Our Current Topic

Jack and the Beanstalk 23rd April 2012

 In this topic children will begin by hearing and sharing with their peers, the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. We will talk about the story and why they like it. We will make a class book about the characters and make individual books sequencing the story. We will make ‘wanted posters’ for the giant. Children will become familiar with the language of fairytales through role play, reading stories and re-enacting them with puppets. They will also discover that there are different versions of Jack and the Beanstalk.In this topic children will enjoy an increasing range of books, both fiction and non-fiction and will have access to them in all areas of continuous provision.

The children will work together to create a beanstalk from the individual leaves they make.

The children will have the opportunity to plant a variety of seeds and bulbs in tubs and in the ground. In key worker groups, the children will plant a sunflower and measure it weekly. We will chop and taste a variety of fruit and vegetables.

We will enhance areas of outdoor play and continuous provision, with Jack and the Beanstalk resources which will encourage the children to undertake activities using their skill, knowledge and understanding. We will set up the two outdoor chalets as the castle and Jack’s house to encourage role play.

Past Topics

Easter 26th March- 4th April 2012

In this topic, children will learn the Easter story and understand why we celebrate it. We will be working towards a prayer service with Father James on the last day. Children will learn new and familiar Easter songs. They will have the opportunity to dramatise the Easter story, accompany their singing with percussion, and perform for an audience.

They will also have the opportunity to talk about how their families celebrate this special occasion.

The children will design their own Easter cards using the knowledge they have gained about Easter. They will be designing and making Easter hats with their parents for our Easter parade.

Science Week 19th March 2012

Next week, our topic will be 'Science week'- we will be doing lots of observational science activities such as using magnetic toys, making slime and gloop, and testing paper aeroplanes. We will be taking part in a whole school activity on Friday, by racing a balloon powered car with the other classes.

We will begin our topic by sharing the story of ‘Harry and the dinosaurs’. The children will write/ retell narrative stories and make group and individual fiction and non- fiction books.

The children will share information they have found out about dinosaurs whilst doing their home challenge over the half- term holiday. The children will have the opportunity to set up a small world tray which they will then be encouraged to use to develop their own stories, using their imagination.

The children will learn that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, that they became extinct, how earth has changed and that we find dinosaur fossils.

They will be taught how to use tools safely and  have the opportunity to make their own and group models on both small and large scale developing the ability to work cooperatively.

In numeracy, the children will focus on ordering dinosaurs according to their height and using vocabulary related to size and height.

Please support us in this topic by sending in any dinosaur resources you have, including pictures, posters, books, toy dinosaurs etc.

Thank you!!