Planting Christmas Trees with Hedgehogs

Hedgehog Class were very excited when they were picked up by Mr Hawthorne in the trailer and taken to Euston Estate for the annual Christmas tree planting.  The children were all given the chance to replenish Christmas trees that were cut down this year and learn about planting with John.  A fire was waiting for them to keep them warm so they didn't pass up the chance to sing Christmas songs around the campfire.

Hedgehog Class discover their local woodland habitat 

On a damp December morning, Hedgehog Class climbed into their waterproof suits and headed out to the waiting tractor.  Olly, the tractor driver whisked them through the scenic farm track network, where there was lots of chatter about the real-life visuals of pigs in their field, farm machinery, colourful pheasants and growing crops before their very eyes.  The tractor  delivered them to an untouched beech clump in the middle of a 55 acre field. As the steps to the trailer were lowered with excited anticipation the children ventured on to the crunchy brown carpeted forest floor.

Hedgehog explorers headed to the base camp to find out the details of their woodland mission.

Mrs Bird briefed them on all the safety requirements to make sure each and every Hedgehog had a happy, safe and playful morning.

After receiving their sheets with things to try and find and identify,the children eagerly set off on their woodland exploration mission.

The crackling log fire provided an opportunity to warm up, well that was mainly the adults! Along with, providing a perfect place to talk about the wonders of the most primitive man made heat and energy source. Of course, no fire is complete without a toasted marshmallow.  But first, the challenge was to find a stick bigger than themselves and as thick as their little finger. Then wait patiently whilst the adults roasted the marshmallows...

Yum, yum, yum!

Otter Class (Year 6) had a problem to solve:

In which order should the farmer harvest the sugar beet fields?

After introducing the problem and distributing maps showing the locations of the sugar beet fields, Matthew, Farm Manager, and the class discuss the pros and cons of different sample sites and possible ways an average from each field could be obtained.

What better way to spend a  beautiful autumnal day, than using and applying Maths skills out in the sugar beet field, reading maps to locate the next field and sharing lunch around a fire.