This week we have been learning about the wind, moving air and it’s effects. Very conveniently, the weather has been obliging and we have had some breezy moments outside, flying our plastic bag kites and watching the streamers fly behind. We listened to the shipping forecast on the radio, talked about the Beaufort Scale and found a map of all the places mentioned. We’ve also made bubble prints by blowing (via a straw) into a mixture of paint and washing up liquid and then placing a piece of paper on top. Why not try this at home? Go on-I dare you! But remember to stand well back! We’ve also tried making some fluttering flags and – much to the boys’ delight – we’ve learned how to play Blow Football. The pitch was a little damp at the end of the afternoon, but it was definitely worth it!

On Monday we read an old favourite, “The Wind Blew” by Pat Hutchins and the boys were inspired to write their own sentences about the effects of a strong wind. Do pop in to read it sometime.

We have also been looking at presenting information as a graph and have made one together to show our favourite weather. Following discussions, some boys made a “graph” themselves.

Next week we will be thinking about the rain-let’s hope the weather doesn’t follow suit! Have a lovely weekend.

In the Reception Class we are constantly working on ways to improve the boys’ manual dexterity. Strong fingers help them to improve their handwriting, number work and creative skills as well as increasing their independence in dressing, using cutlery and other tools such as scissors and even computer mice. To this end, we always begin each day with a “Busy Fingers” session. We provide a wide and ever changing variety of construction kits, cutting activities, dough, jigsaws, threading and pegging to develop those all important muscles.

This week, to link in with our work on the weather, we have been cutting snowflakes (hexagonal, of course!) to decorate our role play area. The boys have been manipulating large apparatus on the patio in order to exercise their imagination as well as their upper body strength and we have also worked throwing, catching, rolling and spinning quoits in our P.E lesson today.

So, this weekend, why not have a go at using those fingers to cut card or paper, trace a picture, do up zips and buttons or use a knife and fork independently?

I hope you all have fun!

 

 

 

  

This week, RO has got off to a flying start with lots of new activities and experiences. We have been recording the weather twice a day ( using up almost all our symbols by Wednesday!) and have started playing in our new “Weather Station” Role Play area. The boys have been learning to sew “raindrops” for our forthcoming Rainbow Display and were very excited by the “Beebots”-programmable toys-in their ICT lesson.

In Maths this week we learned about number eleven and have also been revising addition. Finding one or two “more than” numbers up to 10 has been a challenge for some boys, so maybe they could work on it over the weekend?

Finally, we attended our first Pre-Prep assembly, led by Mr Tyndale, this afternoon. Every Friday, 4 boys will receive certificates. Two will be awarded for kindness to others and two for especially good work.

Have a wonderful weekend and watch out for snow!

I hope it isn’t too late to wish you all a very happy New Year! The boys seem to have settled back into their routines very successfully over the last two days and we are looking forward to another busy half-term. Our topic for the coming weeks will be “Weather” and we are encouraging the boys to get outside and observe the changes in the environment as the Winter sets in. We have also asked them to listen to or watch the weather forecast whenever they can. You could also try the BBC website for local information.

However, before we head off towards Spring, I thought you might like to see a few snaps of our Christmas festivities, including our Reception Party, Christmas Lunch and a visit from a magician!