Earth Shattering Events- Crew Pashley, Crew Thompson and Crew FE participated in various activities throughout hook week. We sketched snapshots of life in Pompeii, to create whole crew storyboards demonstrating what it was like when Mount Vesuvius erupted.
All the crews participated in a carousel of activities and experiments to begin our learning on natural disasters. We made coke and mentos volcanoes, experienced what a cold flood would feel like, and experienced what an earthquake would feel like.
We ended our hook week with a stem project that required us to use our problem solving skills. Children were given a range of resources and they had to use these to create a pulley system. We linked this to how in the olden days. miners and other industries would have relied on systems like this to help them move large loads of coal.
This activity really challenged our resilience as there were a few different steps that needed to be completed to allow them to successful. We managed some of the steps but then required some clues to support with the rest.
We had an exciting job to do today in Crew Welburn – we needed to set our butterflies free! Miss Kelly kindly offered to help us to guide them out of their house and we watched carefully as they flew away to find their new homes!
Something exciting is happening in our butterfly house Crew Welburn! Watch the video closely and you will see one of our butterflies emerging from its chrysalis! We now have three butterflies flying around their home and two more waiting to emerge 🦋
Over the weekend it was time to release our butterflies! Once the net was unzipped, they did not waste any time in coming out and exploring the great outdoors. They took a fancy to the flowerbed close to where they were released and spent time familiarising themselves with the colourful flowers and grass. One butterfly decided to land on Miss McGlone’s finger and it was very happy to sit there taking in the sunshine ☀️
Now the butterflies are out in the wild, the whole life cycle process will continue and eventually begin again! 🐛🦋
Yet another butterfly update! At last, all 5 butterflies have emerged from their cocoons and are now getting used to their new, beautiful wings. They have been enjoying the sugar water and this is giving them lots of energy to test out their new wings and also get used to their new bodies. I can tell that they are almost ready to get outside so I will be releasing them from their net into the garden tomorrow! 🦋🥰
Our chrysalises are no longer chrysalises anymore… we have butterflies! At the moment, we have 3 butterflies that have emerged from their cocoons with another 2 yet to say hello! They will stay in the net for a few days before being let out into the big, wide world 🦋
