Nursery Remote Learning Provision
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School Closure Provision - Spring 2021:
If you are reading this it will be due to the fact that, unfortunately, our Nursery class 'bubble' has had to close because of a further full lockdown of schools.
In response to the feedback of our survey, we have spent a large amount of time reflecting on our provision during the original lockdown and working out how best to amend, adapt and improve our provision, taking account of families individual circumstances and technical capabilities, as well as looking at how best to organise children's learning.
Staff have now created a 2 week 'remote learning' curriculum, closely aligned to what the children would have been learning in school, to ensure a seamless transition. This covers the full curriculum entitlement.
We are conscious that many of you may be trying to balance working from home with caring for your children, so we have provided work which can be accessed in a flexible way.
In order to support you and your child, staff will be available throughout the day to provide support to you and your child/ren via Purple Mash email, the Class Discussion Boards and, as appropriate, in future using other platforms (telephone/Microsoft Teams). Building on the systems introduced previously, staff will now also provide clear expectations over which work needs submitting to them (photos or documents attached) and they will then assess this and provide feedback, as appropriate.
If you are reading this it will be due to the fact that, unfortunately, our Nursery class 'bubble' has had to close because of a further full lockdown of schools.
In response to the feedback of our survey, we have spent a large amount of time reflecting on our provision during the original lockdown and working out how best to amend, adapt and improve our provision, taking account of families individual circumstances and technical capabilities, as well as looking at how best to organise children's learning.
Staff have now created a 2 week 'remote learning' curriculum, closely aligned to what the children would have been learning in school, to ensure a seamless transition. This covers the full curriculum entitlement.
We are conscious that many of you may be trying to balance working from home with caring for your children, so we have provided work which can be accessed in a flexible way.
In order to support you and your child, staff will be available throughout the day to provide support to you and your child/ren via Purple Mash email, the Class Discussion Boards and, as appropriate, in future using other platforms (telephone/Microsoft Teams). Building on the systems introduced previously, staff will now also provide clear expectations over which work needs submitting to them (photos or documents attached) and they will then assess this and provide feedback, as appropriate.
Nursery Discussion Board/Blog
For the Discussion board, click on this link to go to the new page set up specifically for you to comment, ask questions and keep in touch with each other and Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder & Mrs Flint or you can access it directly from the menu bar at the top of the page, using the drop down menus.
Please remember our class rules and be respectful and use it in a positive way.
At this point, all comments will be checked and approved before appearing on the website.
For the Discussion board, click on this link to go to the new page set up specifically for you to comment, ask questions and keep in touch with each other and Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder & Mrs Flint or you can access it directly from the menu bar at the top of the page, using the drop down menus.
Please remember our class rules and be respectful and use it in a positive way.
At this point, all comments will be checked and approved before appearing on the website.
Phase 4 Provision
The work provided below covers the period of any extended national lockdown.
18/01/2021
A message from Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder & Mrs Flint
Dear children,
I am excited about this week’s work and I’m hoping you will be too!
I have really loved hearing from many of you via our new email address (nursery@george-fentham.solihull.sch.uk) or on the Nursery Discussion Board.
This week we will be working on activities based on a fabulous book ‘We’re going on a bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen, which I expect some of you will be familiar with already.
You may even have the book at home!
Please do keep in touch!
Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder and Mrs Flint
A message from Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder & Mrs Flint
Dear children,
I am excited about this week’s work and I’m hoping you will be too!
I have really loved hearing from many of you via our new email address (nursery@george-fentham.solihull.sch.uk) or on the Nursery Discussion Board.
This week we will be working on activities based on a fabulous book ‘We’re going on a bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen, which I expect some of you will be familiar with already.
You may even have the book at home!
Please do keep in touch!
Mrs Durkin, Mrs Holder and Mrs Flint
Mrs Durkin
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Mrs Holder
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Mrs Flint
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Online Safety
The current situation means that we find ourselves all spending much more time accessing and/or using online platforms and resources in order to do our job, or to support our children with their 'home learning'. This creates additional worries around Online Safety and so we just wanted to point you in the right direction for guidance and advice when it comes to ensuring that both you, and your children, are as safe as can be.
