Bitterns

The Bitterns have been learning all about the Vikings ahead of their exciting Viking day next week. We first looked at where the Vikings sailed from and the boats they would have arrived in. We also discussed the differences between life now and when the Vikings landed in Britian over 1000 years ago. We learnt about the shields the Vikings carried and the materials they would have been made from. The children then used their design technology skills to create a plan for our own shields. We made our shield out of cardboard and other recycled materials and then used patterns and bold paint to make them eye-catching. 

‘Me and Jess made our shield together we worked as a team.’ Jake Yr2

‘I’m going to use tape and the blue straws to make my handle. I’m going stick the blue straw onto the tape so I can put my hand through to hold it.’ Jacob Yr2 

‘I learnt that Vikings didn’t have horns coming out of their helmets.’ Freddy Yr1 

‘The shields would have been lots of different colours.’ Charlie Yr2 

‘ I learnt that the Vikings lived here 1000 years ago.’ Jake yr2 

‘The middle of the shield is called the boss.’ Harry Yr2

‘The boss makes it stronger.’ Ava Yr1

After learning about the Hindu festival of Diwali the children were inspired by the bright and vibrant rangoli patterns. They used coloured sand and a template to carefully create their own rangoli patterns. Some children choose to mix the sand to create new colours whilst others preferred to use the primary colours. The children also created their own Diva lamps using clay. They carefully rolled out the clay and used their fingers to mold it into the shape of a small bowl. Many of the children then added patterns to their Diva lamp, using a variety of tools to create a design. Once the clay had dried out, they used paint to add colour to their lamps.  

‘I liked using the clay because it was squishy. I made my diva lamp is round and colourful.’ (Year 1) 

‘I wanted my lamp to be orange and bright. I wanted to make it this shape because I knew it would be a good shape for holding a candle.’  (Year 2).