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Preston
Primary School
Academy

Foundation Stage Weekly Newsletter

Puffins and Penguins Weekly Newsletter, 13th May 2022

Let’s Investigate 

This week Puffins and Penguins were answering the questions:

What are the different types of plants? Why do we need plants? What do plants need to grow? Which foods can we grow?

They were fascinated and enthusiastic to find out about the world around them. We talked about trees and shrubs and how they were important for food, preserving the environment, mindfulness, and habitats for animals. The children impressed us with their knowledge and had some wonderful discussions. Some said…

“If we had no plants there would be no world, earth, or life”

“there would be no food to eat”

“without trees we wouldn’t be able to breathe”

“bees and butterflies need plants”

We talked about how we could help by growing more plants and taking responsibility to look after them. The children discussed what plants need to grow, which then prompted a discussion on which foods we can grow.

The children soon realised that we grow a lot of different foods, and they grow in different places. They were keen to make a list of foods we could grow in our environmental area. It was wonderful to hear the children talking passionately and confidently about plants and caring for their world, they demonstrated great responsibility.

If you would like to find out more with your child this is a link to an informative programme ‘Maddie, the plants and you’.  BBC iPlayer - Maddie, the Plants and You - Series 1: 4. The Plants We Eat

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Day 17 on our timeline. This week the children observed the caterpillars shedding their exoskeletons, and they climbed to the top of their cup to hang in a j shape to pupate. This is when the caterpillars begin forming a hard chrysalis enclosure in which they transform into butterflies. Within the chrysalis, old caterpillar tissues are being broken down and rearranged to form the completely different cells, tissues, and organs of the mature butterfly. We talked about the word ‘metamorphosis’ and made some predictions about when we think we will meet the first butterflies.

Woodland Camp

We visited the environmental area this week to help prepare the ground ready for planting our seeds. The children enjoyed digging and turning over the soil, they even spotted some minibeasts. The children decided they would like to plant potatoes, peas, courgettes, and tomatoes. If anyone has any seeds or plants they would like to donate we would be very grateful.

Also, in the woods this week some of the children were able to make wooden aeroplanes. With the help of Mr Atkinson, our Caretaker, the children put to use all the skills they learnt last term to saw, drill, and hammer the wood, and they then assembled it into an aeroplane. Mr Atkinson was very impressed with their knowledge and skills and said they were very creative and demonstrated a need for safety. He hopes to work with all the children across Puffins and Penguins, so they all get an opportunity to help make an aeroplane.

PE

In PE this week we were focusing on hand and eye coordination. The children took part in a variety of activities including swing ball, bean bag toss, and archery. The children showed great determination and resilience when trying a new activity.

Maths

In maths this week, we have been doubling. We carried out lots of exciting activities to explore double and what that means ‘two lots of the same or two lots of the same amount’. We used spots on a ladybird, painted dots on butterflies and used mirrors to double numicon amounts.

We have challenged the children to explore doubles at home. If they have two grapes, can they double the amount and then say how many they have “double 2 is 4”. Please support your child to try this at home. We have also assigned a ladybird activity on Seesaw to complete.

Storyteller

We were very lucky to have a visit from Malou Evans, a local storyteller. She entertained the children with her creative and imaginative stories. The children were mesmerised as they were taken on a magical storytelling journey with lots of fun and laughter. They enjoyed a funny story about Mr Wiggle and Mr Waggle, and The Three Little Pigs with actions for the big bad wolf. The children were inspired by the visit and have been making up their own stories and retelling their favourites.

Storytelling can be used to develop skills across the entire curriculum. When children listen to stories, make up their own or engage in retelling favourite stories, it ignites their imagination.

Home Learning

  • Enjoy the story on Seesaw, read by Mrs Coombe ‘Dogs don’t do ballet, by Anna Kemp. 
  • Check Seesaw and your book bag for this week’s RWI books and activities. Practise reading your book at least 3 times a week.
  • Use Ten Town to practice numbers 0-10.
  • Complete the doubles activity on Seesaw
  • Learn the days of the week. You may like to use this video link. Days of the Week clap clap! to the tune of the Addams Family - YouTube

Dates

  • Friday 27th May - Queen’s Jubilee Celebration in school – details sent via e-mail.
  • Monday 30th May - Half term begins
  • Monday 6th June - Children return to school

From Mrs Bastin, Mrs Clague and the Foundation Stage Team

Address
Preston Primary School Academy
Old Paignton Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ2 6UY

Phone
01803 607075