Rachel Keeling Nursery School
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Welcome to our Learning Blog

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Story Telling

26/3/2021

 
We have a rich culture of story telling and story acting at Rachel Keeling.
We share stories and books each day, play imaginatively and encourage children to draw and write their ideas.
For many years we have followed the Vivian Gussin- Paley Helicopter Story methodology whereby adults write children's words verbatim and then children act their creations out in a small group on a stage. 
A few years ago we noted that despite our rich environment of storying, some children were not developing and using story language and some children's oral storytelling were not developing structure. 
We started to use the wonderful Tales Toolkit method, whereby children use the 'scaffolding' of 
SETTING
CHARACTER
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
to tell their own stories orally, with props and objects, through photography, film and even some children beginning to write captions. 
Below you will see some children enjoying their Tales Toolkit workshop and then a few samples of stories. There are more to come and children have been proudly walking through the nursery telling everyone their stories (some children had small zig zag books to make make). 
Watch this space as the next best selling authors, poets, script writers and playwrights are in the making at Rachel Keeling!!!

Easter Celebrations

24/3/2021

 
This week children have been supported to learn about Easter.
They have made hot cross buns in small groups, carefully reading the recipe and measuring ingredients, taking turns in mixing and problem solving when the mixture is too dry. Cooking is such an effective way to get children talking and using their senses - they often will talk about what they cook and eat at home and that is wonderful for us to share.
Children were also supported in story time, exploring Easter artifacts such as the cross, candle and books which told the story of Easter. 
Some children know that Easter celebrates new life and that is why the egg is symbolic as it represents new life.
This morning some children came together to enjoy their own Last Supper - sharing bread and grape juice along a long table. They were surrounded by spring tulips to signify spring too. 
Enjoy your break - school reopens to children on Tuesday 13 April.

Spring is Sprung

19/3/2021

 
Our garden is much treasured and we use it each and every day, almost all day long.
​Such a rich source of learning. Children have been excited to see a few signs of spring this week: from increased amounts of birds (with their birdsong - particularly from one territorial robin!) to bees, green shoots of spring and daffodils.
There have even been reported sightings of rays of sunshine in Bethnal Green (in between the rain showers.)
​Is spring on the way? 

The Animal Kingdom - We Are Researchers!

12/3/2021

 
Children are always interested in animals: whether they be live, small world figures, imaginary or in books.  Children had been observed playing for sustained period with the small world animals and an adult supported them to use information books, our animal encyclopedia, maps and the internet (on iPads and the interactive board) to discover and share facts about animals. Children commented on what they know and asked questions to further develop their knowledge and understanding about wild animals. Small world resources were used for children to explore and play imaginatively with. Children researched animal habitats, their features, diet and their young. Some children recorded their findings, ascribing meaning to their marks or writing some words phonetically.
Sulaiman pondered: "Why does a lion have a mane?"
He then worked with a small group sharing their ideas and researching why a lion has a mane. Do you know why?

World Book Day

5/3/2021

 
Whilst we could not have parents stay to share stories this World Book Day, children enjoyed a day of literature with their friends and teachers. 
We will make sure we have a reading day later on in the year once we are able to allow parents to stay.
One of our friends also made a book at home, which they proudly brought in to share with their friends at story time. 
It tells the story using story language:
Featuring characters pigeon and duckling;
A plot containing a whirlwind, a cookie and a hot dog;
A solution was featured too!

World Book Day - Bedtime Stories

4/3/2021

 
We know bedtime isn't the only time to read stories but it's a perfect time to relax, have a cuddle and get ready for bed.
Thank you to our families who shared their reading at home!
No wonder all the children are so interested in books when they're in school. 
Rachel Keeling Nursery School - Bullard's Place - Morpeth Street - London - E2 0PS        Tel: 020 89805856   Email: admin@rachelkeeling.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Picture
  • Home
    • Contact us
    • Location
    • Welcome
  • News
    • Learning Blog
    • Learning Blog Archive
    • Newsletters
    • Visitors
  • Our School
    • Curriculum Goals >
      • Settle in and become a confident learner
      • Follow a recipe to bake a bread roll
      • Make a model at the woodwork table
      • Ride a bicycle
      • Create your own rhythmic patterns and respond to music
      • Create shades of colour using powder paints and palette
      • Make up your own stories
      • Write the first two letters of your name
    • Our Films
    • Our History
    • Our Mission Statement
    • Our Nursery Building
    • Our Policies/Risk Assessments
    • Our Staff
    • Our Values
  • Information
    • Admissions
    • Early Help
    • Early Years Pupil Premium
    • Federation With Children's House Nursery School
    • GDPR
    • Health Guidance/Viruses
    • OFSTED
    • Organisation
    • Places for 3 & 4 year olds
    • RHSE
    • Safeguarding Summary
    • School Development Plan
    • Special Educational Needs and Disability
    • Self Evaluation Form
    • Term dates
  • Families
    • Cycle Sisters
    • Food Bank
    • Lunchtime
    • Library Visits
    • Saturday Garden
    • Children and Family Centres
    • Useful Links
    • What our community thinks
    • Working Together
    • Workshops and Courses
  • Outreach
    • Articles, Research & Conferences
    • Our Outreach Work
    • Resources >
      • THINC
      • Design Project
      • RKNS shopping
      • Learning Journeys
      • Special Books
      • RKNS using film
      • Courses
      • SEND/Inclusion
  • Governors
    • Who Are Our Governors?
    • What Do Governors Do?
    • Annual Report to Parents
    • Governor Attendance
  • Learning
    • Curriculum >
      • Personal, Social & Emotional Development
      • Physical Development
      • Communication and Language
      • Literacy
      • Mathematics
      • Understanding the World
      • Expressive Arts and Design
    • Learning Gallery >
      • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
      • Performing and Playing Music
      • Learning Outside
      • Taking Risks and Being Independant
      • Being Creative
      • Showing Curiousity
      • Designing and Building
      • Cooking
      • Our Shoppers
      • Bike It
      • Science
      • Independent Projects
      • Research Projects
      • Friendships
      • Sustainability
  • Home Learning
    • Learning with Rachel Keeling Staff >
      • Stories with Staff
      • Numbers and Counting
      • Busy in the Kitchen
      • Sing-along Songs
      • Experiments
      • Letters and Sounds
      • Gardening
      • Keep Moving
      • Exploration and Games
    • 52 Things To Do
    • Learning at Home
    • Talking to Children about Coronavirus
    • Music at Home
    • Cooking Together
    • Phonics
    • Mathematics at Home
    • Science
    • Nature Detectives
    • Sharing Stories
    • Tales Toolkit
    • Being Creative
    • Keeping Active
  • Events
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • July 2022
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    • December 2021
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