Well, as I didn't manage to update the blog last week I thought it would be worth sharing some of the things we did...
We read Penguin Small by Mick Inkpen. It is the story of the North Pole penguins who are fed up with the polar bears so decide to swim to the South Pole to get away from them. However, Penguin Small is left behind because he can't swim and is terrified of water! He meets a snowman and travels with him on a little iceberg to an island, where they meet lots of creatures, including a Neverwozanoceros... (yes, it was read a total of fifteen times last week to the various groups of children!!!!) Eventually Penguin Small ends up being friends with a whale who encourages him to learn to fly.
We had lots going on in the Early Years Unit last week. The Reception children have been practising their addition skills and learning how to write number sentences. They have also been writing the story of Penguin Small (some of them are in the corridor by the classroom) and talking about the beginning, middle and end of a story. The Nursery children have been doing Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, Magic Maths (they made a BIG maths mess on Friday morning!) and exploring the new messy area. We have all been looking at patterns too. The children have been really clever and can make some repeating patterns now!
This week we are reading Mr. Wolf's Pancakes by Jan Fearnley. Mr. Wolf asks for help to make pancakes but no one will help him. He eventually manages to figure it out for himself and his "friends" want to help him to eat them... However, Mr. Wolf has a much larger meal than he original planned...
We are going to have pancakes for our snack time during the week. The older children will be writing some instructions to help Mr. Wolf make his pancakes. We will be exploring different joining materials in the junk modelling area, making snowflake patterns on the overhead projector with doilies, creating Olaf and Elsa pictures on the easel and playing a game to match the number to the right quantity of spots - among other things!
Please remember that it is our Celebration Assembly on Friday morning at 9.30. Parents and carers are invited to attend. If your child is receiving an award we will let you know on Monday.
Reception parents: please remember that it is normally PE on Fridays (although not this week due to the assembly). Children need to have their PE kits in school.
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Sunday, 25 January 2015
The Ugly Duckling
This week we will be reading The Ugly Duckling. We will be using the story to talk about similarities, differences, outward appearances and personalities.
We are working with our Key Person this week. We will be doing lots of activities based on our own interests. I will post photographs of some of the activities through the week or next weekend for you to see what we have been up to.
We are working with our Key Person this week. We will be doing lots of activities based on our own interests. I will post photographs of some of the activities through the week or next weekend for you to see what we have been up to.
Sunday, 18 January 2015
We Are Wearing Out the Naughty Step
Our story this week is "We Are Wearing Out the Naughty Step" by Mick Inkpen. It is about a family who seem to get into trouble a lot and one day Mum has had enough...
We will be using the story to talk about the way we should behave in school/nursery and at home. We will talk about rules and being kind to each other.
We have several challenges around the unit this week. We will be developing our cutting skills again, using the scissors to cut out pictures, shapes and along lines accurately. In Magic Maths we are going to look at patterns so there will be some pattern challenges to do too.
Wish Tree
If you are able to provide baby wipes, boxes of tissues and cheap shaving foam we would be very grateful. Thank you!
Debutots
Clare from Debutots is in school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this half term. She will tell us a story each week. If your child normally attends in the afternoon they are still welcome to join us on a Thursday morning from 9.30-10.15am. Please speak to a member of staff for further information or to arrange this.
We will be using the story to talk about the way we should behave in school/nursery and at home. We will talk about rules and being kind to each other.
We have several challenges around the unit this week. We will be developing our cutting skills again, using the scissors to cut out pictures, shapes and along lines accurately. In Magic Maths we are going to look at patterns so there will be some pattern challenges to do too.
Wish Tree
If you are able to provide baby wipes, boxes of tissues and cheap shaving foam we would be very grateful. Thank you!
Debutots
Clare from Debutots is in school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this half term. She will tell us a story each week. If your child normally attends in the afternoon they are still welcome to join us on a Thursday morning from 9.30-10.15am. Please speak to a member of staff for further information or to arrange this.
Sunday, 11 January 2015
The Rainbow Fish
This week we are reading the story of The Rainbow Fish. We will be talking about sharing and what it means to be a good friend.
