The Leaf Thief 

Pear Tree Class enjoyed reading The Leaf Thief and exploring the story together, talking about the changes that happen during autumn and wondering who might be taking the leaves from the trees! To bring the story to life, we went on an exciting visit to Mote Park to explore the autumnal world around us. The children looked carefully at the trees, searched for colourful fallen leaves, collected natural treasures and noticed the different sights and sounds of the season. As we explored, we talked about what we could see, shared our ideas and investigated whether we could spot the leaf thief! It was a wonderful opportunity to develop our curiosity, language and understanding of the natural world through first-hand experiences.

                

               

               

Our first trip to Mote Park 

               

               

               

               

Child Initiated Learning 

               

               

               

PSHE and RE

Pear Tree Class have been learning about our rights and beginning to understand that every child has the right to learn, play and feel safe. We talked about how everyone should have the opportunity to join in, explore, make friends and enjoy their time at nursery. Through stories, discussions and play, the children began to think about how we can respect one another's rights by being kind, sharing resources, taking turns and making sure everyone feels included. We explored the importance of treating others fairly and understanding that we all have a responsibility to help make nursery a happy, safe and welcoming place for everyone. As part of our RE learning, Pear Tree Class began to explore who Jesus was and learn about some of his teachings, including the commandments. We talked about how Jesus taught people to show love, kindness and respect towards one another. Through simple discussions and age-appropriate activities, the children began to think about what it means to be kind, care for others, share and help our friends. We made links to our everyday nursery experiences, thinking about how we can put these values into practice through our words and actions, helping to make our classroom a happy and caring place for everyone.

Maths

Pear Tree Class have been exploring early counting, beginning to recognise that anything can be counted, not just numbers on a page. Through playful, hands-on activities, the children have been counting everyday objects, toys, natural resources and even their movements. We have been practising saying number names in the correct order and noticing numbers in our environment. These experiences help children develop their confidence with counting, recognise that numbers have meaning and begin to understand how maths is part of our everyday lives.

                

PE

Pear Tree Class had lots of fun in PE taking part in our Hungry Monster chase game! We focused on moving at a steady speed so that our partners could keep up with us, while also watching carefully where they were going. The children practised moving safely around the space, being aware of others and adjusting their speed to stay together. Through this exciting game, we developed our coordination, listening skills, spatial awareness and understanding of how to move safely when playing alongside our friends.

               

               

There's a Superhero in your book (Art)

There's a Superhero in your book - Art KO

After sharing the story There’s a Superhero in Your Book, children will be encouraged to make their own superhero marks using a variety of materials and tools, such as crayons, pencils, paint and felt-tip pens. They will explore making different lines, shapes and patterns, developing their ability to make marks intentionally. Through these fun, creative activities, children will practise manipulating and controlling the tools, experiment with different textures and materials, and begin to express their own ideas and creativity.

               

               

               

               

               

Child Initiated Learning

               

               

               

               

               

PSHE and RE

We explored the importance of being positive role models and how our words and actions can influence others. We looked at rights, including the right to feel safe, be listened to, be treated fairly and have opportunities to play, learn and express themselves. We have discussed our responsibilities to help keep ourselves and others safe, show kindness, respect differences, use gentle hands and care for our environment. Through stories, role play and everyday experiences, we encouraged children to make positive choices, develop empathy and understand the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect.

Maths

In Pear Tree Class, the children explored numbers through fun, engaging and practical activities, helping them to hear and say number names in their everyday play. We will encourage the children to join in with counting songs, rhymes, stories and number games, developing their confidence in recognising and using number names. Through hands-on activities and everyday routines, the children will begin to understand the order of numbers and practise saying them in sequence. 

                

                

PE

In Pear Tree Class, the children became superheroes during our PE session, exploring the importance of space around them and how to move safely. Through fun superhero-themed activities, the children practised moving in different ways, such as flying, jumping, stretching, running and balancing, while being aware of the space around their bodies and their friends. They learnt to move without bumping into others, look where they are going and understand the importance of keeping a safe distance. The children was able to change direction, stop and start when asked, and explore different movements using their imaginations.

               

               

               

Super Duper You (Music)

This week we have been exploring the book 'Super Duper You’ through music, celebrating what makes each of us special and unique. They have enjoyed singing familiar songs, joining in with actions and exploring different sounds and instruments. Through singing and musical play, they have been encouraged to express themselves, build confidence and develop their listening and communication skills, while having lots of fun making music together.

                

                

               

               

Child Initiated Learning

                

                

                

PSHE and RE

The children have explored different emotions and were able to recognise how they and others may be feeling through stories, pictures, facial expressions and group discussions. They were encouraged to use simple words such as happy, sad, angry, excited and worried to express their feelings and develop an understanding of the emotions of others. As part of our nursery routines, we will focus on the importance of gentle hands, helping children learn how to be kind, caring and respectful towards their friends. Through role play, modelling and positive encouragement, children will practise using gentle touches, sharing resources and showing kindness, supporting their emotional development and building positive relationships with others.

                

               

               

Maths

The children have been developing their maths skills by exploring the concepts of more and fewer. They have enjoyed comparing groups of objects, noticing which has more, which has fewer and talking about what they can see. We have also been exploring a variety of shapes and using them to build and create, encouraging the children to investigate how different shapes fit together and what they can make. Through hands-on play and exploration, the children are developing their mathematical language, problem-solving skills and understanding of shape and quantity.

                

                 

PE

The children have been developing their physical skills by practising how to stop and balance on one foot. They have been encouraged to take small, controlled steps to help them stop safely, change direction to avoid others and look carefully for spaces to move into. Through these activities, the children are developing their balance, coordination, spatial awareness and ability to move safely and confidently around others.

               

               

               

               

Getting to know each other

The children have been settling beautifully into Pear Tree Class and are beginning to feel happy, confident and secure in their new environment. They have enjoyed exploring the different areas and discovering the exciting resources and activities available to them. It has been lovely to see friendships beginning to develop as the children get to know one another, share experiences and learn together. We have also been introducing the boundaries and routines of the classroom, helping the children understand what is expected of them and supporting them to become increasingly independent. Through lots of reassurance, encouragement and positive experiences, the children are becoming familiar with their surroundings and building a strong sense of belonging within Pear Tree Class.

               

               

The children have been developing their fine motor skills through a variety of fun and engaging activities and resources. They have enjoyed using playdough, tweezers, threading activities, peg boards, mark-making tools and small construction materials, helping to strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. These experiences are supporting the children to develop their hand-eye coordination, control and dexterity, while also building confidence in using tools and handling resources independently. We will continue to provide a range of opportunities for the children to practise and refine these important skills through play and everyday activities.