Autumn 2 half term

Our topic this past half term was ‘Journeys’ and the children enjoyed learning what a journey is through books and out and about sessions. Our two key texts, ‘What the Ladybird Heard’ and ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ were very popular and lots of the children now know both books off by heart! The children have started to learn and use lots of new vocabulary for geographical features such as hills, rivers, fields, caves, sea and have been introduced to maps. Learning all about and playing with farm animals has been very popular too. In phonics we have been learning all about instrumental sounds and playing different instruments inside and outside, as part of developing listening and attention. The children have been introduced to one number every week and been on number hunts to find it in the environment. Counting, understanding ‘same’ and ‘different’ quantities and learning the names of basic 2D shapes have been our main focus in maths. 

We have also been learning all about the seasons and the signs of Autumn and Winter. We noticed the colours of the leaves change then fall off the trees on our out and about walks. Thank you for bringing in bulbs. The children enjoyed digging holes and planting them. We cannot wait to see them grow into beautiful flowers in the Spring.  We learnt about and celebrated the festival of Diwali and even made Diva lamps to bring home. Art was also our focus to help us learn about Bonfire night and Remembrance Day as we painted fireworks and poppies. Finally, we have been celebrating Christmas by singing, making cards and crafts and learning about how Christians celebrate it. Thank you for joining us for the Christmas concerts. We were very proud of how well the children sang for you all.

Next term

Term begins on 5th January. Our topic is ‘Marvellous Making’. The table above gives you an overview of the learning and activities we will be focussing on in the 3 year old Nursery. The 2yos will focus on a simplified version of this plan.  We will be making music, making dens, making a picnic, making Chinese arts and crafts and making wintery art! In addition to this all children have a Music session with Mrs Williamson every week, an Out and About session, maths, circle time and phonics session. Our phonics focus is tapping out rhythms and learning about rhyming words. We also have story time every day and learn songs, rhymes and dances every week. In addition the children learn a new Makaton sign each week, a number of the week and we will focus on counting and understanding number. The children of course have the opportunity to choose their own learning and play inside and outside throughout the term. 

Rhyme Time Challenge

Next term we also start our Rhyme Time Challenge! This is when we send home a weekly Nursery rhyme for the children to learn with their families! We also practise it in Nursery but it would be great to see videos and pictures of you singing it at home on Tapestry! At the end of term  there will be a concert in the Nursery before the Easter holidays. Our rhymes are: Open Shut Them; Polly Put the Kettle On; Old MacDonald; It’s Raining, It’s Pouring; Five Little Monkeys; Mary had Little Lamb; A Sailor went to Sea.

Dates for your Diary

Start of term - Wednesday 5th January

Nursery Reading Workshop for Parents - come and learn about how to help children develop a pleasure in reading, understand and talk about books and help children learn to read - Wednesday 18th January 8.50 am in the Great Hall

Science Day and MANGO Day - Friday 14th January (Mums, Aunties, Nanas, Grans and Other female relatives are welcome to join us for an hour at the start of the morning or afternoon session. Our focus is messy play so please come prepared to have fun and get messy!

Parent consultations - 9th & 10th February 4pm onwards

Chinese New Year celebrations - Tuesday 1st February

End of term - Thursday 10th February