MATHS

Size, capacity and mass

We have been learning about size in maths, focusing on the vocabulary of big / small, wide / narrow, tall / short. After reading the story 'Dear Zoo' and discussing why the animals were not suitable we decided to make our own animal houses using the junk modelling materials. We also had a teddy bears picnic, sorting the objects to suit each bear according to the size. 

We enjoyed making potions to explore capacity using the language of full / empty / half full and had a go at weighing different boxes using the language of heavy / light. 

Subitising to 3

We have been learning how to subitise (say how many objects/pictures there are without counting) to 3 while playing dice games.

1-1 Accurate counting

We have been teaching our puppet how to to count accurately. The children suggested lining up the obejects and saying one number name for each object in order. The final number will tell you how many are in the set. The children made counting wands to encourage them to practice in their play too. 

Repeating Patterns

We have been continuing and making our own repeating patterns using 2 or 3 objects. 

Shape monsters

Linked to the colour monster, we have been making shape monsters, naming the shapes and counting the features. 

Composing Numbers to 4

We have been composing numbers 2, 3 and 4, saying different ways to make the numbers using fingers, cubes and talking about shape arrangements when subitising. The children are getting really good at explaining what they can see when looking at an arrangements of objects. E.g. 1 and 2 more makes 3. 

PHONICS

We have started learning the sounds of the alphabet in Read Write Inc. alongside lots of fine motor activities to develop our hand muscles so we are ready to write! The children have enjoyed playing some phonics games, hearing initial sounds and learning how to 'Fred Talk' (segment sounds in words) too. 

Squiggle me into a writer

We have started our morning dances that relate to the letters of the alphabet. Each session, the children use their 'flipper, flapper' scarves to create the shapes of the letter. Next we copy the letter formation in the air and finally write it on whiteboards. Each session is repeated 3 or 4 times until the children are confident with the letter formation. It's great fun, energetic and gets us ready for our phonics lesson!

PSED

School Tour

We have been on a tour of the school to meet some of the important adults who help us and keep us safe at school. We got to see where we will do PE and have our lunch too. 

The Mixed Up Chameleon

After reading our class text, the children talked about what made them special and what they are good at. We discussed what kind of things we like to do outside of school too. 

The Colour Monster

We have been reading the story and discussing different feelings and emotions. The children were able to talk about when they felt happy and sad in the past and who they would talk to in school if they were worried. Next, the children wrote messages using symbols to the sad colour monster to make him feel happy again. They came up with some great ideas!

Learning about differences

We have read the story, 'It's OK to be different' and talked about how everybody is different whether it's how we look or what our favourite things are to do. We discussed how we all look different and had a go at making portraits of each other, celebrating our differences.

ART

Eric Carle

Linked to our class text, we have been looking at the illustrations from Eric Carle. We decided to have a go at collaging the animals in 'The Mixed Up Chameleon' using the same process. Working in groups, we started off mixing the paint to create the desired colour using the primary colours. Then we painted a piece of paper and applied texture using tools ready to collage once dry. The children were really good at putting on their aprons, dispensing the paint, using the tools and even washing up at the end! Once dry, each child chopped up their painting into small pieces to collage their group animal as a team. 

The childen have continued to practice colour mixing to paint an Autumn tree using orange and green to represent the Autumn leaves. 

We have put all our painting skills together to paint a picture of our choice. The children had to colour mix, wash their brushes when changing colour and choose colours for a purpose. 

TOPIC

Goldilocks and the three bears

We have been re-telling the story using pictures and actions as a class. The children are getting really good at adding expression and coming up with their own actions to show what is happening. During play, the children enjoyed acting out the story with the story props and drawing the main events of the story on large paper. 

Our Families

After learning the story of Goldilocks, we have been talking about who lives in our house. The children have used pebbles to represent members of their family and drawn who they live with. 

People and Communities 

We have been talking about where we live in Walkley, Sheffield. After looking at Google Maps we decided to make our own maps, drawing our houses and local landmarks. The children also used the small world resources to build the local area including school and Walkley shops. 

The Little Red Hen

We have been learning the traditional tale of 'The Little Red Hen'  to link in with our learning on Harvest Time and Autumn. We recieved a message from the Red Hen asking for help so we wrote messages to her and explained how we would help her as good Walkley citizens. We have also been on an autumn walk around the school grounds spotting signs of the changing seasons. The children loved collecting leaves and even found some apples in the tree which we've decided to make apple cookies with. 

MUSIC