Nursery really love the story Supertato by Sue Hendra.

The children created some great art work of Supertato.

We are looking forward to reading other books by Sue Hendra.

All the children seem to have grown during the Easter Holiday but its not just the children!

Our growing area is thriving.  This week we thinned out the radishes. Some of us tasted the small radishes.

“the water is making them grow”

Carrot seedlings

The carrot seedlings are showing, we are looking forward to tasting them too.

Indoors our tomato plants are doing well.  We measured them with cubes to see how tall they are.

One of the plants is 21 cubes high.

Strawberry plant

We also have some beetroot starting to grow and Mrs Grant brought in some strawberry plants from her garden.

Mrs Ali planted some broad beans with the children.

We have a mud kitchen outside that is very popular with the children.  When they are playing in the mud kitchen they are learning a range of skills.

Learning to be independent and put waterproofs on ourselves.

Practising writing on the menu board.

Developing gross motor skills in preparation for writing.

The open-ended nature of mud encourages creative thinking and allows children to freely create without fear of making mistakes.

Practising social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, communication, and sharing as they work together.

Maths and science skills are practised as children make before and after comparisons, solve problems, test theories, and measure and count ingredients for their mud pies.

Playing in the mud inspires children to feel a connection to nature and develop an appreciation for the environment

“But maybe the greatest benefit of mud play is the memories being created by the children. Mud play and the wonder and joy associated with it are the stuff that fabulous childhood memories are made of!”

(Some information from Mud Marvellous Mud by Michelle Rupiper)

In Nursery the children are becoming more independent.  They use their imagination.  They are able to choose the resources they need and use tools and equipment by themselves.  They ask for help if they need it.  Look at some of the wonderful things they have made this week.

Anyone for an ice-cream?

A super submarine!

A wonderful wand!

A beautiful butterfly!

This week in Nursery we have been thinking about our mommys in preparation for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

The children made some beautiful cards using potato prints.  All the children had a go at writing their name.  I am very proud of how well they did.

We have also noticed that the radish seeds we planted have started to grow.

 Finally, look at our tomato plants.  Aren’t they amazing!

Now spring is in the air we have been planting in our garden area. This week we planted radish seeds next to the garlic we planted in Science week.

We made labels to put around the seeds so that everyone will know what is planted there.

Whilst we were planting we found a tree seed that had started to grow.

We enjoy the creative area.  Colour mixing is good fun!

If we find something difficult we ask for help.  We are learning to help each other.

Nursery have really enjoyed reading Keep out! Bears About!

We were very excited to meet the author, Sally Grindley in a special Book Day assembly on Thursday.

Also on Thursday we were able to dress up as our favourite characters.  There were lots of super heros in Nursery that day!

To finish book week Year 5 came to share a story with us.   The Nursery children chose a story and the Year 5 children read it to them.

We then finished off with the Nursery children telling Year 5 one of our favourite stories We’re going on a bear hunt.  It was really lovely to hear the Year 5 children joining in too.

In Nursery the children do lots of  activities to get their hands and fingers ready for writing.

Some children make marks on paper and tell us what is says.  Some children are starting to copy letters.  Some children are learning to write their name.

Have a look at some of our fantastic writing:

Arooj’s story

Great story Fowzan!

Amelia’s name writing

On Monday morning we watched a video about Chinese New Year.

We found out that Chinese people get ready for new year by cleaning their house.

We found out that red is a lucky colour.

We found out Chinese people celebrate with Lion and Dragon dances and eating with their family.

We had a go at the Lion Dance, we enjoyed the drums!

We made Good Luck messages.

We made our role play area in to a Chinese Restaurant.

Everyday is different in Nursery.  This week, as usual, we have been busy covering all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage in different ways.

Expressive Arts and Design – role play

Understanding the World – using computers

Mathematics – recognising numbers

Literacy – mark making and writing

Expressive Arts and Design – joining construction pieces to build

Personal, Social and Emotional Development – making friends and playing together

Expressive Arts and Design – making junk models

Literacy – Reading books

Mathematics – counting