We spent much time last term learning about the animal world.At the beginning they learn about mammals ,herbivores and carnivores,with animal baskets and matching cards.We then move on to Fish,Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles and finally all the invertebrates.Children have no problem now been able to classify animals and put them in their correct phylum(family) .I feel this helps them to make sense of the world and allows them to see that everything has a place and a purpose.They just love this work which  leads to great conversation and arouses their sense of wonder.  After introducing them to planet earth and the continent globe,we decided to explore Africa! We looked at the people and their homes and then the basket of African animals ! Each child picked an animal and with the help of Mums and Dads have produced some wonderful projects.Ella was first in with a lovely cheetah project and we learned that he is the fastest mammal on earth.Moss also did a beautiful cheetah project with a picture of his paw print !Lana Maye  told us all about the chimp and we were thrilled to hear that he is our nearest relative.Both Rian and Joseph did gorilla projects and as well as learning that he is in danger of extinction we learned   that they crawl at 2 months and walk at 9 months!!Anna s giraffe project was a work of art and even I didn’t know that they weigh as much as a truck.!!Harry B also did the giraffe and he told us that they sleep standing up and for only 2 hours at a time!Today Umi brought in her ostrich project.  Her daddy did beautiful hand drawings and taught us that they build  communal nests and they weigh as much as 2 adults!!Lara also did the ostrich and from her we discovered that they are flightless and biggest bird.Cara was very excited about her elephant project because her mummy and daddy lived in Africa  and were photographed with the elephant!Ciaran s Mummy did a lovely map of Africa for his project and amongst the many facts he shared we learned that zebras live in groups called harems! Ceola had beautiful drawings for her zebra project and told us that every year they travel from Tanzania to Kenya,18,000 miles! What amazing animals they are. Saibh s  lion project has beautiful pictures and is so colorful.The children are so proud when they present their projects and we really do learn so much. They are proudly displayed on our Africa beam and are always been discussed and admired by the children.Thank you parents!

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Winter thankfully has been quite dry this year which has allowed us out on many nature walks.There is always so much to see with little children ! Their enthusiasm for everything is catching and a simple walk often turns into a great adventure!! Last week it was looking at the bark and buds on the trees we meet and all can now recognize the Ash,Sycamore and Beech by their buds and bark. Their was great excitement in the classroom when we finally marked off the last day of January and changed the calendar to February.A new Month and a new Season and of course new life all around. Yesterday we took  a walk around the garden and saw the little crocuses peeping up and a very early lone daffodil! To day,Cara came running in to tell me that my daffodil had grown! The birds are beginning to sing again and great tit was singing at the school door all day whilst feeding on the nuts.I look forward to sharing the wonders and miracles of Spring  ,my favourite season,with the children !

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and we had a visit from Joseph s Grandma who came all the way from San Diego to celebrate this very special day with Joseph, big sister Vivienne and their Mum(Nicole,her daughter) and Dad Ciaran. Joseph was so proud and happy when Grandma came in to our classroom to talk to all his friends.She told the children how and why they celebrated Thanksgiving Day and then each had a turn to say what he/she was thankful for!It was really lovely way to allow the children to think about all they have and how important it is to say “Thank you”! Before “Grandma” left the children sang their special   song  “Smile”(Kieran Quinn) and once again it was just beautiful to listen to them sing accompanied by Kieran on piano (CD

The lovely frosty,cold weather continued all week and so nice to look out at the sun shining and garden covered in white frost. The little birds are fighting over nuts on the feeders and children stop and watch throughout the morning and afternoon.We have had lovely walks all wrapped up and warm. The projects are continuing to come in and Lula brought in a beautiful “goldfinch” project yesterday! Ceola was the first morning person to have her project in with “robin” today and I didn’t realize until today that he is the only bird who sings all winter.

Winter has really arrived! We look out the school window and  note that all the leaves have fallen from the trees.The trees have gone for their long  sleep as well as hedgehog and frog! Today was a perfect winters day and “Jack Frost” had painted our lawn white! Luckily we had put up the bird feeders last week as the little birds are really hungry. Once again,there is great excitement as the children discover the different birds visiting the feeders.And what a variety…great tit,blue tit, coal tit, green finch, chaffinch, goldfinch, sparrow and even robin going for the nuts!All are doing garden bird projects and this afternoon Rian arrived with his sparrow project! For ever more this little sparrow is for Rian “MY BIRD”.I look forward to learning so much once again as the children share their knowledge of “their special bird”with the rest of the class.

The children love owls and we are so very lucky to have a “birds of prey” sanctuary on our doorstep.  When I suggested a trip there it was enthusiastically taken up by all the parents!The afternoon class had a trip last Monday pm and the morning class went on Wednesday!It was fantastic.The excitement of the children was contagious and it was  magical . As we had just started “owl projects”,it was thrilling for the little ones to see the real owls!Lother put on a wonderful display and the children sat captivated for nearly 40 minutes as owls and eagles came to their name and ate from his or even their hands. What magnificent birds and we all learned so much.   The German couple who run it are above all scientists and take in injured animals and nurse them back to health! We then visited the other animals in the indoor barn, rabbits, foxes, guinea pigs, a racoon, pigs and piglets shetland ponies(so friendly and Ceolas favourite) and even a coypu from S. America! A day that will definitely be remembered by all!

We  have hardly seen any rain since October started and hence have spent as much time as possible outdoors! The leaves are quickly turning beautiful shades of Autumn colours and children enjoy kicking the leaves and listening to them rustle as we go on our daily walk to feed the horses . We pick the blackberries  and this year there is an abundance of them. I make them into blackberry and apple buns for sharing time!The school walls display the great “Irish Mammal projects” and Sienne did a beautiful project on Irish bats with the help of big brother Zack. Saibh also had help from big brother Fionn with her lovely hedgehog project and Lara was guided by Luke with her otter project. Harry B was not to be outdone and could tell us all about Whales in Irish waters and he is very proud of his work!

Ella did the little pygmy shrew,Ireland’s smallest mammal and we are keeping a watch out for this little fellow when walking down the lane. He could be in the hedgerow hiding amongst the leaves!