Wednesday 23rd June

Activity 2: What the Ladybird Heard

(Story by Julia Donaldson)

Objective: (1) To listen to and enjoy a story;

(2) To recall the main events, characters and setting of story;

(3) To identify phonic sounds within words

Today we would like you to listen to and enjoy the fabulous story ‘What the Ladybird Heard’ by Julia Donaldson by clicking on the video below.

The story is set on a farmyard and includes lots of animal characters

– can you remember them all?

Some other questions and things to discuss after listening may include the following:

• Who were the heroes and villains of the tale?
• What did the robbers want to steal and why?
• Why did they get caught by the police?
• What do you think happened after the last page – use your imagination to predict a further adventure.

Animal names and sounds – what phonic sounds did you see / hear? E.g. ‘ow’ in ‘cow’ and ‘oo’ in ‘moo’, etc.

Tuesday 22nd June

Activity 2: Play football!

Objective: (1) To kick a ball with some accuracy;

(2) To hit a target;

(3) To exercise and have fun

Tonight, England are playing their next match against the Czech Republic in Euro 2020. So why not join in and play a game of football too! 😊

All you need is a ball – large or small it doesn’t really matter – and step into the garden or take a short trip to the park to practise your football skills.

Can you kick the ball?

How far can you kick it?

Try making two simple goal posts by using your coat/jumper/bag and see if you can hit the target to score a goal! How many goals can you score?

You could even record your score using tally marks.

Remember to drink lots of water to keep hydrated, especially if it is a hot day.

Monday 21st June

Activity 2: Make popcorn!

Objective: (1) To explore change of state;

(2) To use a range of words to describe sound, smell and taste

When you get chance some time today or later this week, you could pick up a small bag of popcorn kernels from the supermarket and make your own popcorn at home together with a grown up.

A simple step-by-step guide can be found here: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_popcorn/

Watch as the kernels pop in the pan and change from a kernel seed to a ‘popped’ seed. Think about the sound you hear and what you can smell. Can you also remember some words we have learnt to describe the taste, such as ‘delicious’ and ‘scrumptious’?

Then sit back and watch a family movie as you enjoy your tasty snack! 😊

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Friday 5th March

Cosmic Kids Yoga – Sonic The Hedgehog Adventure

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising to music;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To build a repertoire of songs and dances

Join Sonic the Hedgehog on a relaxing yoga adventure where you will practise your balancing and breathing skills – enjoy 😊

Thursday 4th March

Design and make a book mark

Objective: (1) To create for a purpose;

(2) To take part in World Book Day

Why not design a new book mark for World Book Day that you can use when reading your books at home?

All you need is your imagination, some colouring pens, a scissors and some plain card.

If you do not have any card, simply design your bookmark on paper and then cut some card from an old cereal box and stick your paper on top to make it strong enough to use.

We have attached a link (below) showing how to make some animal themed book marks, but you can choose to design yours however you wish.

Remember you can decorate both sides too – have fun! 😊

Wednesday 3rd March

The Monkey Dance

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising to music;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To build a repertoire of songs and dances

Here’s an animal dance to help us exercise and strengthen our muscles.

See if you can you jump like a monkey and roar like a tiger too – have fun! 😊

Tuesday 2nd March

Making sound effects for a story

Objective: (1) To listen and join in with a story;

(2) To create sound effects for a story

Adding actions and sound effects to stories can really make them come to life.

Today let’s watch and listen to a favourite children’s story – Going on a Bear Hunt – being retold using actions and voice sounds to match the tale. Can you have a go and join in, too?

Now, can you think of other sounds you could add to the story, or even make up your own simple story with sound effects?

You could use your own body to make the sounds (e.g. clapping hands, clicking fingers, stomping feet, rubbing hands together, patting hands on legs, whistling, etc) - or use objects around your home (e.g. pots, pans and spoons, rustling tin foil, popping bubble rub, hitting empty plastic cups together, blowing into an empty bottle, etc).

You could even try recording some of the sounds that you create – we would love to hear them if you do, so please upload  any videos or recordings of what you create to your Tapestry journal! 😊

Monday 1st March

Animal Yoga

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;

(2) To move in different ways

Sticking with the animal theme, today let’s go on a bear hunt yoga adventure!