The government has released information about keeping children safe online, which you can read here.
The supplementary guidance, specific to 'what you can do to stay safe online', can be read here.
We would also signpost you to our Online Safety page, which has a wealth of information on it. Click here.
General
Don't forget that there are also some great resources, including daily lessons, on BBC Bitesize now - Click here - as well as on the new Oak National Academy website - Click here.
We are incredibly conscious of the difficulties around printing out lots of worksheets and, whilst there will still be a need for this format to be used, we are endeavouring to find alternative ways for children to record their work. This may take the form of emailing their work directly back to us through Purple Mash, just using plain paper and writing their responses themselves or collecting (from the school office) the folder and books that we have put together for each child so that they can record all of their work in there (this would be the preferred suggestion).
The current situation means that we find ourselves all spending much more time accessing and/or using online platforms and resources in order to do our job, or to support our children with their 'home learning'. This creates additional worries around Online Safety and so we just wanted to point you in the right direction for guidance and advice when it comes to ensuring that both you, and your children, are as safe as can be.
The government has released information about keeping children safe online, which you can read here.
The supplementary guidance, specific to 'what you can do to stay safe online', can be read here.
We would also signpost you to our Online Safety page, which has a wealth of information on it. Click here.
General
Don't forget that there are also some great resources, including daily lessons, on BBC Bitesize now - Click here - as well as on the new Oak National Academy website - Click here.
We are incredibly conscious of the difficulties around printing out lots of worksheets and, whilst there will still be a need for this format to be used, we are endeavouring to find alternative ways for children to record their work. This may take the form of emailing their work directly back to us through Purple Mash, just using plain paper and writing their responses themselves or collecting (from the school office) the folder and books that we have put together for each child so that they can record all of their work in there (this would be the preferred suggestion).
Week Two (wc January 18th 2021)
Phonics (Every Day)
This week I’d like to concentrate on another aspect of Phase One phonics; alliteration. The key to getting to grips with this skill is being able to identify the initial sound in words.
Here’s a fun game to reinforce these skills involving a cheeky little monster called Pix. He loves eating pizza (who doesn’t!).
Can you play his game and find him pizza toppings that all begin with the same sound?
PIX
PIX GAME INSTRUCTIONS
PIZZA BASE
PIZZA TOPPINGS
Day 1 - Literacy/Physical
Day 2 - Maths/Communication & Language
Day 3 - Understanding the World/Expressive Arts and Design
Day 4 - Literacy/Expressive Arts and Design
Day 5 - Personal, Social and Emotional Development/Physical
Phonics (Every Day)
This week I’d like to concentrate on another aspect of Phase One phonics; alliteration. The key to getting to grips with this skill is being able to identify the initial sound in words.
- Here’s a powerpoint that explains alliteration, giving lots of examples: (ALLITERATION PP).
- This website has a more detailed description of alliteration and a number of fun games of the kind we play in the classroom: https://earlyimpactlearning.com/alliteration-activities-for-preschool/
- You can watch a lively lesson on alliteration by Maddison from Twinkl on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDX7bYiiBPg
- Alliteration is used to great effect in many stories and poems. If you want to experience full-on alliteration you can listen to Pamela Duncan Edwards’ book ‘Some Smug Slug’ which uses the ‘sss’ sound repeatedly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgM0iGhJ7v8
- One of the first activities we do in the classroom is to create alliterative phrases based on our own names eg Hairy Harry hopped through the hoops (the sillier, the better!). I look forward to hearing what you come up with!
Here’s a fun game to reinforce these skills involving a cheeky little monster called Pix. He loves eating pizza (who doesn’t!).
Can you play his game and find him pizza toppings that all begin with the same sound?
PIX
PIX GAME INSTRUCTIONS
PIZZA BASE
PIZZA TOPPINGS
Day 1 - Literacy/Physical
- You can see Michael Rosen performing his story about hunting for a bear here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OI7fe766nk
- When you’ve heard the story, you could look at the really lovely animated version of the story that is available here: www.channel4.com/programmes/were-going-on-a-bear-hunt Rather poignantly, this version fleshes out the story and provides some additional information; I now know that the family dog is called Rufus! You could discuss how this version differs from the book.
