Pioneers children are Reception and Year 1, aged four to six years old. Children enjoy a range of creative and engaging play based activities, as well as formal inputs, to support their development and growth. Children in Pioneers are taught by Mrs Hann, Mrs Gurney, Mrs McGill and Miss Greaves.
Learning begins the minute they walk through the door. The classroom is a carefully curated collection of wonderful things to allow the children to flourish. The classroom is theirs and everything in it is there for a purpose. What they chose to do may be completely different for each individual. This is when the learning happens. The resources are ready to use and accessible and the team work together to create, to communicate, to count and to grow
Each day starts with exploration of the resources and suggestions for learning set out around the room. The Pioneers will come together for teaching. This will happen in small groups, as a whole class and often one to one. Across the day we will gather for mathematics, reading, writing and phonics sessions, to share stories and to learn about the world.
PE kits are in school all week to allow us to do PE at any time. This term, the Pioneers have dance on a Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs Gurney teaches computing on a Thursday morning.
We are rolling with phonics and children will bring a book and their reading record home each day. Please read little and often and write a message in the reading record. All reading is good reading. This is such an exciting time.
Please look out for a text message to let you know when we will go to the forest. We will use our wonderful outdoor space as much as we can and this will not always be on the same day each week.
Children’s progress and activities are recorded in their own Learning Journeys. These act as a summary of the journey children embark upon during their time in Reception and Year 1 and demonstrate the progress and success that has been achieved, as well as the next steps that may need to be taken.
There’s a Hole in My Bucket. How Shall I Mend It? Thursday for Pioneers.
Here is a suggestion for today’s maths bringing together some measuring concepts.
Use the language of comparison to build up estimation and measuring and checking.
Enjoy
On Tapestry are two versions of the same song by two different sets of artists.
This is not one we have sung in school but I thought that it fitted in well with this weeks work on capacity.
The Muppets had more rehearsal time than we did. It was fun
While you listen look at the pictures I have drawn. You will be able to retell the story yourself.
Enjoy and look out for my video on testing materials!
In the song, they try to mend the bucket with straw. I’m not sure that would work.
It is always interesting to look at materials and their properties.
I had fun in the garden deciding if materials were absorbent or not.
What would you use to mend the hole in the bucket?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zrssgk7/articles/z9pgcdm
This link has some starting points to talk about materials
Have fun. We did!
Play! Play! Play! Play!
t’s Wednesday.It’s going to be a good one Pioneers!
This Learning suggestion is great because it is fun and gives lots of opportunities for maths chat.
You can use the words:full,empty ,half full and chat about fractions: a quarter and three quarters.
Ask: What happens if..? and Did you notice…?
You can also talk about higher and lower sounds. If you are interested there is also a free app you can download to show the sound and it names the sound. This might be really popular with some Pioneers.
And you can just have fun making music and playing in the water.
Happy Learning.
This suggestion for today is great for getting talking about maths and science.
What will happen when…
What did you notice
What changes could you see?
When I put the stones in then…
What happens if I add more stones?
How many more stones do I need to make it overflow?
Why does the water level change when I add the rocks?
What is happening when I take the rocks out?
This works best when you can find enough rocks to make it overflow.
I have written a text to go with this which include only sounds we have covered. Your Pioneer will not recognise “Pour”.
You could draw a set of pictures to show what happens when you add the stones or you could take photographs and add text later if you want to do some writing.
Enjoy
Happy Learning.
And here is a suggestion for handwriting.
Have a wonderful day together.
Get out and play!
Happy Tuesday Pioneers! Have Fun
http://paperaeroplanes.com/index
Now as well as making kites,I am pretty hopeless at making paper aeroplanes.
I am delighted to direct you to a great website with fantastic instruction to help you make the best aeroplanes. Mr Hann was very helpful and made these up for me. He has given them names.
My suggestion is to have a bit of a competition which will involve your mathematical thinking.
Once you have made your aeroplanes,find an open space ,position a start line and throw.
Estimate
Compare
Order
How far do you think “the Lion” will fly? 3 big steps,4 giant jumps or use a stick.How many sticks?
Once you have estimated you could discuss a tape measure if your Pioneer wants to.
Which aeroplane flew the furthest?
If there was a competition for flying the furthest who was 1st, 2nd,3rd…
What would happen if we put a giraffe on top of the aeroplane?
I have taken photographs of the boat making from yesterday.
I have added text that fits with the sounds we have covered along with the tricky words.
You can read this like a reading book
Your Pioneer may like to write their own words or sentences.
You could make your own photostory of boat making or of your aeroplane measurement.
I did this on Messenger on my phone but I can recommend Piccollage if you have not tried it before.
Today, I suggest a Millilitre Hunt. It’s raining so take a look in your food cupboards.
Take a look in your cupboard and look for the ml abbreviation. Can you find any other letters and numbers on the sides of tins and bottles? Why do some have g and some have ml? Can you sort the bottles in different ways?
Look at a measuring jug and the numbers on the side.
Estimate
Compare
Order.
