What happens on each day?

 

Each day is a little bit different and this is what makes it so fun!

 

In a typical day, the children in Oak and Ash classes spend short periods of time together on the carpet to share a story or learn lots of different things. We may talk about stories, learn new sounds and words, discuss children's experiences or interests, learn how to paint new things or practise counting and use numbers- the list could go on and on! Also, we sing songs to help develop children's memories and, perhaps most importantly of all, learn how we are all special and how to treat one another.

 

We are very much led by the children and as such, our topics do not stay the same. We will find out what the children are interested in a week or so before and use that to decide our next topic. For example- if the children are interested in teachers or police- we may do 'People who help us' as a topic. If children are playing with the  dinosaurs or pretending to be an astronaut or a superhero then we may learn about space, dinosaur or superheroes! The children will learn more effectively if they are genuinely interested in the topic! 

 

When the children are not engaged in shared learning activities, they are free to explore the activities we have prepared for them, both inside and outside as well as create their own games with any of the equipment we have. This gives the children a wonderful chance to learn through their play- whether that is a social skill (such as turn taking or using good manners) or a curricular area (such as using phonics to label a den which has been built). Whilst the children are busy exploring, the adults support their learning by doing activities with them and talking about their games. As we like to ensure that all children reach their potential and cover all areas of learning, we will also give the children bi-weekly challenges to deepen their learning experiences. Once they complete a challenge they get a coloured stick. When they complete all the challenges they are a rainbow champion and get to ring a special bell and everyone claps and cheers at their achievement. It makes the children and us very proud! 

 

 

A typical timetable of sessions:

 

This timetable will adapt as the children progress through their school year becoming more challenging as the children become more able. 

 

8.30-8.50- Morning activities- these include name writing, using scissors, tweezers to develop their fine and gross motor control. 

 

8.50-9.00- welcome and register

 

9.00-9.20- Phonics session

 

9.20-9.30- Brain break- singing songs, playing games, dancing or other physical activity, circle time to discuss events and topics. 

 

9.30-9.50- Physical development break Outside- the children get to play won the bikes and use other toys such as hoops, skipping ropes and ball games. 

 

9.50-10.10- Topic session- an input and group learning activity based around our topic that week. 

 

10.10-11.15- Learning through play- Teachers will put out enhancements to peek the children's interests. We will also complete our rainbow activities during this time and support any children that need extra help with their learning through targeted interventions. Children will also be able to self-serve a free healthy snack throughout this session to promote independence. 

 

11.15-12.45- Getting ready for lunch and lunch. Midday meal supervisors will take over here who stay with the children all year around so they really get to know your children well. 

 

12.45-1.20- Maths session- whole class or group learning

 

`1.20-2.30- Learning through play and rainbow challenges

 

2.30- 2.45- Handwriting/physical development activity

 

2.45-3.00- story time and home time

 

 

Phonics- learning our letters and sounds

We also have a taught phonics session each day. The children will learn new sounds or practise how to blend sounds together to help their reading, and how to segment the sounds in words to help children to write. Once the children have begun to grasp these sounds, we will send home sound cards and reading books which match their understanding; the challenge level will increase throughout the year to match the new sounds that your child can read.

 

Forest School and PE

We also have Forest School sessions led by a qualified instructor, Mrs Riggall. PE sessions will be taken by a PE coaching specialist who is also a semi-professional footballer! Please remember to send your child to school with suitable outdoor clothing and footwear and PE kit. 

 

Library Visit

Once a term we have the opportunity to go to the library and choose a book to bring back to school to share in class. During these difficult times however, the library kindly provide us with 'book boxes' so the children can still enjoy amazing texts and stories linked to our learning topics that change each term.