We will come back to the tale of ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ tomorrow when we look at story sound effects.

Friday 26th February

Cosmic Kids Yoga Disco – Hot Air Balloonin’

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising to music;
(2) To move in different ways;
(3) To build a repertoire of songs and dances

Here’s some fun disco yoga for Friday – enjoy! 😊

Thursday 25th February

‘Anywhere Farm’ (Story)

Objective: (1) To listen to a story;
(2) To understand what a seed needs to grow

As we are planting seeds and getting ready for Spring, here’s a story about growing your own plants and vegetables to make your own ‘anywhere farm’.

Listen and watch Mr Pendry read the story and try the activity below.

• What you would like to grow on your anywhere farm – draw a picture of what it would look like.
• Can you remember all the things a seed needs to grow? Add them to your farm picture to help you remember (use the back of the paper if you need extra space).

Wednesday 24th February

Mr Wolf’s Pancakes – Favourite Food

Objective: (1) To write for a purpose;
(2) To write letters and words to match sounds;
(3) To attempt to write short sentences

We hoped you enjoyed yesterday’s story about Mr Wolf – you probably remember that he loves eating pancakes!

Today we would like you draw a picture of your favourite food and write some short sentences about it.

Try to write 3 sentences or more about how your favourite food looks, smells and tastes.

Do you eat it every week or at special times in the year?

How does it make you feel?

Try to sound out the letters you need to write your words and sentences, then please upload them to your Tapestry journal or send a photo in an email to our email address.

Tuesday 23rd February

Mr Wolf’s Pancakes (Story)

Objective: (1) To listen to and answer questions about a story

Watch and listen to the story ‘Mr Wolf’s Pancakes’ (see video below) and then think about the following questions to discuss together:

1. Why did Mr Wolf want to make pancakes?
2. How do you think Mr Wolf felt after each of his neighbours refused to help him?
3. Why do you think the other fairy-tale characters were so mean to Mr Wolf?
4. How did the story end?
5. How did the end of the story make you feel?
6. If you could change the ending, how would you like the story to end?

Extra Activity: In the story Mr Wolf writes a shopping list. Write a shopping list for things to buy next time your family goes to the shops.

Monday 22nd February

Pancake flip fitness challenge

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;
(2) To move in different ways;
(3) To show control and coordination with an object

In readiness for our very own Pancake Day (which we will be celebrating tomorrow), let’s practise tossing paper pancakes and get fit whilst we do it!

Simply scrunch some paper into a ball and squish it flat like a ‘pancake’; then grab a frying pan – this could be a small metal pan borrowed from the kitchen, a toy pan if you have one or, if not, try taping a wooden spoon to the underside of a plastic plate to make your own.

How to play:  Flip your paper pancake in the air and catch it before it hits the floor.

Do this 5 times in a row to win!

But if you drop your pancake you must complete one of the physical challenges (see pictures below) before you try again.

Invite others in the family to join in to make things more fun – who will be the crowned pancake toss champion in your house?

Friday 12th February

Just Dance – Happy Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day!

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising to music;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To build a repertoire of songs and dances

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! And Happy Valentines Day for this coming Sunday!

Seeing as there will be lots of celebrations taking place today and over the weekend, we have two fantastic dances to get your muscles growing and your heart racing!

Have a great half-term with your families everyone, stay safe and we will see you all soon 😊

Thursday 11th February

Salt dough hearts

Objective: (1) To follow instructions;

(2) To measure ingredients;

(3) To celebrate Valentine’s Day

Sticking with our Valentines theme today why not try making your own hearts using salt dough.

You just need 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt and some water together with a heart shaped template and some paint or felt tip pens.

Follow the recipe (see link below) and invite your child to help identify and measure the ingredients. Whilst mixing the ingredients together, talk about the changes and what they can see, feel and smell.

Tip 1: If you do not have a heart shaped cutter then simply draw a heart on paper or card to make a template; place this on top of the rolled dough and cut around it with a butter knife (being careful to supervise your child if they are cutting).

