Lower School: Sparkling Starts

In the Lower School at Farlington, each new term begins with a 'Sparkling Start', introducing the children to their new topic for the term in an engaging and fun way! Read on to find out about the Sparkling Starts the pupils enjoyed at the start of this term...

Reception

The Reception children were incredibly excited when their ‘Sparkling Start’ magically appeared at school, to introduce them to their new topic: ‘Fairy Tales‘.

It was a normal school day, until someone noticed something on one of the trees in the Reception play area... We all went outside to investigate, and found the first of what turned out to be quite a few fairy doors.

The excitement mounted as the pupils spotted another fairy door on the way to Forest School, and by the time they got to the Forest School area, excitement was at fever pitch! The children then made beautiful ‘dolly peg fairies’, to show the fairies who lived behind the magical doors that we are friendly.

Year 1

On Tuesday, 10th January, Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed a sparkling introduction to their new topic, ‘Castles, Dragons and Knights’, in the form of a workshop with drama group Perform. The children were taken on an adventure to the fairy-tale forest, where 'Morgan Le Fay' and her pet dragon had captured all of the magical creatures and were trying to take over the forest!

The children acted out lots of characters, and considered different types of dragons, thinking about who they might meet on their adventure. They sang the 'Rabbit in the Hat' song and explored the forest, finding a dragon's cave. They then had to sneak past a grumpy 'water dragon' while practising their solo speaking. The children successfully remained focused while trying to trick Morgan Le Fay, and managed to rescue all of their favourite creatures from the castle.

The workshop concluded with each child making a wish. We wonder if their wishes will come true...

Year 2

Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed their ‘Sparkling Start’ on Wednesday 11th, January, to launch their topic of 'Ice' for the first half of term. The day began with the children watching some of Frozen Planet II, and learning all about frozen habitats and the remarkable animals that make them their home. The children then turned their attention to icing snowman biscuits and making penguin hats, before finally finishing with a science experiment to find out how penguins keep warm and dry.

Mr Morris, our wonderful DT teacher, then kindly came and talked to Year 1 about his experience living with penguins when he spent two years in the Falkland Islands. The children were fascinated by all the facts and the fabulous pictures that Mr Morris shared. (Did you know that humans can eat penguin eggs?)

Year 3

At the start of term, the children in Year 3 began their new topic, 'The Natural World’, stepping back into the ancient world of the Mayans. With the help of our special guests from Perform drama group, Year 3 were transported back in time to act out what life was like for the Mayans of the rainforests!

Using what they had already learnt about the Mayans in recent lessons, the children were able to fully immerse themselves in the Mayan world during this workshop, and lots of fun was had by all.

Year 4

Year 4's topic this term is 'The Romans'. As part of their ‘Sparkling Start’, two ladies from Horsham Museum visited the children in class last week, bringing authentic Roman artefacts for the students to look at and touch. The children even had the chance to dig for artefacts in the sand!