Welcome to the Doves Class!
Staff
Teacher: Rachel Hayes
TAs: Katie Harris and Aqsa Arif
Mid Day Leader: Jayne Lees
Newsletter
Earth, Wind and Fire
This half term, we have focused on two different stories. The first being ‘There’s a hole in the bottom of the Sea’, where the children listened to the story, while playing in trays containing: blue spaghetti, water, blue and green glitter, shaving foam and small-world sea creatures. The second story, we have focused on is ‘Space Song Rocket Ride’. During this time, they listened to the story while exploring: tinfoil, glitter, UV paints, flour and glow in the dark stars. The children loved these sessions are were so engaged!
The children have also really enjoyed our thematic ‘Skill-building’ lessons, where they have developed their fine motor skills and concentration through activities such as, sticking Cheerios covered in orange paint, onto a starfish and making aliens using green playdough. In sensory food play sessions, the children have explored foods associated with ‘fire’, such as: marshmallows and chocolate with spray cream, as well as, ‘Earth’, by exploring: carrots, peas and sweetcorn. They engaged with the foods by: mixing, chopping, scooping, squeezing and mashing. These opportunities have allowed them to explore and develop their tolerance of different textures, tastes and smells in a calm and happy environment.
The pupils have also participated in class-based ‘Being in Nature’ sessions, where they have used natural materials in a fun way such as, making prints in playdough using shells and sticks, using flowers and paint to make marks on paper, as well as, sprinkling petals and leaves onto sticky back plastic, to make ‘nature sun catchers’. Within our outdoor sessions, they have explored: bubbles, feathers, balloons and pinwheels, while engaging in intensive interaction with an adult. In ‘Visual Skills Development’, we have focused on ‘transferring our gaze’ through the use of: puppets, instruments and squeaky toys. We have also learnt how to ‘scan for objects’ by: matching the Peppa Pig visuals, looking for the colourful blocks in the sand and the Lego pieces in the water.
On Languages Day, the children were given the opportunity to explore the French flag, using: red, blue and white paint, mixed with raspberry and strawberry scents. They then used a paint brush to make marks on the Eiffel Tower image. In the afternoon, we visited the Studio, where they listened to French-themed music and had the chance to build the Eiffel Tower, using the foam building blocks. It was so much fun! We can’t wait for the Summer Term!
Signalong
At Kingfisher we use Signalong as a part of a Total Communication Approach, we are constantly using core vocabulary with the children to support their language development and then through each of our topics we introduce new signs and language, which extends their vocabulary further. We also have two “Signs of the Week” which helps maintain and extend key knowledge and skills of everyday vocabulary.
Each half term we will be creating a short video showcasing and demonstrating signs relavent for the current term so that you can learn the signs and further this learning at home.
You can view this half terms signalong video below:
Lunchtime
If your child has a school dinner, the school menus can be accessed by clicking here. For children who bring a packed lunch, please remember to provide healthy and balanced options. We are a Healthy School and will be focusing on healthy eating and how children can make healthy lifestyle choices.
How You Can Help at Home
The following activities are suggested as support activities, which you can enjoy with your child and reinforce the learning we are focusing on this half term –
Communication and Interaction
- Encourage your child to ‘make choices’, e.g. show them two snacks/toys and encourage them to choose one through: reaching out with their hands, looking at their preferred choice or even through vocalisations.
- Engage in Intensive Interaction with your child, by mirroring the sounds and words they produce. Musical instruments are great to use during these times.
Sensory and Physical
- Try to support your child’s ‘skill-building’, by helping them with activities such as, completing insert jigsaws and shape sorters.
- Provide your child with different sensory media to explore and play with, such as: shaving foam, coloured rice and scented playdough.
Well-being
- Can your child brush their teeth?
- Encourage your child to help tidy around the home.
- Can they put on and take off their coat?
Cognition and Learning
- Listen to the stories we will be focusing on in class:
A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea | Barefoot Books Singalong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1Qn2bcZRTo
The Animal Boogie | Barefoot Books Singalong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25_u1GzruQM
Can you sing along?
