Hedgehogs  

This half term our topic is 'Hedgehogs' where we will be exploring the concept of biological process: survival and habitat.

This term in Year 1 we have been learning all about hedgehogs, their diet, habitat and adaptation. We had a special visitor called Wendy come and talk to us about how to help a hedgehog if we find one in our garden and we've used the chrome books and iPads to conduct our own hedgehog research! We also had the amazing opportunity to visit Greenmeadow farm to look for places to put our handmade hedgehog homes. 

We are slowly becoming hedgehog experts! Ask us all about them, you'll be surprised how much we know! Keep an eye out for our hedgehog leaflets that will be shared in the community in the coming weeks! 

We are also in the process of planning and designing our hedgehog homes ready for them to hibernate in. We have been exploring different materials and their properties to see which one will work best!

Throughout this topic, children explored a range of engaging stimuli linked to protecting our planet, with a strong focus on recycling and sustainability. They developed an understanding of how everyday actions can make a positive difference, such as reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling correctly. Pupils learned practical ways to improve the sustainability of water and electricity use in school and at home, and found out how recycling works in Torfaen, including what can and cannot be recycled locally.

Children also considered how they could take an active role in caring for their environment. This included participating in activities such as litter picking to help keep our local area clean and safe for people and wildlife. Through discussions and hands-on experiences, pupils built a sense of responsibility and pride in looking after their community.

As part of our cross-curricular literacy work, pupils wrote invitations to parents and members of the local community, inviting them to take part in a community litter pick to help create a cleaner and more sustainable environment. They developed and used new vocabulary related to recycling and environmental care, and took part in discussions about why recycling matters both locally and globally.

By the end of the topic, children will develop a strong understanding of how small, positive actions can lead to meaningful change for our planet. They will share their learning with parents and carers during an end-of-term showcase, where families are invited to view our expressive arts recycling documentaries created through film and digital media, as well as collaborative junk-model recycling artwork produced alongside a parent governor and art specialist.