Great weather, great learning, great week!

BUILDERS AT WORK!
No time to waste, there's a house to be built! Lots of debate over where the cones should go. Smart thinking to transport lots of cones in one go!

These two boys told me they were workers. I told them it looked like hard work and they might need a break like real workmen. After that I noticed them sitting down quite a lot in between working - "We're having a cup of tea and a break!" I was informed!

WHAT'S COOKING?

These children were extremely busy adding "ingredients" to their soup and then pouring it from one pan to another.

 Always time for a picnic!

NEW CHALLENGES!

Five new children joined Little Conkers last week and they have already grown in confidence as they have explored our great outdoor learning environment.

They have at times been initially hesitant to try things out, but then have gone back again and again and it has been lovely to hear them proudly exclaim "I did it!"

It has been really pleasing also to see some of our older children developing their skills and pushing themselves to achieve things.

The weather has been beautiful this week and the children have thoroughly enjoyed sharing times outside together.

MEANWHILE, BACK INDOORS...

Lots of measuring and comparing has been taking place.

 "We need more! It's not tall enough yet! Maybe 3 more!"

 The children had noticed the picture showing the height of the ankylosaurus dinosaur way up high and they wanted to make a chain to reach him!
Even Mrs Courtney needed to stand on the step to reach him!

 AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE SEEDS?
Some of the pea seeds have shoots. There have been many conversations this week about why not all the seeds have sprouted yet, which has led to good discussions about rates of growth. A couple of pea seeds and a seed potato have been planted in a clear box, and the children have been fascinated and curious as roots have grown longer and longer during the week.

"Mine was the first to grow a shoot!"

I wonder what we will find after the weekend!

Spring is here!

A TIME FOR PLANTING

We have spotted new buds and flowers outdoors, and this week we have been planting lots of seeds. 

We looked at and carefully handled the seed potatoes - there were lots of great comments - "it looks like a snowman"..."it looks like it's got a face and arms".

As we planted we talked about how long it might take the potatoes to grow - children suggested times from 3 minutes to 1000 years! 

 We also wondered what we would see growing first - one child said the roots, another child thought we would see a flower. 




Because the children were unsure of the answers to some of the questions posed, we said we would find out by watching them as they grew, and then we would know for sure.

During the week we also watched a video clip about farmers in Lincolnshire planting potatoes and how the potatoes grew and then went to the factory and from there to the shops.

We planted more seeds in our little garden.
 



Mangetout peas.

Sweet peas.

 We planted the nasturtium seeds in the same pots as the daffodils, which are still blooming!

Indoors we each planted a mangetout pea seed - we will be looking after these and some of us thought they would grow as tall as a giant! 

Next week we will be looking closely to see whether any of the seeds have started to grow.

We will also be finding out more about what plants are growing in our wonderful school grounds.

Easter time!

MAKING OUR EASTER NESTS
We always have fun creating with food, and the children were very eager to get stuck in!

     

  I heard some great vocabulary being used by the children - steam...melt....runny...thicker...sticky like glue...not enough...the syrup is falling ziggy zaggy on the big spoon...

 The children were very excited about Easter, and as well as many conversations about bunnies and eggs, I also shared with them the Christian Easter Story in a simple way using happy and sad faces to talk about how the different people felt in the story.

BRILLIANT INVENTION!
I was curious to find out what was happening when I saw some children behind a box and heard lots of giggling!
I was told they had made a marshmallow machine and sure enough requests were being made for marshmallows to be delivered down the cardboard tube!

We extended the play by adding plates and the till with money. One child helped make a sign and another said we needed an open and closed sign. Evie proudly showed me the holding plate she had made to catch the marshmallows to make it easier!

Great opportunities for counting and speaking and listening to each other.

LOOK AT WHAT ELSE WE HAVE BEEN DOING!

Lots of painting and colour mixing

Fine motor skills practice drawing round shapes

Rolling out the salt dough we made and cutting carefully around shapes.

What a great Easter picture!

 Happy Easter to you all!