When I grow up...

As part of the 'When I grow up' project a group of children expressed an interest in archaeology. Yesterday we were lucky enough to go to the Havering Museum in Romford. The children participated in a number of activities.

The children were given a box of mixed pot sherd's that they have to match to date and use. To do this they were given clue sheets (e.g. I’m a posh Roman pot – I’m shiny, smooth and only one colour). The session staff and volunteers then used these identifications to get each group to explore the pots further and explain what they were used for.

After pot sorting, the group got a chance to repack real Roman pottery found during the excavations at Havering County Park. The pot sorting helped them identify the pots they were repacking. The children were informed that they were helping preserve the site for the future and were told how archaeologists organise the artefacts from a site.

We then all took part in the gallery trail that focused on the displays about different areas of Havering. One of the artefact's which we got to see and touch was 4000 years old. This was a dog which they believed was a hunting dog.

The lady informed us that archaeologists need to be good at Literacy for when they are researching the artefacts and making notes on what they have found. She informed us that the crucial facet of archaeology is also teamwork and resilience. You need to be able to work as part of a team and keep searching in sites for artefacts, some days will be better than others.

The children asked how they can get into archeology and the lady said that at first you need to volunteer whenever and wherever you can, don’t be afraid to try your local museum and other local archaeologists.

Another question that was asked was do you need qualifications to get a job in archaeology? The lady said it is much harder to get into archaeology without a degree, and it’s also harder to move up the ranks without formal training.

Making Patterns

The children have enjoyed learning how to make patterns this week using various resources from the classroom. The children were inspired to create their own patterns after watching a clip from Sesame Street, called 'Guess what's next?'. Take a look at the great patterns they made. Can you make a pattern at home? We would love to see some photos.

When I am older...

This afternoon Miss Morris, Miss Sparkes and a group of year 5/6 girls, who have expressed an interest in becoming a hairdresser when they are older, went on a visit to Paul Faltrick's Hair Salon in Romford.

The girls were shown around the hair salon and introduced to some members of staff. They were then taken upstairs into one of the classrooms where they had a chat with the manager about how she got her current post as a manager of the salon, what she had done to get there and what her job entails. Sue (the manager) informed the girls that Maths was the most important skill that hairdressers need within their jobs and a skill which they use daily. They use Maths for timing how long the colour is on, measuring how many inches people need off their hair and working out percentages of colour when mixing.

The girls all were informed of opportunities that are available in hairdressing and how there are many different routes you can take to become one. We were all lucky enough to see Mr Paul Faltricks himself and have been invited back after Christmas to each have a blow dry!

A diagram of a hair.

Nursery Weekly Newsletter

Term: Autumn 2 Date 18.11.13

We started the new topic of colour last week. The children have enjoyed learning about and mixing colours. We hope that your child came home and told you which colour they get when they mix blue and yellow.
The children have thoroughly enjoyed using the Fire Station this week. We look forward to more fun in the Fire Station.

Personal, Social and Emotional
Shows understanding and cooperates with some boundaries and routines.
Can inhibit own actions/behaviours.
Responds to a few appropriate boundaries, with encouragement and support. 

Communication and Language
Listening to and joining in with the story of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’.
Holds a conversation jumping from topic to topic.
Learns new words rapidly and uses them in conversation. 

Physical Development:
Helps with clothing, e.g. puts on own hat, unzips and zips coat.
Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on equipment.
Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower. 

Mathematics
Singing the ‘5 Little Firemen’ song.
Says some counting words randomly particularly during counting songs.
Anticipate specific time based events, such as snack time or home time. 

Understanding of the World
Enjoys small world models.
Seeks to acquire basic skills in turning on and off operating some ICT equipment.
Notices detailed features of objects in their environment.

Expressive Arts and Design
Role playing in the Fire Station.
Beginning to use representation to communicate, e.g. drawing a line and saying,
“That’s me”.
Colour mixing to create new colours. 

Messages.
We will continue with our colour related topic. We will be specifically looking at two colours each week. This week it will red and green. If you have a small toy or object which is red or green please send it with your child this week, it would also be helpful if it was labelled with your child’s name.
Thank you to all of the parents that came to the parent meeting. If you missed your appointment please advise a member of staff and we will be happy to reschedule you another appointment at a mutually convenient time.
Also, a further thank you to all of the parents and carers who attended the ‘Stay and Play’ sessions last week. As I’m sure you appreciate, home school links are vital in the early years to make the transition from home to school as happy and successful as possible.

Thank you for your continued support

The Nursery Team

Reception Weekly Newsletter

Term: Autumn 2 Date 18.11.13

This week we will be continuing our topic ‘Colours and Patterns’. However the children have shown a keen interest in ‘Space’ so we will be incorporating both topics. Our book of the week is ‘Aliens Underpants’. Your child will be taking part in the following activities:

Personal, Social and Emotional
This week is Anti bullying week. We will be sharing the story of ‘Cinderella’ with the children and discussing how unkind her step sisters were. On Tuesday the children will be taking part in a workshop associated with this story. 

Communication and Language 
Sharing the story ‘Aliens Underpants’ and providing materials for props, to observe how children interpret the story.
Listening to children read their reading books. Please ensure books are brought into school every day. 

Physical
Exploring the outdoor equipment.
Developing fine motor skills through tracing activities, using tweezers and manipulating dough.
The children will be continuing to go out in small groups with Mr Clarke. All children need a PE kit in school.

Literacy
Writing our names using rainbow writing, encouraging correct pencil grip.
Daily phonics sessions – the children will now be split into ability groups and taught by staff that are fully trained in the delivery of Read, Write, Inc.
Writing in speech bubbles to the illustrations in the book to explain what the aliens are saying to each other.

Maths
Reinforcing formation and recognition of numbers 1 to10 through playing bingo
Sequencing numbers in the correct order to 20 using alien number cards.
Children to make repeating patterns on underpants templates.
Children identifying patterns in the environment. 

Understanding of the World
Exploring reflective materials in the water tray.
Small world play and sand play – space scene. 

Expressive Arts and Design 
Painting Aliens
Making spaceships out of paper plates
Music and movement on the stage outside. 

Messages.
Please follow Broadford on facebook (remember to press the ‘like’ button) and twitter. We update the Early Years blog regularly with photos and information.
Show and tell is on a Friday. Children may bring in items related to our topic.
Please read daily with your child and sign the reading record book.
If you write a comment in the ‘Yellow book’ please place it in the tray provided so that we can respond to your comments ASAP.

 

Fern Class' Colour Wheels

In Fern Class we have been exploring colour and how colours can be changed. We have been looking at the colour wheel to see see which colours make a particular colour.

Afternoon Nursery Stay and Play

Thank you to all the afternoon nursery parents who attended our stay and play session . The parents joined in very well with our nursery rhymes and the children enjoyed playing with their parents in Nursery.

Morning Nursery Stay and Play

Thank you to all the parents and careers who attended our play and session today. We had a great time playing inside and outside and showed parents what we learn in our letters and sounds carpet time. Parents enjoyed joining in with singing The Grand Old Duke of York.

Remembrance Day

November is the time of year when we wear a red poppy in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for us during wars. The children took part in a 2 minutes silence today and completed some art activities to remember this special day.