Unicorn Class Blog                    Term 2 Week 1             Week Commencing 2nd November 2026

This week the Unicorn class were very excited to be back at school and have enjoyed a range of Diwali and Bonfire night activities, such as making fireworks, learning new songs and listening to stories.

We watched and listened to the colourful noisy fireworks on the interactive whiteboard, we then used words to describe the fireworks such as shiny, whooshing, spinning, twinkly, sparkly, red, green, blue, golden, loud, bright lights, banging, popping and whistling. We used our bodies to move in different ways like fireworks. Children had the opportunity to discuss how fireworks made them feel, some were excited and happy whilst others felt scared because they were too loud. We listened to a story called ‘Pip and Custard’, where Pip was very excited about seeing the fireworks with her friend, however, her dog custard felt very scared. We discussed how some children, pets and animals felt scared of fireworks. We enjoyed making fireworks and sparklers using junk modelling, straws, tissue paper, scissors, tape and glue. We made fireworks pictures using paints, printing, oil pastels, felt tips and pencils. We also made sparklers using breadsticks. We discussed what is a celebration and festival and what celebrations or festivals do they know or have experienced such as their birthdays, Halloween and we talked about how fireworks are used at Bonfire night, Diwali, New Year celebrations. Otto told everyone that his mummy was going to have fireworks on her birthday. Rory was very excited on Monday because it was his birthday, he told everyone how he had celebrated it and brought in cakes to share. 

During Scarf this week we were introduced to our new focus valuing difference, we listened to ‘Elmer the patchwork elephant’ we talked about the differences we noticed with the elephants. We shared ways that we are similar or different to one another by playing a stand up and sit down game. 

During our hall time we moved around in different ways whilst playing the traffic light game, we used the scarves to pretend to be fireworks and we threw, caught, kicked and rolled balls. We also enjoyed, ‘Grandma’s footsteps!’ and ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’. 

During Forest School we loved collecting big piles of leaves, using the swings, hammocks, playing families, exploring rain water and using the drainpipes as ramps..

During phonics we have had a recap on rhyming, alliteration, general sound discrimination, oral blending and segmenting. We enjoyed making silly soup, playing Georgie’s gym where we needed to listen to the robot talk and do what was being asked e.g. Everybody j-u-m-p, everybody touch you b-a-ck. We talked like a robot to say some of the objects such as ‘d-o-g’ and ‘p-e-n’.

This week for maths we have had a shape focus that has included observing a variety of Rangoli patterns, noticing and talking about the shapes used. We have also made our own Rangoli patterns using the Numicom shapes and plastic shapes. We used junk modelling to make 3D fireworks, some of us decided to stick sparkly and shiny circles, rectangles, squares and stars on ours. The magnetic shape tiles have also been very popular again this week and there has been fantastic shape, positional language and team work whilst constructing. 

Next week we will continue with our ‘What is a celebration? and have a focus on Diwali, Remembrance Day and Children in Need as part of this we will be making diva lamps, poppies, Pudsey bears pictures and Pudsey bear ears. 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing you next week for more exploring..

Best wishes

Mrs Fenwick