Welcome to Chestnut

Teacher Shelley Hewitt
Photo of Shelley Hewitt

Chestnuts class is an informal Ks2-3 class made up of six learners.

We are working on meeting sensory needs and practising communication skills. We use a total communication approach in class.
We do a lot of Exploration in lessons and we follow the engagement model for assessment.

Chestnuts Timetable – Summer Term 1 – 25/26

Curriculum Info for Parents: Summer Term 1 25/26
Strand and ProfileProfiles in ClassIdeas for Home
Communication and Literacy Students will be working on their individual communication targets and working towards their individualised EHCP/PLG targets. Students will be exploring the story “Zog” which is part of our Talk 4 Writing curriculum. They will be taking part in the immersion stage of this story. Students will attend the library for 1:1 reading sessions. Explore communication/ encourage gesture and body language as communication. Read the story “Zog”. Talk about dragons, watch the story on BBC iPlayer with your child. Read with your child. Explore tactile books, sound books.
Mathematics and Problem SolvingStudents will be following the maths schema, this will encourage them to take part in problem solving activities and encourage use of fine motor skills. Encourage your child to move and transport toys, encourage your child to alternate movement when playing, follow their eye movements and interests. Group toys and try ordering and sequencing.
Personal DevelopmentExploration of sensory trays linked to individual interests.Encourage your child to play with sensory items of their choice.
Physical DevelopmentThey will be having regular visits to the Sensory enrichment room and ball pool. They also will take part in morning sensory circuits. Try some body movement circuits at home or at the park. Encourage climbing, rolling, crawling and jumping.
Understanding the World Using our senses during cooking and cooking to themes. We will be visiting the sensory room. Looking at reaction during sensory stimuli. Try some cooking at home, explore using your senses. Explore summer recipes. Try relaxation sessions, with lights down low and some sensory lights.
Expression and CreativityWe will be creating art and crafts with a theme. This half term we will be linking art to our topic of Zog. Encourage your child to explore different textiles and create different pictures using different textiles. Create drawings, paintings of dragons.
Personalised LearningStudents will follow their own Targets linked to their individual needs/EHCP outcomes. Try to incorporate your child’s PLGS in to daily life.
This half term we will also be going in to the community on Mondays to the park and on Fridays we will be doing dance therapy.