We are trying out an extended break time once a week. Big Break!
This is to give the pupils time to explore learning through play.
This week we had pupils building a seat in the trees – because you need a rest when your climbing up a tree – it’s hard work you know!
Pupils were trying to light fires. Staff were hoping it was so that the kettle could go on as it was a bit chilly out.
Other pupils were rolling tyres down the hills and trying to get them to travel as far as they could before they fell over. They found that by pushing them harder – increasing the force on the tyre – they could get the tyre to roll for a greater distance.
Two children decided that they wanted to roll down the hill and dragged a tarpaulin out of the shed to roll down the hill in.
Gabriella spent the whole of Big Break cooking up in the mud kitchen. She has lots of fun developing her cakes.
Some of the pupils decided to dig for treasure in the corner of the playground. They washed out a hole they had dug when they discovered silver (non -confirmed sighting). This led them to get all the pipes and guttering out of the shed and set up a waterworks down the hill into the wildlife garden.
At first some of our pupils struggled to get themselves into play – particularly the older pupils. But we are trying to get better at it.
We need to review – time of day – impact on learning.
We’ll keep you posted on how Big Break develops.
P.Dale
