We have finally reached half term and I think we are all ready for a short break. This week we have been learning about Diwali and we have listened to the story of Rama and Sita. The children have also enjoyed having their hands painted which is a tradition that takes place during Diwali. We used brown paint to create our designs. This is called Mehndi art and originated from ancient India.
We have not managed to have our hot dogs on the fire this week so we are saving it until the first week back . Hopefully we will have a lovely crisp day so that we can enjoy the camp fire.

REMINDERS
 Can you please  send in a photograph of your family so we can put it on our family wall. We only have 5 families so far. This display is really important as  we talk about our families a lot and also about what makes us all unique.
Please can you make sure that all uniform is labelled including coats. The children need to wear their winter uniforms after the holidays.

I hope to see some of you at the bonfire next week.
Have a great holiday.
Mrs Robinson:)

 

Following on from Harvest last week we have been looking at vegetables that grow in the ground. We looked at how they grow and what they look like when they are taken out of the ground. The children then cleaned all the vegetables and we made soup. Almost all the children were happy to try it and some of them even had seconds. We decided to make our own vegetable shop outside and the children have enjoyed using money to buy their vegetables. In Foundation we often read a story called Vegetable Glue by Susan Chandler. It is really funny story about the benefits of eating vegetables and a must read for anyone who is having problems getting their children to eat.
Continuing with our healthy eating we had a visit from PB1 who did a talk about our teeth. The children responded really well and were able to talk confidently about good foods and bad foods that effect our teeth. 
Next week we are going to be cooking in our outside classroom on the fire.
We will be holding our parent consultations so please make sure you have booked a time slot.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

The unit has been full of Harvest activities this week and the children have enjoyed learning what Harvest is all about.  We have looked at wheat and how it grows and have read the story of the Little Red Hen. The children have made their own storyboard to show the sequence of the story and they have made bread like the little red hen except they shared it with their friends.
We are looking forward to our Harvest coffee morning on Friday and we look forward to singing our songs. I am sure you may have heard our Harvest Samba as the children sing it all day long.

We often study artists in Foundation and we have recently been looking at the artist Banksy. The children painting their own versions of Banksy's art on the wall. They were very interested in what he looked like and were surprised that  I couldn't tell them as we never see him because he does his paintings when they are in bed. I really hope you don't all wake up to your houses being painted in the night by our young artists!!!
I hope you all have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

Well the weather has officially changed and we are now in the wellie season. This has not dampened the children's enthusiasm for being outside and we have continued to support their interests. We have conkers everywhere so we decided to make a shop. The children are allowed to buy certain quantities of conkers depending on what number in on their shopping basket. This activity has really supported the children's number skills and also their communication and language skills as they have had to talk to each other and ask about quantities and money.
We have also had a visiting drama workshop and the children enjoyed spending time making stories with the witch and the dragon. One of our favourite stories is Little red Riding Hood so we have
 created a storyboard which helps us to remember the sequence of the story.
Inside the unit we have created a den building area which has been amazing to watch. We started the week with an empty space and we now have a house with windows and doors made out of boxes and 56 rolls of masking tape. The children worked together throughout the week to create this with different children being involved at different stages. The teachers have only observed and not had anything to do with the construction. Their social interactions have been amazing and their problem solving skills have resolved many building issues. I think we may have to apply for planning permission before it can become a habitable dwelling.
Next week we have our Harvest Festival celebration on Friday. You are welcome to come along for  a coffee and some cake with your child. Please do not worry if you are working as we will be with the children for the session. Our time slot is 10.00-10.30am. Please go to the hall and we will bring the children over to meet you.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)