- When you are really familiar with the story, can you devise your own bear hunt? You may not have a real river to wade through but I’m sure you can use your imagination....! You could adapt the story to include different kinds of obstacles, maybe there’s a pile of laundry that you can’t go over, you can’t go under, oh no, you’ll have to go through it!
- Can you ‘write’ a list of all the things you’d take with you if you were going on a real bear hunt? I think I would need: a picnic, binoculars, camera, wellies, chocolate (for emergencies!)... but you’ll have plenty of other ideas.
- Children benefit from seeing adults writing so it would be a good idea to encourage your child to make marks/letter shapes while an adult writes actual words. It can be dispiriting to some children that they can’t do ‘grown up’ writing, but making marks that imitate writing is an important first step. This is an excellent article on how to approach early writing: https://www.early-education.org.uk/sites/default/files/Making%20their%20mark%20-%20children's%20early%20writing.pdf
- Here are some physical challenges that you can try at home: OUTDOOR PE CHALLENGES
Day 2 - Maths/Communication & Language
- We are continuing our detailed look at numbers with the focus on number 2 this week. Many children learn to recognise numerals without really understanding their significance. Embedding basic number skills is at the core of our revised EYFS maths curriculum. Here are some activities to support developing a thorough understanding of number 2: ALL ABOUT 2 PP, ALL ABOUT 2
- For further practise you can use these activities:
NUMBER 2 ACTIVITY SHEET, NUMBER 2 FORMATION - This lively Numberblocks video clip gives children opportunities to link the numeral to the quantity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCUGLyVkMlM
- Understanding pattern is a very different kind of early maths skill. Here are some alternating patterns for you to continue. Look carefully at each line in turn. You will see each pattern uses 2 colours – they need to take turns! (BEAR PATTERNS). Can you now make your own alternating pattern with something you have at home – maybe coloured bricks, or even cups and plates!
- Can you look really carefully at these pictures and see what you notice? Try to describe what you see giving as much information as you can (eg I can see a boy holding a long, brown stick) (BEAR HUNT OBSERVATION)
Day 3 - Understanding the World/Expressive Arts and Design
- Do you know much about bears? I think they’re very interesting animals and you can find out some more fascinating facts about bears in this video clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-3snCVlrJ8
- Can you remember what a baby bear is called? What kinds of food might a bear eat? What colour fur can bears have? What do bears do during the winter?
- This powerpoint also provides interesting information: FACTS ABOUT BEARS
- There are lots of songs about bears. I have found 3 for you to listen to and join in with. I wonder which you prefer? One of them is a new version of a song we sing regularly at school!
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=666UZRBO5q8
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRVZ5eq2Dv4
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSLlm5bwzjs
Day 4 - Literacy/Expressive Arts and Design
- Teddy bears are popular toys and you probably have a bear or two at home. Can you find your favourite bear and draw or paint a picture of him/her? Think really carefully about the shape of your bear’s body – don’t forget to include the details like ears, nose, arms and paws, Can you match the colour of your bear’s fur? I’d love to see a photo of your bear with his/her portrait!
- You could use these pictures (BEAR HUNT STORY STONES) to help you recall the story. If you can find some biggish stones outside, you could make story stones following the instructions on the page. Can you retell the Bear Hunt story in the correct order?
- I know you’ll have had lots of fun hunting for bears but I wonder if you can retell the story again but this time imagine you’re hunting for a different animal. I think I’d like to hunt for an elephant. Can you use adapt the repeated language from the story: ‘We’re going on an elephant hunt, We’re going to catch a big one, It’s a beautiful day, we’re not scared….!’
Day 5 - Personal, Social and Emotional Development/Physical
- Last week Jigsaw Jenie set us some challenges and now it’s time for us to think up our own. What would you like to be able to do that you find quite hard? Can you thank of a goal for yourself? This should be something that will take time and effort to do and will be a real achievement. It might be writing your name, it might be riding a bike or it might be eating 5 new foods. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fabulous ideas of your own! What do you need to do work towards your goal? Small achievable steps and lots of practise are the key to success!
