This week at Oakburn we have been celebrating Maths week with a range of different activities and provocations. We have been learning about counting, measuring, pattern, data analysis, shape, symmetry ,colour and much more!
STEM area
Previously in the STEM are we had been looking at the body and body parts. AH told me “my eyes are blue” so we decided to create a chart to record how many people had a certain colour of eyes.
The children took turns looking in the mirror and making a tally mark next to what colour of eyes they had. After the children counted how many tally marks were on each colour.
In the art area we have been focusing on pattern. The children used a range of materials – paint, glue, foam shapes and loose parts. They were able to copy and create their own pattern!
In woodwork the children have been experimenting with everyday items to measure, compare and investigate sizes. The children have been exploring the language used when talking about measurements such as long, short, tall and longest. We used measuring tapes, rulers and non standard units to estimate and measure length.
In block play we have been exploring 3D shapes. We have developed our problem solving skills as we have recreated these 3D shapes using wooden blocks. The children showed excellent understanding and knowledge of 3D shapes 🟦🟢🔺
we have also been exploring stage 5 of block play (Symmetry and Pattern). We have been discussing symmetry and what makes something symmetrical. The children have been using mirrors to explore symmetry through reflections and creating their own symmetrical structures!
In the home room we have been learning about money. We looked at and identified different coins and notes comparing the similarities and differences in size and shape. We made our own shop and had to use the coins to buy different food and count the money into the till
Some of our children went on an outing to Tesco this week to buy some ingredients that we needed for cooking. On our walk we identified lots of different numbers – on houses and on buses. Once in Tesco the children identified numbers on the price tags for food and on our food bill at the end of the shop. The children were involved in counting out the money and putting it in the self service machine.
In small world we have been exploring size. We used the book ‘Goldilocks and the three bears’ talking about small, medium and large. The children got involved making porridge for the bears. A small amount for baby, a medium amount for mummy bear and a big amount for daddy bear.
We also used other objects from around the nursery to compare sizes. Measuring which was the biggest and which was the smallest.
Outdoors we have been exploring counting using 1-1 correspondence. The children identified the number on the number line then went to find the corresponding number of objects to place on the line.
In the construction area children were scooping, digging, filling and emptying buckets of mud and water. We discussed concepts such as full/empty and discussed volume.
This week in the gross motor area throughout numeracy week we have been focusing on colours! The children helped me set up different coloured markers and then went on a treasure hunt around the whole centre to find objects that matched the colours. The children displayed amazing memory recall skills to remember where particular objects were that matched. They also worked together as a team to find some of the more difficult colours such as orange! Fantastic work everyone ⭐️
Acorn Room
The children have enjoyed using Mr Potato Head 🥔 to practice our counting. How many eyes does he need? How many do you have? This has sparked many conversations about our body parts and features. Using our numbers we have practiced counting from 1 all the way to 5! This has also encouraged fine motor skills and turn taking.
We have been exploring songs and rhymes with numbers in them. The children enjoyed counting from 5 down to 1 while singing “5 little speckled frogs” and joined in with all the actions.
I set up a numeracy provocation to allow the children to explore number and shape. The children were able to recognise the 2D shapes and identify these.
