Welcome to Silver Birch Class 2024/25

Hello and welcome to the Silver Birch Class webpage. Our teachers are Mrs Downs (Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays) and Mrs Jackson (Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays). Silver Birch's teaching assistants are Mrs Bailey and Mr Mule. This page will be updated termly with information that may be of interest to you regarding projects, timetables, curriculum maps, videos, pictures and more. It will be useful to keep checking this page for any helpful documents and pages that will keep you informed about the goings-on in Silver Birch this year.

Our PE days this term are Tuesday and Wednesday.

Extra Information

To conclude our work on Macbeth, the children collaborated in groups to write and perform their very own Macbeth rap! Each group used their creativity to retell Shakespeare’s classic tale through catchy lyrics, energetic performances, and imaginative interpretations. As you can see, their outfits, backing tracks, actions, and confident rapping truly bring the story to life and showcase their deep understanding of the characters, themes, and dramatic twists within this play. It was a fun and engaging way to celebrate our learning of this Shakespeare play. 

Exploring Macbeth

We have now begun our exciting new project based on Macbeth. The children have already thrown themselves into the story and have been exploring the characters, dilemmas, and themes in creative ways.

To start, we held a conscience alley to help us think about whether Macbeth should murder King Duncan or not. This activity encouraged thoughtful discussion, persuasive arguments, and gave us the chance to step into the shoes of the characters.

We have also been busy with our writing, producing diary entries from Macbeth’s perspective. The children worked hard to capture his thoughts, emotions, and struggles as he faced difficult decisions.

In art, we have begun creating some stunning collages of the characters, using a mix of textures, colours, and materials to reflect their personalities and roles in the play.

Take One Picture – Bees Inspired by Matisse

As part of our Take One Picture project, we explored the theme of bees, taking inspiration from a colourful artwork by Matisse. This project gave us the chance to combine art, research, and real-life experiences in exciting ways.

To begin, we carried out bee research, learning fascinating facts about these incredible insects and using our findings to write non-chronological reports. The children were captivated by how important bees are to our environment.

We were also very lucky to welcome a local beekeeper, who brought along a live hive for the children to see up close. The highlight was tasting some delicious, fresh honey – a treat that made our learning even more memorable!

In art, we developed our skills through detailed sketches of bees, carefully studying their shapes and patterns. We then explored batik techniques, creating vibrant designs that incorporated the colours and structures of a beehive. The results were truly stunning, with every piece unique and full of character.

This project not only deepened our understanding of bees but also allowed us to express creativity in new and exciting ways. The children have been buzzing with enthusiasm throughout, and their finished work is something to be proud of.