Children have been so engaged in their learning in the garden during the recent brighter weather.
They have been supported to observe changes in the environment: from spring bulbs emerging, to worms and snails, to more bird visitors (maybe to nibble on worms and snails) and lots of weeds starting to grow. Children are always supported to be respectful of Mother Nature and our garden visitors. Nazma worked together with a group of friends to clear weeds from the plant beds, children used their hands and tools to turn the soil over and listened careful to instructions. Children worked harmoniously together to solve problems and clean their shoes and boots. Some children understood they were preparing the plant beds for planting. Children independently explored the bird boxes and information books to learn more about our flora and fauna. Two friends could not agree on how many eye a frog has: one thought "2" and the other thought "8". When they researched and looked in the information books they discovered it was 2. We then talked about 8 being an important number for spiders! Other jobs children have helped with: Potatoes have been planted and nets covering them to stop squirrels from eating them. Keeping an eye on the garlic growing. Turning over the beds where the cheeky squirrel ate all the peas! Appreciating the flowers growing. When on friend, Kit came to school on Thursday he and his mummy heard a woodpecker in Meath Gardens. I heard one this morning in Greenwich Park. Did you know this is called 'drumming'? Woodpeckers do it when they are trying to find food or a special friend! Maybe you could listen our for the very distinctive tap-tap-tapping of the woodpecker when you are in the park. Today it was very wet indeed with lots of rain and puddles: we still go out in the garden to explore.
While we were in the garden we noticed lots of snails travelling across the ground. The children were all so careful, forming a circle around them and looking closely. We counted 8 snails in a small area. Children supported each other saying “Be careful!” Children were supported to sustain interest for some time and focus concentration. You showed lots of joy alongside your friends. We gathered information books and created a circle using wooden blocks. We negotiated with each other, sharing the information books. We discovered snails like to come out in the rain and they have eyes on the end of long stalks. We read that snail’s homes are their shell and the shell is soft. We used vocabulary such as shell, slimy, soft, slither. Next time it rains, go outside with your family and look for snails and worms as they come out and love the wet weather. This term we have had more new children start with us. What is wonderful is seeing the older, more experienced children supporting our new friends.
Role models are important to all of us: someone who knows where things belong, knows the vocabulary, is confident in the environment, has developed play skills and is happy and engaged. Role models might show us how to share and take turns, show joy and be a caring friend. Children will learn lots by being around friends who show them how to 'be'. Of course the adults are here to support children with warmth and sensitivity every day. Supporting children to show their interests and skills and then moving their learning on. As schools, we learn from our colleagues in other schools and also support them with their provision. Do you have role models in your life: how do they inspire you? Our return to school has coincided with a cold snap! Children were supported to think about keeping their bodies warm and noticing when their bodies were cold. Children observed their warm breath in the cold air, the frozen water and frost on the plants.
Children were encouraged to think about our bird visitors and how they might be feeling in this weather. We decided they needed some food for energy to help keep warm. Some children said they saw "parrots" and "pigeons". Children worked collaboratively to collect the bird feeders, counting and checking they were working. Children counted how many we had and decided there were not enough for our many trees. They decided to use old, small flower pots to make bird seed cakes. You need: vegetable suet bird seeds small yoghurt or flower pots string Children explored the soft suet using their fingers, talking about how it felt. They measured out suet and seeds and melted the suet, stirring in seeds. Next they poured it into the empty pots at attached string. Children noticed the changes as the suet solidified and went very hard. They tipped out the bird seed cake. Collaboratively they problem solved how to get them in to the trees. Some children had the good idea of using the ladder to reach the branches. This morning when children came to school they noticed one had been eaten: we are watching carefully and using our bird spotting charts to see whether we spot any bird visitors or whether it was the cheeky squirrel! Could you and your child make a bird feeder for your garden, balcony or to hang in the park? Why not use our recipe. It is so simple. Or why not just notice the birds and wildlife you spot on the way to school: foxes, birds, worms, rats (!) or maybe pets such as cats and dogs? As we prepare for the Christmas break, we have been keeping spirits high in school with singing festive songs - Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas are two the children know well! Children have been making Christmas decorations using recyclable materials. We think carefully about the environment and try to reuse things and use scraps of tinsel as treasure. Children have been sharing Christmas books and some children have listened to the story of the Nativity. They have acted out the story, using dressing up clothes and we have