Topic Summary
This half term the children are invited to use their senses to investigate the new seasons upon us. We will explore some new and familiar stories with intriguing characters that challenge us to use new vocabulary in our talk.
The children will also learn about the changing season, including differences in their immediate environment. We will discover which animals are local to our homes and which are getting ready for the colder months ahead. Above all we will embrace the season through celebration and performance using role play, dance and music to express ourselves.
In the topic we will be thinking about the following big questions:
- What is Autumn?
- What changes can you see in the environment?
- Which creatures live in the dark?
- What’s the difference between day and night?
Key Vocabulary
- Dark
- Autumn
- Pumpkin patch
- Pine tree
- Christmas
Week 1
We kick off our new term with an exciting week based all around pumpkins. The children will get to act out visiting a real pumpkin patch when one magically appears on the Nursery field! We discover different shapes, sizes, colours and uses for this fantastic vegetable and increase our vocabulary with a wealth of new words.
Week 2
This week has become a firm favourite by the adults in Nursery as we investigate who has been visiting our forest and leaving clues for us to find… “Oh help, oh no!... Is it a Gruffalo?”
We use Gruffalo crumble to explore new sounds and work on learning some key phrases from a truly special book.
Week 3
This week is all about the dark and we will use two books: Owl Babies and Orion and The Dark. We will learn about how owls hunt and how they use their feathers for camouflage. The children will be able to see some real owls up close and find out about these beautiful creatures from a real expert.
Week 4
This week’s story includes a familiar author and an exciting adventure as someone needs our help! A huge tree stands in the classroom. It is the home of Stickman. The children delve straight into an exciting adventure to help find stickman by using questioning skills: ‘Have you seen stickman?’ and repetitive language.
Week 7
Polar Express ties up our Autumn term with lots of festive fun. We will build our own magic train and follow the magic polar express tracks through school to find a very special someone. We will make our own magic tickets and enjoy hot chocolate on the way. The children can enjoy Christmas lunch dressed in their favourite Christmas jumper and we will have fun making decorations to take home for our families. It is a busy week as we take to the stage for our Christmas Mini show on Wednesday 17th December at 2:45pm.
The following section gives you some more details about the different areas of learning your child will cover this half term. These show you what we are working towards your child being able to do, with confidence.
Communication and Language
- I can sing you three different songs (or more).
- I am beginning to listen with understanding of the story.
- I am beginning to understand a simple instruction said to me ‘sit down’.
- I understand an instruction with two parts, ‘sit down and get out your dough’.
- I can discuss elements of the story with anyone.
Physical Development
- I can play a parachute game.
- I can use large-muscle movements to wave flags and streamers, paint and make marks.
- I am learning an action song (penguin dance, cha cha slide or head shoulders knees and toes)
- I can climb safely.
- I can jump off safe apparatus.
- I can move in a variety of ways.
- I am beginning to know how to put on my outdoor suit with adult support.
If you would like to know anything else about the nursery curriculum this half term please speak to a member of staff.