We are now in the second half of the Summer Term and out new topic is Let’s Explore. So come on Little Explorers and lets see how we can continue our learning.

Literacy

Creative writing task

It is time for one of our favourite stories from nursery- can you guess it? Yes it is Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. I wonder if you can remember the different parts of the story? What noises did the different obstacles make? Can you follow the youtube video together, using the actions and acting out the different sounds?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyI6ykDwds

Encourage your child to draw their favourite obstacle from the story (grass, snowstorm, cave, river, mud etc). Can they describe the sound that it makes? Can the children write down the sounds?

For example based on ability: Some children who are able to identify sounds in their writing might build a simple words using sounds that they know ‘tip toe, tip toe’. If your child is confident hearing the sounds, them encourage them to write what they can hear- words will not always be spelt correctly but the important skill is hearing the sound and starting to build words. Some children will be able to use some sounds in their work to represent this, maybe the beginning letter. Some children may be able to use marks and lines to represent this sentence. Some children will be drawing a picture to represent their ideas.

Using this story discuss other animals, plants, creatures that you may find in the woods? Can you go on your own bear hunt listening carefully to the sounds they can hear around them? Can you describe the sounds you hear- muddy puddles go splish splash, birds go tweet tweet etc. See if you can make a video of some of the sounds you hear. Can you use the chatterpic app to add sound to a photo?

Remember it is important to keep singing nursery rhymes every day and to share stories with your child.

Handwriting

It is important to continue to develop your child’s fine motor skills. This can be done in a number of ways, the more practice they get the better they will become. Remember when using a pen or pencil encourage the tripod grip to help control their formation.  There are lots of ideas below.

https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/glyncoed-primary-school/UploadedDocument/9beca573379b492e8570b1d5afda33b7/fine-motor-activities-for-home.pdf

The morning children can revisit exploring forming 'one armed robot' letters. These are letters 'r, b, n, h, m, k, p.' Remember it is important for children to explore creating these letters in lots of ways, rather than just using a pencil e.g. in paint, in sand etc. Corn flour and water is a fun way to make letters, also fill empty squeezy bottles with water and practice outside.

Afternoon Nursery are exploring different ways to mark make. This can be done outside in a large scale way using paintbrushes and chalks or inside with crayons pencils and felt tips. Let the children lead the activity using their own imagination and interests.

The morning children can explore forming 'one armed robot' letters. These are letters 'r, b, n, h, m, k, p.' Remember it is important for children to explore creating these letters in lots of ways, rather than just using a pencil e.g. in paint, in sand etc.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zgjj6sg/articles/z8qb97h

Reading

Bug club has added some excellent resources on their website, and all children have been allocated books. Using these resources will really help your child ready for September.

Remember to continue reading a variety of stories with your child. It is important that children learn how to use books for example turning pages, holding the book the correct way, discussing the pictures in detail, predicting what might happen in the story and locating text on a page and knowing the direction of the print. This week can you practice the phase 2 flashcards on the phonics play website. Afternoon Nursery could practise recognising their name and finding the print in a reading book understanding that words can be written down as well as spoken.

Phonics

As well as listening for sounds inside and outside the house afternoon children can start to learn about the sound 's'. They could go on a sound hunt finding objects beginning with this sound. Does their name begin with this sound? Get Squiggling on You Tube can help the children find out more about this sound.

Morning children should continue to recap the phase 2 sounds. Please use the phonicsplay website to practice and reinforce sounds. Maybe you could go on a sound hunt around the house and see what you can find that begins with that sound. Recap all of the sounds we have done so far: 's, a, t, p, I, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, ff, l, ll and ss, using this order. Can you hear sounds in simple CVC words such as sat? Some children might be ready to explore phase 3. Remember these sounds are progressive and every child learns at their own pace so you will need to work at your child’s level.

Numeracy

Can you reinforce number recognition this week. Begin with 0-3, then to 5, moving up to 10. Some children will be confident with this and can progress up to 20. Often young children can count perfectly but will not be able to recognise numbers to match. Encourage children to recognise numbers out of sequence. You could create your own car park and ask your child to park cars on the right number or write numbers in chalk outside and your child has to run to the correct number. When you are out see what numbers you can find on signs or doors or even number plates.

Please continue to sing number rhymes with your child such as 5 little ducks etc. Youtube have many versions of these.

 The Body Coach is continuing to deliver a PE session style workout every morning at 9:00am via his youtube channel. Great fun for all of the family.