A CROWN FOR THE KING

 

The children continue to observe the tadpoles and caterpillars and we are recording our findings. We have been practising the dance for the coronation and we have looked at African music and dance. The children have been playing with the instruments and creating their own dance moves during CIL. We have researched the life cycles of the tadpoles and caterpillars using the internet and books. We watched the animated story of the caterpillar with shoes and used this story during maths to count the shoes and feet counting in 2’s. The children were then encouraged to create their own caterpillars with shoes and to label the amount of shoes that their caterpillar would wear.

The children have started to talk about the Coronation and we have supported their interest by providing resources for them to make flags, crowns and bunting. They were very interested in the event but did not have much idea what it was about. Through discussion and questioning we found out what they already understood about the event and we showed them footage of the Queen’s Coronation. We are going to be focusing on the event next week when the children have had the opportunity to experience the reality of it over the weekend. We will observe their reactions next week and plan around that. We will be making a role play area after we have discussed what the children need to extend their creativity.

I hope you all have another enjoyable long weekend.

Mrs Robinson👑👑👑👑

 

We have spent time this week looking at our garden and discussed the changes that are taking place, we talked about what needs to be done to maintain and help the plants grow throughout Spring. We planted some new seeds and we will be monitoring their growth. We took the weeds out from our garden and while doing so we looked at the roots of the plants. We planted sunflower seeds, leeks and tomatoes. We learnt about parts of the plants and we identified the important factors for the plant growth. Maybe we will plant some magic beans to see if a beanstalk will grow.

I hope you all have a great long weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.🌞🌻

Come on sunshine

The children have settled well and we have been focusing on new life and lifecycles.

We have observed the children exploring the tadpole area and they have identified the changes that have taken place over the holidays. During discussions the children have talked about the lifecycle of a butterfly. Through discussion and discovery, the children have explored the lifecycles of different creatures. We have predicted the next steps for the tadpoles and we are waiting for our caterpillars to arrive. We have created an area for the children to observe the changes taking place.

We are hoping that the weather will start to improve. I am never sure what to wear on my feet, one day I am in boots the next I am in sandals AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

The warmer weather will mean that the children can explore different elements to our outdoor provision and the sand pit is the most popular. I apologise if they come home with sandy feet but think about the learning that has taken place as a result of that. Then you can hoover it all up off the carpet.

I hope you all have a good weekend.

Mrs RobinsonJ

FROGS

 We have finally reach the end of the term and I think we are all ready for some sunshine. The children have enjoyed learning about Christianity and the  Easter story and have been decorating eggs throughout the week.

We have got some frogspawn in the unit for the children to observe over the next few weeks. Hopefully there will not be frogs jumping around the unit when we get back. 🐸

We hope you all have a wonderful break and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 18th April.

Mrs Robinson.

Scientists

 This week we  had a science workshop for the children to enjoy. They had the opportunity to be part of some experiments which were fun and exciting. We spent the rest of the week looking at other experiments. We discussed  cause and effect and the children had a good understanding of how and why things happened. We are developing our science exploration area as I think we may have some young scientists in the setting.

Today your child is bringing home a library book to share with you. Please can you return the books before next Friday so that they can choose another book to take home. 

I am hoping that the weather will start to change soon. Apologies for muddy children but the ground is so wet and we feel it is very important that they have a full outdoor curriculum as well as indoor regardless of the weather. Maybe the sun will come after the holidays.

 I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson 🌞🌞🌞🌞

Science week

 Hello all, sorry I have not been around this week I have been suffering with vertigo so it has taken me a while to regain my balance. Mrs Sheehan has told me about the amazing activities the children have done this week to celebrate science. I have copied her blog onto ours so that you can see what the children have been doing.

To mark the Science week, we carried out different experiments in Foundation. On Monday, we  explored  magnetic and non-magnetic objects. On Tuesday we used magnetic sticks and metal objects to create movement on paper. On Wednesday we placed flowers in coloured water to learn about the function of the stem in a plants. On Friday we launched a rocket into Space. Next week the children will be participating in an interactive Science workshop.

