I've got a few more days of holiday left and I'm savouring what I can of it. Although I'm quite excited to get back, the thought of waking up early again, especially going into winter now, is not so great. But, I guess we all have to do it.
I have started to prepare myself and have planned my term. I try to be organised so I know exactly what I'm doing each day of the whole term. It's going to be quite an exciting term. Our themes this term are Birds and Communication. The Children have to design their own birdfeeder as a project which is always a lot of fun. We then hang the feeders from the big oak tree outside my classroom and observe birds for a few weeks. I can't wait for that.
In Numeracy this term, the children are going to learn about 3D shapes and their characteristics, how to read time on a digital and analogue clock and addition & Subtraction in TU form. We will also be doing bonds from 15 to 20 and every day counting in 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's.
In Literacy, the children will learn about rhyming words and will write their own rhymes. We will also be looking at a number of poems. The children will also have to identify verbs and nouns in poems, act out poems etc. We will be discussing the simple punctuation marks (. , ! ?) and when to use them etc. They will be using these punctuation marks during comprehension tasks and creative tasks. We will be talking bout different emotions, writing in dialogue form and creative writing about birds. We will also introduce them to adjectives.
In Life Skills and Technology, we will be observing different birds, their feet, their beaks, their feathers, their food etc. The children will also learn about how adult birds care for their young and will observe birds in their gardens as well as at school. They then have to design their own birdfeeder. They need to discuss ways of making it durable, what material to use, design the birdfeeder on paper in class and make it at home with their parents assistance. In class, they will then explain how they made the birdfeeder, why it will work as a good feeder and what type of bird it is for (insect eater/fruit eater/seed eater). They then evaluate themselves and the class evaluates the birdfeeder using a simple rubric. The class then gets given a turn to ask questions. (This usually takes a few days to get through). It is amazing to see the creative thinking and analysing of the learners during question time. We should never underestimate the power of the mind of a child.
Speak to you soon in a couple of days when I'm back at school (14 April)