This week, the Nursery children had a great time with the story Funnybones! The fun skeletons in the story sparked their imagination and creativity through exciting activities.
The children enjoyed pretending to be skeletons, acting out parts of the story and moving like bones. They worked together to bring the story to life. They also made skeletons using cotton buds and black paper. They arranged the cotton buds as bones, creating their own skeletons and practicing their fine motor skills. The children had fun singing and dancing to "Dem Bones, Dem Bones." The song helped them learn about body parts as they pointed to their arms, legs, and spine. Lastly, the children drew their favourite zoo animals, like lions, tigers, and giraffes. They connected their learning to the word "zoo" from the story. It was a week full of fun and learning for the Nursery children! This week, the children enjoyed Anansi and the Golden Pot, learning about the importance of sharing. They listened attentively and engaged in discussions about its moral lessons.
As a follow-up, they explored a world map to locate Ghana and compared life in Britain and Ghana, discussing schools, villages, cities, and London’s multicultural nature. They were particularly interested in images of daily life and cultural differences. A highlight was tasting Ghanaian food, including jollof rice and fried plantain, with many excited to try new flavours. They also listened to traditional tales from both countries, identifying shared themes of kindness and respect. Overall, the children showed enthusiasm, deepening their cultural awareness and appreciation for storytelling. This week in Reception, the children have been engaging in an exciting exploration of the world. As part of our ongoing theme of exploration, we delved into the diverse range of fruits and vegetables that are found in different parts of the world.
The lesson began with a discussion where the children shared their knowledge of fruits. They talked about the fruits they already know and enjoyed, identifying their favourites. The children eagerly contributed their ideas, with some mentioning common fruits like apples, bananas, and strawberries. Next, we expanded our exploration by introducing a selection of exotic fruits from around the world. The children had the opportunity to learn about and observe fruits such as guava, custard apples, passion fruit, Sharon fruit, and mini bananas. We discussed the unique features of each fruit, such as their colours, shapes, and textures. The children showed great interest in these new fruits, asking questions and expressing curiosity about their origins. Through this hands-on experience, the children not only enhanced their knowledge of different fruits but also developed an appreciation for the diversity of foods found globally. In Reception class, the children have been reading the story The Invisible, which has helped them develop empathy for people living in poverty. As part of their learning, they visited the local food bank where they actively contributed by preparing food hampers. Each child made sure that every hamper contained two bags of fruit and two bags of vegetables. They also helped distribute toiletries and other essentials like peanut butter. During the week, discussions were held about the importance of people in the community who help others, fostering a sense of gratitude and community spirit.
Additionally, the children shared their dreams for the future, discussing what they would like to be when they grow up, which highlighted their growing understanding of aspirations and the value of helping others. This activity not only supported their emotional development but also encouraged them to think about kindness and responsibility in their community. This week in Reception, we’ve been learning about history. After focusing on Nursery Rhymes last week, we explored Each Peach Pear Plum. The children discussed when they thought these rhymes were written and considered the historical context—such as Jack and Jill fetching water from a well, and Baby Bunting’s father hunting for a rabbit to keep the baby warm, unlike today when we use blankets.
We also examined old artifacts, including a candlestick, vintage toys, a Walkman, and other fascinating objects, helping the children connect stories to life in the past and understand how daily life has changed over time. Our class had a wonderful time visiting The Museum of the Home! We began with the story A Place Called Home by Kate Baker, which introduced the children to homes from around the world, sparking their curiosity about different cultures and lifestyles.
We then explored three homes from different eras: a simple 1910s space with a sewing machine, small cooker, and a curtained bed corner; a nostalgic 1970s home with a blocky TV and doilies; and a modern 2020s home with a flat-screen TV and a familiar kitchen design. The trip deepened the children’s understanding of how homes reflect their time, culture, and purpose, inspiring them to appreciate the evolution and diversity of living spaces. The children had a great time creating Rangoli patterns with coloured rice as part of their learning about Diwali. They carefully arranged the rice into shapes like flowers and circles, focusing on bright, cheerful colours. Some worked together, sharing ideas, while others created their own designs. The children understood that Rangoli is a symbol of good luck and joy during Diwali. This activity helped them explore the cultural tradition, develop fine motor skills, and enjoy the beauty of the patterns they created.
This week in Early Years, we have been learning all about autumn and the changes that happen during this special season. We explored how the weather gets cooler, the days get shorter, and why the leaves change colour. We also talked about how animals prepare for winter, like squirrels gathering food and some animals hibernating. As part of our learning, we went on a trip to Haggerston Park, where we learned about maps and how to create our own map showing the route from our school to the park. It has been a fun and exciting week!
|
EYFSWe'll post about what's happening in our class Archives
February 2025
Categories |