Dinosaurs

Using Dinosaurs as our theme we have started the year with basic skills development. Activities include using modeling materials, for manipulative and fine-motor skills development, correctly orientating letters and numbers. Observational drawing for pencil control, concentration and detailed observation. Construction kits are utilized for the development of creativity, manipulative and social skills. Patterning and sorting activities develop mathematical skills, together with counting activities, puzzles and computer software. Listening skills are developed using the listening table, story time, carrying out simple instructions and using the 'Talking Books' software. Writing is developed using simple word books and word banks through the generation of simple narratives, information writing and news drawing directly on the children’s experiences.
Daily reading activities, together with home reading tasks, develop literacy skills and knowledge of phonics and key words. Children are encouraged to be independent and look after their possessions, taking responsibility for their coats, kits, book bags, lunches and ‘show and tell’ items. We have also used the Pixie robots to learn simple programming and have designed dinosaur jackets and route maps.