It sounds like I missed a great week but the children were eager to tell me all about what they have learnt.

I hope you all have a good weekend. Please make sure you have signed up for parent consultations which will take place next week.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

 Despite the weather we have been learning about new life and the onset of Spring. The children are beginning to observe the changes in the environment and we are hoping that the weather will soon take a turn for the better. The children have created some amazing art that depicts new life. We focused on daffodils creating art using layering and also made picture of daffodils by bubble painting. These creations are on display in the school corridors.

Thank you to all for donating seeds. We are going to keep hold of them a little longer before planting as I think that any frost will kill them.

 Next week we are going to be exploring science in depth. Watch this SPACE.🌏👽

Have a great weekend and keep warm.

Mrs Robinson❆❅❆❅❆

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WE LOVE BOOKS

 We have had an exciting week with World Book Day to enjoy and celebrate. The children loved dressing up and we all enjoyed wearing our PJ's, it definitely created a nice relaxed environment for the day. Stories and books are such an integral part of foundation and everyday is about storytelling and adventure, as the children learn through play. We shared many of our favourite books this week and the children enjoyed sharing the ones they brought into school on Thursday. We discussed how books are created and explained the meaning of words such as author and illustrator. We are going to be sharing books with year 5 and 6 next week which we are all looking forward to. We will also be reading The Enormous Turnip which is one of my favourite stories. 

I hope you have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson😁

 

Pancakes

 The children have come back full of enthusiasm. They have been asking me to make a salon for a while so we have combined the salon with the nail bar. Many people may think that this does not support gender balance but I can assure you that this role play area is equally accessed by all the children in the setting. We have observed the interactions in the area, focusing mainly on the children's communication and social skills. They have been amazing problem solving and sharing resources. The adults have supported the children in this area through questioning and most importantly suggestions. The children are supported in resolving problems during play and the adults have monitored this and only intervened when it moved the learning forward. We are so lucky to be able to watch the learning that can happen through a creative environment that is well resourced.

On Tuesday we celebrated Pancake Day. The children had a go at tossing the pancake up in the air which was lots of fun. They eventually got the opportunity to eat them and they were delicious.

Thursday, 2nd March is World Book Day. This year children do not have to dress up but can come to school in their pyjamas. However, if you have already purchased an outfit of a book character they can wear this instead. We would like all children to bring in their favourite book on the day.

Have a good weekend.

Mrs Robinson

The salon is back

 

On Tuesday it was safer internet day. We watched a short video about internet safety and have discussed how to stay safe online. The children had a good understanding of what to do if they see something online that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable. We discussed the meaning of the word internet and the use of the internet in our everyday lives.

During child initiated learning the children made electronic devices out of construction materials and drew houses with an internet box in them.

During child initiated play the children often look at the map and point to the places we have discussed during group sessions. We have continued learning about The World with the particular focus on our local area.

The children have created their own maps which show their journey from home to school.

We will extend this activity by discussing different ways of transport with the particular focus on the most sustainable methods. of transport. We will also learn to identify particular features on the map such as a river, a lake, a pond, a road, etc.

The hair salon is back!!!!!!!! 

The children have been asking for this role play area for a while so we have reinstated it to include the nail bar. As you will see from the photographs we have an amazing mix of boys, girls and different year groupsengaging with each other in really good play that helps them learn.

Next week is half term and I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Mrs Robinson 😊😊

Handa's Surprise

This week we have been using the World Map. After an adult directed activity, the children discussed their own experiences of other countries and places they know about. We looked at volcanoes and also the children were fascinated learning about wildfires. We learnt how the helicopters scoop the water up to put the fires out. We discussed other countries and the climate. The children were aware of the temperature changes around the world so we discussed the impact this can have. One child mentioned the fires so we discussed wildfires and the children learnt how they are put out. We also looked at volcanoes and which countries have volcanoes. The children talked about the floods in Potters Bar, under the bridge so we extended this by looking at news reports and why we thought it had happened. This topic will continue next week.

Our focus story for this week was 'Handa's Suprise'. The children have acted out the story and have had an opportunity to taste variety of fruit.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson