Reception- R.E- Stories from the Old Testament
In our recent R.E. lesson, the Reception children have been captivated by the powerful narratives of the Old Testament, exploring the themes of courage, faith, and protection. The classroom buzzed with excitement as the children listened to the stories of Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Giant Fish, and Daniel in the Lions' Den. To bring these ancient tales to life, the children used sensory objects—such as soft animal figures and rough wooden blocks—to interact with the plotlines as they unfolded. Following our storytelling sessions, the children channeled their creativity into hands-on activities to reinforce their learning: Engineering for Noah: Using large blocks and scrap materials, the children worked together to build a sturdy boat capable of "weathering the storm." Artistic Expression: Small hands were busy cutting out blue whales and crafting majestic lions with manes made of bright orange paper. Narrative Retelling: These handmade props became the stars of the show as the children used them to retell the stories to their peers, confidently explaining why a particular moment was their favorite. Through these interactive sessions, the children didn't just hear the stories; they stepped inside them, developing both their fine motor skills and their understanding of different faith traditions.
Reception- Phonics- Building CVC words
Building on their foundational knowledge of CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) words, our Reception children have been diving into interactive phonics sessions designed to bridge the gap between sound and symbol. Using magnetic letters, the children took on the role of "word builders," carefully listening to hear the individual phonemes in words like cat, bin, and mop. With great focus, they successfully matched these sounds to the correct graphemes, physically sliding the letters together to form complete words on their boards. This tactile approach not only reinforced their segmenting and blending skills but also turned abstract sounds into something they could see, touch, and master.
Nursery - Maths - Categorising Objects By Size
Today, the children used our topic story, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, to explore size and categorization. The activity began with a "herd" of goats on the grass. The children were tasked with identifying and sorting specific sizes, focusing on big and small. To support their understanding, they used visual Widgits and hand gestures to represent the sizes they were searching for. Once a goat was found, the children placed it on the bridge, checking that their group consisted of the same size. This promoted skills in matching and comparison. For an extra challenge, some children were introduced to the 'medium' goats, practicing the tricky task of distinguishing them from the big and small ones. This successfully built their mathematical vocabulary and ability to differentiate between three distinct sizes.
Pre-School- Expressive Art And Design-Cutting Skills
At our workshop this week, we have been busy learning how to use scissors safely, practising how to hold them correctly and making snips in paper. Some of the children found this tricky at first but persevered and were able to make snips independently. The activity involved cutting out different fruits for Handa’s basket, linking to our story of the week, Handa’s Surprise.
Pre-School - Maths - Comparison
This week in Maths we played Supermarket Sweep ???? The children worked in pairs, collecting items when the bell rang and stopping when it rang again. Back on the carpet, they counted their items and compared who had more, fewer or the same. A fun, energetic way to practise counting and comparing numbers!
Nursery - Science - Our Gardens
This week, the children engaged in a hands-on science lesson exploring the environment and how things grow. Using images of their own houses as inspiration, the children were tasked with creating their very own gardens! To make the activity even more meaningful, the images of their houses were taped onto the pots to create the illusion of the children's own gardens at home growing. The children practiced their physical coordination and tool use, using trowels to carefully scoop soil into their pots. Once the pots were prepared, they used shakers to distribute their seeds, learning about the first stages of a plant's life cycle. During the activity, we discussed what we need for a healthy plant. The children learned that for a plant to grow big and strong, it needs two vital ingredients: water and sunlight. This exploration allowed the children to connect their learning to their own homes while building a foundational understanding on how we can take care of plants. We are now keeping a close eye on our pots and hope to see some blossoming flowers soon!
Pre-School - Literacy- Retelling Of Our Story - Little Red Riding Hood
Our classroom transformed into a theater this week! After diving into Little Red Riding Hood, the children took the lead and decided to bring the story to life using character masks. It was amazing to watch them retell the key events with such confidence. We even heard some fantastic "Big Bad Wolf" growls and "Grandma" voices as they fully embraced their roles! #EarlyYears #Literacy #RolePlay #LittleRedRidingHood #LearningThroughPlay
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Pre-School-Physical Development-P.E-Gross motor
Our Preschoolers had a blast in P.E. last week! We’ve been working hard on our gross motor skills using the parachute and a ball. We started with a round of "Popcorn Pop"—everyone held the edge and worked together to make the ball bounce high and low like a kernel of corn! Then, we tested our reflexes with "Cat and Mouse," where one child sat in the middle trying to catch the ball as the rest of the group used the parachute to keep it moving. Lots of giggles and great teamwork all around! ???? #PreschoolPE #GrossMotorSkills #ActiveLearning #Teamwork #EarlyYears
Reception- Maths-Capacity
In Reception the children dove into the world of capacity by exploring how different volumes interact with various shapes and sizes. Through hands-on experimentation, they develop a concrete understanding of mathematical vocabulary such as full, empty, and half-full. By pouring water between tall, narrow cylinders and wide, shallow basins, the children are often surprised to see that the same amount of liquid looks different depending on the vessel, sparking "what would happen if..." inquiries that lead to early scientific testing. This process of filling and emptying containers allows them to make predictions and comparisons, building the foundational spatial awareness needed to understand that capacity refers to the amount a container can hold regardless of its height or width.
Reception- Physical Development- Gross Motor Painting
In our Reception classroom this week, the children refined their gross motor skills through the expressive act of painting tigers. Rather than being confined to small movements, the children use their entire arms and shoulders to sweep across large canvases, building the core strength and postural stability necessary for later physical development. When creating the tiger's face, they practice purposeful circular movements, rotating their arms from the shoulder and elbow to master the coordination required for fluid shapes. This physical effort is paired with cognitive milestones as they engage in color selection; reaching across the easel to choose fiery oranges and deep blacks encourages crossing the midline, a crucial neurological development. As they pivot their bodies and stretch to add stripes, these young artists are not just painting—they are strengthening the large muscle groups that provide the foundation for balance, coordination, and eventual fine motor control.
Nursery - Literacy - Story Props
This week, our literacy focus centered on the classic story The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The children used a variety of resources in the malleable tray to bring the narrative to life and deepen their understanding of story structure. To support their retelling, the children were provided with a rich assortment of aids, including puppets, masks, and soft toy teddies. These tools allowed the children to take on different roles, experimenting with key phrases from the book, such as the famous "Trip, trap, trip, trap!" as the goats crossed the bridge. To ensure the activity was inclusive and accessible for all learners, we integrated sound buttons which provided auditory prompts for the children to hear and repeat key parts of the story. We also utilized Widgits to offer visual symbols that helped the children sequence the events and recognize important vocabulary. Through this interactive play, the children demonstrated a growing grasp of narrative sequencing and gained confidence in using expressive language to communicate the story to their peers.
Reception- Music-Keep the beat
Our Reception children had a wonderful time exploring the world of rhythm and tempo during their music lesson this week. With bright eyes and listening ears, they practiced the fundamental skill of keeping a steady beat to a variety of catchy tunes and familiar nursery rhymes. Using a mix of clapping, marching, and simple percussion instruments, the children learned to feel the underlying pulse of the music. They experimented with changing their pace to different music. It was a joy to see their coordination and confidence grow as they successfully matched their movements to the rhythm, laying a fantastic foundation for their future musical journey.
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