Maths-Week 2

Describing Pattern 9.3.2023

 This week, the Nursery children have been learning about Patterns. They have been introduced to this topic this week and have been focusing on looking at different patterns, describing what they can see. The children have been fantastic at identifying spotty patterns, stripy patterns, shape patterns and colour patterns.

We have even moved onto creating simple ABAB patterns using colours and scarves. They have so impressed us with telling us the colours in the pattern and then extending the pattern themselves, telling us what will come next.

We will continue to focus on Patterns for the next few weeks- perhaps you could show your children some patterns at home or they could find some around the house for you?! You can see pictures of them enjoying their Maths lessons this week below. Well done Nursery!

Understanding the World

Week 2- T Rex and Stegosaurus

Nursery have continuined with their topic of dinosaurs this week. We have been learning all about specific dinosaurs- The T Rex and The Stegosaurus.The children have been learning about what these types of animals eat, including meat and plants.

They have also had great fun labelling the dinosaurs and identifying different features such as back spikes, shar teeth, claws and jaws etc. Nursery have made their own puppets of a stegosaurus and a T Rex and have so enjoyed painting them and drawing them. They can tell us lots about these different dinosaurs, explaining what they look like, what they eat and how they would have lived many millions of years ago.

You can see pictures of the children learning about dinosaurs this week below. Please ask them what they can tell you about Stegosauruses  and T Rexes at home-we are sure they can tell you lots! Great work Nursery! 

Literacy-Week 1 & 2

Jasper's Beanstalk- 9.3.2023

 Over the last two weeks the children in Nursery have been focusing on the story of Jasper's Beanstalk. They have been focusing on sequencing the story in small groups and talking about key language and vocabulary form the story. The children have become very familiar with key events in the story and we have practised retelling the story together.

The children in Nursery love their stories and they have so enjoyed learning about how Jasper looked after his bean, to help it grow into a tall and enormous beanstalk! They have so enjoyed learning new words and are so brilliant at ordering the pictures from the story correctly. You can see pictures of the children enjoying their literacy lessons on Jasper's Beanstalk below- well done Nursery!

Understanding the World

Week 1- The Past and Dinosaurs

Nursery children have started a brand new topic for this half term all about Dinosaurs. To begin this topic they have been learning all about the past, and how dinosaurs lived a very, very, very long time ago! We have been sorting things from the past and the present and have then moved onto exploring dinosaurs.

 We know that there were different types of dinosaur that lived in the land and sea, and that they lived on every continent, all over the world. Nursery have started to look at the names of different dinosaurs and we will look at these in more detail over the coming weeks.

You can see pictures of the children learning about dinosaurs this week below- well done Nursery!

Spring 1 2023

Literacy-Week 6

Freezeframes of Little Red Hen

 The children in Nursery have been continuing to learn The Little Red Hen Story this week. They have been acting out parts of the story using fantastic acting and freeze frames and using this to reinforce the key vocabulary.

We had some fantastic and creative freeze frames with everyone and it really helped the children with understanding the characters in the story and how they thought and felt. You can see pictures of the children in their freezeframes below- well done Nursery!

Maths-Week 6

Size, Length and Height

 Nursery have been studying Size, Length and Height as part of their Maths topic this week. They have been focusing on the key vocabulary ' big', 'small', 'tall', 'short' and 'long', using these words to describe what they see and understanding what they mean.

The children have made towers to show long and short, compared big and small objects and described them and looked at pieces of string to describe them as long or short. This has been a very practical, 'hand's-on' topic which the children have thoroughly enjoyed. You can see pictures of them enjoying their Maths lessons this week below. Well done Nursery!

Literacy-Week 5

The Little Red Hen

 The children in Nursery have been learning a brand new story this week of The Little Red Hen. They have been listening to the story and trying to join in with repeated refrains and key actions.

Nursery have also been making their very own bread, just like in the story so that we can understand what The Little Red Hen had to do. There are lots of different steps such as mixing the dough together, kneading the dough and baking it, before we finally get to eat it.

 The children have also been fantastic at learning their new story and have enjoyed the practical activity of making bread. This has really helped them to use and develop the vocabulary from the story such as flour, bread, grains and wheat. You can see pictures of the children making their bread below- well done Nursery!

Expressive Arts- Week 1-4

 Clay and Sculpture

For our Art lesson this term Nursery have been learning about sculpture and clay. They have been talking about how sculpture is a 3D piece of artwork, which can stand up on its own and is not flat.

