Reception-Autumn term 2
Topic: Autumn and celebrations
Learning in depth about how Autumn effects our natural world and animals; and learning about Christmas and different types of celebrations.
Core books this term
Owl babies
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell is a heartwarming story about three baby owls—Sarah, Percy, and Bill—who wake up one night to find that their mother is gone. As they wait for her to return, they experience feelings of fear, comfort each other, and express their thoughts about her absence. The story beautifully captures the themes of reassurance and family love as the mother owl eventually returns, much to the joy and relief of the baby owls.
How it can support learning: Owl Babies can support learning by helping children understand and express their emotions, develop empathy, and explore the concepts of separation and reunion, which are key to social and emotional development.
Possible themes within the story: include exploring emotions such as fear and reassurance, understanding family bonds, and learning about patience and trust.
Key vocabulary: Babies, nest, mummy, forest, perch, waiting, safe, lonely, hoot, reunited, fluff, worry, comfort, dark, home.
Weather report
Weather Report by Alison Hawes is a delightful picture book that introduces young readers to the different types of weather we experience. Through simple and engaging language, the book describes various weather patterns, such as rain, wind, snow, and sunshine, and how they affect the world around us. It encourages children to observe and talk about the weather, fostering an understanding of the natural environment and the changes that happen throughout the seasons. The book combines informative text with vibrant illustrations, making it a fun and educational read for young children.
How it can support learning: Weather Report can support learning by helping children understand different weather patterns and their effects on the environment, encouraging observation, discussion, and expanding their vocabulary related to weather and seasons.
Possible themes within the story: Include understanding the natural world, learning about weather patterns, and exploring how weather affects daily life and the environment.
Key vocabulary: Weather, clouds, rain, sun, wind, thunder, lightening, forecast, temperature, storm, fog, rainbow, snow, seasons, sky.
A taster of some of the activities the children have explored in our provision....
Autumn hunt
During the autumn hunt, the children demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm as they explored the natural environment after listening to the acorn poem from The Lost Words. Equipped with their autumn hunt bags and checklists, they actively searched for items such as brown, yellow, and orange leaves, pinecones, berries, and sticks. They carefully ticked off their findings, showing excitement when they discovered something new. The no eat, no lick rule was followed diligently, with children reminding each other of the safety guidelines. This activity fostered a connection with nature, as well as observational and sorting skills, while encouraging collaboration and enjoyment in the outdoors.
EAD- Junk box modelling focus for Autumn term 2
Making bridges
The children engaged creatively in making bridges using junk box modelling, demonstrating growing confidence in cutting skills, assembling materials, and exploring simple joining techniques like attaching loo rolls with cellotape. They thoughtfully selected materials to construct their bridges and showed great enthusiasm in testing their sturdiness by adding small toys such as cars and weights. Through trial and error, some children adapted their designs to strengthen their bridges, showcasing problem-solving skills and perseverance. The activity also encouraged collaborative play, as children shared ideas and worked together, celebrating their successes in creating functional structures.
