Weekly focus of learning:

'The Quangle Wangle's Hat' by Edward Lear (Week 2)

This week the children have continued to focus their learning on matching different rhyming words from a selection of words and pictures.  One of our children correctly announced that a picture of a ball, rhymed with a wall, adding, "If the ball gets kicked over the wall, then we will never see it again!" which made us all laugh. 

Other activities we have enjoyed,have been planting seed potatoes outside to grow, just like the Crumpetty Tree and clapping out the syllables of our names. The children also waved rainbow rings with 'ribbons and bibbons' to the Quangle Wangle Song, joyously moving around the room.

'The Quangle Wangle's Hat' by Eward Lear (Week 1)

This was Green Emily's choice of a favourite book as it brought back memories of her own mum reading it to her as a child.  The repetitive rhythm and nonsense words throughout the story, make it interesting to read and is almost musical.  The happy scene at the end of the book when all the creatures live together and dance by the light of the Mulberry Moon is heartwarming.  Incredibly, the book was written in 1872, so it's been a favourite for many children for quite a few years!

The book also gave us the opportunity to introduce children to rhyming and nonsense words, as well as being the inspiration for children making a 'Mother's Day' card.  For snack time, our little ones made their own jam sandwich, cutting it into 'half' and 'quarters'.  The activity also reinforced healthy practices such as washing their hands before handling food and using a knife safely.  The children declared their sandwiches were 'yoummy' even if they had 'sticky fingers which needed washing again!

'The Perfect Fit' by Naomi & James Jones (Week 2)

This week we have continued our focused learning based on Natalie's book by exploring three dimensional shapes such as a cyclinder and a pyramid, as well as looking for shapes in everyday items.  The children painted a very special picture of themselves on a postcard using a circle to make their face, a mirror to see what colour their eyes and hair were before attaching a rectangular stamp.   Then one sunny Wednesday, we all walked to the postbox around the corner from the Pre-school to post the cards into the postbox in the wall.  The  children were then very happy to see them again when they were delivered by the postman.  The parents were also delighted to receive such a lovely surprise!

The children were also fascinated when we draw shapes onto a pyrex plate with a dry pen marker which lifted off when water was carefully poured on top to make them 'float'.  One of our children excitedly announced, "Emily, it's magic!"

'The Perfect Fit' by Naomi & James Jones - Week 1

This week our focus of learning has been based on Natalie's favourite book, 'The Perfect Fit'.  The children had the opportunity to make a shape person, choosing either a square, circle, triangle or hexagon before adding arms and legs as well as representing their shape person's feelings by adding a smiley or sad mouth.  I am  pleased to say, most of the shape people were happy! We also introduced children to the properties of shapes such as a circle has no corners and a hexagon has six sides.  The pattern song using  movement to make a pattern was greatly enjoyed by our class, particularly when each child chose their own actions to include in the song.  

The sunny weather was ideal for children to paint 'plein air' too!

'Words and Your Heart' by Kate Jane Neal

This week the children have been listening to Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal which is one of Ria's favourite stories.  It conveys that words can harm or heal, create or destroy, and spread love. The book is designed to help children understand how their words can impact others, emphasizing the importance of choosing words wisely.

Our children have been earning special hearts to stick onto their 'Buckets of kindness' picture which they have carefully coloured for being kind, good listening, being helpful and considering others.  They have also been learning that it is important we keep our heart healthy by enjoying physical fun exercises and action songs.  To find out how exercise affects our body, the children have been exploring their heart rate by feeling the pulse in their wrists!

We have also said goodbye to Ria this week who will be continuing her work with children in a local primary school.  We wish Ria well in her new adventure.

'Starlight Sailor' (Week 1)

"Why "Starlight Sailor" by James Mayhew is My Favourite Children's Storybook By Red Emily.

Isn't it lovely how a story, just like a song, can take you back to a time or place special to your heart? This story transports me back 12 years, to a camping trip with my husband and our two boys. They were 3 and 10 at the time, and I can see them now, after sticky marshmallows and a bit of star-spotting, all snuggled down in their sleeping bags, heads heavy on their pillows, ready to drift asleep while I started to read this story.

The story takes you on a magical adventure, exploring where you might go when you dream. The words rhyme and flow as it introduces children to the power of their imagination. I mean, come on! Who wouldn't want to be a pirate or princess riding on a red and gold dragon, or meeting mermaids swimming in the sea? Anything really is possible, and what a wondrous thing to believe.

It's also beautifully illustrated and provides opportunities for further discussion together. I hope that you get to enjoy the story, it might even become a treasured keepsake for your household too!

Red Emily"

This week, our focus centres around Red Emily's cherished book, 'Starlight Sailor'. The narrative showcases a red and gold dragon, a fitting theme as we approach the Chinese New Year on 29th January. During registration, the children will greet each other in Chinese with "Nǐ hǎo".

Additionally, we will engage in mark-making using black paint to create the initial letters of our names in Chinese characters. For snack time, the children will have the opportunity to sample a selection of traditional Chinese foods. 

Please click on the link below to hear our current class reader to enjoy with your child:

Starlight Sailor ? | Story Book Read Aloud For Kids

'Giraffe's can't dance' (Week 1)

"This week, our focused learning centres on one of my children's all-time favourite bedtime stories: "Giraffes Can't Dance," written by Giles Andreae and charmingly illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, in a delightful rhyming format. I've read the book so many times that I could easily recite each page from memory!
 

The narrative follows Gerald the Giraffe, who struggles with dancing due to his awkward legs. However, he triumphs when a wise cricket tells him, "Sometimes when you're different, you just need a different song." Inspired by this advice, Gerald finds his own unique way of dancing, much to the amazement of the other jungle animals. When asked how he manages to dance so remarkably, Gerald simply replies, "We can all dance when we find music that we love."

The cherished memories of this story will always remind me of my twins, who have now grown up. My daughter, Georgia, who is currently pursuing a degree in Primary Education in New Zealand, instinctively chose "Giraffes Can't Dance" for an assignment that celebrated diversity and individuality.

Giraffes hold a special place in our home too, as they are my partner's favourite animal. We even have a 4-foot-tall giraffe named Wally, who will be visiting the setting. So, if your child tells you they saw a giraffe taller than themselves at pre-school today, it's absolutely true!

Sarah"