Tip 2: If you want to make it a hanging heart decoration remember to poke a hole through it somewhere near the top (but not too close to the edge or it will break) – a pencil makes a good-sized hole to place string or ribbon through later on.

Tip 3: Let your hearts air dry for a day to harden or place them in the oven on a low temperature checking regularly so they do not burn.

Or, to dry them quickly, place them in a microwave for just 10 seconds at a time until they are hard.

Tip 4: If you do not have paints, just use felt tips to colour and decorate your heart.

Salt dough hearts – recipe and instructions: https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-valentines-decorations/

Wednesday 10th February

Chinese New Year Animal Yoga

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To express the 12 Chinese New Year animals using our bodies

Now that we have learned about the 12 Chinese New Year animals in our story let’s try to make them using our bodies to perform animal yoga poses.

I wonder which animal pose will be your favourite?

Tuesday 9th February

Making a dragon

Objective: (1) To create for a purpose;

(2) To take part in celebrating Chinese New Year

Dragons are another important symbol for the Chinese during their New Year celebrations - they are a symbol of power, strength and good luck.

Dragons also make cool subjects for more creative ideas, so let’s take a look at some of the things that you could make at home today (or later in the week) using empty egg boxes, paper and cardboard tubes.

Remember, just use what you have available. For instance, if you do not have googly eyes simply draw some eyes on paper and cut & stick them onto your dragon; instead of pom-poms use some rolled up cotton wool or paper; or, instead of tissue paper just cut up any old strips of paper to make the dragon’s flames.

The important thing is the process of making something - it is often far more rewarding for your child when they think of their own ideas to add to their models, so please let them ‘have a go’ and upload your dragons to Tapestry for us to see!

Monday 8th February

‘Cars’ exercise game

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To aim and throw at a target

You can do this game in the garden if you have one or in your living room – just clear a little bit of space to make a small ‘pit stop’ circuit using socks, place a bin (or any box) in the middle; lastly find some old paper to scrunch up and use as ‘tyres’ to throw into the bin.

It’s a game for 2 players but you can also play as one to see how fast you can get all the tyres into the bin and run a lap – can you do it faster next time?

Can you stand further from the bin as an extra challenge?

Remember it’s more fun as a family so ask others to join in for a team work challenge!

Click here to see how to play Tyre Tumble: https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups/luigi-and-guido-tyre-tumble

Friday 5th February

Activity 2: ‘I Am the Music Man’ (Actions Song)

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising to music;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To build a repertoire of songs and dances

Here’s a fun song to learn about the names of some new instruments whilst getting active – can you join in and copy the moves, too?

You may want to carry on the song yourself using some of other instruments such as the ones you may have made this week at home;

for example, “I am the music man, I come from far away and I can play….the guitar / the maracas / the flute / the saucepans”, etc.

Why not play an instrument while you sing – enjoy!

Thursday 4th February

‘Play It!’ Music Maker

Objective: (1) To explore different musical sounds;

(2) To create music

Get started with ‘Play It!’ on the BBC, an interactive game that lets your child explore different musical elements.

They can make up a song, play or clap along with the music, make your own version of songs and listen back to them. Have fun!

Bring the Noise – Play It:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/bring-the-noise/eyfs-ks1-music-play-it-bring-the-noise/z4sq92p

Wednesday 3rd February

‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Story

Objective: (1) To listen to and discuss a story;

(2) To identify ways to keep safe

Watch and listen to ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ read by Mr Pendry (see link below) and have a chat with your child about the story. Think about and discuss the following questions together:

1. Little Red Riding Hood does not know the wolf but tells him about her grandmother’s house – was that a good idea? What should Red Riding Hood have done instead?
2. Little Red Riding Hood might like to tell her mother she is scared of walking in the woods by herself. Who can you talk to when you get scared? Who are your safe people? (e.g. family, teachers).
3. Little Red Riding Hood might like to take someone with her when she goes through the woods. What other things might she be able to do to feel safe?
4. Little Red Riding Hood hears a strange voice inside Granny’s house. Should she go in the house? What other things might she do? (e.g. hide, go home).

‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Story:

Tuesday 2nd February

Drawing to music

Objective: (1) To listen and respond to music;
(2) To use art as a means to express feelings, thoughts & ideas;
(3) To give meaning to marks

Drawing along to music is a great listening activity to get your child creating their own art whilst tuning into different sounds.

Simply lay some paper on the floor or table (the bigger the better, so have several sheets ready just in case) and, using crayons, pencils, felt tips or paint brushes, invite your child to listen to a piece of music and encourage them to respond by drawing or painting what they feel or think.

It may be best to listen to the piece of music once through with them first and talk about how they felt – then listen a second and third time whilst drawing.

You can explore this with different types of music but ideally, something without words works really well for the first time  - see below two examples of classical instrumental music to get you started.

Remember, there is no right or wrong in what your child draws, it is just their ideas, feelings and thoughts inspired by the music. Have fun and please share some of your artworks with us if you can!

Monday 1st February

 ‘Hiro Says’ game

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;

(2) To move in different ways;

(3) To listen and respond to instructions

This is a variation of Simon Says but with more physical actions to get your child moving.

This active listening game can be done in the garden or the house – just make sure you clear a space to jump, stretch, do push ups and run around in a circle!

Click on the following to see how to play ‘Hiro Says’: https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups/hiro-says

Friday 29th January

Monster Mash Dance

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising; (2) To move in different ways

Wake up your happy, energetic inner monster and get moving to this kids party classic!

Dancing is great exercise and every time we get our heart racing we release endorphins around our bodies which help us to feel good inside.

Happy Monster Friday everyone!

Just Dance ‘Monster Mash’ video:

Thursday 28th January

Making a puppet theatre

Objective: (1) To use follow simple instructions to make a puppet theatre;
(2) To create new props out of junk materials;
(3) To perform a simple story or role play scene using puppets in the theatre

We have made lots of different puppets this week and used them in our play and to maybe even to act out a story or perform our own shows.

So today the final activity is to make your very own puppet theatre stage using an empty cereal box or old show box (see short video below).

Tip: If you don’t have paint just colour in the plain cardboard side of the box using crayons or felt tip pens (or leave it blank to give it a wooden look!).

And instead of curtains on a pencil rail you can simply use an old cloth to lift up and down over the front of the stage to show when the performance is starting or finishing.

Then just use your puppets (or your own play figures / dolls) to put on a show in your new theatre.

How to make a simple puppet theatre:

Wednesday 27th January

Sock puppets

Objective: (1) To use different techniques to make a puppet;
(2) To use hand movements to move your puppet in different ways;
(3) To perform a simple story or role play using puppets

Today we are looking at putting on a show using sock puppets as a simple way to expand our puppet play.

You will find a short CBeebies video (below) on how to make a sock puppet and also really useful tips on how to use and move your hands in certain ways to make your puppet ‘talk’ i.e. to express emotions and feelings.

Remember, if you do not have any buttons, wool or googly eyes, you can simply use an old plain sock with felt tip eyes and mouth drawn on at the end.

The important thing is to encourage your child to make it move, talk and play using their hand gestures.

Try starting off your sock puppet chat with something like ‘Hi Mr Sock, how are you today?’ or tell a story using the opening lines such as ‘Once upon a time there was a sock princess and an evil sock witch…’ Then just see where the play takes you and your child.

If you would like to share your puppet shows with us we would love to see them!

Sock puppets (NB: Scroll down the page to find both short video clips): https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/lets-go-club-putting-on-a-puppet-show

Tuesday 26th January

Cardboard tube puppets

Objective: (1) To follow simple instructions to make a puppet;

(2) To use puppets in imaginary role play

Today we are continuing with our puppet play and this time we are using old kitchen roll or toilet roll tubes.

Follow the video to create a cast of characters that your child can use to put on their own puppet show or to use as figures in their small world play – they could be super heroes or princesses, for instance.

You could also try giving each character a different emotion by drawing different expressions on their faces (excited, upset, angry, scared, etc).