We will be practising our cutting skills and making sure we use and carry the scissors safely.
There has been a lot of interest in sticks over the past week so we will be collecting some from the outdoor area. We will decorate them and turn them into magic wands and lots of other items.
DVDs
There will be an order list for the Christmas DVDs in the Nursery porch. They cost £5 and payment must be received with the order.
School Places
A quick reminder that if your child is due to start Reception in September this year, you must apply for their school place via the Durham County Council website before 15th JANUARY. Please make sure you have confirmation that they have received your application.
Non Uniform
Non uniform day is on a Wednesday in Early Years. Please remember to bring your 50 pence to put into the box. This money is used to pay for all sorts of different things for the children.
PE
Friday is PE day for Reception. Please do not forget to send your child's PE kit with them! We have a few spares in school but the children feel much more comfortable in their own clothes.
Homework
Please return your child's homework bag on Thursday morning. Reading books should be brought to school each day.
We will be practising our cutting skills and making sure we use and carry the scissors safely.
There has been a lot of interest in sticks over the past week so we will be collecting some from the outdoor area. We will decorate them and turn them into magic wands and lots of other items.
DVDs
There will be an order list for the Christmas DVDs in the Nursery porch. They cost £5 and payment must be received with the order.
School Places
A quick reminder that if your child is due to start Reception in September this year, you must apply for their school place via the Durham County Council website before 15th JANUARY. Please make sure you have confirmation that they have received your application.
Non Uniform
Non uniform day is on a Wednesday in Early Years. Please remember to bring your 50 pence to put into the box. This money is used to pay for all sorts of different things for the children.
PE
Friday is PE day for Reception. Please do not forget to send your child's PE kit with them! We have a few spares in school but the children feel much more comfortable in their own clothes.
Homework
Please return your child's homework bag on Thursday morning. Reading books should be brought to school each day.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Through the Magic Mirror
This week we are starting our theme of "Ourselves and Others" and we will be reading "Through the Magic Mirror" by Anthony Browne. It is the story of Toby who is fed up with everything. He walks through a magic mirror and things are amazingly different... there are lots of very strange things happening inside the mirror.
We will be spending lots of time working with our Key Person this week. We will be talking about all the things we have done during the Christmas Holidays.
If you want to help at home this week you could talk about how your child is feeling and why. When do they feel happy? Scared? Sad? Surprised? You could use a mirror and encourage them to pull different faces for each of the feelings.
Don't forget we're back at school and nursery on Tuesday, 6th January.
See you then! :-)
We will be spending lots of time working with our Key Person this week. We will be talking about all the things we have done during the Christmas Holidays.
If you want to help at home this week you could talk about how your child is feeling and why. When do they feel happy? Scared? Sad? Surprised? You could use a mirror and encourage them to pull different faces for each of the feelings.
Don't forget we're back at school and nursery on Tuesday, 6th January.
See you then! :-)
Monday, 29 December 2014
Thank you and one or two reminders
Everyone in the EYU would like to say a massive thank you for all the lovely presents we received from many of you for Christmas.
I would like to remind you that if your child is due to start Reception in September 2015 you need to apply for their school place by 15th January. You still need to do this even if you intend sending your child to our school. School admissions are all processed through County Hall, not school. If you need any help with this process, please call in and see us.
We return to school on TUESDAY, 6th JANUARY, 2015.
We wish you all a very Happy New Year!
I would like to remind you that if your child is due to start Reception in September 2015 you need to apply for their school place by 15th January. You still need to do this even if you intend sending your child to our school. School admissions are all processed through County Hall, not school. If you need any help with this process, please call in and see us.
We return to school on TUESDAY, 6th JANUARY, 2015.
We wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Christmas Party!
On Wednesday, 17th December, we had our Early Years Christmas party. We were joined by some very special guests. We had a great time with Anna, Elsa and Kristoff! Oh and Santa of course!
Many thanks to EverEverAfter Parties for a fabulous morning!
Many thanks to EverEverAfter Parties for a fabulous morning!
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