Welcome to Beech

Teacher - Chestnut Iwona Litwiniec
Photo of Iwona Litwiniec

Beech is a class of 8 students with diverse needs and abilities whom are supported by 4 members of staff, we largely use symbols and signalong in order to communicate our needs, choices and feelings.

Beech class take a holistic approach to learning by following a topic based curriculum, where each subject is tailored to the individuals learning needs, thriving on routine and consistency.

Students particularly enjoy activities that are ‘hands on’ which relate to everyday life skills and promoting independence.

Spring Term 1 2020 Timetable

 

Spring term 1 2020 Topic: Transition Challenge ASDAN and Chinese New Year
SubjectProfiles and Ideas for home
Daily Activities
MathsWe will go to the community (shops, church, cafes, and train station) and practise our maths skills: using money, checking timetables for trains, using clock etc. You can go shopping together, make a shopping list, pay for your items and count your change.
English We will practise our reading skills while visiting our school library. We will also look at books about China and learn about Chinese New Year. You can listen to the Chinese music and explore some food from China.
Art: This will be covered through ASDAN Transition Challenge - Expressive Arts - Moving Forward (taught by Nikki Wardell) This half term we will looking at different types of arts venues, with a focus on theatre, cinema & museum. We will be exploring online & discussing what these would look like. When at home and out in the community, continue to explore and talk about different types of art venues. Consider sending in any photos, brochures or programmes of art venues that you have visited. We would love to see them. We will return all items.
Yogacise/P.EStudents will take part in weekly exercises which include also yogacise. We will learn how to participate actively in group sessions and relax. Have a go at home. Listen to the quiet music and try to sit still up to 5 minutes. Ask your parents to join you in different form of exercise: walking, cycling, trampolining.
History: This will be covered through ASDAN Transition Challenge - History - Taking the Lead (taught by Nikki Wardell) During History we will continue studying World War 2 with a focus on maps, food rationing & the ‘Dig for Victory’. It will include the opportunity to try the Dig for Victory skills at The Patch and cooking a recipe from WW2 using the vegetables. Consider visiting your allotments – it is free. Look at the ground being prepared & the produce that is being grown. Is it the same as in WW2? Is there someone in your family who can talk about their childhood experiences of the war?
Signalong for LearnersThis year students in Beech class will work towards their Signalong qualification. We will learn new signs through the year and each student will have an active part in completing their portfolio with achievements.
DT : This will be covered through ASDAN Transition Challenge: Moving Forward. Choose how you would like to decorate a room! (taught by Nikki Wardell) During this DT module we will looking at Celebration cakes. The sessions will include making a special celebration & presenting the person with it. When at home talk about when a cake might be used to help celebrate a special occasion e.g. wedding cake, christening cake, Christmas cake, birthday cake e.t.c. Can you find any celebration cakes in the Supermarket? What do they look like?
Science We will be still working in the Patch, our school garden. The jobs to complete will be: tidying the requested areas, watering plants, planting and seeding pants. We will also enjoy the PAT dog visits in our classroom.