a small stable in Sunflower. The children were very interested in the gifts that are for Baby Jesus. There has been lots of Christmas baking, with children following instructions, working together and using wonderful spices. One parent came in the make Weinachtsplatzchen (German Christmas Cookies). The recipe is below for you to try at home! Children in the garden made hot chocolate to help keep warm and develop our real life understanding of measuring and number. Today we have Christmas singing around the campfire - but it seems the rain has arrived, in which case we will move indoors and have a campfire on the large screen to keep us warm and cosy. Our Christmas Party is on Tuesday 19 December and children finish school at 12pm. We wish you, your families and the whole world peace and love for the festivities and 2024. Today we were so lucky to have Nicole Gurvidi as guest speaker for our Brilliant Books and Phonics Fun Workshop. Nicole is the English Primary Curriculum Lead in Tower Hamlets. Nicole is passionate about reading! The turnout from our fantastic families was incredible and the room was packed. Nicole reminded us about the importance of: Having fun with words. Reading books, books, more books and when you think that's enough, read another. Read on the train, read on the bus, read in the cafe, read in the bath, read before bed - simply enjoy sharing books. Follow your child's interest and let them choose the books. The more books you share with your child the more vocabulary they will understand. Use pictures in newspapers to create stories using your imagination and tell the stories together, adding exciting words to describe what is happening or where the characters are. Play with sounds: make sound effects to accompany stories you share. Loud sounds, soft sounds, rattles, scratching, tapping. If your child can begin to distinguish between sounds, they will find it easier when they come to using blend and segmenting sounds when they read and write. Sing songs together and make musical instruments (see Nicole's pots of pasta and rice and her 50p wooden spoons). Go on a sound walk - listen out for trains, birds, aircrafts, sirens, drills and talk about the sounds. Be a sound collector! When your child is ready, make a Sound Scrapbook: start with a sound and together you can cut out pictures from newspapers and magazines of objects that start with that sound and stick them on the page. Have fun together. Links to websites: click below Booktrust Love My Books Remember to borrow books from school to share at home. Join the Idea Store - click here. Pick up free newspapers and magazines from the underground station, Tesco or Asda. Speak to your key person if you need any advice about sharing books at home. See the handout Nicole shared - if you would like a paper copy, please see Becky. Even our youngest friends at Rachel Keeling Nursery School are able to show real concentration and determination in their learning.
Staff work hard to ensure the provision and experiences children have are exciting, inspiring and offer challenge. These photographs show the concentration and focus on the children's faces as they measure, sew, sort and play. Being engaged in learning, deeply involved is what we want for our children so that they can make the most of each day and the wonderful learning opportunities that arise. Often these times are when our brain and our hands are working carefully together. Do you do puzzles, cooking, ball games and construction together at home? Remember you can borrow things from nursery to use at home. We know many families are struggling financially at the moment and we are very aware of this in our tiny school community when it comes to charity events.
On Friday we joined the local community in raising money for Children In Need with a cake sale. All week, children worked collaboratively, following recipes to make cakes, buns and biscuits. We then sold these on Friday and we thank you for your donations and for buying some treats. You helped to raise over £160. Healthy school rules return this week with no cakes, buns and biscuits! Our old friends from Iroko Theatre Company made their annual visit to Rachel Keeling this week.
We were thrilled to welcome them back to share their incredible music, interesting stories, booming songs and rhythmic drumming from Nigeria. Alex, Ruky and Roger involved the children and staff in the sessions and their engagement was very high. Wellbeing was also high and it was wonderful to see our 2, 3 and 4 year olds trying something new with adults they had not met before. It reminds us that music and movement can be a truly effective way to enhance our wellbeing. Children and staff all felt the benefit of this during the visit. Do you listen to music? Do you sing? Do you dance? If you would like to share any of these in nursery, please let us know! We know that physical exercise has a positive impact on your body, mind and mood. At Rachel Keeling Nursery School we encourage all our friends to cycle or scoot to school and cycling is a big focus of our learning and provision.
Each term we hold a Bike It Breakfast session with Brick Lane Beigels (bought by Pam at the crack of dawn!) to encourage children and parents to cycle and scoot to school and come and join us for some brekkie. As well as cycling, Sam is our Bike It Champion and supports staff and children in developing the confidence and skills to cycle using the balance and pedal bikes. A big part of her work is developing positive cycling behaviours and learning about bike maintenance. Many children know to check air, brakes and chains as well as fit their own helmets. Cycling is a great way to see London. If you would like any advice or to borrow a balance bike and helmet at the weekend, please see your key person. |