"Learning and
Growing Together"
What are we learning this term?
Term 5
This term in we are learning to use fine and gross movements with confidence, purpose and joy. In Oak room we are reading We're going on a Bear Hunt and exploring and making maps. Find out more here.
Term 4
This term in Oak room we are reading Jack and the Beanstalk, making pancakes, learning about alliteration, planting and growing and much much more. Find out more here.
Term 3
This term we are learning to use mathematical language and thinking
We are focusing on using our mathematical understanding and vocabulary to talk about things we are doing and observing.
in Oak room, linked to our core book, we are learning about size (small, medium and large), length (short, longer, longer, shorter) height (short, shorter, shortest, tall, taller, tallest) the numbers 1,2,3 and ordering (first, second, third). We are introducing some new mathematical resources to explore shape, pattern and size.
In Willow room we are learning about positional language such as over, under and through. We are also thinking and talking about size for example, big and small.
In Oak room, we are learning to read and re-tell the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears
Our core book this term is the traditional tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We are reading different versions and noticing the similarities and differences between the versions. We are using story maps to re-tell the story and creating our own actions. We will be thinking about the characters, props and setting, and adapting the story with our own characters and ideas. We are learning to use different voices for the bears—a deep, gruff voice for daddy bear, a high voice for mummy bear and a tiny, squeaky voice for baby bear.
We have sent a story map and song lyrics home so that you can sing and re-tell the story together. Listen here to The Three Bears Rap
stphilipsmarshnursery.co.uk/sounds/the-three-bears/
There a many versions of When Goldilocks went to the House of the Bears on youtube. Check out this version with Makaton signing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO21SNLF5P4
In Willow, we are learning to join in the story of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
The children are beginning to repeat common refrains such as “we can’t go over it, we can’t go under it” and using their bodies to demonstrate meaning, such as, opening arms wide for “big one”. We are also wondering about the bear at the end of the book. Does he feel sad? Does he look happy? Where is he going now?
We are exploring different areas of the nursery including the garden to listen to the sounds we can make and hear, squelchy mud, crispy leaves, splashy puddles. Where is the bear? Is he in the forest? Is he under the bridge? Is he over the hill?
Why not watch the author, Michael Rosen, telling the story hm.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyI6ykDwds.
We are learning to be independent
We will continue to explore the outdoors in all weathers. The children will be learning to be independent by changing their shoes and putting on coats and waterproofs for themselves.
It really helps if they have shoes that are easy to put on and do up.
Please remember to put their name in their shoes and clothes so that they can find them at the end of the day.
Home learning ideas
We will be sharing a range of books linked to our core text and mathematical themes at nursery, as well as sending some books home to share as a family.
The Words for Life website has some fantastic reading ideas and activities to support your child’s learning at home. There is a whole section on books to support numbers and counting Early Years books to support numbers and counting | Words for Life
The Early Childhood Maths Group also has some great ideas to promote mathematical thinking at home Maths postcards for families – ECMG (earlymaths.org)
Term 2
This term our core book in Oak room is Whatever Next!
In the story, Baby Bear wants to go to the moon and searches around the house until he finds a rocket (a cardboard box), a space-helmet (a colander) and space-boots (his wellies). He blasts off out of the chimney and is joined by an owl. Baby Bear and owl have a picnic on the moon, before bear returns home. Of course, when he returns to earth for his bath, his mother doesn't believe where he has been.
We have been reading the story and using story maps and props to help us re-tell it. We have been exploring boxes, using them to create our own rockets and other vehicles and well as discovering how many bears we can fit into them.
Now that the children are familiar with the story, we will be introducing signs and actions to enable them to act out a simplified version of the story. Attached is a copy of the story map and a story outline. Hopefully they will soon be able to tell you the story at home.
Why not listen this story together at home, there are several versions available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5cb0u0rPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za-g9y0_Y1s
Linked to bonfire night, we have been creating firework pictures using salad spinners, learning an action song called ‘on firework night at 5 o’clock’ and joining in firework dancing using ribbons and streamers.
Outdoors we created large scale collaborative artwork using syringes, rollers and large brushes. It was great fun, looked amazing and was very messy!
Term 1
Our main focus this term has been to successfully settle the new children and re-settle the returning children. We are really pleased with our exciting new nursery environments and are getting used to the new names, inspired by the trees in the garden - Oak room (formerly Green room) and Willow room (formerly Blue room). Molly’s room has been redeveloped as a studio space for artistic, creative and sensory exploration.
The children have been getting to know their key person, finding out which key group they are in and developing their group area and notice board with photos of their families. Which key group is your child in? Are they in blue, yellow or green group.
We have a daily story time after lunch. In Oak room the focus story has been Owl Babies with the important message that mummy always comes back. In Willow room they have been reading A Bit Lost and have been learning Makaton signs for the different animals featured. We have introduced story maps to help the children re-tell the stories.
The good weather has helped us to make the most of the outdoor environment. The children have been developing their gross motor skills, alongside lots of sensory exploration, particularly in the mud kitchen. The new classroom names, Willow and Oak, have prompted learning about the different trees in the garden. We have been exploring the fruits and seeds from the plants and trees and using found natural objects to enhance our learning both outside and inside. The children have been excited to pop open the spiky horse chestnut cases to discover the smooth, shiny conkers inside and staff have been modelling a variety of descriptive language to help the children talk about what they see and feel. We used the conkers for painting, sorting, counting, rolling and enhancing playdough and clay creations.
It has been lovely to see how well the children have settled and we look forward to sharing more of their learning with you next term.