A teaspoon holds 5ml. It is a really useful starting point when talking about ml.
How many teaspoons of water would fill the cup?
Which bottle holds the most?
Which bottle will hold the least?
That’s Maths Magic!
Here is a new reading book featuring the oo sound.
I suggest reading this together a number of times and letting your Pioneer join in.
You could take a look at Geraldine doing the oo sound to help you along and extend this.
Haooy Reading
It’s Monday,Pioneers. Have a Magnificent Day!
This week’s book is all about modes of transport. I will make suggestions for learning during the week using ideas in the story.
Aeroplanes,boats,,cars and animal classification to follow.
As always all the posts are suggestions to dip into as you need them. If there is anything I can do to help or to guide please leave me a message on the one to one contact we have set up or have a list ready for me when I ring this week.
Happy Learning.
This week’s maths is measurement. Estimation is always key.
Estimate how many cups of tea you get in a pot.
Estimate how many glasses of juice in a bottle.
Compare and order.
Which jug holds the most?
Which cup holds most?
How do you know?
If it is right for you,take a look at ml and litres and use these in your comparisons too.( More coming later in the week)
Have fun with pouring and filling.
That’s maths magic!
In this week’s story, the camel does not fit in the boat and will make it sink.
I thought it would be a good idea to have a go at making a boat and seeing how much it could hold.
I have used tin foil but you could try out other materials to see what happens.
In maths we are looking at estimating,comparing and measuring.
If you made more than one boat with your family you could compare what each boat will hold.
Maybe your grown up would let you use the weighing scales and you can talk about grams and kilo grams …if your boat is really effective.
Let me know.
Happy Learning
You three words to work on this week are : all,were and little. Write them on postits. Stick them on the fridge.
Here is a link to Mr Thorn reading the tricky words.Have a listen to this one as often as you can during the week.
Do it with the sound on and with the sound off. With the sound off, your Pioneer can pretend to be Mr Thorne and read the words.
Try writing the words if that suits your Pioneer.
Happy Learning
It’s Friday and I Need Your Help!
This one was very popular with addition so try it now with subtraction.
Can you mark,correct and finish my calculations please?
Can you show me why some of these are not correct?
Remember to practice your number formation and maybe do a bit of estimating. Don’t get rusty now!
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks1numeracy.html
Take a look ar this maths link for some simple games. Try Two digit number labelling for a bit of a challenge and Subtraction to support subtraction!
Happy Counting
I have tried and I have tried but I really cannot get it right. I wanted to build a great catapult to help my Lego friends but it just didnt work.
Perhaps you can help.
Can you build a catapult to fire a lego person up into the tree to do the rescue?
Show me how!
Happy Learning
Stuck is one of my all time favourite stories.
I have started the story map but I need you to finish it for me.
There are too many things stuck in the tree and I simply cannot manage to remember them all!
If you would like to you could draw a story map to help you to retell the story or you could watch my story video with the volume down and retell the story as it goes along.
Have a wonderful day.
Can You Save Floyd,the Fireman and the Rhinocerous from the tree?
All the things are stuck in the tree and they need to get down.
We’ve tried a rocket.
We’ve tried a zip wire.
Now let’s try a parachute.
I have collected some materials to make a parachute. Which one will work best?
Try different material and different shapes and sizes. Can you save Floyd,the firemen,the rhinoceros and Mitch,his cat ?
Here is a little game to play with a number line,a dice and some magic beans.
We started with 6 beans. Roll the dice and give away the correct number of beans.
The winner is the person who gets rid of all of their beans.
You could just play or you could talk about each calculation.You could write down each subtraction !
That’s up to you and your Pioneer.
We just had fun and the counting just happens.
Here is the link to a Numberblocks episode about bigger numbers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0007gcv/numberblocks-series-4-24-land-of-the-giants
Its a good one.
And here is a number square game that you might like to play when it is quiet and it is snowing and hailing:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/chopper-squad.
And a great song,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0dJWfQHF8Y
Happy Counting
That’s Maths Magic
Here is your new reading book.
Over the next few days I will add links to help you focus on ee and oo.
The most important thing is to enjoy reading together so get comfy and have a nice time.
Pop over to Tapestry to see the videos and more photographs to help you.
Happy Learning
Pioneers Wednesday – Zip Wire and Toilet Rolls
Here is another link to some phonics with Mr Thorne. He is Geraldine’s owner
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaumAMxXEzY
You can turn the volume down on this one and use it for reading
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjmsx-XmB5w
Mr Thorne does W
Here is a link to Mr Thorne if you would like to revise this sound.
It Alll Began When Floyd Got His Kite Stuck in a Tree…
Afters reading the story,Stuck,I had lot of ideas of things to make to help to get things out of the tree.
I always enjoy making zip wires.
You can try different angles for your wire and add a variety of weights to see what happens.
I have used lego to make a very simple construction but I am sure that you can come up with your own wonderful ideas to help when things are stuck in the tree.
Enjoy
Right Pioneers,gather up your toilet rolls and count how many you have to start with.
Estimate,count and check.
