What we’ve been doing…
Remembrance Day
Early Years learnt about the celebration 'Remembrance Day' in which we remember those who lost their lives during wars.
Bike Ability
Early Years have enjoyed their very first balance bike session with Coach Calvin. This week we learned how to put on a helmet and move safely around our outdoor area.
Diwali Celebrations
Early Years have enjoyed taking part in a range of activities that are themed around the Hindu celebration of Diwali. The children enjoyed making rangoli patterns and Medhi designs. We talked about the story of Rama and Sita and how this story symbolises "light over darkness"
Bonfire Night
Early Years have enjoyed learning all about Bonfire night and why we have this celebration. As an adult led activity the children enjoyed making firework paintings using cardboard tubes and bright coloured paint. The children then displayed their work for our pretend firework display. The children used colourful scarves to create large motor skills and even included firework sounds such as bang, crackle and whooosh. The children even made pie and peas for observers!
Book and Breakfast
Nursery enjoyed spending time with their grown-ups during our Book and Breakfast session this half term.
This session created an opportunity for children to learn with their grown-ups in school. We hope to see our Nursery parents soon!
Thank you to all of our wonderful grown-ups who attended!
Our Local Walk
Today we enjoyed a local walk around Elland. The children enjoyed sight seeing and sharing information around the area. We discussed street signs, road markings and symbols. The children had a lovely time exploring their local area.
Get Busy with Me
Thank you to all our wonderful parents who attended our stay and play event. The children certainly loved showing their grown ups their daily routines, work and 'busy jobs'.
It was a fantastic opportunity to speak with parents and reflect on their Childs development.
We hope to see you all again very soon!
Measuring scales
Adults have enhanced provision by adding a weighing scale. The children have recently enjoyed exploring objects and investigating whether they are heavy or light.
Friendship Bracelets
We discussed what it meant to be a good friend and decided to make friendship bracelets.
Early years enjoyed threading pieces of dried pasta onto an elasticated string using their fine motor skills.
Letter formation
During our busy jobs adults have tried to encourage our pupils to write letter sounds with a range of media.
Threading Bears
Through our Design and Technology project the children in early years have learnt how to thread using a needle and thread.
As a next step we then challenged the children to use a smaller needle to sew.
Nursery Rhyme Time
This term Early Years have been learning lots of new nursery rhymes as well as consolidating familiar rhymes. Early Years staff challenged the children to demonstrate some of the nursery rhymes they know and it was a big success! Well done Early Years.
Self Portraits
This term we have been learning about the artist 'Frida Kahlo'.
After building up our skills for the past few weeks the children had the opportunity to paint their very own self-portrait using appropriate colours and ensuring their portrait reflects their appearance.
Habitats
(UTW, C&L)
Early Years have enjoyed learning all about woodland animals and their habitats. In provision we explored making habitats for animals who are preparing for hibernation.
Gold Balloon - Teddy Bear Picnic
Early Years enjoyed their gold balloon reward! This term we chose to have a teddy bears picnic. We enjoyed spending the day showing our teddies busy jobs and making new friends!
Sound Hunters
AI - Literacy, C&L & PSED
During 'Busy Jobs' adults enhanced the provision by placing taught letter sounds around the classroom. The children were then challenged to find the sound adults requested.
Matching Challenge
AI - Mathematics/ C&L
This week's mathematics challenge was to find matching objects.
The children had to explain why their objects matched in a clear sentence.
Autumn Parachute
AI - Gross Motor/ PSED/ UTW
During our afternoon activities we explored using a parachute to toss the leaves in the air. In doing so, we used our muscles to move the parachute in various ways. We carefully listened to the instruction of "ready, set, go"
WOW Bag
AI - C&L
Early Year's love our WOW bag sessions and look forward to finding our what is hiding inside of the bag. We start every session which a song and encourage good looking. This activity promotes focusing our attention on a highly motivating object!
Book in a Box
CI - Literacy
During our 'Busy Jobs' some of our pupils selected a box to read in.
This excited other pupils who were eager to read in a book box too. Developing a love for reading.
This proves reading can take place anywhere!