We have been looking at different types of sculpture to show the children what these look like. They have then created their own sculptures for Art in Forest School of animals and natural materials. Nursery have been using their hands and different tools to mould and sculp the clay and make their sculpture. 

 You can see pictures of the children enjoying their Art lesson below and their fantastic sculptures. Please ask them about what their sculpture is and what they have made!

Understanding the World

Week 3 & 4- Older Vehicles 

Nursery children have been learning all about older vehicles and transport this week in their Journeys topic. They have been looking at horses and carriages and steam trains and know that these types of transport were used in the past, a long time ago.

 The children have been exploring how these vehicles work and what they would use to power them- horse power or coal turning water into steam. We have acted out these types of transport in groups and have sorted different vehicles into those from the past and present.

The children could not believe how different these vehicles were to our cars and aeroplanes of today. They were amazed by these types of transport and would love to them out. You can see pictures of them learning about steam trains and horses and carriages below- well done Nursery!

Phonics- Week 4

Rhyming Words and Syllables

Nursery have been learning all about words that rhyme and beats in words in their Phonics learning for this half term. We have been clapping out our names and counting the amount of syllables we hear. We find that clapping it out helps us to hear the rhythm and beat of the words, and with counting our syllables. Nursery can clap words with 1,2,3 or even 4 syllables!

The children have also been focusing on rhyming words- we have taken part in lots of rhyming games and have talked about words that sound similar at the end. Nursery were rhyming words such as 'cat' and 'mat, 'dog' and 'log' and 'rice' and 'mice.' They are amazing at telling us if words rhyme or not and some children can even come up with some of their own rhyming words, without using picture prompts to help them.

Well done for some wonderful Phonics this half term Nursery and you can see photos of them enjoying their lessons below. Great work everyone!

PE-Gymnastics

Weeks 1-4 Spring 1

This half term, Nursery have been performing Gymnastics as part of their topic in PE. We have been learning about how to use our bodies to perform different shapes, jumps and travelling movements.

The children have been practising jumping, walking, skipping, hopping and even rolling and we have learnt how to perform these movements safely around the hall. We have also been learning how to perform simple shapes such as stars and tucks as well as different pirate poses. Nursery have been saluting to the captain, scrubbing the decking and even walking the plank!

Well done all of Nursery in their fantastic PE this term and you can see them working having so much fun in their PE lessons in the photographs below. Amazing Gymnastics Nursery!

Maths-Week 3

Positions 18.1.2023 & 19.11.2023

 Nursery have been studying Position this week in Maths, looking at and describing objects in relation to where they are. We have been focusing on the positions under, on top of, next to and inside.

The children have had great fun showing us different positions using dinosaurs, teddy bears and even themselves! They have grasped the topic really well and are starting to use the vocabulary more independently in their play, which is fantastic news! .

You can see photos below of Nursery showing different positions below and please ask them what they have learnt at home- I am sure they would love to tell you and well done to all of you! 

Literacy-Week 3 17.1.2023

The Three Billy Goat's Gruff- Story Mapping

 The children in Nursery have been carrying on with their story of The Three Billy Goat's Gruff this week. Nursery have continued to sequence the story and have been creating their own story maps, drawing pictures and talking about the key bits they know. This helps us to remember and plot key parts of the story and talk about key vocabulary.

The children have also been using junk modelling to make bridges and masks to act out the story of the trolls and goats. They have been making different parts from the story within the classroom and have so enjoyed learning it together. The children have also been working on their pencil grips and doing pencil control with an adult, to support their early Writing. You can see some pictures of Nursery's work below and well done everyone!

Understanding the World- Week 2

 10.1.2022- Transport

Nursery have continued with their Journeys topic, learning all about transport this week. The children walked around the school finding different transport and were amazed to discover cars, scooters and bikes and even saw aeroplanes in the sky and buses riding by.

Nursery then came back to class and talked about the different types of transport they know. They used different pictures of transport to name and describe them and we were amazed by what the children knew- they could name and describe cars, aeroplanes, boats, motorbikes, buses, trains and many more! They also painted a picture of their favourite transport.

You can see pictures of them in their transport lesson below- well done to all of Nursery!

Literacy-Week 2

9.1.2023- Billy Goat's Gruff

 Nursery have started a brand new story in Literacy this week- the tale of The Three Billy Goat's Gruff. The children have been listening to the story in class and sequencing the key parts with adult support.

