“Life is more fun if you play games.” – My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl

It’s World Book Day this week and invite your children to come dressed any day as any character or bring in their favourite book from home (named please.)

Oaks 1:
Oaks 1 have been so engaged in our ‘re-use’ approach to life and what we can do, using an old bag of Potatoes we decided to make our own, we sited our potatoes in the cupboard for a while and once ready, drew Mr Potato Head faces upon them and popped them in our potato bags. We discussed our favourite potato snacks and what we will make with our potatoes – it’s looking like homemade chips will be a firm favourite!

Veggies have been the number one subject this week with our ‘Meat Free’ Mondays which are our way of helping climate change.

It’s also a way to ensure we eat our 5 a day every day. The children really enjoyed the potato planting so we decided to create Oaks 1 a new vegetable patch where over the next few months the children will be able to eat some of their own produce.

Adrian, Freddie and Raul taught us every species of dinosaur this week and all the interesting facts about them such as whether they were carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores, and whether they flew or had big arms or small ones, the children then created their own dinosaur fossils and eggs to make a ‘Dino Land.’

For this week’s cookery lesson shortbread was requested. The children started by talking about each ingredient then measuring it out on digital scales and took turns mixing the dry and wet ingredients into a dough. They made their own style biscuit shapes and once baked, decorated and enjoyed with their friends.

We added a spice for extra flavour and some of the children were able to name it after a nose test.
We embraced the wet weather and introduced expressive design in paint outdoors creating our own paintbrushes using sticks and conifer fronds bound with twine. We made fabulous patterns. Rosie proudly showed her friends her beautiful artwork whilst swirling the pooled water. This got us talking about light and reflection including ornate, colourful windows we had seen so we set about using water-based paints to create our own unique stained glass windows using any shapes which took our fancy; Freddie made a volcano in brown and red hues to represent fire.

Forest School:
The children worked beautifully together as they prepared the ground using rakes to sow meadow flowers which we feel will add lots of vibrant colours later this year. They set about foraging for branches of equal length to make a boundary in order to protect their plot.

Theo, Oliver and Sebbie sieved mud to use as a modelling material and created some gorgeous tree faces remarking that they were their mother, father, brother, and sister. Freddie worked alongside helping to secure noses, eyes, ears and horns??!!

Seedlings:
This week, the Seedlings’ focus for learning was ‘under the sea’ and the colour blue.
The children loved exploring a number of different Tuff Trays linked to the theme. The Seedlings particularly enjoyed having the chance to get messy with shaving foam and blue food colouring. They also had so much fun scrunching up the azure tissue paper which represented the ocean.

During an engaging wet play activity, Theo adored hunting for sea creatures. He also found a duck which he thought would be a great addition to the water. We then encouraged the children to sing along to the catchy song Five Little Ducks.

After inventively fashioning jellyfish from a paper plate and ribbons, Daneyal was clearly very proud of his creation complete with googly eyes. He excitedly exclaimed ‘Wow!’ while showing off his wonderful invertebrate.

During their weekly music and movement sessions, the Seedlings all had a blast impersonating animals.
Finally, we split the children up into small groups to give them the chance to show us the kind of activities they enjoy most when playing in our courtyard. Avery selected a small bucket, filled it with water and painted the walls with a paintbrush.

Star Of the Week:
Willow – For demonstrating her excellent communication skills.

Saplings:
This week, we completed our topic on Michael Rosen’s book Little Rabbit Foo Foo.

The children loved creating their own interpretations of the tale’s main character, painting the soles of their feet pink before printing them onto card. They then used sponges, toothbrushes and paintbrushes to make the rabbit’s face. Holly decided her bunny would be much kinder than Little Rabbit Foo Foo, declaring: ‘He won’t bop you on the head.’ Dylan clearly agreed with this sentiment, quipping that we should always have gentle hands.

Cindy delighted the children by bringing in ingredients to make rabbit treats. The Saplings demonstrated excellent sharing skills as they passed around rabbit food, carrots and honey. The children did a fine job of mixing all of the ingredients together too.

Baby yoga was a highlight for many of the Saplings as well this week. The children giggled as they pretended to prowl like tigers and hop like bunnies. The Danny Go! ‘Hot and Cold’ song was the perfect tune to listen to.

Star Of the Week:
Holly – For always doing her best in group activities and engaging in discussions at circle time.

Acorns:
Mark-making has been central to the Acorns’ week.

The Acorns were ever so engaged as they got creative with natural resources including sticks, stones and leaves. They all really enjoyed exploring different textures and materials.

The group really liked rolling balls through brightly coloured paint before pushing them over paper to see what marks were left behind.

This arty activity inspired a host of different ball games throughout the week. One saw the children roll balls down a ramp in our courtyard. In another game, the Acorns dropped balls through recycled items and tubes.

Star Of the Week:
Teddy – For settling into nursery life so well, exploring the toys and becoming familiar with practitioners and the other children.

Oaks 2:
Oaks 2 have had a brilliant week.

The children particularly enjoyed making potions using foliage and wildflowers in pretty pastel shades. By giving the youngsters the freedom to choose which resources to use, they were able to strengthen their ability to work independently. This activity had Oaks 2 captivated for a significant amount of time.

We then moved on to make pictures to gift our families to say ‘Thank You’ for attending Broughton Cottage’s special Valentine’s tea party. The children liked sticking various pieces of paper they’d cut out onto their collages.

Oaks 2 have had lots of garden fun this week too. The mud kitchen was popular with everyone, and it was a real pleasure to observe the little ones playing made up games together. The children have started to form such close bonds with one another.

Star Of the Week:
Amelie – For being a great helper at tidy-up time.

Yours sincerely
The Broughton Team