(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Outdoor Play (Monday-Friday)

We have spent lots of time outside this week.  Our highlights include building a sweet pea teepee, having snack, den building and digging.

Music (Monday)

Mrs Garrick introduced a new pitch and movement exercise this week during music.  The bairns lined up on the white line at the edge of the hall.  When the notes from the piano were low, they stayed on this line.  When Mrs Garrick played high notes, they jumped forward to the next white line.

Library Van (Tuesday)

We went the the library van and put back our borrowed books.  We chose a few more to borrow, thinking about what we didn’t already have and picking some favourite topics – dinosaurs, cars and animals.

Easter Delivery (Thursday)

The bairns thought the residents next to the nursery would like an Easter card.  They drew beautiful pictures including a chick, flowers and an Easter egg scene.  We went around the houses delivering the cards and the bairns said a hearty “Happy Easter when it comes!” to everyone that was home.

Big Play (Friday)

Some of the Primary 6 pupils came through to nursery during their Big Play and teamed up with their buddies.  They shared games, spoke about break times and showed off their favourites things to do in nursery.

Easter Egg Hunt (Friday)

The Easter Bunny visited and left lots of eggs all around the nursery garden.  The bairns listened to the instructions to find an egg, pop them into the basket and then help their friends who hadn’t found one yet.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of our play and learning from the week.  The bairns searched for bugs out at the back of the quiet room and used magnifying tools to see them up close.  We also baked apple muffins and created structures from paper cups.

Happy Holidays!  We hope you all have a lovely Easter break and we can’t wait to hear all your news from Tuesday 22 April.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Playdough Station (Monday-Friday)

The bairns made playdough at the start of the week and have created many models and engaged in imaginative cafe role play  throughout the week.

Polycrub (Monday)

The bairns took live cuttings of geraniums, planted sunflowers and decorated their pots, planted peppers and red onions and turned the soil to make it loose and the right condition for planting carrots.

Repotting the Nursery Plants (Wednesday)

We noticed that some of the nursery plants had grown too big for their pots.  The bairns put fresh soil into bigger pots and carefully repotted the plants.  They gave them a big drink too.

Outdoor Room Adventures (Monday-Friday)

The outdoor room is always a popular choice and a great place to observe schemas (a repeated action used to explore and test theories in play).  The bairns have used positioning, transporting, trajectory, enveloping, rotation and enclosure schemas in their play this week.  They made paper aeroplanes and then built a platform to launch their planes from, watching how far they flew.  They have also been engaged in imaginative play using the large hollow blocks and cable drums as fishing boats.  “He is da een dat goes in da water.  He is da fishing een and I’m da Captain.”

Outdoor Play (Tuesday)

Here is a snippet of our outdoor play this week.  The bairns created their own chasing game involving dragons, ghosts and zombies.  We also had a cupboard clear out and sorted through hundreds of bottle tops, finding them a new home in the polycrub drawers.

Gross Motor Skills – Games in the Hall (Friday)

The bairns wondered if we could have some games in the hall.  They took part in Duck Duck Goose, Tropical Islands, running, basketball and football.  They listened to the instructions, also developing their co-operative play.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of the remainder of our play and learning from the week.  The bairns took part in music on Monday and spent focused time making hama bead creations.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Music (Monday)

Mrs Garrick introduced two new movements to match the music – butterfly and standing on one leg.  The bairns used delicate movements for the butterfly and tried to keep their balance for the standing on one leg challenge.  We used the bench and our hands to follow Mrs Garrick’s beat.  The bairns lined up for Grand Old Duke of York and then moved quickly during Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.  The bairns laid down on the ground, closing their eyes and staying quiet for the Zen Bowl relaxation.

Polycrub (Monday)

During our visit to the Salvation Army polycrub, the bairns raised tatties and planted sunflower seeds and radishes.  We also took two boxes of eggs back to nursery for our Honesty Cupboard.

Outdoor Play (Monday-Friday)

The bairns have been engaged in lots of outdoor play this week.  They have built a den and thought this would be the perfect place to have snack.  They have given the grass a “haircut” with scissors and collected daisies to make nature bracelets.  The bairns have used chalk to mark make and created potions in the mud kitchen.

Fine Motor Skills (Monday-Friday)

The bairns have made handbags, used the wooden shapes, nails and hammers to make pictures, made bracelets, sorted shapes into coloured trays and baked mini muffins and granola.  These activities all promote fine motor skills which are the foundation for writing in early literacy.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of our play and learning from the remainder of the week.  The bairns have used loose parts in the outdoor room to make instruments.  They have opened ice cream and cookie shops and built castles.

