What a fantastic beginning to the term! Last week, our Year 2s have been introduced to the charming book Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler. To kick off the learning in a fun and engaging way, we set the scene by gathering around, feeling cosy, and taking a trip to the pond to recreate the special moments from the story. As we read together, the children were fully immersed, listening carefully and enjoying the adventure.
We made the story come to life by dancing and using actions, which helped the children explore the vocabulary and emotions of Ernest D, the main character. The children particularly enjoyed acting out parts of the story, such as becoming Ernest and experiencing his curiosity and wonder.
One of the most exciting parts was when the children had the chance to take on the role of Ernest. D. We threw stones into the pond, stuck sticks in, and even created a hook on the end of a stick to push into the water. It was a wonderful moment of discovery when we realised that, just like Ernest, the pond had no bottom — full of endless possibilities and mysteries.
This hands-on approach allowed the children to connect deeply with the story and its themes, while having fun along the way. It’s shaping up to be an inspiring and imaginative term ahead!
Please see below the photos from last week’s learning experience.
We can’t wait to continue our journey with Beyond the Pond and are excited to see where Ernest’s adventure will take us next. The possibilities are endless, and we’re eager to dive deeper into the story together!
Every great adventure begins with a single step – or in Ernest’s case, a leap into the unknown. As we journey through Beyond the Pond together, we too are taking our own leaps of curiosity, imagination, and discovery.