- We often play memory games at school to help to develop concentration but also to support turn taking. Do you know how to play Kim’s Game? Here’s an explanation (KIM’S GAME). You can use any toys or objects you have to hand.
- Here’s another fun game you can play (possibly better outside) – all you need is an inflated balloon! (BALLOON KEEPY UPPY). This is a simple but great way to get moving!
- To get your fingers working, how about trying this threading activity. Ideally you need to print this picture (TEDDY LACING) onto card and make holes where indicated. However, you could improvise with an old cereal packet! You can try threading with string or wool or other thread you have to hand.
Week One (wc January 11th 2021)
Phonics (Every Day)
Let’s really get to grips with rhyme this week! Michael Rosen (ex-Poet Laureate and author of many wonderful children’s books) explains why rhyming is important here: www.lovemybooks.co.uk/michael-rosen-rhyme
There are some fun ideas for rhyming games here:
www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/daddy-freckle-rhyming-games/zj4k92p
Most of us are familiar with nursery rhymes – can you spot the rhyming words in these rhymes
(MISSING WORD RHYMES).
You can have fun making up your own rhymes using the structure of a familiar rhyme (in this case Row, Row, Row your boat) www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/walk-walk-down-the-street/zk3cydm
You could also play this game (RHYMING MITTENS). You need to match the mittens to find pairs of words that rhyme.
Day 1 - Literacy/Physical
Day 2 - Maths/Communication & Language
To develop language and observation skills, try this fun Spot the Difference activity. Look closely at the two pictures. Can you describe them? Can you find 5 differences between them? (WINTER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE)
Day 3 - Understanding the World/Expressive Arts and Design
Day 4 - Literacy/Expressive Arts and Design
Can you build a cave for the bears? You could use a construction toy like duplo or you could find some cardboard boxes. Perhaps you could draw and cut out two bears of different size (Daddy bear and Baby bear) to go inside.
Day 5 - Personal, Social and Emotional Development/Physical
Phonics (Every Day)
Let’s really get to grips with rhyme this week! Michael Rosen (ex-Poet Laureate and author of many wonderful children’s books) explains why rhyming is important here: www.lovemybooks.co.uk/michael-rosen-rhyme
There are some fun ideas for rhyming games here:
www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/daddy-freckle-rhyming-games/zj4k92p
Most of us are familiar with nursery rhymes – can you spot the rhyming words in these rhymes
(MISSING WORD RHYMES).
You can have fun making up your own rhymes using the structure of a familiar rhyme (in this case Row, Row, Row your boat) www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/walk-walk-down-the-street/zk3cydm
You could also play this game (RHYMING MITTENS). You need to match the mittens to find pairs of words that rhyme.
Day 1 - Literacy/Physical
- There’s a lovely book called ‘Let’s Go Home Little Bear’ by Martin Waddell. This lovely book really encourages children to listen carefully for sounds
- BBC Jackanory Junior’s version is here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p019gl16
- This is another version of the same story read by a lady called Karen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlf5o57EJ0g
- Can you remember all the sounds little bear heard? How do you think he was feeling when he heard them? Can you think of any other sounds he might hear in your home/garden? What about the whoosh, whoosh, whoosh (that’s my washing machine!).
- Now how about getting moving! Why don’t you try this bear dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG3AO6lJ4BQ
- Now can you get your fingers working! Here’s an idea for developing fine motor control (a very important skill) by threading beads: https://theimaginationtree.com/threading-with-pipe-cleaners-and-beads
- You may have other materials at home you could use to practise threading – how about pasta tubes onto string or use the holes in a colander. Equipment from games like Kerplunk and Jenga are very good for developing control.