Our class have also been focusing on the key vocabulary from the story, looking at new words such as troll, bridge, valley and goats. We have been discussing these words and what they mean. Nursery have so enjoyed acting our the story in the tuff tray using stick puppets and making different kinds of bridges using lego, arches and tunnels and bricks.

The children love our new story and we are so proud of them all. Perhaps they could tell you the story at home?! You can see pictures of Nursery enjoying their Literacy lessons below.

Understanding the World- Week 1

 5.1.2022- Journeys

This week, Nursery have started a brand new topic in Understanding the World called Journeys. In our first lesson, the children learnt about what a journey is, and how we can travel from one place to another using different transport, and for different reasons.

We then went on our own journey of 'Were going on a Bear Hunt' and acted out the story, thinking about how we were travelling at different points and where we were going. The children then told us about some of the journeys they had been on, which included going to the park, to visit friends and family and even going on holiday!

We have had a great start to this topic and Nursery are enjoying it so much already. You can see pictures of them in their first Journeys lesson below.

Maths-Week 1

Shape- Circles and Triangles 4.1.2023

 This week in Mathematics the children have been identifying  different shapes, focusing on circles and triangles. Nursery have been exploring these two shapes and talking about their features and what they look like e.g round, pointy, corners etc.

We have also been recognising circles and triangles in the environment around us and spotting these shapes- circles can be used for wheels and plates whereas triangles can be used for bird boxes, toast etc.

You can see photos below of Nursery enjoying their Maths this week- they have been super shape spotters and well done to you all! 

Autumn 2 2022

Literacy-Week 4

Handa's Surprise

 Nursery have continued to learn the story of Handa's Surprise this week and have been retelling the story with an adult, using a story map we made as a class. The children have been continuing to practise the vocabulary in the story, listing the different fruits and animals, and have used the map and their own stick puppets to help them with this.

Our children have also been sequencing the story using pictures and the book to help them which has also helped with their understanding. They have also been practising basic pre-writing shapes such as circles, lines and crosses. They did a fantastic job and you can see some pictures of Nursery in their lesson below.

Understanding the World- Week 3

 People who Help Us 

Nursery have been continuing with their 'All About Me' topic and have focused on people who help us this week. We have been exploring different people who work in the community and help us such as vets, dentist, lollipop workers, builders and teachers.

We then learnt about emergencies and people who help us when we need help such as firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses and paramedics. The children acted out many of these roles and so enjoyed dressing up! Nursery also made their own fire engine,and listened to stories about people in our community.

You can see pictures of Nursery enjoying their Understanding the World lessons below- super work this week!

Maths-Week 3

Counting to 4 17.11.2022

 This week in Mathematics the children have been counting to 4. They have been practising reciting their counting to 4 and counting up to 4 with number correspondence. Nursery have watched the Numberblocks Episode about the number 4 and have explored how 4 can be show in different ways- in a tower, a line, a square and even an L shape! 

The children have so enjoyed different activities in class- they have been counting a variety of objects up to 4, used counters to make 4 in different ways and have gone on number hunts. They have also been pegging socks on a washing line and counting and have even had a go at writing some basic numbers- wow! We are so proud of Nursery's fantastic Maths work and enjoy seeing the pictures of their lessons below.

Literacy-Week 3

Handa's Surprise

 This week the children have been learning a new story- 'Handa's Suprise.' They have been learning the story in small groups, listening to it and retelling it using masks and story puppets. They also have been practising the vocabulary from the story, and writing their own shopping list with fruit from the story. This has been very usesful for the children, especially as there has been some tricky vocabulary such as 'guava' and 'passion fruit'.

Nursery have also been making pictures from the story, cutting out different fruits and animals and working on using scissors and holding them correctly. The children have also had a fruit and vegetable shop in the classroom and have used this learning through role play to help their understanding and communication of the story. You can see some pictures of Nursery's work below and well done to all!

Expressive Arts- Week 2

 Winter Colours

In our Art lesson this week Nursery class have started learning about Winter colours. We discussed how the colours for Winter are grey, blue, silver and white and identified these colours together.

The children looked at a variety of Winter pictures and discussed the colours they could see together. We also explored what we could see in the picture for Winter such as snow, frost, cold weather etc. Nursery then made their own Winter abstract pictures using winter colours and a variety of abstract materials such as forks, string and sponges. 

