Week beginning 18th May 2026

The Investigation Hub at Sidney Grove

Characteristics of Effective Learning

This week, the children have shown an interest in creating their own books. They have been busy developing stories, making marks and pictures, and adding letters and annotations to give meaning to their ideas and characters. It has been lovely to see their imagination and creativity flourish as they explored early writing opportunities.

Some children extended this interest even further by transforming their stories into performances. Using the model-making area, they designed and created their own masks before building a stage and audience seating outside using crates. The children proudly performed their shows for their friends, who sat comfortably and enjoyed watching the performances.

Parents as Partners

We have been observing bees in our outside area and as it was National Bee Day on Wednesday we shared a special book called Nature’s Tiny Miracle BEE. Some of the children experimented using petals and leaves to create their own bee pictures! While they worked it was fascinating to listen in to their discussion about bees:

‘This one has pollen in! It’s getting nectar from the flowers and the grass… it was getting the nectar to make honey!

Him flied away every time to flowers!

He went to look for some nectar and then honey…he came back with the honey and they shared it altogether!

Some of our older children had the opportunity to take part in the Gateshead Fun Run at Saltwell Park on Friday! Well done to our active, risk-taking, resilient Investigators for giving this activity a try! We are proud of you!

Outside Learning

The children continue to search high and low for spiders! To further their interest and knowledge we used non-fiction books to find out more facts about them.

Some children have listened to the story ‘The Yoga Ogre’ and then wanted to try some yoga outside! They experimented with lots of different movements and cooperated well while practising poses and balances together.

Next week is half-term for our term time children so school will re-open on Monday 1st June. Just a reminder that Nursery will be closed on Friday 26th June for staff training.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and half-term week wherever you may be!