Matching Objects
Mathematics
This week we have been learning how to match objects based on their attributes. We have encouraged children to talk in full sentences and explain why their buttons matched.
Splat the Sound
AI - Phonics
We loved playing the simple game of splat the sound. Each child anticipated what sound would come next. This activity supports sound recognition and a love for phonics!
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
AI - PSED, CL, PD & L
Our Top Bananas enjoyed a full sensory experience when
Re-telling the story of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Implementing a sensory story has brought the story to life, allowing our pupils to
experience parts of the book on a personal level.
Skin Tones
AI - EAD, PD, CL & PSED
Early Years have been learning about the artist Frida Kahlo.
This term we are exploring self-portraits using mirrors and paint similar to Frida Kahlo.
We noticed that the paints we had did not match our skin tone.
As a next step adults modelled mixing a range of colours and experimenting with a range of shades.
The children then had an opportunity to explore paint mixing and matching skin tones in preparation for their very own self-portraits.
Autumn Finger Painting
Adult Initiated - EAD, L & PD
Our curriculum is always centred around the needs of our cohort. Through observations adults have recongise a need for fine motor enhancements and a love for sensory play. This activity incorporates both!
Children were encouraged to explore painting with all of their fingers and placing them carefully into the white circles.
Busy Jobs
Child Initiated
These pictures illustrate some of the child initiated play captured by adults during our 'Busy Jobs'.
The past few weeks we have been learning how to "choose it, use it and put it back".
During 'Busy Jobs' we are able to explore new skills, dig deeper and become curious learners.
The first few weeks we have established routines, explored provision areas and are beginning to understand how to 'get busy' in areas of provision.
Nursery Phase 1 Phonics
Adult Initiated C&L L
Nursery have enjoyed playing the drums outside.
They used sticks to explore the different sounds when banging on different surfaces. One child said they liked banging on the "Window" best. The children have since played this activity independently.
Leaf Printing
Adult Initiated - EAD, PD & CL
This term in science we are focusing on seasons and changes during Autumn. As part of our topic the children collected a range of leaves from our outdoor area. We used hands on experiences to investigate the texture of our leaves. We then painted the leaves using paint brushes and carefully printed them to a large piece of paper. We discussed the effect of printing the leaves onto the paper.
Danceology
Adult Initiated - C&L PD
Early Years look forward to our 'Danceology' sessions. This short intervention provides children with the opportunity to follow simple instructions whilst enjoying a full sensory experience.
Sensory Circuits
Early Years take part in a daily sensory circuit. We aim to support our pupils in emotional regulation so that they are ready for the day ahead. Here is a clear example of our three zones:
1. alerting
2. organising
3. Calming
Sensory Room
Adult Initiated - Self regulation
Early Years enjoy having the opportunity to explore a range of strategies to help regulate their emotions within our brand new Sensory room. Children have access to stimulating and motivating resources in a calm environment. Within Early Years we like to use intensive interaction to support the development of communication and language within this area. This also allows Early Years to keep the child at the centre of learning.
Sensory Story - We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Adult Initiated - Reading Focus
Today we enjoyed our very first sensory story, which helped bring the story to life! Early Years helped to add actions, beats and narrate the story using repeated refrains. Using our story sequences boxes we were able to explore the textures of each setting within the story.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Adult Initiated - Literacy Focus
Today we heard the news that there is a 'Brown Grizzly Bear' prowling around our School, foraging for some food. After lots of discussion we packed a Bear Hunt bag with necessities such as porridge, a phone and a magnifying glass.
The children decided that bears love Porridge and wanted to prepare some in case the Bear came to visit. We decided to explore the outdoors and look for any clues!
Welcome to EYFS
Last week was our very first week at Elland CE School. We have enjoyed meeting new friends, teachers and learning new routines! During our 'Busy Jobs' we explored a range of provision areas such as playdough, role play and the wonderful outdoors. This week we have learnt the importance of listening to instructions, sharing with our friends and having lots of fun whilst we learn. Please come back to see how our Learning Journey progresses throughout the academic year! We can't wait to share our Busy Jobs with you.
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