Day 2 - Maths/Communication & Language
- This term we are going to look at linking numerals to quantities, starting, of course, at the beginning with number 1. Developing a thorough understanding of what numbers really mean (not just reciting number names) is important. Here are some fun activities that introduce children to number one: https://mathszone.co.uk/count-and-understand/the-story-of-1-ngfl-cymru/
- This Numberblocks video clip gives children opportunities to link the numeral to the quantity: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08bzzns/numberblocks-series-1-one
- As well as recognising numerals, we need to be able to count out quantities of items accurately and continue developing our understanding of shape. You could try these winter maths challenges (WINTER MATHS CHALLENGES)
To develop language and observation skills, try this fun Spot the Difference activity. Look closely at the two pictures. Can you describe them? Can you find 5 differences between them? (WINTER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE)
Day 3 - Understanding the World/Expressive Arts and Design
- We are good at identifying the weather when we’re at school using our daily weather chart. You can find out some more interesting facts about winter using this powerpoint (WINTER INFORMATION)
- I’m sure you’ve all been wrapping up in your warmest clothes when you’ve been outside. Can you sort out these clothes, separating the summer clothes for warm weather from those we need in winter? (CLOTHES SORTING ACTIVITY)
- You could design your own winter clothing using this template. Can you colour the clothing very carefully? Perhaps you can make the scarf stripy using lots of lovely bright colours? (DESIGN WINTER CLOTHES)
Day 4 - Literacy/Expressive Arts and Design
- See if you can carefully colour in this picture of the two bears from the story (BEAR COLOURING).
- Can you practise writing your name? Try to hold your pencil with the pincer grip. These sheets explain what we mean by this: PINCER GRIP, GOOD PINCER GRIP. It’s a really good idea to learn to form letters correctly from the start. Here are some letter formation sheets for reference (LETTER FORMATION).
Can you build a cave for the bears? You could use a construction toy like duplo or you could find some cardboard boxes. Perhaps you could draw and cut out two bears of different size (Daddy bear and Baby bear) to go inside.
Day 5 - Personal, Social and Emotional Development/Physical
- Jigsaw Jenie’s challenge this term is to think about our dreams and ambitions and set ourselves some goals. Sometimes the things we want to do seem very challenging. Here are some tricky challenges to try: Can you stand on one leg and count to 10? Can you build a tower from playing cards? Can you sort out beads from sequins in a jar when you’re wearing a blindfold? These are all very tricky indeed! How did you find that challenge? How did it make you feel? Was it hard or easy?
- Listen to the story of the Very Busy Spider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfL0g-XRxnA She is very determined to build her web and doesn’t let any of her animal friends distract her!
- We have a special spider at school called Rosie who helps us to learn about the importance of keeping on trying, even when things seem too difficult. Here’s a picture of Rose from our Building Learning Power wall. Are there things you find tricky that you can keep practising?
- Joe Wicks has become famous for his physical challenges (You may recall he did a 24 hour workout during Children in Need!). Why don’t you try his 5 Minute Moves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LPrhI0v-w Some of these will be familiar as we’ve done them at school.
- Alternatively, for something a little more zen, you could try some Cosmic Yoga. This link takes you to a ‘Yoga to warm you up’ session which feels appropriate for winter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcDdKWpOFM (you will need to skip over the first few minutes’ of lengthy introduction).
Educational Companies offering free access to their resources:
A list of educational companies offering free access to their software - https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
Twinkl- https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/how-to-utilise-twinkl-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown-a-guide-for-schools
TTS Home Learning Activity Booklets - https://www.tts-group.co.uk/home+learning+activities.html
Classroom Secrets - https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/home-online-learning/
Teacher’s Pet - https://tpet.co.uk/latest-resources/
Tutortastic - www.tutortastic.co.uk/blog/homelearning
Phonicsplay - https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
The Body Coach (Daily PE Workouts) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
12 Museums/Art Galleries Virtual Tours A set of museums that are offering their virtual tours for free, allowing you/your children to visit without leaving home - https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
As well as the structured/guided learning provided, or downloaded, there are many things you could do with, or get your child to do. Click on the link below for some ideas.
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/10-ways-safely-entertain-your-kids-home?utm_source=Parent+Zone+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d7c5afa46e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_13_05_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1ee27d9000-d7c5afa46e-179516521
A list of educational companies offering free access to their software - https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
Twinkl- https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/how-to-utilise-twinkl-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown-a-guide-for-schools
TTS Home Learning Activity Booklets - https://www.tts-group.co.uk/home+learning+activities.html
Classroom Secrets - https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/home-online-learning/
Teacher’s Pet - https://tpet.co.uk/latest-resources/
Tutortastic - www.tutortastic.co.uk/blog/homelearning
Phonicsplay - https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
The Body Coach (Daily PE Workouts) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
12 Museums/Art Galleries Virtual Tours A set of museums that are offering their virtual tours for free, allowing you/your children to visit without leaving home - https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
As well as the structured/guided learning provided, or downloaded, there are many things you could do with, or get your child to do. Click on the link below for some ideas.
