Sparkle and Shine - Autumn 2
Our topic this half term is called Sparkle and Shine and we will be learning about many different festivals and celebrations including Bonfire Night, Diwali, Eid, Birthdays, Weddings and Christmas.
We will be exploring these celebrations through the following key texts:
In Phonics the graphemes that we will be learning in this half term are:
e u r h b f ff l ll ss
Please help your child consolidate these at home by reading the words in your red phonics book.
Thank you :)
Halloween
We had a very spooky time at school as we became Witches and Wizards as part of our Literacy learning and had to create a spooky potion using initial sounds or CVC words learned in our phonics lessons. We continued to explore our interest in pumpkins, through provision in our indoor and outdoor classrooms and recreated the pumpkin artwork of the artist Yayoi Kusama.
Bonfire Night
We have also been learning about Bonfire Night and have talked about why and how we celebrate it, including setting off beautiful fireworks! We have discussed bonfire night and firework safety. We have watched some videos of firework displays and have recreated the movement of a firework through dance using scarves. The children have also used different art skills to create their own firework pictures.
Diwali
This week we have been learning about the celebration of Diwali. We have read a lovely book called The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah and Chaaya Prabhat and talked about how the little girl in the story celebrates Diwali with her family and community. We have looked closely at rangoli patterns and divas lamps and created our own using different media and materials.
Eid
This week as part of our topic learning we have been learning about and sharing our experiences of Eid. We have been busy exploring Eid in our environment by building mosques in our construction area, drawing and painting mosques and creating mehndi patterns. We have been talking about differences and similarities between Eid and Diwali celebrations.
Birthdays
This week as part of our topic learning we have been looking at photographs of our friends as babies, toddlers and of them as children now in the present day. We have sorted the pictures into chronological order and have talked about the past comparing it to the present and how we have changed. We have also had fun in our classroom as we have role-played a birthday party in the home corner… making cakes, wrapping presents, setting up a party and writing shopping lists.
Christmas
Christmas has landed in Class 1! We have been busy decorating our Christmas tree, creating party hats and Christmas cards. As part of our topic learning we have been reading The Christmas Story. We have talked about why Christians celebrate Christmas and acted out the story using costumes and props!
Christmas Craft Afternoon
What a festive afternoon we had making Christmas crafts with our parents and grandparents. It was lovely to see so many grown-ups attend!
Christmas Party Time!
What a fabulous end to our celebration topic learning - our very own Christmas party! We had so much fun playing party games and having a party lunch. We were lucky enough to have a visit from Santa who brought everyone a very special present as we have all been such good boys and girls.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
