Week commencing 12th May 2025
The Investigation Hub
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Finding out and Exploring
The children spotted a mini-beast outside next to the sandpit and one described it as a “squashed caterpillar”. Another child disagreed, saying it was a squashed worm, because someone had sat on it. Susan suggested using a magnifying glass to have a closer look. One child then observed “it’s a caterpillar, not a worm, because it has legs” Someone else said: “he got squashed and the sun turned him into a rock” The children used the insect book to check that they had indeed found a caterpillar! Next week, we have decided to do more investigation into mini-beasts and also fossils!
Parents as Partners
This week we shared the story Yucky Worms. We discovered facts about Earth Worms and explored some mathematical thinking ordering knitted worms by length. We did some funny mark making creating worms of different shapes; spirals, zig-zags and wiggly lines!
We visited the ducklings in small groups which was fascinating! The children observed the ducklings quietly and with care and wonder…
”they are SO fluffy”
”they are so gentle…they are girls but the black one is a boy”
”baby ducks come from eggs”
“they are going to play after they have a sleep”
“come out we want to stroke you!”
“I think they are yellow, I like the one with the spots”
“Can I have one, he’s pecking me! It doesn’t hurt”
The children took part in a taster session of Bollywood dancing on Monday by Gem Arts. They were incredible at following the sequences of movements! Amazing listening skills alongside coordination and a lot of artistic flair!
Outdoors Learning
The children have been using natural materials to create bracelets, streamer sticks and magic wands in the garden. They enjoyed finding flowers, sticks and leaves to use in their creative work. They have explored using the same technique they learned a few weeks ago (for bark rubbings) to create leaf rubbings with crayons.
While following the children’s interests we decided to make boats for the water area outside. Using recycled materials the children made boats, thinking about what would make them float or sink.
”Mine has two sides to fit dollies in, I like my boat it is made of plastic”
”The flag is making it go! Because of the wind in my mouth!”
”Mine is a speedboat! It goes in the wind!”
“That will sink… it’s heavy!”
While supporting the children in this kind of investigation, we always ask open-ended questions such as…
”I wonder why your boat is moving”
”What will you need to make a boat?”
”What do you notice?”
”How do you know the boat will sink?”
We still have some spaces for the Fun Run next week (for the children who are starting Reception in September), if you would like to join please sign up. For more information please speak with Natalia.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
