Month: October 2023

On Tuesday October 10th, Calder Class visited Beacon Fell.  The class has been studying variations of plants in science.  We were hoping to spot some fine tree specimens in the woodland.  Mrs Mott suggested that if the pupils were quiet enough they may even spot some woodland wildlife.

Ten minutes into the trek, the pupils spied two members of the armed forces on camouflage manoeuvres.  The pupils were instructed to stand and watch without interrupting the big men with guns.  A few moments later, an army sergeant’s booming voice echoed behind us instructing the soldiers to stand down.   To the children’s amazement, up popped about ten soldiers in full camouflage.  We were totally unaware that they were hiding in the undergrowth.

Mr Meadows guided us to a clearing where the children were shown how to build a structure from branches.  The pupils all separated to different areas.  Some buddied up to work in pairs.  There were lots of cooperation skills and the pupils worked brilliantly together.  Once the pupils had gathered enough branches, Mr Meadows introduced his cutting equipment.  Mr Meadows demonstrated how to use the tools carefully and safely.  Most of the children were keen to develop their sawing and whittling skills (with high levels of supervision).

The children returned to school buzzing with excitement about their experience in the outdoors. Mrs Mott conducted a finger count – no missing digits just lots of grubby hands and dirty knees!

In Bleasdale class as part of their Topic on the Blue Abyss we visited a shop in Morecambe called Reef and River, which sells fresh and saltwater fish. Whilst in the shop the students were encouraged to ask many questions about the fish. All of the students managed this well and they discovered many more facts about the different species of fish.

Example of the questions are:

-Is it easier to take freshwater or saltwater fish? (freshwater)

-Why is a saltwater tank difficult to look after? (you need to get the level of salt correct)

-What does the number mean after the name of the fish? (location from the water they live)

-Why does the fish sign have a yellow border around it? (to inform people research is needed before you purchase this type of fish)

-What do freshwater fish eat? (flake food)

-What does territorial mean? (the fish will patrol areas of the tank and scare other fish)

-What size does this fish grow to? (it will inform you on the label)

-What water do sea monkeys prefer? (saltwater)

From asking all these questions the students decided they would prefer to have a freshwater tank and began to look at the freshwater fish. They all chose what freshwater fish they would like to have and with research they all picked fish which are community fish, meaning these fish should be safe to be together in a fish tank.