Nursery - Seedlings

Welcome to Seedlings Class!

The adults in Seedlings Class are Mrs Pellant and Mrs Parker.

The Seven Areas of Learning

Communication and Language is key in EYFS and we will develop this through quality conversations, a language rich environment and provide extensive opportunities to try and embed new vocabulary.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development  is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and helps them to learn.

Physical Development is through gross and fine motor skill experiences which develop strength, co-ordination and the ability to write.

Literacy is crucial for children to develop a life long love for reading. This leads to the children becoming independent readers and writers.

Mathematics allows children to develop a strong grounding in number which is essential so that all children develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically.

Understanding the World involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community.

Expressive Arts and Design involves the development of artistic and culture awareness which supports their imagination and creativity.

What are we learning about this half term? (Summer Term 1)

This half term our big questions is Where do animals live?'

In communication and Language, we will start to listen to longer stories and answer ‘why’ questions. We will follow two-part instructions. We will use a range of vocabulary, including new words in our conversations and use the past and future tenses correctly.

In Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we will follow the Nursery rules and access snack independently. We will describe some of our feelings and begin to think of other children’s feelings during play.  We will look at the big question ‘How can I help?’ This will include helping myself, others and the environment.

In Physical Development, we will continue to develop our gross motor skills through movement and playing games. We will continue to develop our fine motor skills by threading and using one handed tools, pencils, knives, spoons, rolling pins and dough cutters.

In Literacy, we will be name the parts of a book and talk about the events and characters in our books: ‘Lulu Gets a Car’, ‘Farmer Duck’ and ‘Jungle Jamboree’. We will start to learn the single letter sounds using Read, Write, Inc. In writing we will begin to write our name forming some letters accurately and use some of our letter knowledge in our writing.

In Mathematics, we will link numerals and amounts and use language ‘more than’ and ‘fewer’ to compare quantities. We will talk and explore 2D and 3D shapes and select the correct shape when making models. We will use positional language to describe where objects are.

In Understanding the World, we will compare objects and events from the past and now. We will look at different jobs people do. We will name the different animals and find out where they live by looking at pictures, and simple maps. We will have a visit from Ian’s Mobile Farm. We will learn about how Muslims celebrate Eid

In Expressive Arts and Design, we will explore different materials and experiment with colour mixing. We will use a range of construction equipment to make vehicles. We will start to follow rhythms using instruments.

What we learnt about this half term? (Spring Term 2)

This half term our big questions is 'What changes?'

In communication and Language, we will continue to enjoy joining in with stories, rhymes and songs. We will remember and retell stories from our topic. We will speak in more complex sentences and ask lots of questions.

In Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we will follow the Nursery rules. We will become more independent in washing our hands, having snack and putting on our outdoor clothes. We will also think about changes in ourselves, between each other and in nature.

In Physical Development, we will continue to develop our gross motor skills by throwing and rolling balls, balancing on small equipment and jumping from a safe height.  We will continue to develop our fine motor skills by using spoons to stir, knives to spread and tweezers to pick up small objects. We will explore play dough through rolling it and using rolling pins and cutters. We will continue to take part in dough disco.

In Literacy, we will be listening and discussing the following stories to help us look at different changes: ‘When I was Little', 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' and ‘Jasper’s Beanstalk’. In writing we will continue to form some recognisable letters and copy our names.

In Mathematics, we will match numerals and amounts to 5. We will practice subitising objects to 3. We will learn the following number rhymes: ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’, ‘I am a Little Bean’, ‘Five Little Monkeys Swinging on a Tree’ and ‘When Goldilocks Went to the House of the Three Bears’. We will use language to compare objects relating to size, length, weight and capacity.

In Understanding the World, we will look at changes from a baby to an adult, including a visit from a baby and her mum. We will look at the life cycle of a butterfly including watching our own caterpillars turn into butterflies. We will grow our own beanstalks and learn what a bean needs to grow. We will learn about how Christians celebrate Easter.

In Expressive Arts and Design, we will draw and paint shapes and use glue to join materials together. We will use different construction kits to make various models. We will learn the name of some percussion instruments and use them to copy simple patterns.

What we learnt about this half term? (Spring Term 1)

This half term our big questions is 'Where in the world are colours?'

In communication and Language, we will enjoy joining in with stories, rhymes and songs. We will start to retell stories from our topic. We will begin to speak in more complex sentences and ask lots of questions.

In Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we will start to follow instructions independently and ensure we are following the Nursery rules. We will also look at the big question ‘How are people different?’ We will celebrate the differences and similarities between ourselves and understand that people have different cultures and religions.

