Welcome to the Ducks Class!
Staff
Teacher: Emma Dixon
TAs: Greta Burton and Shauntelle Dawkins
Mid Day Leader: TBC
Newsletter
Hairy, Scary Beast
This half term the children in Ducks class have enjoyed listening to the story “That’s Not My Duck” and exploring the textures related to the story. We have enjoyed this story so much that we’re going to continue to listen to it next half term too.
In Awe and Wonder sessions we have learnt about Chinese culture and traditions in preparation for Chinese New year celebrations. The children enjoyed mark making to make cherry blossom trees and dragon crafts too. On Chinese New Year celebration day we were really lucky to have the opportunity to taste and smell some traditional Chinese snacks- a firm favourite was fortune cookies.
Another special day we enjoyed was Pancake Day. We had an amazing sensory food session tasting and smelling the individual components of the pancakes and toppings and then had the opportunity to eat a pancake. Our class favourite was squirts cream and chocolate buttons, not many children liked sour lemon!
One of our favourite sessions was early on in the half term when it was snowing! We had a great time outside playing in the snow and then brought snow into class to play with in our play session. We had to be quick though because it was melting!
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 appropriate homework activities which you can enjoy with your child. We want homework to be fun and easy to complete here are some ideas of things to do at home;
- Encourage independence at all times; allow me to undress myself and to dress myself. I need to be able to fasten my own clothes, zips, buttons and velcro on my shoes.
- Support me in my play and allow me to play with toys which suit my skill level- not my age. Ask my teacher for great ideas to support my play skills at home.
- When I’m spending time with family and friends who are a similar age to me, help me to interact with them for a short time.
- Challenge me to use my directed form of communication and if I can do this, ask school what I need to do next. – This refers to the guidelines from speech and language therapy (SALT)
- Notice the little things that I do which are amazing or new and tell my teacher- maybe I can practise this again at school and then become even better at it!
- Go to places which include lots of movement and self help skills; trampoline park, swimming, Summit Up (next to MADLHO)
Topic related- “The World In My Town”
- Take me to the shops, let me look around at the different items available/ feel the fabrics in clothing shops.
- Visit local parks.
- Travel by bus, tram or train.
- Take a walk around the local area; collect items on the way- leaves, pretty stones, etc…
- Go to the park and feed the ducks.
Send photos into class via see saw so children can look at their family photos for their choosing time.
