Topic Summary
This half term we explore the contrasting worlds of fire and ice! We will use the colder weather outside to explore ice and snow through multiple sensory experiences. We will delve into a frozen world where we discover colder places, their inhabitants and investigate the properties of water in different states. We then move onto a world of fantasy and fire which will ignite our imagination and spark our interest in dragons. These mythical beasts will inspire our creative curiosity as we investigate shape and pattern in art.
In the topic we will be trying to answer the following key questions:
- What can we find out about animals from colder regions?
- What can we learn about fire and ice?
The children will also learn more about the key vocabulary:
- Frozen
- Melt
- Ferocious
- Arctic
- Emergency
- Help
- Danger
Week 1
This week we introduce the topic of ice to the children. We will explore winter and the changes that we may see and feel in our environment. The children will use their senses to explore ice, using their scientific skills to find ways to melt it. We will discover animals who hibernate during the cold months or migrate to warmer countries in search of food and shelter.
Week 2
During this week’s story nursery will be travelling to the ice age in search of a Woolly Mammoth. We will embark on our very own adventure to find this creature, we must remember our checklist to know we are looking for the correct animal. We will develop our mathematical language using words such as Giant, Massive, and Enormous.
Week 3
In our final icy story we learn all about snow. When Elmer takes her friends on a freezing adventure they discover ice and all the fun activities you can do. The children will try out our very own slip and slide on the field, have snowball fights and use their prior learning to help save a frozen Elmer. The children will think about how we can stay warm in the snow and ice using tips and tricks shown in the story.
Week 4
This week we will read another Julia Donaldson classic. The children will go to dragon school on the front field where they will practise flying, breathing fire and catching princesses. We will open a doctors in the classroom where the children will learn how to take care of each other. We will have lots of fun bandaging the teddies and maybe some of the teachers too. The children will also learn the importance of following your dreams, and that not all princesses need saving!
Week 5
It’s maths week and this week we will be focusing on a whole school text- How Many Legs? The children will be introduced to various animals and creatures all with a different number of legs. We will explore counting and estimating and decide how many legs we have in our very own classroom. We would also like to invite parents to join us in celebration of maths week; information about your child's session has been sent out via email, or speak to Miss Yeoman about this.
Week 6
In our final week of this half term we will finalise our learning about fire during a story all about fire engines. We will join the brave animal firefighters as they rush up to blazing buildings, hose down sizzling flames and save the day using their fabulous fire engine! We will also look at the dangers of fire and how we can ensure that we are being safe when we are around it. We will talk about fire procedures at school and practice what to do if there was a fire.
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.
If you would like to know anything else about the nursery curriculum this half term please speak to a member of staff.