In Physical Development, we will develop our gross motor skills by throwing and rolling balls, balancing on our feet and jumping from a safe height.  We will develop our fine motor skills by using spoons to stir, knives to spread and tweezers to pick up small objects. We will explore play dough through rolling it and using rolling pins and cutters. We will continue to take part in dough disco.

In Literacy, we will be listening and discussing the following stories to help us learn our colours: ‘The Snowman’, ‘Elmer’ and 'Mouse Paint'.  In writing we will start to form some recognisable letters and learn to copy our names.

In Mathematics, we will count objects to 5 and match them to their numeral. We will start to solve maths problems with numbers to 5. We will learn the following number rhymes: ‘Three Blind Mice’, ‘Three Little Kittens’, ‘Five Little Snowmen’, ‘Four Little Teddy Bears’, ‘Five Fingers and ‘Alice the Camel’. We will start to make our own marks for symbols and numerals. We will use language to talk about and explore 2D and 3D shapes.

In Understanding the World, we will talk about events that are special to us. We will learn about Chinese New Year. We will learn the name of our school. We will make observations of a range of different materials. We will use different apps on the plasma screen.

In Expressive Arts and Design, we will explore colour mixing and we will develop our drawing, painting and collaging skills. We will finish our topic with an Elmer Parade Day.

What we learnt about this half term? (Autumn Term 2)

This half term our big questions is 'What happens in the sky at night?'

In communication and Language, we will talk about what we have being doing and start to ask our own questions. We will listen to various stories connected to our topic and answer questions from them.

In Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we will continue to build relationships with the children and staff in our Nursery. We will also look at the big question 'How can I do my best?' thinking about making healthy choices, becoming resilient and working cooperatively when faced with a challenge.

In Physical Development, we will continue to develop our gross motor skills outside by playing with balls, moving around in different ways and making marks on a large scale. We will continue to develop our fine motor skills by making finer marks, using scissors and exploring a range of tools in the playdough area including taking part in dough disco.

In Literacy, we will be listening to and talking about the following stories 'Hovis the Hedgehog', 'Owl Babies’ and 'Whatever Next'. We will start to recognise our name. In writing we will create shapes and drawings and talk about them.

In Mathematics, we will count objects to 5 and match them to their numeral. We will learn the following number rhymes: ‘Five Currant Buns’, ‘Five Fat Sausages’, ‘One Finger, One Thumb’, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe’ and ‘Two Little Dickie Birds’. We will compare objects relating to size. We will talk about patterns and use language to describe 2D and 3D shapes.

In Understanding the World, we will talk our own special events and learn about Diwali, Bonfire Night and Christmas. We will start to notice the difference in the weather and in our playground. We will learn about the North Pole. 

In Expressive Arts and Design, we will learn about painting using a variety of colours and different objects. We will learn to play the musical instruments loudly, quietly, fast and slow.  We will take part in Nursery Rhyme Week. We will be performing our Nativity with Reception and Years 1 and 2.

What we learnt about this half term? (Autumn Term 1)

This half term our big questions is 'Who am I?

In communication and Language, we will learn to listen and follow instructions within the Nursery. We will talk about ourselves and our families. We will listen to various stories connected to our topic. 

In Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we will start to build relationships with the other children and staff in our Nursery. We will also look at the big question 'Who am I?' which covers what makes me unique, my feelings and my family.

In Physical Development, we will develop our gross motor skills outside by playing with balls, moving around in different ways and making marks on a large scale. We will develop our fine motor skills by making marks with pencils and crayons, attempting using scissors and exploring a range of tools in the playdough area including taking part in dough disco.

In Literacy, we will be listening to and talking about the following stories: ‘Lulu’s First Day’, ‘Who Are You?’ and 'The Family Book’. We will start to recognise the first letter in our name. In writing we will create lines and shapes.

In Mathematics, we will learn to match and sort different colours and shapes. We will use the language ‘big’ and ‘small’ to compare different sizes. We will learn the following number rhymes: ‘1,2,3,4,5 Once I caught a Fish Alive’, ‘One Potato, Two Potato’, ‘Five Little Speckled Frogs’ and ‘Five Little Ducks Went Swimming One Day.’

In Understanding the World, we will talk about people in our family and people who are familiar to us. We will explore the school environment and the season Autumn. We will play with interactive toys to develop our technology skills. We will learn about the Christianity festival Harvest.

In Expressive Arts and Design, we will use the wooden blocks to build different buildings. We will use paint, glue and scissors to make pictures and models. We will play different musical instruments and talk about the sounds they make.

Here is our long term plan

Important Information:

Friday Library Day