 You can see pictures of the children enjoying their Art lesson below and please ask them what Winter colours they now know at home!

Mathematics-Week 2

Comparing Numbers

This week Nursery have been comparing numbers to 3. We have talked about terms such as ' bigger' and 'smaller' and have discussed which piles have more and which have fewer. The children have explored this in different ways, looking at towers, sorting bears into more and fewer and also comparing picture cards.

We have been amazed with how quickly the children have picked up the vocabulary and how super they have been at comparing these different numbers. Playing these different games and having opportunities for discussion has really helped their understanding. You can see pictures of Nursery enjoying their Numeracy lessons below and we would love if they could try comparing some numbers at home with you. They could show you more and fewer using plates and any objects- food, toys, spoons etc. 

Literacy-Week 2

We're going on a Bear Hunt

 The children in Nursery have been carrying on with their ' Bear Hunt' story this week. They have been working on sequencing the story using pictures and using this to help them retell key words and phrases form the story. The children also created their own story maps, filling in the gaps for the story and drawing the missing bits they know.

Nursey know the story really well now and we can see how much their vocabulary is developing, with them using and now understanding words such as ' forest', 'cave' and ' river'. They have also been working on their cutting skills in class too and have been making bears, cutting out different parts and sticking them together. We have been focusing on holding scissors correctly and cutting slowly and accurately. You can see some pictures of Nursery's work below and a great job everyone!

Mathematics-Week 1

Numbers to 3

This week Nursery have been learning about the numbers 1,2 and 3. They have focused on what these numbers look like in different forms, recognising the different numbers pictorially and showing different representation of these numbers using objects, fingers etc. 

They have sorted numbers into correct piles, made different representations of 1,2, and 3 using different objects such as twigs and buttons, and have sorted numbers into the correct piles based on their amounts. You can see pictures of Nursery enjoying their Numeracy lessons below- we have been so amazed by their knowledge of these numbers and how quickly they can identify them. Superb Maths Nursery!

 Literacy-Week 1

We're going on a Bear Hunt

 Nursery have started their new book for this half term which is 'We're going on a Bear Hunt.' This week, they have been listening to the story in small groups and joining in with key actions and words. The children also went on a Bear Hunt around school, and role played going through the grass, the river, and even all the way to the bear cave. They were super at looking out for different bears and even found one! You can see some pictures of Nursery enjoying the story below.

Autumn 1 2022

Expressive Arts- Week 7

 Autumn Colours

In our Art lesson this week Nursery class have explored Autumn colours. We discussed how the colours for Autumn are green, brown, yellow, red and orange and identified these colours together.

The children have been looking at many Autumn leaves in Forest School and showing us leaves that have changed colour and fallen of the trees. Today then made an Autumn collage as a class, using different materials such as felt, paper, rib bon and pompoms. They had to make sure they used the correct Autumn colours.

They also made Autumn finger paintings using colours and enjoyed getting their hands messy! They also made Autumn wreaths, cutting out leaves and sticking them down and made different coloured leaves out of playdough and using colouring. What a fantastic Art lesson Nursery! You can see pictures of the children enjoying their Art lesson below and please ask them what Autumn colours they know at home!

Understanding the World- Week 7

 Family Trees and Jobs 

Nursery have been learning about family trees in their ' All About Me' topic this week. We have been discussing the people who are in our family such as parents, grandparents and siblings. The children have learnt about different types of families and have so enjoyed telling us about their own.

We then moved onto talking about what we want to be when we grow up and explored the different types of job there are together. The children learnt about police officers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, teachers, dancers and so much more! They then made pictures of themselves in their favourite job, discussing why they liked that job and what they would have to do.

Great Understanding the World this week Nursery- you are all superstars!

 Literacy-Week 7

Dear Zoo Story maps

 Nursery have finished of their 'Dear Zoo' story by creating their own story maps this week. We have created a whole class story map to help us retell the story and Nursery have also had a go at their own. Using the book and our whole class map, Nursery have either drawn different animals in the story or cut and stuck animals onto their maps using their cutting and gluing skills.

Once their maps were finished Nursery then used them to retell the story. They are so fantastic at this and can name many key phrases from the story such as 'he was too big' and ' I sent him back.'

We will be starting a new book in Literacy over the half term but Nursery have so enjoyed the story of Dear Zoo. Please ask then to retell the story to you at home- I am sure you will be very impressed. You can see some of Nursery's wonderful story maps below. 

