The children arrived to find all these people trapped in ice! How did they get there? How could we free them?
I asked how the ice had got around the play people? Where had it come from? Some said it came from snow, or frost. One child mentioned that water changes into ice.
We then talked about how we could free the play people. Suggestions ranged from a saw, a hammer and Spiderman shooting out a web! Another child suggested putting the ice blocks outside - "put them in the sunshine, because it's hot and dry and sunny".
Periodically the children gathered round to see what had changed.
Many of them had a go at breaking the ice, and chipping away at it. As the day went on, more of the children started talking about melting. 
There were great celebrations and cheers every time a play person was freed! Once all of the ice had melted and the play people were rescued, we talked about whether we could make the water into ice again. One child mentioned a cooker. Another mentioned a freezer!
TUESDAY'S CHALLENGE!
Dinosaurs were trapped in the ice today! Some of the children began to think about the problem. Theodore said "Maybe we can cut the ice with a knife". Finnley didn't think that would work "because ice is super strong!" Mason suggested "Maybe Jack Frost turned them into ice". Theodore replied "I don't think so because there was no snow. Maybe Mrs Courtney left the window open last night". Various tools were tried to break the ice but to no avail!
Theodore said "I know, salt can cut through it!" We then looked around the room for other things - water, milk and sand were suggested.The children tried out salt, cold water and sand and observed closely to see what happened.
None of them completely melted the ice to free the dinosaurs. Someone said "What about hot water?". All the little scientists observed while Mrs Courtney poured on hot water and yes! the ice finally melted and the dinosaurs were freed!
Great to see the children so focused on what was happening, and trying to work out what to do.
WEDNESDAY'S CHALLENGE!
Winnie the Pooh, Robin Hood and Tigger had been captured and trapped on a high window sill, and a dangerous barrier was stopping anyone from getting near! How could we rescue them?
Theodore said he could jump like Hulk and rescue them. Evie said she could lean and stretch with her arms. Theodore suggested a ladder out of boxes. Lena signed she had a ladder at home. James said it was too high. Evie suggested we could make a slide. Oakley said we could make a trampoline and bounce up.
Eventually after some suggestions about flying! we decided to look and see what we could use to make a ladder. Oakley brought over the cardboard pieces and the children set to work to tape lots together. We held up the "ladder" together. Evie said "Flick him on!"
Winnie the Pooh slid down the ladder. Everyone cheered! When we were going to rescue Robin Hood Charlie fetched a box - "going to catch him when he comes down the slide".
The children had lots of great ideas and were thinking through what they could do. I was so pleased by the way they worked together.
THURSDAY'S CHALLENGE
The children were sent a challenge by letter today from the Thunderbirds' crew! They needed their help to build them some new rescue vehicles!
The children were very excited and we talked about what vehicles might be needed. My favourite was Erin's idea to build a bouncy ball with a seat in to bounce to the people who needed rescuing! Several children used junk modelling materials to build vehicles and everyone showed lots of interest when we shared these at the end of the session.
Again, a great opportunity for the children to think through a problem and try to work out solutions.
A brilliant week in Little Conkers!
Goodbye from some of the Superheroes!
