Science Fortnight

Last week we listened to the story of Owl babies which the children were fabulous at retelling the story whilst making their puppets. They remembered the owl babies names. We hope you enjoyed listening to the children retelling the story using their puppets at home. We also read the story of Night monkey and day monkey by Julia Donaldson which explores the different animals that are awake in the day and the night. 
We made a list of all the animals that are awake in the day time and the night time. 
Arthur bought in some home learning where he had gone to woods with his owls to act out the story. On Tuesday afternoon in small groups the children went to the school woods and acted out the owl babies story and discovered what Ivy was. 
In small groups the children took the torches to the sensory room which was black to use the torches to explore what they could find out. Lots of lovely language came from this activity. Also children had to find hidden characters around the room using their torches. 
On Thursday afternoon William bought in a science experiment from home which used coloured containers, torches and a tub of water. We explored what happened when you shone the light through the coloured containers. Can the children tell you what happened. 
On Friday afternoon we played hide and seek in the school grounds in groups. The children really enjoyed this and were fab at counting to 20. 
In the sand tray this week we have had the metal detectors. We used them to find hidden treasure. This was a popular activity. 

This week we will be continuing our science themed fortnight. We have got lots of exciting activities planned which include a visit to planetarium, hands on science workshops, volcano experiment and lots of other science exploring activities. We will be encouraging the children to think what might happen and explain why they think this. Its going to be an amazing week.
On Wednesday children may dress up a scientist.

Home learning

Is there a science experiment you would like to do at home and bring into pre-school to show your friends?

Letters and Sounds

We have begun our rhyming door, the children have come up with lots of words and we will continue to add to this door with lots more rhyming words. The children have become really good at describing an object for the other children to guess. 

This week we will continue with this activity..

Playing with words
Gather together a set of familiar objects with names that have varying syllable patterns (e.g. pencil, umbrella, camera, xylophone). Show the objects to the children, name them and talk about what they are used for. Wait for the children to share some of their experiences of the objects; for instance, some of them will have used a camera. Then encourage them to think about how the name of the object sounds and feels as they say it. Think about the syllables and clap them out as you say each word. Then clap the syllables for a word without saying it and ask: What object could that be? 
As children gain con dence try some long words like binoculars, telephone, dinosaur. 

Jennie Jigsaw

This week Jennie Jigsaw will continue to talk about what we would like to do when we are older.

Notices

Don't forget to bring in your child's WOW moments. We love to share and celebrate these with everyone. There are spare WOW's by the WOW board in the corridor. 

Its lovely to see so many children taking home library books, they are also able to take home puzzles and games. We try very hard to make sure all puzzles and games are complete. If you receive a puzzle or game which is not complete, please let Sharon know. Also if you have any puzzles and games you no longer want, Preschool would be very grateful for any donations.

It was lovely to see some of you at Stay and Play on Wednesday.  This week Stay and Play will be on Thursday 8th February from 8.30-9.00am. Everyone is very welcome including younger and older siblings. Hope to see lots of you there.

During the week beginning Monday 5th February 2018 we will be running a special ‘Science Themed Week’ across the entire School and Pre-School. Throughout the week, your child will be involved in a number of exciting Science Themed Activities such as a visit to a planetarium, drone flying lessons and hands on Science workshops!

On Wednesday 7th February 2018, we will be having a SCIENCE THEMED DRESS UP DAY. Children should come dressed as a Scientist. This could be someone such as Albert Einstein, Katherine Johnson or Marie Curie, or they could be an explorer, astronaut, naturist such as David Attenborough or Steve Backshall.  

We are asking for a voluntary parental contribution of £4.50 for your child to take part in these exciting and enriching learning opportunities throughout the week. This is a contribution, so anything that you are able to give will be gratefully received and all children will be involved in the activities regardless of the voluntary contributions made.

Don't forget it is a staff training day on Friday 9th February so the last day of term will be Thursday 8th February. 

Please sign up for parents evening which is the second week back after half term. Sign up sheet is in the corridor on the wall.

There is a POWSA meeting on the 6th February in the main school staff room at 7.30pm. Please ask Julia for more information. 

On 10th February from 2-5pm is another community make over day of the wildlife garden. Everyone is very welcome. If you are able to help, please do come along.

Have an amazing half term and we look forward to hearing all about it when we come back after half term. 

Julia and Pre-school Team