Our topic this term is “Celebrations” which continues for 2 weeks after the Christmas holidays. We will be looking at birthdays, bonfire night, Diwali, Christmas and the Chinese New Year. In personal, social and emotional development the children will continue developing awareness of their own needs. They will have a developing awareness of their own needs, views and feelings and be sensitive to the needs, views and feelings of others. They will understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs, which needed to be treated with respect. The children will be introduced to alternative religions, particularly the Hindu religion through stories about Diwali. The Chinese New Year. They will also learn about the Christian religion with reference to Christmas. In language and literacy we will be covering work around the following stories: Snuffy and the fire Fireman Sam and the Fireworks The Tiger who came for Tea The Tiger-Skin Rug Sari Games The First Christmas Children will be involved in role-play around the theme in the “home corner”. They will retell stories and re-enact the stories. They will hear and say the following initial and final sounds in words: - s, m, c, t, g, h, ss, ck, l, n, d, k, sh, ch. In Mathematical development the children will continue counting reliably with everyday objects, ordering numbers, exploring different patterns and patterns from different cultures, making models using different types of flat and solid shapes, makes estimates, sequence events, compare different measures, recognise numbers, use money in role play, and to use language of addition and subtraction. In physical development the children will begin to move with confidence, imagination, control, co-ordination and in safety. They will use a range of small and large equiment and find different ways of travelling. In Creative development the children will exlore colour, texture, shape, and space in two and three domensions. They will sing lots of Christmas songs for the play and parties. They will use their imagination and role-play and in stories. In Knowledge and Understanding of the world the children will build and construct with a wide range of tools. They will begin to find out about their own cultures and beliefs of other people. They will be cooking cakes, curry, sweets, etc. and the children will look for changes that occur when we are cooking. The dates for the end of the year have been provisionally set as follows: Diwali Party: Friday 22.11.02 - please come to school dressed in “Indian” costume (baggy trousers, shirts, saris, turbans, etc.) for a day with an Indian flavour Christmas Fayre: Friday 29.11.02. School closes at 1.30pm Christmas play: Friday 13.12.02 at 1.30pm. (Children can come to school in party clothes for the play. They could wear tinsel, antlers, santa, hats or anything christmassy. Children can go home after the play.) Christmas party: Friday 20.12.02 (We will eat a party lunch on that day so there is no need to bring sandwiches or send dinner money. Please make contributions of crisps, biscuits, cakes, etc. during the week. Children can come to school on that day in party clothes. Thankyou.) End of term: Friday 21.12.02 (School closes at 1.30pm) Please can you make sure that your child has a pump bag, pumps and shorts at school. Please can you ensure that all school storybooks are returned when you have read them. We are short of books from last term. Thank you. Yours sincerely S. Ashley Foundation Stage co-ordinator