RE- Week 7

Thanking God for Creation

This week Nursery have been thanking God for Creation in their RE lesson. The children spoke about what God made and discussed how he made the world and all the wonderful things in it. They then explored what the word 'thank you' means and learnt about how we use it when we are happy or grateful for something.

Nursery then explored lots of different activities for thanking God- they made world and nature collages both inside and outside, they made thank you cards with their favourite things, and explored tuff trays of the world. They even sorted different pictures into nature, people, animals and used playdough and paint to make their favourite things from Creation.

The children were absolutely brilliant at thanking God for the wonderful things he made as they completed these activities and it is so wonderful to see them showing such gratitude and appreciation for our world. Please see Nursery enjoying their RE lesson below and well done to you all!

 Mathematics-Week 5 and 6

Matching and Sorting

Over the past few weeks Nursery have been learning all about matching and sorting in their Maths lessons. The children have had great fun learning these concepts and have been matching and sorting objects by colour, size and patterns.

They have worked with bears, socks, buttons, beads, animals and even leaves in order to explore these concepts. They have discussed different colours of objects, if they are big or small, and what pattern they have. Mrs Deocades and I have been so wowed by how fantastic they are at this- we think they are all matching and sorting experts! 

You can see pictures of Nursery enjoying their Mathematics lessons below and please ask the children to show you their wonderful matching and sorting skills to you at home- perhaps they could sort the washing pile, tidy their toys or even match the food on their dinner plate?! Enjoy watching them truly impress you, just as they impressed us. Great Maths skills Nursery!

 Literacy-Week 6

Sequencing Dear Zoo

This week Nursery have been continuing to look at the story of 'Dear Zoo.' They have been retelling the story in small groups using our whole class story map and actions. They have also sequenced the different animals in our story using cards and our story map to refer back to. Nursery have enjoyed playing lots of sequencing games such as ' which animal is missing'? or ' which animal is the odd one out and not in our story?'

The children have also made their own stick puppets of the animals and characters of the story, which they have then used to help them retell it to each other. Nursery have had a fantastic week of Literacy and are so brilliant at retelling the story now. You can see them enjoying their lessons from this week below- well done Nursery! We will be moving onto making and drawing our own story maps next week.

Understanding the World- Week 6

Growing and Changing and Families 

This week we have been learning about how we grow and change- from a baby, to a child, to a teenager and adult and then finally to an elderly person. Nursery have been looking at photos of people in different stages of their life and sequencing these on a timeline.

They now know that we grow and change as we get older- we can do things now as children that we could not do as babies and we will do things as adults we can-not do as children etc. The children have been fantastic at telling us about the different things they can do at each stage- they know that as children they can now do things that babies can't such as eating independently, walking, running and talking. They also know that adults are different to children- they go to work and may have their own children etc.

They have loved talking about the adults and elderly people in their lives, such as parents and grandparents, who look after them and love them. You can see the children enjoying their Understanding the World lesson below and sequencing the correct ages. Please continue to ask them about their 'All About Me' topic at home.  Super work Nursery!

 Understanding the World- Week 5

Our Bodies and Faces

Nursery have began their first Understanding the World lessons this week, where we have been having a wonderful time learning all about our bodies and faces.

The children have been learning all about their different body parts and what they feel like- some areas, such as our tummies, feel soft and squishy whereas some areas, like our heads and skulls are harder. The children were able to identify different parts of the body on a person and then point to that part of the body on themselves.

Nursery also looked at faces and the different parts of a face such as eyes, mouths, noses, ears etc. They then made their own faces using paper plates and different materials such as wool, card, googly eyes etc.

What an amazing week Nursery and well done to all of you. Please ask your child at home what they can tell you about the body and face- I know you will be wowed! There is a picture slideshow below of the children enjoying their Understanding The World lessons and the different activities. Please enjoy!

Literacy- Week 5

Learning about Dear Zoo

This week Nursery have been having great fun learning all about the story of 'Dear Zoo.' They have been listening so well to the story in class and even had a go at retelling the story in small groups and using the masks. This is brilliant for their communication and language and supports them in enjoying stories and much- loved books. They will be looking at this story for the next few weeks so make sure you ask them about this at home!

You can click on the link below to find videos of the children retelling the story of 'Dear Zoo'. There is also a picture slideshow below of the children using their masks and painting the story and characters. Great work Nursery!