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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SMUHA Preparations (4-13 March)

The bairns took a vote for the colours of the galley.  Their choices were blue, orange and purple.  The winning colours with 6 and 7 votes each were orange and purple.  The bairns got to work painting stripes on the galley, creating shields, torches, helmets and finishing the galley with a head, tail, beard, mast, tongue and name – Burny Wurny.

SMUHA Procession (Friday)

We were delighted to see so many of our bairns’ families at the procession this morning.  The bairns did us proud and the Jarl was in great form to lead us around the car park, finishing with a speech to thank all the helpers.  Three cheers for Nursery Up Helly Aa!

SMUHA Visit (Friday)

The bairns welcomed the Jarl’s Squad, joining in with singing the Up Helly Aa song.  They listened to the speeches and cheered the Jarl’s Squad on their way.  A few members of the squad visited nursery afterwards and the bairns had a closer look at their shields, suits, axes and swords.  Three cheers for SMUHA!

Polycrub Planting (Monday-Wednesday)

We have started visiting the Salvation Army polycrub again and this week we planted courgettes, aubergines and onions.  The bairns took some onions back to nursery too.  We planted geraniums and were lucky enough to be able to take three with us – one for the nursery and one each for the bairns that visited the polycrub to take home.  Back in the nursery polycrub, we took out the big clumps of soil and put them into the guttery hole in the garden, before planting the onions from the Salvation Army polycrub.  The bairns also watered the strawberries and this led to lots of transporting water during play at the mud kitchen.

Oreo Visit (Thursday)

We had a special visitor to nursery this week – Oreo the bunny rabbit!  The bairns learned about using gentle hands, what the bunny liked to eat and how it went to the toilet in a green bowl.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of the play and learning from the remainder of the week.  The bairns have been busy at the work bench and in the sand pit.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Music (Monday)

During music, the bairns played percussion instruments – drum, bells and shakers.  They had to listen out for their part and play the instrument in time with the music.  We practiced the Up Helly Aa song and had an energetic copying song with lots of big movements.

Pancake Day (Tuesday)

The bairns gathered the ingredients to make pancakes, following an online recipe.  They mixed up the ingredients and had turns flipping their pancakes before adding fruity toppings and having a taste.

World Book Day (Thursday)

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate World Book Day.  It was lovely to see so many families and the bairns loved showing you their favourite nursery stories.  While waiting for a spot at the lunch table, we read through all the books that the bairns brought in to share.

Loose Parts Play (Monday-Wednesday)

There continues to be lots of loose parts play this week.  The bairns have been creating their own games and environments including beds, houses and a bonfire.  The bairns have used wood to make models at the work bench, using their problem solving skills to attach the pieces together.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of the play and learning from the week.  The bairns helped to build a new chair for the quiet room.

(Tuesday and Wednesday)

The paper making was a success! The bairns were very excited to see if the pulp had dried and carefully pulled it away from the cloths trying not to tear it. They found some leaves from the garden and fading valentines day flowers for printing using the hammers and rolling pins to see if the colours would come on to their paper. ‘The pink is there and my flower is squishy now.’  We explored the differences between hitting harder and softer with the hammer and how the colours were different because of this.

(Wednesday)

Claire came for a Bookbug story and rhyme session starting off with a very energetic ‘Shake Shake Shake and Stop‘ to help everyone get ready for sitting and  listening to the story ‘Who’s next, Guess who.‘ The bairns were invited to guess which animal was coming next using the clues in the corner of each page. The session finished off with the usual favourites 5 fat peas, Jelly on a plate and the Grand old Duke of York. The bairns joined in with the actions and  words and were happy to collect a sticker from Claire at the end.

(Thursday)

Challenges! ‘Can you jump over all the cups?’ ‘How many did you knock down?’

(Tuesday – Friday)

Magnets have continued into this week and we have seen a lot of creative play. Some of the bairns have revisited jumping from the blocks and sharing their techniques with their peers. ‘I do It lik dis we my feet together.’ ‘Swinging your arms makes you go higher.’

Magnets (Monday-Friday)

The bairns have been exploring all things ‘Magnet’ this week. They have used them in different ways to make shapes, numbers, buildings, rockets, cages and more!

On Tuesday we received a very kind donation of playdoh, everyone got stuck in to see what was in the box and to make their own creations as well as using the tools that were included.

(Monday – Thursday) Our wobble board has been very popular this week, being used as a bridge, a tunnel, a skateboard, surfboard and a bed!

(Wednesday) The bairns have been using their senses to smell, touch and taste some citrus and tropical fruits. Lemons, limes, clementines, blood oranges, pomelo, passion fruit and mango.

‘It smells lik my yogurt.’ ‘I like it it’s sweet.’ ‘Dis is spicy, so spicy.’ ‘It smells sour.’ ‘Dis one feels squishy.’