Make your own Paper Tube Puppets:

Monday 25th January

Make a paper animal finger puppet

Objective: (1) To follow simple instructions to make a puppet; (2) To use puppets in imaginary role play

Puppets are a great way to encourage imaginary role play and offer endless possibilities to explore new ideas.

So, let’s start with making your very own paper animal finger puppet following the simple instructions in the video below.

Perhaps you can support your child to tell a familiar story using the puppets as ‘actors’, such has the Little Red Hen which we learnt last week. Or you could make up your own story and give each puppet a different voice or character such as the ‘happy cat’ or the ‘angry dog’.

You could even film your finger puppet show and share it with us, we would love to see it!

Click on the following video to see how to make your own paper animal finger puppet:

Friday 22nd January

Anna’s Clapping Dance – A ‘Frozen Fever’ exercise game

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising;
(2) To move in different ways

Anna's so happy it's her birthday that she can't wait to start celebrating.

Can you make up a clapping dance for her?

This is a simple and fun game to get your child active and moving – just click on the link below to find out how to play.

Click on the following link to find out how to play: https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups/anna-s-clapping-dance

Thursday 21st January

Story mapping The Little Red Hen

Objective: (1) To sequence a familiar story;
(2) To create a simple story map to retell a familiar story

Now that we have read and role played ‘The Little Red Hen’, another good activity to do with your child to help them remember and retell the story is something called ‘story mapping’. This simply means drawing some of the main events in the story from beginning to end using a pen and paper (see example below and the pdf further down).

Remember, it does not matter if the drawings aren’t very good to look at – the important thing is to use these simple pictures as prompts to retell the story in the correct order.

You may want to watch the video story again (see video below) or use the prompt cards (PDF attached) to help you.

You can draw the map with your child and let them have a go themselves afterwards using your example to copy from.

The video (below) also shows an example of retelling the story using a story map with actions for the animals and events.

You could try something similar with your child using your map; for example, making up animal actions and using the repeated line of “who will help me…?” / “Not I”, etc.

Making story maps and retelling or acting out a story will really help your child to remember and learn and they will find it fun, too.

Here is the video for a story map retelling of ‘The Little Red Hen’:

Click on the following video below to watch and listen to ‘The Little Red Hen’ story:

Wednesday 20th January

Moana - Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure

Objective: (1) To have fun exercising; (2) To move in different ways

Join Cosmic Kids in an interactive yoga adventure where your child will build strength, balance and confidence whilst also retelling the story of Disney’s Moana.

Watch the video below to start your Moana Yoga Adventure:

Tuesday 19th January

Activity 2: Personal hygiene

Objective: To discuss the importance of personal hygiene and identify ways to keep ourselves clean.

Personal hygiene is how we look after our bodies.

Keeping ourselves clean and tidy makes us feel better about ourselves and also keeps us, and those around us, healthier.

Take a look at the pictures and ideas attached (see PDF) and have a chat about it with your child.

Now, can you design a poster for why we need a bath or shower?

Monday 18th January

Happy Monday everyone!!

Activity 2: : Write a letter to (or from) the Little Red Hen

Objective: (1) To listen and talk about a story;
(2) To answer questions to show understanding;
(3) To use phonic skills to begin to write words and sentences

Watch and listen to the story of ‘The Little Red Hen’ (see link below).
At the end of the story have a chat with your child about the main events and characters.

What did the Little Red Hen want to make?
Why did she need help?
What did the other animals do?
How did this make the Little Red Hen feel?
What happened in the beginning, middle and end of the story?

Now, pretend to be the Hen and write a short letter to one of the other animals telling them how you feel.
 

You will need to support your child to think about the letter sounds they will need and they may need to copy your sentences but that is OK.
For example, ‘Dear Cat, I am sad and upset. You did not help me to make my bread. Can you help me next time? Thank you’.

If you want to, you could write a letter back to the hen e.g. ‘Dear Hen, I am sorry we did not help you. I feel bad. Next time I will help you. Bread is so yummy!’
 

If sentences are still a little tricky, try drawing the characters instead and making a list of their names e.g. ‘hen’, ‘cat’, ‘duck’, etc.

Click on the following link to watch and listen to ‘The Little Red Hen’ story: