Embedded Files
Module 1
Who is special to us and why? Who is in my family?
We explored some of the pages in The Great Big Book of Families. We talked about how every family is different but every family is special. We looked at photos of our families and talked about the members of the our family and why they are special to us. We also thought about the different things we like to do as a family.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - Talk about members of their immediate family and community. • Name and describe people who are familiar to them.
Expressive Arts and Design - 3-4 - Create closed shapes with continuous lines, and begin to use these shapes to represent objects. • Draw with increasing complexity and detail, such as representing a face with a circle and including details.
Things we enjoy doing as a family
When I grow up
We explored further of the pages in The Great Big Book of Families. We talked about our families and the jobs some of them do. We used clues sent in by parents to guess what each other's family members do and we enjoyed sharing our parents jobs with our friends. We thought about what we want to do when we grow up!
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - Talk about members of their immediate family and community. • Name and describe people who are familiar to them.
Where I live
We explored the different types of houses families might live in and what types of homes we live in. Using lolly sticks we created our homes, drawing the features including windows, doors and door numbers.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - Draw information from a simple map. • Understand that some places are special to members of their community.
Making our own maps
We talked about where we live and the familiar shops and building we see on our way to school. After exploring maps, we created our own maps to show our journey to school. We also enjoyed creating a huge joint map.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - Draw information from a simple map. • Understand that some places are special to members of their community.
Look what we found!
We were so excited (and so was Mrs Fidler!) to find a newt going for a walk in our outside area. We observed how it moved and used magnifying glasses to look carefully at it. We then returned it to a safe place.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Explore the natural world around them.
Using the magnifying pot to look closely
Letting him go
Releasing him back into the grass
What is it like in Autumn?
We ended Module 1 with exploration into Autumn. We talked about how our environment has changed and how the weather has changed. We brainstormed the changes we can see. We then went on an Autumn walk around the school grounds and collected different leaves, berries and pinecones. We even saw a rabbit!
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside.. • Understand the effect of changing seasons on the natural world around them.
Module 1 Stay and Learn - Autumn
We were excited to invite our parents into school for our first Stay and Learn session. We explored the different Autumn activities and shared our learning spaces with our parents.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Explore the natural world around them.
Halloween
We were excited about Halloween and discussed the different ways that we celebrate it - pumpkin carving, dressing up and trick or treating. We were also excited to attend the Halloween disco at school!
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Module 2
What is a BIG DAY? What is a celebration?
We started our line of inquiry with these questions. We talked about special days we have, from days out and celebrations we have. We used this as a starting point for our module's learning.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Bonfire Night
We began our inquiry into celebrations with Bonfire Night. We found out about the origins of Bonfire night with Guy Fawkes. We explored the different ways families celebrate bonfire night - with fireworks, bonfires, sparklers, toffee apples, marshmallows and so much more. We shared our own experiences of celebrating bonfire night with the class.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past. • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Tying a ribbon for Remeberence Day!
Remembrance Day
We found out about the importance of commemorating Remembrance Day to remember those who lost their lives in the World Wars and other wars. We understand the importance of the poppy and how this special day is commemorated through parades and a 2 minute silence.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past.
Forest School
We were so excited to begin Forest School with Mrs Glass. We needed to understand and follow the rules to keep us safe, but we had an amazing time exploring the forest school site and all it had to offer. DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside..
Birthdays
We continued our inquiry into celebrations by looking at birthdays. We enjoyed talking about birthday celebrations that we are familiar with including what we do, what we wear and eat.
We also found out about how birthdays are celebrated in different countries around the world - from rubbing butter on the birthday child's nose in Brazil, hitting a piñata in Mexico and birthday bumps in Ireland. We looked at the celebrations that are similar to us and those that are different.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Weddings
We continued our inquiry into celebrations by looking at weddings. We liked to share our experiences and knowledge about weddings, including sharing photos of our parents and family weddings. We learnt that weddings can be religious or non-religious.
We explored how weddings are celebrated in different cultures and made comparisons, identifying similarities and differences. Christian weddings take place in a church with the bride normally wearing a white dress and the groom wearing a suit. We found out that an Islamic wedding is called a Nikah and takes place in a mosque, with the bride wearing a white or a red and gold dress. A Hindu wedding is called Vivaha, where the two families are joined together and the bride has her hands and feet painted in henna designs.
We enjoyed exploring different photos and artefacts from weddings, including photos of our teachers at their weddings.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
St Andrew's Day
On the 30th November, St Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland. We found out where Scotland is and the story of St Andrew and how he became the patron saint of Scotland. We explored the scottish traditions around St Andrew's day and created our own Scottish Flags. We enjoyed traditional scottish shortbread biscuits and porridge!
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past. • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Eating porridge
Comparing the Scottish landscape to Hoo.
Making flags
Eating shortbread
Dragonfly made a giant piece of art of the Loch Ness Monster!
Making porridge.
Paper weaving to create a tartan pattern.
The Loch Ness Monster
Eating our porridge!
Birth Celebrations
We continued our inquiry into celebrations by looking at the exciting event of welcoming a new baby into a family. We found out that different religions around the world celebrate a baby being born in many different ways. We compared how some are similar but that there are many differences.
Christians celebrate a new baby with a Christening which is held in a church. In Judaism there are special naming ceremonies for babies where special blessings are made, we found out that the baby's name will be kept secret until this ceremony. In Islam, a special prayer is whispered in the baby's ear as soon as it is born. A special naming ceremony is held, with the baby's head is shaved and a little sweet honey is put in the baby's mouth. Honey also features in Hindu families when a baby is born, being put in the baby's mouth.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Ice Exploration
We enjoyed exploring the ice when the weather changed. We talked about how it looked, felt and explored how it began to melt.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside.
The Nativity
We began our Christmas celebrations by finding out about the Nativity Story with the birth of Jesus. We read stories and re-enacted the Nativity Story.
We have been working hard in our play rehearsal to tell the story.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Christmas Celebrations
We explored the different traditions that families have at Christmas time.
We had 2 cheeky elves in our classrooms and were excited to see what they got up to each morning.
We enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner with crackers in the hall. We were served at the table!
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Visiting St Werburgh Church
We visited the church in Hoo to find our about the different celebrations that are held there. We listened very carefully and asked and answered lots of questions.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Visiting the nativity scene
Listening to the Nativity story
Finding out about Holy Communion
Visiting the font
Hanukkah
We found out about another celebration in December - the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. We found out about the importance of the Menorah and the 8 candles.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Let's Celebrate
We have really enjoyed our learning about celebrations - making links and identifying the similarities and differences between different cultures and religions.
DM - Reception - Understanding of the World - • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Module 3
RE - Who is Jesus?
In RE we are thinking about what makes stories special. This module we thought about the Christian Faith and Bible stories. We answered the questions:
What stories do you know about Jesus?
What do you think Jesus was (is) like?
UW - Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Bird Watch
We have taken part in the Big Garden Bird Watch as part of forest school. We learned the names of different UK birds and their features. In indoor forest school (due to the weather), we made nests for the birds to keep warm. https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
UW - Reception - Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
In forest school we conducted out Big Garden Birdwatch. We used clipboards to record the birds we observed on our outdoor walk. We used binoculars to help us see and recognise birds. We saw robins, pigeons, magpies, blackbirds and even a woodpecker!
UW - Reception - Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside
Finding out about castles.
We know that the Emperor lives in a castle, we brainstormed everything we knew about castles before finding out more, including the features such as the battlements and drawbridge.
UW - • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past. • Compare and contrast characters from stories, including figures from the past.
Using our knowledge of castle and the features, we created our own using junk model materials.
Visiting Leeds Castle
After finding out about castles, we impressed the staff at Leeds Castle with our knowledge. We enjoyed exploring the castle and its grounds on our trip.
UW - • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past. • Compare and contrast characters from stories, including figures from the past.
Chinese New Year
We really enjoyed our inquiry into the Chinese New Year. We found out about all the different traditions and customs of the celebration.
