Welcome to Chestnut

Teacher - Chestnut/Staff Governor Samantha Webster

Date of Appointment: 14/11/2016, 4 year term of office
Appointed via Staff Ballot
Photo of Samantha Webster

Chestnut is a class of 6 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.

Chestnut 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, this approach enables learning to be teacher-led as well as child initiated.

Class activities are differentiated for each individual, ensuring that they are engaging and motivating to the individual child. Students particularly enjoy activities that are ‘hands on’ which relate to everyday life skills and promoting independence.

Autumn Term 2 Timetable

Curriculum Info for parents: Autumn Term 2 2020 Chestnut topic this half term will be Nature. Each week we will explore a new story related to Nature. During the week we will engage in a number of activities that are topic related. Your child will be encouraged and supported to explore and engage in each of these activities. Each week your child will bring home information on their individual learning targets, individual targets may change weekly or in line with the topic, as and when experienced or consolidated. Please do feel free to explore these at home, it would be great to hear about your child’s experiences via their home School book. This holistic approach to learning will allow your child to progress at a pace that is suitable to their individual needs and abilities within a rich and enabling environment. Below is an outline of some of the activities on offer. We will be visiting the Patch on a Monday afternoon as part of our topic this half term. If not already done so, please could your Son/Daughter bring in appropriate clothing such as wellies, coats, gloves and hats to use at this time. This would be very much appreciated, Thank you.
Subject
Topic: Nature Here is a list of stories we will explore this half term- - The Very Hungry Caterpillar-Eric Carle - The Very quiet Cricket- Eric Carle - The bad tempered ladybird- Eric Carle - The very busy spider- Eric Carle - Out and About(a book of poems)-Shirley Hughes Activities will be as follows, each activity linked to the book/story of the week- there will be a carousel of 3 activities each session.
MathsWe will be - Counting leaves / flowers/trees/plants - Using a range of natural objects to count / solve number problems. - Exploring Nature Number songs and Nature number games - Organising leaves/twigs by size/colour - Taking part in a nature trail - Using 3D shapes to make bug hotel - Using 2D shapes to make pictures of nature-tree, insect, etc
EnglishDaily story time, reading comprehension, exploring what we have heard/read, discussing characters, phonic recognition. We will be taking part in activities based around the poetry book mentioned above- these will be delivered as sensory poems.
Phonic ProgrammeWe will follow the read write Inc. phonics programme, as this will enable us to explore our previous phonic knowledge, our pencil control, listening and speaking skills as well as our signalong.
Focussed exploration and investigationChanges and anticipation-cause and effect around cooking and sharing. Exploring different textures and smells. This will also be included in our sensory play, and will include the use of sand/water tray, musical instruments.
Fine motor skills developmentPencil control, shoebox tasks, hand eye co-ordination activities, puzzles, which are topic related-we will be exploring life skills during this time such as cleaning, tidying away, laying the table, locating objects in their place. These activities will be closely linked to our independence skills and our creative activities.
Creative (Art, Craft and DT)While exploring Texture and pattern we will be making the following - - Leaf printing - Collage using items found in nature - Autumn leaf hedgehog - Pebble mini beasts - Cobwebs While exploring Making an item for a purpose we will be doing the following – - Creating a bug hotel - Creating a bird feeder - Making a bird house - Making decorations made for natural resources (eg Christmas twig stars)
Communication/intensive interactionwe will be learning topic related words/signs and symbols such as outside, inside, the weather, including rainy, sunny etc, insects. .-working alongside children’s individual SALT programmes
Role play areaHome corner, role playing as home maker/parent/child, experiencing social interactions and appropriate behaviour, modelled by supporting staff. Exploring the day to day running and lifestyle of a household, communication, cooking, cleaning, caring for others.
Profiles & Ideas for HomeEncourage your son/daughter to take part in activities that they enjoy which will support independence and the exploration of life skills, Please feel free to explore individual plans that you have at home such as EHCPs, SALT reports, or enjoy reading/sharing a story/book with your son/daughter.
Science- Food nutrition/the skeleton - Food groups/where does our food come from - Which foods are good for our bones/skeleton
R.E- The story of Christmas - Christianity -Christmas/Beliefs