{ A few pictures }

So we started the week by looking at 'Ourselves' topic. We drew around two kiddos to create dolls to paint and label.We forgot to add the eyes etc afterwards so we will do that quickly this week.

We created a wrinkled heart just like Michelle from Fabulous in First. We listened to the story Chrysanthemum on you tube because I am still waiting on my copy to arrive. Everytime the children heard something mean being said they crunched the heart up. When we finished we had a very wrinkled heart, as I tried to smooth out the wrinkles we chatted about how angry, mean and hurtful words make a lasting impression. Then we wrote our names on a 'plaster' and tried to fix the heart, as the kiddos placed their plaster they promised to only use kind words.

We looked at weighing. We introduced scales and the children had fun comparing objects to find which was heavier and which was lighter.

{ Circle time }

So I have mentioned before that I am a (recently converted) avocate for circle time in primary education. It makes such a difference to children's attitudes and behaviour. I have been trying as much as possible to link Religious Education (R.E) with our Personal, Health, Social Education (PHSE or circle time) because I believe that the key issues taught in R.E coinside with what we learn in circle time. 

This week in R.E we looked at welcoming people using different languages. The kiddos really loved this and enjoyed going around the circle saying hello in different languages. We have been working on this during registration time as well, I will say "Jambo Amelia" and she will try and respond using the same language. 

Excuse the horrible photo..again I am still on my ipad

We recreated this class promise but ours didn't turn out as good or as pretty. 

That stick on the bottom of the book rack is our 'talking stick'. Isn't is pretty? The kids love holding it during circle time when it is their time to talk and turning it over so the sparkly stars and sand fall down. 

  And we introduced our class post box for any wee notes that the kiddos want to write. They can write a note if they are feeling sad, angry etc but they can also write one to say they are feeling happy. I have already had one from a child that was about another child in my class telling me that he didn't mean to hurt others,it read something along the lines of "He doesn't mean to do it Miss, but other people annoy him!" :P 

We made these calm down sandwiches . We went through ways to chill out when we see red and have a cartoon moment of steam coming out the ears! They really responded to this and enjoyed cutting out their own sandwiches. 

  

What do you do in class to teach attitdues and behaviour?

{ Traditional tales }

Finally the open days at school are over. It is so difficult to teach when families walk into your class and you have to pass over to a teaching assistant to pick up exactly where you stopped. We had three days of this...and on the third day we had 19 families, 60 people in total!! Poor kiddos were a bit like fishes in a fish bowl with everyone staring at them and expecting them to be quiet and engaged in work independently. They did so well :-) 

We did get in a little bit of literacy this week which was a follow up from last week. We have been looking a traditional tales ( I know a few people from America read this, but I don't know what you call these stories, maybe someone could enlighten me :-) ) 

We looked at our story mountain and going over what happens at various stops along our climb. They really liked the analogy of writing/reading a story being like climbing a mountain. 

We talked about how traditional tales start and had a look at different stories to check that we were right. This was great to do because my little ones always struggle with writing and spelling 'Once upon a time' and this reinforced it. 

We thought a bit about our character (Goldilocks) and thought of some character traits for her. We discussed how yellow hair and pink dress are not character traits but adjectives to describe parts if the character. Then in the next lesson we also looked at adjectives which lead us into our next task.

We created wanted posters about the Wolf in Goldilocks to help my (fake) police officer sister find him. We talked a lot about how we need to use descriptive words to help the police find this wolf or it would be too hard. Instead of,  'he is a wolf' they were writing, 'He is a tall wolf with long furry ears and eyes as big as dinner plates. He has a wet, black nose and teeth that are sharp and pointy.' :)

{ Camera juggling }

First of all an apology. I have got to get better at taking pictures. The problem in class is that I want to take pictures on my iPad or my camera but I have to use my school camera for any photos that go onto our school website so juggling three cameras hasn't been easy. 

This week in literacy we have been looking at traditional tales. We started off by retelling the story using puppets that I got on Early learning headquarters, the kids loved these! They retold the story sooo well using time connectives of course. Then will be moving on to character traits...ill be honest, I am pulling my hair out at this but I think we will get there in the end!

Next week I won't be teaching too much because we have school open days in the mornings and the kids are meant to be working quietly and independently so that I am free to chat. In reception, year one and year two we work through early English skills so I will be leaving them to get on with that. 

Any ideas for independent activities for 5 year olds to do quietly for 2 hours? 

{Place Value}

So this week has been hectic again. My wee kiddos are struggling with a full school day and keeping up with formal schooling and not playing all day. I have to keep reminding them (and myself) that it will get easier as the year progresses.

This week we have started by looking at tens and units. The whole class found it hard to understanding grouping in tens, so we used unifix cubes and then base ten blocks to explain. We are going to fill in our place value houses tomorrow and move on to counting ten pence and one pence! This is a huge step for them! 

We work through these workbooks nearly every day. Last year I had loads of extension work for the class to do when they finished, but this class is not as interested in learning or working quickly. We are really working on writing our numbers the correct way especially the number nine.. 

 Any ideas to explain place value for my littlies? 

{ First Week }

The first week has come and gone, and I must say that it was a whirlwind!  I can't believe that a short week ago there was lots of midday naps, movies, walks in the sun and general relaxing.  It is a stressful time every year and I'm always thinking "will I remember how to teach, what to do when I stand infront of them, will I remember how to keep them safe and entertained all day long?" and more questions that seem to penetrate into my dreams weeks and weeks before school even begins. It is such a relief when you get in and remember how to do everything. :)

I have to say this week was exhausting and to say it was anything less than crazy would be a lie! Throughout all of the craziness I completly forgot to take photos of what we got up to. I very quickly snapped this picture of my behavious board as we focused A LOT on this (I have a very chatty class). I will try to remember pictures for this week and some of the activities we get up to. 

It is so easy to forget how little my year ones are when they first come in to class and how much they need support in everything they do. Next week will be the start of our independence and stamina building for my little kiddos, fingers crossed! I'm also meeting parents this week to fill them in on procedures, expectations and how well our first week went. Hopefully they are as excited about the year to come as I am.

I'm off to catch up on sleep before the craziness starts again tomorrow. Hope you all had a good first week with your kids.

{ Prep Prep Prep }

Oh my word, I am exhausted! Don't know about everyone else but this week for me so far has been time to prep my class room and have meetings. Meetings, meetings, meetings.

My kiddos came in today. It was chaotic to say the least. I will fill you in in procedures and activities soon, but right now I need to go to sleep. 

How did everyone else's first day go? 

{ Keeping Calm }

This wee dude is keeping me happy and calm today.