We have had a chinese restaurant inside and outside, trying the use chopsticks. We have made lanterns, drawn dragons, taken part in dragon dances, attempted to write Chinese symbols and numbers. We even had prawn crackers to try! What a busy week!
UW • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways. • Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.
Module 4
Human Life Cycle
We have explored chronology by looking at the life cycle of humans. We have enjoyed looking at pictures of ourselves as babies and toddlers. We talked about how we have grown and changed and loved sharing our photos with others.
We loved playing Guess Who with our baby photos!
UW - Talk about members of their immediate family and community. • Name and describe people who are familiar to them. • Comment on images of familiar situations in the past.
Visitors to class
We had visitors to class - younger siblings! We asked questions about what they can do and how we can help to meet their needs.
The needs of a baby are different to a toddler. A toddler can do more than a baby.
Understanding the World • Talk about members of their immediate family and community. • Name and describe people who are familiar to them.
Communication and language - Understand how to listen carefully and why listening is important. • Ask questions to find out more and to check they understand what has been said to them. • Articulate their ideas and thoughts in well-formed sentences. • Connect one idea or action to another using a range of connectives. • Describe events in some detail.
Chronology of our lives.
We sequenced pictures of ourselves sent in from home - baby, toddler, pre-schooler and now. We then wrote about what skills we learnt at each stage. We enjoyed taking with our friends about how we have changed and grown.
Literacy - Write short sentences with words with known letter-sound correspondences using a capital letter and full stop. UW - Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
Ramadan
Ramadan is an important time for some of our classmates. We found out that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Some children have been keen to share their experiences about the traditions of Ramadan. We were able to make connections to the other celebrations we have explored in Module 2 including the importance of family, friends, clothing, cards, gifts, fireworks and visiting places of worship.
DM - Understanding the world - Understand that some places are special to members of their community. • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Animals and their Young
As part of our inquiry into life cycles, we explored the names of the young of different animals. We matched the adults with their young.
DM - Understanding the world - Explore the natural world around them
A tortoise visit
To round off our week about pets, Mr Paterson's pet tortoise came to visit for the day. He had recently come out of hibernation and was ready to stretch his legs in the classrooms!
UW - Explore the natural world around them.
Celebrating and welcoming babies into families and religious families.
As part of our RE sessions, we have explored the different ways children are welcomed into families and religions. Children shared photos of their religious celebrations to the class. We made comparisons between the different religions, identifying the similarities and differences between them.
Understanding of the world - • Talk about members of their immediate family and community. • Name and describe people who are familiar to them. Understand that some places are special to members of their community. • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways
The Caterpillars Arrived!
We welcomed 5 caterpillars each into our classrooms this week. We used the story of the The Hungry Caterpillar as a stimulus to find out about the life cycle of a butterfly. We sequenced the life cycle and wrote about the changes. We will continue to observe the caterpillars as they grow and change.
UW - • Explore the natural world around them.
We have sequenced the life cycle of the butterfly.
We have enjoyed observing the changes to the caterpillars in the class. We noticed the caterpillars in Bumblebee class were growing quicker than those in Dragonfly class - we think this is because it is cooler in Dragonfly class.
Minibeasts in the environment.
We have looked closely in our outside area and forest school for any minibeasts we can find. We make sure that we treat them with respect. We used our learning from the story Yucky Worms to become wormologists and look for worms - we did find a worm cast - Worm Poo!
e fUW - Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside
Plant Life Cycles
We focused on the life cycle of plants, understanding that plants are living things and that they grow and change too. We sequenced the plant life cycles. We worked hard in the outside area to clear and weed the planters before sowing more seeds. We understand our responsibility to living things and are now in charge of watering the seeds. We have also planted sunflower and pea seeds and are excited to see them grow!
UW - Explore the natural world around them. • Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside
Easter
What is Easter? How is Easter celebrated? Who celebrates Easter?
These were our big questions. We knew quite a lot about Easter and its traditions (recorded in red), but we also found out more after learning about the Easter Story and that Christians celebrate Easter.
UW - Understand that some places are special to members of their community. • Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways
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