Blog Archives

Changing seasons with Reception Class

26/11/2014

It was great to welcome the reception class from St. Thomas's to the Hazelhut today. What a shame that it rained all day long! But as they learned, that can happen in Autumn..... So, what happens in all the other seasons? And how do we have to dress to face the changing elements of each season?

The children explored these questions through art, by creating a puppet dressed for a particular season and then collaborating on scenery for that same season.

We had hoped to go and look at the Autumn colours, flowers and trees around the Hazelhut, but the never ending rain prevented us! So we had fun in other ways.....

Making play dough.....

Singing songs.....

Playing games, looking at pictures and listening to stories.

Thank you to the children, staff and parents who joined us on a trip full of surprises. We hope to see you all again soon!

0 Comments

In the footsteps of native Americans

25/11/2014

0 Comments

It was wonderful to welcome back the grade 2 students from St. Thomas's School. This time they were learning about 'who we are' and to find out more, we looked back at the native Americans and their ways of life, so closely connected to nature.

After we made our name tags, the children listened to a story about 2 twins who didn't have names! They left their village to find the wise man to name them, but got lost and had to be very clever and observant, quick and caring in order to find their way home and finally be named; 'Brave Watching Goose' and 'Clever Digging Squirrel'. Their bravery meant they had pride of place on top of the village totem pole.

After a snack and outdoor play.....

....the children went on their own walk of self discovery in the Hazelhut grounds.

On returning we found out that many of the children related to the freedom of birds, the happy colours of flowers, the strength of trees and much more besides.

We looked at Native American art and especially totem poles. We discovered that these ancient people respected many different animals because of their characteristics - bravery, patience, loyalty etc.

After a well deserved lunch, all the class and their teacher made their own part of a totem. They tried to choose an animal which was like them in some way.

Then we did a language activity looking into adjectives, verbs and animal names in order to rename ourselves using our own personal chracteristics. Each child shared their totem and name in a show and tell session.

Thanks for coming, Grade 2! You worked so hard and we loved having you at the Hazelhut. Come again soon!

0 Comments

One Day Winter Weekend

22/11/2014

0 Comments

In the end there were only 5 children, but we still had a great day! It started with a walk in the woods looking for ribbons leading to treasure!

These children loved the chickens!

On returning to the house, we gathered firewood for a nice warm fire.

After a snack, the puppet workshop began. The children were very creative! They made sock puppets, stick puppets, owls and worms.

Then it was lunch time. After all that creativity, we were hungry!

In the afternoon there was time for outdoor free play before our next activity, making boxes and then the sweeties to put inside them!

After that the children wanted to see if there were any nuts left outside and then they invented new games like tree-stump-hopping and even making a huge cross(?!)

The evening crept up on us and it was soon time to say 'goodbye'. Please come again soon!

0 Comments

To-wit-to-woo, here's Grade 2!

4/11/2014

0 Comments

The Hazelhut welcomed 18 Grade 2 students yesterday. These very well behaved and knowledgeable students came from CORE school to learn about owls. We started the day getting to know each others names and finding out what the children already knew about owls.

The children knew that owls are mostly nocturnal, but they were sure that if we went out for a walk in the woods, we would still find evidence of owls. So we set off!

The children were excellent owl detectives, finding examples of things owls like to eat, places they might live and some even think they heard owls! Here are their photos:

Everyone was very hungry when we returned to the house, so we all had a snack and the children enjoyed some playtime!

After playtime, there was a surprise for the children..... we had a different bird of prey at the Hazelhut: a Mexican harris buzzard, called Eddi. Eddi's handler Stefano, explained some of her special features and the ways in which she is similar to an owl. The children were just getting ready to hold her, when she flew off into the pine tree and just WOULD NOT come down!

Luckily the real star of the show, a beautiful Siberian eagle owl, was much more cooperative and all the children had a chance to look at this enormous bird close up and even to stroke it!

After all that excitement, it was time for lunch. Then we all headed down to the art room to start making owl puppets.

The children worked hard, cutting, sticking and using their creativity to each make their own owl, complete with swiveling head!

Just as the children were leaving, Stefano finally managed to get Eddi out of the tree and had to take both the birds back to the sanctuary, but one little boy was determined to get his chance to hold the bird of prey.

Thank you for coming, Grade 2! Your enthusiastic and polite attitude and excellent manners are a credit to your teachers and school. Come back soon!

0 Comments

Changing seasons with Reception Class

In the footsteps of native Americans

One Day Winter Weekend

To-wit-to-woo, here's Grade 2!

Archives

Categories