8 November 2024

Puffins
Following our Remembrance Worship by the Waves, we thought about different ways to describe the wind, and then wrote some windy poems in our journals.  This half term we are doing some of our PSHE learning at the beach, as we are thinking about Health and Wellbeing.  We thought about some different emotions and focused on anger.  We made our bodies tense and then relaxed them, and thought of different techniques to help to calm ourselves down, as well as different situations that helped to calm us.  We practised some breathing techniques that might help us. After snack we read the book 'It's not a stick', and then collected some shells, imagining different things that our shells could be.  We then made up different shell stories, and told them to each other.  Afterwards we did some PE where we were taking it in turns to lead moving in a range of different ways. We then a bit of free-play time before walking back up the hill for lunch.
Starfish

At beach school this week we have been finding out about Remembrance Day.  After our special Remembrance by the waves we read the book Poppy Day.  In the book we heard about a boy and his mother, learning and remembering the traditions of November 11th.

We did some writing about poppies and drew pictures of poppies.  We then heard how some soldiers in the war spent a lot of time in trenches.  We discussed what trenches are and we used the spades to dig some in the sand.  After that we found out about some animals that were used during the war: horses, dogs, cats, camels and pigeons and the important jobs they did. 

Our maths on the beach was to sing ‘Ten red poppies growing in a field’ (to the tune of ten green bottles) and then use the poppies to practise our subitising skills.

We heard about how some animals and people were messengers in the war.  We looked at the pictures of the animals carrying messages in special bags and we thought about how easy or difficult it would be to remember a message.  Mrs Popay gave us each a message and we had to walk to Mrs Cotton and relay the message to her.  We all had very good memories!

Seals

This week at Beach School we kicked off our week with Remembrance by the Waves.

In our PSHE session, we delved into the world of mindfulness. The children took part in visualisation, breathing exercises, and meditation, which encouraged them to focus on the present and build essential coping strategies. Witnessing the calmness that enveloped the group was truly inspiring, highlighting the importance of mental well-being.

Our English session was filled with creativity as we wrote our own beach poems, drawing inspiration from the works of Valerie Bloom. This exercise not only enhanced our literary skills but also allowed students to express their thoughts and feelings about the sea and nature in a vibrant and imaginative manner.

Finally, in PE, we explored eight different yoga structures. This activity not only improved physical fitness but also complemented our mindfulness practices, reinforcing the connection between body and mind. Through yoga, children gained flexibility and strength while learning essential techniques for relaxation.