October has been a rich and engaging month in the Ferrer Lower Primary Environment (ages 6–9). Through language, storytelling, personal reflection and collaborative activities, the children have continued to develop their confidence, independence, creativity and understanding of themselves and others.
Finding Our Voices Through Writing and Speaking
This month, we introduced persuasive writing and explored how to express ideas clearly and convincingly. The older children put their learning into practice by preparing and presenting their own one-minute speeches, developing their ability to organise their thoughts, communicate their opinions and speak confidently in front of an audience.
We also began exploring the art of letter writing. The children learned how to structure a letter and address an envelope correctly, preparing for an exciting real-life purpose: our pen-pal exchange next month! This practical introduction to written communication has helped them understand how writing can connect us with others beyond our classroom.
Exploring the Second Great Story
Following the presentation of our Second Great Story, the children embarked on their own follow-up research and creative work. Each child chose an era or period of particular interest and created a poster combining written information with illustrations and drawings.
These projects offered a wonderful opportunity to follow individual curiosity, deepen understanding and express learning in different ways. The resulting work reflected the children's diverse interests, creativity and growing ability to communicate what they have discovered.
Growing as Readers Through Book Clubs
Our weekly book clubs are now underway! Working in small groups, the children have been sharing ideas, exchanging perspectives and engaging in enriching discussions about their reading.
These sessions provide a valuable space for developing comprehension, building new vocabulary and learning to listen thoughtfully to one another. Alongside their conversations, the children have also been exploring their responses to books through writing and drawing, strengthening their connections with stories and characters.
All About Me: Building Self-Awareness and Empathy
Another theme this month has been “All About Me.” Through a range of activities, the children have been reflecting on who they are, getting to know their peers and discovering the many things that make us similar, as well as the qualities and experiences that make each of us unique.
This exploration has naturally extended into our work on grace and courtesy. One particularly lovely activity has been the Rose, Bud and Thorn reflection, in which the children share something positive (their rose), something challenging (their thorn) and something they are looking forward to (their bud). This simple yet meaningful practice encourages self-reflection, emotional awareness and an optimistic outlook, while helping the children appreciate that every day can bring both challenges and opportunities for growth.
During circle time, we have also used role-playing activities to explore different social situations. By imagining themselves in another person's shoes, the children practise recognising others' feelings, developing empathy and considering how their words and actions affect those around them. These experiences help them build the social and emotional skills needed to navigate everyday situations with greater kindness, awareness and confidence, making thoughtful choices in their interactions with others.
Sharing, Responsibility and Community
Our Sharing Bag presentations continue to be a highlight of the month. The children approach their turn with enthusiasm and a growing sense of responsibility, taking care to prepare on time and select items to share with their classmates. It has been lovely to see the thought and attention to detail that go into their choices, as well as the pride they take in presenting something meaningful to the group.
These presentations offer more than an opportunity to share personal interests. They also nurture oral language, confidence, active listening and a sense of belonging within our classroom community.
Looking Ahead
October has been a month of meaningful connections: connecting ideas through writing and speaking, connecting with history through our Great Stories, connecting with books and one another through discussion, and connecting more deeply with ourselves and our community through reflection and shared experiences.
As we move into November, we look forward to building on this learning, particularly as the children prepare to put their letter-writing skills into practice through our upcoming pen-pal exchange. We are proud of the curiosity, thoughtfulness and growing independence they continue to bring to each day in the Ferrer environment.