Friendship, Independence and Adventure: A Fantastic Week for Ribble and Purple Classes

Friendship, Independence and Adventure: A Fantastic Week for Ribble and Purple Classes

Ribble class have been very welcoming to the new student this week. Everyone has been kind and understanding to help him feel settled in class. They have all worked well together and lovely friendships have started forming.

Ribble class went to Aldi to buy the ingredients for their independence and life skills lesson. They selected the fruit they wanted and used the self-check out to pay for the food. The pupils then made their fruit salad when we got back to school. The boys showed some fantastic chopping skills and helped to tidy the classroom afterwards. In music Ribble class have been exploring beat and rhythm. The pupils are able to repeat a rhythm back and maintain a beat. Each pupil has had a go at leading a group warm up and setting the rhythm. They have enjoyed exploring the different instruments and playing music games.

Adventure was in the air this week for the students of Purple Class as they stepped, splashed, and  squelched their way through Michael Rosen’s classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

The classroom was transformed into a giant Sensory Trail, challenging our explorers to experience the story with all their senses. The students showed incredible bravery and curiosity as they tackled each new landscape:

Swish-Swash: There were lots of giggles as students "waded" through the long, wavy green grass.

Splosh-Splash: Everyone kept their cool while feeling the chilled water of the deep, cold river.

Tiptoe-Tiptoe: The forest was full of "stumble-trip" moments as the class navigated their way over real crunchy sticks and twigs.

The highlight of the week was seeing the students take charge of their own learning. After completing the physical trail, the students worked hard to label the different environments. Using high-contrast visuals and symbols, they matched the textures they had felt—like the "thick mud" and "narrow cave"—to the correct parts of the story map.

This hands-on approach has seen a fantastic boost in engagement, with many students using their preferred communication methods to anticipate what was coming next. Whether it was a "squelch" of the mud or a "hoooo-woooo" of the snowstorm, Purple Class proved they aren't scared of anything!

Well done, Purple Class—you found the bear and made it back home safely!