In the heart of Windrush Valley Prep School’s Early Years, a delightful term unfolded, filled with magical tales, phonics discoveries, and mathematical wonders. From classic fairy tales to the building blocks of literacy and numeracy, our young learners embarked on a journey of curiosity and skill development.
Diving into the World of Fairy Tales
The term commenced with an exploration of timeless fairy tales, capturing the imaginations of our little ones with stories of heroes, villains, and captivating adventures. The classics – The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and Jack and The Beanstalk – took centre stage.
Beyond mere storytelling, the children actively engaged with the tales, participating in repeated phrases and creating artistic expressions inspired by the narratives. From a Three Little Pigs ballet to a Jack and the Beanstalk panto, their creativity knew no bounds. The classroom became a stage for musical renditions, with instruments weaving the tale of The Three Billy Goats Gruff and Jack and the Beanstalk.
Practical activities brought the stories to life, from the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread men to scientific enquiries about the Gingerbread Man’s aquatic abilities (basically, what happens to one is put into water). Taste buds were tantalized with porridge tasting, and the classroom buzzed with the creation of a block graph to determine the most and least popular flavours.
Chocolate bear toast became a delectable ode to Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and green thumbs were activated as the children planted beans, eagerly awaiting their growth in the weeks to come. Sensory adventures unfolded, involving oats, soil, straw, and sticks, fostering a deeper connection with the tales.
Phonics Prowess in Nursery
In Nursery, the learning extended to the realm of phonics, with the introduction of phonemes like m, d, g, o, and u. Songs resonated in the air as little voices sang along, and artistic expressions brought these phonemes to life. Handprint ducks, purple grapes, orange oranges, and umbrellas adorned the classroom, making learning a multisensory delight.
Mathematical explorations incorporated songs, repetition, and a tactile approach, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of counting, patterns, and shapes. The joy of recognising numerals out of order and counting with body movements added a dynamic dimension to their mathematical journey.
Reception’s Phonics and Mathematical Journey
In Reception, the focus extended to consolidating existing phonics knowledge, introducing and reinforcing tricky words, and matching capital letters to their lowercase counterparts. The challenge of constructing short sentences was met with resilience and determination. The introduction of sentence structure included finger spaces, capital letters, and full stops, marking a significant step towards their educational journey.
Numerical adventures delved into the realm of numbers beyond 5, introducing 0 and exploring number lines and ten frames. Concepts of ‘one more’ and ‘one less’ were explored, along with the identification of ‘bigger’ and ‘smaller’ numbers. Number bonds to 5 became a mathematical playground, solidifying the understanding that there’s always the same total.
A unit on weight (mass) and capacity involved predictions, estimations, and testing theories, encouraging the pupils to articulate their ideas. Mathematical vocabulary blossomed, and the exploration of weight and capacity added a practical dimension to their learning.
As we navigate the term, the Early Years at Windrush Valley Prep School continues to be a realm of wonder, discovery, and growth. The children’s achievements, from fairy-tale expressions to phonetic prowess and mathematical milestones, are a testament to their boundless potential. Here’s to the magical journey ahead, where learning knows no bounds!