Set up your toilet rolls and go bowling to play Toilet Roll Takeaway!
Write down how many you have at the start.
Throw the ball or the toilet roll.
Write down how many you knock down.
How many are left?
Have fun.
That’s maths magic.
Stuck in the Tree. What Can You See? Pioneers Learning Suggestions for Tuesday
Lots of things are stuck in my tree just like in the story. Use your phonics to write a list of all the things you can see.
Watch Geraldine to help you with the -ck digraph.
Is there anything stuck in your tree? Id love to see.
Here is a link to Geraldine doing -ck at the end and in the middle of words.
Enjoy
Happy Writing.
Now after reading “Stuck”,I started to think about all the ways that Floyd could have got his kite out of the tree. A rocket was the first thing that came to mind.
I gathered together some stuff and got making. You can have lots of fun with different sized balloons.
Let me know how you get on!
It is fun.
Have a go at subtracting this week.
Set out things to take away and discuss what is left.
Look at a numberline while you do it.
Play my little Maths Magic Game.
Write number sentences using – and =.
Happy Learning
Welcome to a New Week of Happy Learning Pioneers
Way back in time,when Pioneers were small,I read my favourite story Stuck by the wonderful Oliver Jeffers.
This week it would be lovely to make some kites. The weather forecast says it’s going to be windy.
Sit back and enjoy the story. It is in two parts- watch the 2nd bit first where I am holding a closed book.
Happy Reading
Last week,I was singing 17 in the Bed and 5 Lovely Buns.
Both of these are subtraction based songs.
Here are my suggestions for some more fun:
Based on our book “Stuck”, I have a collection of things that were stuck in my tree. Can your Pioneer count them and spot missing items and changes?
I brought the things in and set them on the table. Each time I have taken something away.
Look together at then photographs.
How many items are there?
How many items have I taken away?
You can write number sentences using – and =.
You can make your own game by having a selection of items on the tray,cver with a cloth…no peeping. Can you name the missing item.
or look at the selection for 30 seconds,then cover. How many can you remember?
How many did you forget?
Here are some useful maths links,if you need them:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0006rrg/numberblocks-series-4-12-tall-stories
Here is a suggestion for a Numberblocks episode to watch.
Here is a good game to play online to support all numberwork. It is one of my all time favourites.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
This one is great to get going on bigger numbers:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/blast-off
This one makes an awful noise:
http://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/bottleTakeAway/index.html
And this one is lovely to use for clear adding and subtraction:
http://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/tenFrame/index.html
And don’t forget that Sumdog is set up for youif that is something that your Pioneer enjoys.
Happy Counting
Happy Counting
Here is your new reading book. The full text is on Tapestry
As always,enjoy reading it together. Take it slowly.
If your Pioneer does not want to read,read it with them. It is tricky.
Go through the sounds on the cover page and keep your sound mat close by.
All reading is good reading.
Here are some new words to get familiar with this week.
Last week Pioneers wrote them in all sorts of funny places to help them to get reading and writing.
One Pioneer wrote them in chalk on their toy car and then washed them off when asked.
Little and often is good.
Enjoy
Some nice handwriting for you today.
Happy Writing
Here are some lovely suggestions for you Pioneers…Enjoy.
Good Morning Pioneers, I have prepared a wonderful selection of different suggestions for you to enjoy today and I think that some of them will make you smile.
We always enjoy a song and today you can have two songs: 17 in the Bed ( a Pioneer Style version of 10 in the bed) and another favourite 5 Currant Buns ( ihave changed the words a litttle for that one too!)
Both of these songs have lots of subtraction.
Here is a wonderful maths song with subtraction.
Once you have watched it,try drawing some pictures to tell the story.
When you have done that you can write the number sentences using – and =.
You can also have a chat about how much the buns might cost.
Make some price labels for you shop.
Do you need any change?
How much do the buns cost altogether?
Take a look at some coins and play “Botham’s “
That’s Maths Magic.
If you want to do some writing to go along with the maths song,you could do some signs and some sentences. Here are some words and ideas to hep you:
Use you tricky words from the last feel weeks to help.
Come and get some big buns.
There is 1 bun left.
They are in a dish.
I got a coin.
I got 3 buns.
There are some buns.
Come and see.
Make labels and add the price.
Here is another maths song to get you doing some subtraction or take away.
Get your numberline out and do jumps backwards along with the song.
You could draw a picture of all the Pioneers together and give them each a number as they roll out of bed.
I was so excited about singing that I may have muddled some of the numbers so you need to listen and check I got it right!
You could also do some subtraction and that might be difficult.
Start at 17 and take 1 away. 17-1=16, then 16-1=15 and keep going.
Use magic beans or use your toys and pretend.
Take a look at a few episodes of Numberblocks
Ten green bottles ( the first section of this clip)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ7ifiuQpQo
17
We have 17 in our class and that number features in the song.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00063vv/numberblocks-series-4-7-seventeen
That’s Maths Magic
Handwriting for the weekend.
And a bonus story for you all. Its about cake.
Enjoy!