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/10-ways-safely-entertain-your-kids-home?utm_source=Parent+Zone+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d7c5afa46e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_13_05_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1ee27d9000-d7c5afa46e-179516521
Links to EYFS specific activities/games
A range of educational resources - www.topmarks.co.uk
A range of activities, covering different topics - www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary
A range of activities, covering different topics - www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html
You might be able to use some of the activities on the following pages, but they are aimed at Reception age;
Maths Skills - https://uk.ixl.com/math/reception
English Skills - https://uk.ixl.com/ela/reception
School Closure Provision - Autumn 2020:
If you are reading this it will be due to the fact that, unfortunately, our Nursery class 'bubble' has had to close because of either a 14 day isolation period as a result of a confirmed case or there has been a further partial/full lockdown of schools.
In response to the feedback of our survey, we have spent a large amount of time reflecting on our provision during the original lockdown and working out how best to amend, adapt and improve our provision, taking account of families individual circumstances and technical capabilities, as well as looking at how best to organise children's learning.
Staff have now created a 2 week 'remote learning' curriculum, closely aligned to what the children would have been learning in school, to ensure a seamless transition. This covers the full curriculum entitlement.
We are conscious that many of you may be trying to balance working from home with caring for your children, so we have provided work which can be accessed in a flexible way.
In order to support you and your child, staff will be available throughout the day to provide support to you and your child/ren via Purple Mash email, the Class Discussion Boards and, as appropriate, in future using other platforms (telephone/Microsoft Teams). Building on the systems introduced previously, staff will now also provide clear expectations over which work needs submitting to them (photos or documents attached) and they will then assess this and provide feedback, as appropriate.
If you are reading this it will be due to the fact that, unfortunately, our Nursery class 'bubble' has had to close because of either a 14 day isolation period as a result of a confirmed case or there has been a further partial/full lockdown of schools.
In response to the feedback of our survey, we have spent a large amount of time reflecting on our provision during the original lockdown and working out how best to amend, adapt and improve our provision, taking account of families individual circumstances and technical capabilities, as well as looking at how best to organise children's learning.
Staff have now created a 2 week 'remote learning' curriculum, closely aligned to what the children would have been learning in school, to ensure a seamless transition. This covers the full curriculum entitlement.
We are conscious that many of you may be trying to balance working from home with caring for your children, so we have provided work which can be accessed in a flexible way.
In order to support you and your child, staff will be available throughout the day to provide support to you and your child/ren via Purple Mash email, the Class Discussion Boards and, as appropriate, in future using other platforms (telephone/Microsoft Teams). Building on the systems introduced previously, staff will now also provide clear expectations over which work needs submitting to them (photos or documents attached) and they will then assess this and provide feedback, as appropriate.
Week One (December 2020)
Online Safety
The current situation means that we find ourselves all spending much more time accessing and/or using online platforms and resources in order to do our job, or to support our children with their 'home learning'. This creates additional worries around Online Safety and so we just wanted to point you in the right direction for guidance and advice when it comes to ensuring that both you, and your children, are as safe as can be.
The government has released information about keeping children safe online, which you can read here.
The supplementary guidance, specific to 'what you can do to stay safe online', can be read here.
We would also signpost you to our Online Safety page, which has a wealth of information on it. Click here.
General
Our work this week centres on the traditional tale, The Little Red Hen. Below there are suggestions of activities you could do at home. Many have links to files that you may be able to download or print.
Don't forget that there are also some great resources, including daily lessons, on BBC Bitesize now - Click here - as well as on the new Oak National Academy website - Click here.
Maths
It’s a good idea to really practise counting skills to get completely familiar with number order (to 10) and to begin to count out quantities accurately. Any counting practise is great – how many apples/red bricks, stairs...? It is important to concentrate on counting precisely; it’s easier to do this if objects can be moved one at a time as each number is said aloud. By completing activities like the attached I-spy and count activity (LRH I Spy and Count), children develop their awareness that numbers are a label for a quantity.
Literacy
I’m sure that you have books at home that are read again and again and have become family favourites. Many books feature farm animals and this story about a hen is one you probably already know. There are lots of great versions on YouTube; I particularly like this one told by an expert storyteller:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwx5FvZi18U. I’ve also found a narrated version with some lovely illustrations (Little Red Hen narrated story). I hope you enjoy listening! You may spot some differences between the different versions. I wonder whether you can remember what happens in the story and can retell it in the correct order?
There’s another interesting variation on the story ‘The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza’ here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=7so7q3UH1e8). You could try making your own version of the hen’s pizza; there’s a very simple recipe here (www.pre-kpages.com/little-red-hen-printable-picture-recipes/).
Communication & language
Can you hunt for objects that are RED in colour around the house – the more and the varied, the better! This is a great opportunity not only to reinforce the ability to differentiate colours, but also to increase vocabulary. Can you name and describe the items? What do they do/what are they for? What are the objects made of? Do the shades of colour vary – are some light red or a darker red tone?
When you’re outside, can you stop and really listen carefully. If you keep quiet for several minutes, you’ll probably find you can hear all sorts of interesting sounds... cars and traffic, bird song, church bells, planes passing overhead, sirens, people talking, trains...
Understanding the World
It’s not only the Little Red Hen who’s busy at this time of year, here’s a short clip about harvest time on the farm. BBC Bitesize: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d2Mft72CXg. There are lots of fields around the village where wheat has been growing this year. You could go for a walk on one of the many footpaths and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find an ear or two of wheat that the combine harvester has left behind.
You might be one of the many families who’ve enjoyed baking during the last few months, if so I’d love to see what you make using flour. Will it be bread like the Little Red Hen, or do you prefer to bake cakes or biscuits?
A skill we value at school is observing carefully to really notice what’s happening around us. When we develop this, we can spot all the changes that occur in the natural world and elsewhere. Why not test your skills by spotting the difference between these pictures! (LRH spot the difference).
Expressive Arts and Design
You might like to practise your colouring or collaging skills by creating your own Little Red Hen. There’s an outline picture of a hen that you can use here (Hen outline). You could also make a hand-print hen using red paint (LRH handprinting activity). You could make card versions of the characters in the story using these sheets (LRH cone characters) and use your imagination to make up new stories with them.
If you have a farm set at home, you could use the animals to retell the Little Red Hen story. Of course, you can use your imaginations and include different animals in the story? Could it become the Little Pink Pig?!
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
The Little Red Hen story provides lots of opportunities to reflect on what makes a good friend. Were the cat, dog and duck good friends to the hen? Why not? Why should we share the hard work (as well as fun) and help one another?
Games of many kinds are great for learning to take turns and also understanding that you cannot always be the winner! You can download a simple matching game related to the Little Red Hen story (LRH matching game).
Playing I-spy with colours (eg I-spy with my little eye, something that’s red) is a simple game that doesn’t require complicated equipment and is great for developing observation skills.
Physical Development
When you’re outdoors, can you practise moving your body like animals? Can you waddle like a duck, skip like a lamb, gallop like a horse, hop like a rabbit, jump like a frog etc?
You could practise holding a pen or pencil carefully and trying to guide it along the paths on this farmyard activity (Farm pencil control activity). You could try several times using different colours.
Another important skill is learning to use scissors safely. You could try cutting out these pictures (LRH cutting activity) from the Little Red Hen story to create your own big picture.
Online Safety
The current situation means that we find ourselves all spending much more time accessing and/or using online platforms and resources in order to do our job, or to support our children with their 'home learning'. This creates additional worries around Online Safety and so we just wanted to point you in the right direction for guidance and advice when it comes to ensuring that both you, and your children, are as safe as can be.
The government has released information about keeping children safe online, which you can read here.
The supplementary guidance, specific to 'what you can do to stay safe online', can be read here.
We would also signpost you to our Online Safety page, which has a wealth of information on it. Click here.
