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A Cracking Week of Learning

This week on the blog: Abstract Portraits, Life Cycles, Expressive Clay, and Library Time...

Team 1/2 have had a 'cracking' week of Science learning, as they have been observing chicks hatching from their eggs in their classrooms! This has been an exciting, hands-on learning experience for the children which has supported their understanding of life cycles. Also in the blog, we have artwork to share from across the school, from abstract portraits in Team R to expressive clay sculptures in Team 3/4. Meanwhile in Team 5/6, the children have been enjoying sharing their favourite books in our library. Keep reading to find out more about what the children have been learning this week!

Team R: Abstract portraits

In Year R this week we have taken inspiration from the artist Paul Klee to create some abstract portraits. We had fun choosing a variety of different 2D shapes to represent our facial features and had to carefully draw round them. We then had to choose which colours we wanted to use. It was fun using the oil pastels but also a bit mucky as our fingers were covered! We were all really proud to see our artwork displayed in Ash and Oak classrooms, we felt like real artists!

Team 1 / 2: A cracking science lesson

The past few weeks have been a cracking time in Team 1/2. It all started last week with a surprise delivery of some eggs. We then spent a few days waiting patiently, observing the beginning of the life cycle of a chick. Watching the eggs hatch in the classroom has been an engaging learning experience for the children, as we have been able to observe first-hand the different stages of life, from egg, chick, and adult chicken. As well as developing our observational skills and scientific knowledge, this experience also has good links to our school value of responsibility too. Journaling, drawing and caring for the chicks has been a memorable experience for the children, fostering empathy and patience whilst bringing the wonders of nature to life!

Team 3 / 4: Expressive artwork

This week, our young artists explored the beautiful work of sculptor Susan Lordi, known for her Willow Tree figures—statues that express emotions through body language rather than facial features. Lordi’s art shows how posture, gesture, and movement can communicate feelings like love, sadness, or joy without words. Inspired by her work, each class used clay and their hands to shape their own expressive figures, focusing on body positioning to tell a story. It was amazing to see how they molded emotions into their creations—some figures stood tall with pride, while others leaned gently as if offering comfort. Through this project, they learned how powerful non-verbal communication can be in art—and had fun getting their fingers messy in the process! Check out their heartfelt sculptures shown here on the blog.

Team 5 / 6: Making time for reading

In our newly kitted-out school library, Team 5/6 are rediscovering the joy of reading, immersing themselves in exciting adventures, fascinating facts, and inspiring stories. Whether they’re curled up with a gripping mystery, exploring new worlds in fantasy tales, or learning amazing new things from non-fiction books, the library is a place where their imaginations soar. With cosy reading spaces and shelves filled with a variety of books, it’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they share recommendations and lose themselves in the magic of a good story. Reading isn’t just a skill – it’s a lifelong adventure, and our library is the perfect place to begin!

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You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @RownhamsSchool, where we share more photos of what has been going on around the school, and celebrate the children’s learning.

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