Squirrels News - 22nd November 2024

In the Squirrels classroom this week we have been exploring our senses and learning about what each sense does. To incorporate this with our library visit this week we looked at a book which incorporates braille and raised pictures for people who are unable to see but are still able to read and enjoy the pictures, just in a different way.

In our classroom Role Play area we have a sensory garden. Whilst promoting an understanding of our senses it also helpls the children share, be gentle and take turns as only three children are allowed into the area at a time, taking off their shoes to feel the textures underneath and taking care when using the objects.

In our activities this week we have been discussing textures and various smells. We played a hearing game, seeing if we could identify various household sounds. We also played a taste game where the children were given little pieces of foods to try which they could hold and smell but had to keep their eyes closed whilst trying the food items. If they really didn't like the food after taking a bite they could put the small piece of food in the bin. We were so proud of the children for trying everything including bits of onion, radish, garlic, olives, carrot, tomato, blueberries, avocado and dates. Surprisingly the least favourite were the olives! 

This week we have also been discussing what a prediction is as we predicted which tray would be better for marbling as we got started on our Christmas Art activities. In other areas of the classroom, we learned about measuring. We discussed various tools for measuring, such as rulers, measuring tapes, and Unifix cubes. The children practised measuring and learned to make straight lines using a ruler. 

In Dance this week, we went on an adventure to the castle to visit the dragons. Fortunately, we had magic wands and swords to keep us safe. Everyone had their listening ears on and did wonderful dancing both independently and in pairs with partners.

This week it was also Squirrels Dew Drop Inn Session where the big children and little children come together. In Dew Drop Inn we played the Matterhorn game where the dice had to be rolled. You count the number of spots on the dice and you have to be the first player to get all 6 counters up to the top of the mountain.