General
Our work this week centres on the traditional tale, The Little Red Hen. Below there are suggestions of activities you could do at home. Many have links to files that you may be able to download or print.
Don't forget that there are also some great resources, including daily lessons, on BBC Bitesize now - Click here - as well as on the new Oak National Academy website - Click here.
Maths
It’s a good idea to really practise counting skills to get completely familiar with number order (to 10) and to begin to count out quantities accurately. Any counting practise is great – how many apples/red bricks, stairs...? It is important to concentrate on counting precisely; it’s easier to do this if objects can be moved one at a time as each number is said aloud. By completing activities like the attached I-spy and count activity (LRH I Spy and Count), children develop their awareness that numbers are a label for a quantity.
Literacy
I’m sure that you have books at home that are read again and again and have become family favourites. Many books feature farm animals and this story about a hen is one you probably already know. There are lots of great versions on YouTube; I particularly like this one told by an expert storyteller:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwx5FvZi18U. I’ve also found a narrated version with some lovely illustrations (Little Red Hen narrated story). I hope you enjoy listening! You may spot some differences between the different versions. I wonder whether you can remember what happens in the story and can retell it in the correct order?
There’s another interesting variation on the story ‘The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza’ here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=7so7q3UH1e8). You could try making your own version of the hen’s pizza; there’s a very simple recipe here (www.pre-kpages.com/little-red-hen-printable-picture-recipes/).
Communication & language
Can you hunt for objects that are RED in colour around the house – the more and the varied, the better! This is a great opportunity not only to reinforce the ability to differentiate colours, but also to increase vocabulary. Can you name and describe the items? What do they do/what are they for? What are the objects made of? Do the shades of colour vary – are some light red or a darker red tone?
When you’re outside, can you stop and really listen carefully. If you keep quiet for several minutes, you’ll probably find you can hear all sorts of interesting sounds... cars and traffic, bird song, church bells, planes passing overhead, sirens, people talking, trains...
Understanding the World
It’s not only the Little Red Hen who’s busy at this time of year, here’s a short clip about harvest time on the farm. BBC Bitesize: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d2Mft72CXg. There are lots of fields around the village where wheat has been growing this year. You could go for a walk on one of the many footpaths and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find an ear or two of wheat that the combine harvester has left behind.
You might be one of the many families who’ve enjoyed baking during the last few months, if so I’d love to see what you make using flour. Will it be bread like the Little Red Hen, or do you prefer to bake cakes or biscuits?
A skill we value at school is observing carefully to really notice what’s happening around us. When we develop this, we can spot all the changes that occur in the natural world and elsewhere. Why not test your skills by spotting the difference between these pictures! (LRH spot the difference).
Expressive Arts and Design
You might like to practise your colouring or collaging skills by creating your own Little Red Hen. There’s an outline picture of a hen that you can use here (Hen outline). You could also make a hand-print hen using red paint (LRH handprinting activity). You could make card versions of the characters in the story using these sheets (LRH cone characters) and use your imagination to make up new stories with them.
If you have a farm set at home, you could use the animals to retell the Little Red Hen story. Of course, you can use your imaginations and include different animals in the story? Could it become the Little Pink Pig?!
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
The Little Red Hen story provides lots of opportunities to reflect on what makes a good friend. Were the cat, dog and duck good friends to the hen? Why not? Why should we share the hard work (as well as fun) and help one another?
Games of many kinds are great for learning to take turns and also understanding that you cannot always be the winner! You can download a simple matching game related to the Little Red Hen story (LRH matching game).
Playing I-spy with colours (eg I-spy with my little eye, something that’s red) is a simple game that doesn’t require complicated equipment and is great for developing observation skills.
Physical Development
When you’re outdoors, can you practise moving your body like animals? Can you waddle like a duck, skip like a lamb, gallop like a horse, hop like a rabbit, jump like a frog etc?
You could practise holding a pen or pencil carefully and trying to guide it along the paths on this farmyard activity (Farm pencil control activity). You could try several times using different colours.
Another important skill is learning to use scissors safely. You could try cutting out these pictures (LRH cutting activity) from the Little Red Hen story to create your own big picture.
