The Leaf Thief

Over the past five weeks, the Year 1 children have explored the seasons through various engaging activities. Our main text, "The Leaf Thief," has been central to our journey. The children learned the story using the Talk-for-Writing approach, which helped them understand the plot, characters and sentence structures in a fun, interactive way.

The children wrote their own stories in small groups, developing settings and characters and inventing imaginative storylines. Each group took turns sharing their stories with the class and even took a walk to the Early Years area to share their tales with younger peers. This interaction not only boosted their confidence but also fostered a sense of community within the school.

The children also engaged in art projects that complemented their storytelling. They crafted stained glass light catchers in various leaf shapes. They also created stunning snowflakes by carefully following written instructions, enhancing their fine motor skills and attention to detail. These art pieces not only brightened our classroom but also helped the children appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons.

To bring their stories to life visually, they made detailed drawings depicting the settings, characters, and scenes from their tales. These illustrations were a wonderful way for them to express their creativity and understanding of the stories they had crafted.

Deepening their understanding of the seasons, we took nature walks around the school grounds. The children compared what they observed in our school compound in Kenya during May/June to the typical signs of autumn. They noted the differences and similarities, such as the types of leaves and natural materials found. They collected leaves, croton nuts, and other materials, which we then used in various classroom activities.