(Wednesday) I got a few helpers asking if they could shred paper with me. Following a chat about how we used the paper for bedding for the hens and sorting paper and cardboard in a different bin from plastic, cans and glass the question was raised. ‘how do you get paper?’ We watched a clip on the board, from the trees getting cut down, being shredded, made into pulp with water then into sheets and left to dry into paper. I suggested we could have a go using the shredded paper. I will add the results to next weeks blog.

(Monday to Friday) More fun and games over the week.

Hope you all have a lovely long weekend.

STEM (Monday -Friday)

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in Early years is all about exploration and discovery, allowing the bairns to make sense of and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Garden spring clean (Tuesday)

With the lovely week of weather we started the spring clean of the garden cupboards. We found the bird feeder cages during the tidy so made some tasty treats for the hungry birds the bairns spotted sitting on the fence.

Bookbug (Wednesday)

Everyone enjoyed ‘One, two, buckle my shoe’ and ‘If you’re happy and you know it’ Claire asked the bairns to add their own ideas and we all joined in with the actions. ‘Love monster and the last Chocolate’ by Rachel Bright was the story for the session, all about sharing with others. The bairns always look forward to the lycra sheet coming out to do Pea Pod Press, Side to Side, and the Grand Old Duke of York.

Firepit (Thursday)

We revisited the firepit safety, marking off the sand circle to show where we should stay out of while the fire is on and only come in it if an adult asks. The bairns used the fire starter flint and steel to get a spark to start the fire. They enjoyed a couple of toasted mini mallows after all their hard work and great listening.

Independence Skills (Monday – Friday)

Promoting independence in early years helps bairns develop confidence, self esteem and critical thinking skills.

Playpark visit (Thursday)

Happy valentines Day!

Love has been in the air all week, through activities, provocations, messages and snacks! It has been lovely hearing about all the ways the bairns love you.

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Projector (Tuesday-Friday)

The bairns have been exploring light and shadow using a projector.  They have used coloured shapes to create buildings.  We laminated some blank laminating pouches and the bairns used whiteboard markers to make pictures.  Some of the bairns are really interested in big numbers, especially over 100,000 and using numbers on the projector was another way to extend this interest.

Galleys (Monday-Friday)

While waiting for lunch, the bairns wanted a challenge.  We pulled up an image of a galley on the smart board and they went about creating their own.  Each bairns chose their own materials – duplo, kapla blocks, magnetic cubes, magnet tiles and more.  They discussed shape, length, height and design.

Outdoor Play (Wednesday-Friday)

Our outdoor play this week has involved watering the polycrub, playing in the muddy puddle, creating in the mud kitchen and exploring water play.

Technology (Monday-Friday)

The bairns have been interested in exploring Google Maps to see if they can find their way from nursery to home.  We also use technology to order our snack from Tesco.  The bairns choose their snack items from a list on the iPad.  Constructing models at the workbench is also part of the technology curriculum.

Games in the Hall (Monday and Friday)

We have continued to use the hall for games after the bairns’ interest in Jumpstart January.  We built an obstacle course for the bairns including balancing, rolling, throwing and weaving.

Play and Learning (Monday-Friday)

Here is a selection of our play and learning from the week.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Music (Monday)

After our welcome song and stretching, we got into pairs and sang Row Row Row Your Boat.  We changed up the lyrics – row, row, row your boat down the river, if you see a polar bear, don’t forget to shiver.  Mrs Garrick brought along a story about Winnie the Pooh who loves honey and it lead into a song about taking home a baby bumblebee.  We split into three groups for Follow the Leader.  Each leader had to listen to the music and move in time with the music.  The bairns marched around the hall, using their big singing voices for the Up Helly Aa song which was good practice for our visit to Lerwick the next day.

Up Helly Aa (Tuesday)

We got the big bus up to Lerwick to see the Vikings.  The bairns were guessing the colour of their suits and galley.  After we saw the Jarl Squad, Galley, Brass Band and Pipe Band, we headed down to the Museum for snack and crafts.  There was lots on offer to make, including Up Helly Aa torches, shields, helmets, pictures and flags.  Towards the end of our visit, the bairns put on their helmets, held their shields and torches and marched around the auditorium singing the Up Helly Aa song.

Jumpstart January (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)

We have continued our Jumpstart January movement with games in the hall, our walk in Lerwick and using beanbags.  The bairns have played Stick in the Mud, Sleeping Animals and Toilet.  The bairns collected the coloured beanbags and placed them back into the box and then we used hula hoops to sort the beanbags by colour.  We also tried balancing the beanbags on different parts of our bodies – head, back and feet.  For the last day of Jumpstart January, we headed to the playpark for an explore.

Expressive Arts (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)

The bairns express their creativity through various activities.  The bairns showed interest in creating their own wings.  They cut out the shapes, added embellishments and used them in their role play.  The bairns also make models at the work bench, using their problem solving skills.