Early Years: Olympus

Welcome to Olympus

Once Upon a Time: Our current project in reception is Once Upon a Time. This project supports children to develop a love of stories and reading. It encourages children to learn, retell and act out familiar and traditional tales including  Cinderella,  Goldilocks,  Little Red Riding Hood,  The Three Little Pigs and  The Three Billy Goats Gruff.                                 Our companion project is Sparkle and Shine. This project teaches children about the celebrations that take place during the autumn and winter seasons, and focus on the significance and symbolism of light at this time of year.     Our open sessions for Olympus families will be once a term and are an opportunity for you to come in to share your child's learning, share activities including art. Memorable experiences Once Upon a Time: the children will share their favourite book with the class while sitting on the magical story throne. Chaos and mischief will arrive in class with a story crime scene - children need to be imaginative detectives to work out the story clues including spilt porridge and upturned chairs of various sizes, footprints and cooking ingredients and instructions. Sparkle and Shine: the children will learn about family celebrations. We will share firework art and learn about the symbolism of light linked to diwali and other celebrations, make diwa lamps and design our own mehndi patterns. Large scale artwork outside will include rangoli patetrns using chalks and natural objects.

 

Forest School is an incredible session and enables children to develop their core strength and motor skills, be creative, learn about nature and the environment and a wealth of other opportunities. Forest School takes place on Friday mornings. The children need comfortable warm clothes that may get muddy. If you have a pair of boots please name them and send in. We have waterproof trousers.

 

P.E. takes place on Monday afternoons - the children come in wearing their sports kit.

Tapestry: Please check in regularly to access observations made in class and to see activities to support your child at home. We share Ruth Miskin videos linked to individual Read Write Inc. groups.

 

Learning With Parents: links are sent out weekly for home learning opportunities to share. Simply click on the link sent out by text or email - no passwords and very suer friendly. You can watch the topic video with your child and then share a hands on practical activity that is always fun. The children read five times per week at home. We have a celebration board in class and add photographs and comments regularly.

If you have any questions, please speak to Mrs Wavish (class teacher, assistant school leader) or Mrs Olive (nursery nurse).

Workshops:

We hold regular workshops regarding your child's learning this year. These may be whole class, small groups or individual sessions. Details are shared on Tapestry and you will be invited in at a mutually convenient time. Upcoming sessions include: maths and targeted phonic workshops and open sessions linked to our new projects. Recent events include an autumn Harvest celebrations where the children made artwork, explored autumn playdough and sang Dingle Dangle Scarecrow and Big Red Combine Harvester to their families.

 

Useful websites to support maths learning at home:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08bzfnh/numberblocks

https://www.ncetm.org.uk/classroom-resources/ey-numberblocks-at-home/

https://www.learningblocks.tv/numberblocks/apps

 

Information for parents regarding 'Helicopter Stories':

https://helicopterstories.co.uk/helicopter-at-home/