Juniper Learning Update

Central idea: Shelters, for humans and animals, is a basic need.  

Our central idea has allowed Juniper class to explore shelters, for humans and animals. We discussed the need for shelters and how they help humans and animals to stay dry, safe and warm. We thought about the materials needed to make houses for humans and did some woodwork to experience how houses might be made and the strength of different materials. The children were particularly interested in animal shelters and how animals are clever enough to make or find a shelter in their environments. After reading the text 'Owl Babies' by Martin Waddell we found a letter in the crack of the window to our classroom from Sarah, Percy, Bill and Mother Owl. The owls had been living in the tree outside our classroom and hoped that team juniper could help to create them a new, cosy nest that we could place in the tree in our early years garden.  

Penelope: "Let's get twigs to make a cosy nest." Albie: "Leaves will make it soft." 

Jamie: "I think I can see the owls out the window, I need binoculars."  Ozzy: "I can help you make some." Isaac: "What about we make a telescope too." 

Oliver: "If we put the nest under a tree in our garden the owls can be our friends forever." 

Chloe: "The tree will be a shelter to keep them dry." 

Our learning has led to rainforests and we have spent time looking at the different animals that might be found in the rainforest. The year 6's have recently learnt all about the rainforests of the world and came to spend the afternoon with early years to teach us what they have learnt. The children are excited to explore rainforests further and see what we can do to help the animals of the rainforest.

The children made owl food to send to the owls in case they were hungry and binoculars or telescopes to see the owls. Team juniper were particularly keen to write the owls a letter back, in response to the one they had sent us. 

Keira wrote: "I love your new nest we made. I miss you."

Lucy wrote: "Dear owls, we have a new nest for you and it is cosy." 

We rolled up our letters and tied them with ribbon in a bow and left them outside with the new shelter for the owls.  

The children created shelters for the lego characters  out of lego and wooden blocks. Above are Oliver's, Sophia F's and  Isaac's lego house structures.