New Page 1

Home
Info
Forms
Learning
Plants
Animals
Pictures
Projects
Kids corner

Learning

Personal , social & emotional development:-
Build self esteem, independence, co-operation, team work & self confidence. Respect for living things. Sharing experiences with peers and adults. Health & safety
 		  
Mathematical development:-
Counting natural objects. Sorting shapes, colours & sizes. Measuring, problem solving & calculating. Pattern making & recognising.
 

 

'How many children can fit in our boat?'

  
Physical development.:-
Spatial awareness, balancing, negotiating obstacles. Use of tools. Games and healthy exercise out side.
 		  
Communication, Language & Literacy:-.
Listening to instructions, discussing findings, new vocabulary, sharing ideas, story telling, songs & rhymes. Mark making in the mud. Keeping a diary.
 		  
Knowledge & Understanding of the World:-
Investigating all the natural flora & fauna in the woodland. Investigating weather, predicting & experimenting. Mapping. Growing things. Using senses to learn about materials, textures, changes etc.
 

"Look how long my worm is!"

  
Creative Development:-
Dancing, music making, picture making using natural materials. Mud painting. Role play & imaginative play.
 		  

Example activities

Activities may follow a group's own themes and topics or stand alone. They should always encompass individual learning styles of children and follow child centred interests where possible. All activity plans are entirely 'flexible' and often lead to unplanned experiences and learning as things are found or children lead into other areas of learning of specific interest to them.

The following two example activities can be extended or simplified to accommodate children from pre-school to key stage 1

Activity: - Elder Flower Cordial
Collect Elder flower heads from bushes within the base area. (count 5 each). Look at leaf shape & flower head. (Adult to supervise cutting heads using small scissors) New flowers not dead. 2 small = 1 large.
Follow recipe ( talk through what we would do) Stir & add water to flowers. Pour & taste what was made 4 days earlier.		 Main Learning Intentions - rationale
KUW - Flowers on shrubs. Mixing ingredients to make new drink.
CCL - follow instructions. look at diagrams.
M - comparative sizes. Counting. measuring out.
C - Imagination for alternative ingredients.
PSE - group work.
Phy - Co-ordination. use scissors. Pouring
Resources:
Recipe card. large mixing bowl including contents from previously made cordial less the water.
baskets for collecting - scissors.
wooden spoon.		 Vocabulary /questions.
Elder bush. parts of plant. recipe, ingredients.
What does it smell/taste/look like? fridge.
Children for whom activity most appropriate
Butterfly & caterpillar group enjoy cooking activities at playgroup and home. Bees & ladybirds may benefit from small group interaction and adult directed learning.		 Group information
Use groups as designated by play leader based on knowledge of individual child's needs.
Extension of activity.
Look for other plants that will produce edible fruit later on - note their flower buds & leaves. (bramble & hazel)		 Heath & safety requirements.
Supervision of scissors.
Stress rules about putting things in their mouths.
Use wet wipes to clean hands.

 

Activity: - A HOUSE FOR …..?
Collect three sticks of approx same length. Suggest arm length. Construct a wigwam frame as per sheet. Demonstrate following instructions. Use scissors to cut lengths of string. Allow for flexibility & innovation, trial & error. Help when asked or offer if you feel you can extend the concentration and interest.		 Main Learning Intentions - rationale
KUW - nature of wood & string.
CCL - follow instructions. look at diagrams. story line.
M - comparative sizes. Counting.
C - explore different ways to put sticks together. Imagination for uses and who will live there.
PSE - group work.
Phy - Co-ordination. use scissors, tying string.
Resources:
Soft toys to suggest size & encourage enthusiasm.
Accessible sticks & string of varying length & thickness. Scissors. Pieces of material and paper. Instruction sheet - wigwam.		 Vocabulary /questions.
Who, What & where ? open ended to promote conversation. TeePee, cone shape, tripod. Native American homes.
Children for whom activity most appropriate
all children have shown some interest at playgroup.		 Group information.
Use groups as designated by play leader based on knowledge of individual child's needs.
Extension of activity.
Encourage small world imaginative play - collect sticks & pine cones to represent furniture etc. Decorate - gardens etc.		 Heath & safety requirements.
Supervision of scissors.
Correct way to carry sticks (down ward)
Ensure manageable sizes of sticks.