Our main theme in Acorn class is 'Transport'. We will be looking all sorts of transport from taxis to planes to boats. We will be discussing how important it is to cross the road safely and how important this is. We will also be looking a transport around the world, such as tuk tuks and the Japanese bullet train. We will look at transport that was used in the past including horse and cart and a penny farthing. We will look at what people use to transport themselves around the South Pole, and learn about how Ernest Shackleton managed this. We will design and make our own moving vehicle. 

In Literacy, we will be reading our core text 'Mr Gumpy’s Outing'. We will be exploring the characters, creating pictures of them and looking at their features. We will be using stick puppets and illustrations to help us retell the story.

Our two core rhymes this half term are 'Row Row Row your Boat' and 'Wheels on the Bus'. Copies of these rhymes will be sent home for children to share with their families. We will be singing these songs during circle times.

In Phonics we will be identifying rhyming words in stories, picture cards and objects. We will be working on our oral blending and segmenting, sounding out short words with the help of Metal Mike. We will also play a variety of activities and games to help us identify sounds in words- including our own names.

In Maths we will be integrating learning into our daily routines, such as during snack time by counting and comparing amounts and looking at volume. We will be bringing Maths into the mud kitchen by using recipe cards, counting out the correct amount for our creations as well as exploring volume. In the construction area we will be exploring what we can make by stacking, making enclosures and bridges and using resources to explore patterns and symmetry. We will be using Maths in our tidy up times by adding number cards to much of our storage boxes, helping the children to make sure that the correct amount goes back in.

In Art we will be exploring which colours show us different seasons. We will be looking closely at Pissarro's season painting to help inspire us to create our own final pieces.

In Design Technology we will be designing and then making our own snowflakes by folding paper, cutting with scissors, and decorating with sequins and glitter.

To help the children develop their personal and social skills we will be reminding the children of the school rules and ensure they understand why the rules are important. We will encourage the children to express preferences when making decisions. We will also encourage children in independent play and with other children. We will talk about and help the children to manage their emotions. The children will be encouraged to become increasingly independent as they learn how to meet their own care needs.

To help the children with their physical development we will provide push-along wheeled toys, scooters and tricycles, along with balance beams and stepping stones. The children will be supported to develop their kicking, throwing and catching skills with different resources such as, balls, hoops and bean bags, along with fitting into spaces such as tunnels and dens. The children will be encouraged to develop their large motor skills by waving streamers, using paint and chalk to make large creations. The children will also be encouraged to develop their small motor skills, by using scissors, putting coats on independently and managing buttons and zips, along with pouring drinks.