We have been reading lots and lots of fairy tales and traditional tales all throughout the week and the children have really enjoyed listening to these familiar stories. On Monday, the children discussed what a fairy tale is and shared some of their favourites. We learnt that characters in fairy tales are often princesses, princes, talking animals and magical creatures. The children then either created their own fairy tale character or drew their favourite one from a familiar story. It was great to see all their creative ideas coming to life!

Later in the week, we introduced how fairy tales are structured. Using simple symbols that represent the characters, setting, problem and solution, the children have explored how these elements or ingredients are always in a story and the children have been identifying them in their favourite tales. We used the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff to develop this concept and the children were able to identify these elements within this familiar story. The children were then challenged to draw the story structure of this story or one of their choice.

On Thursday, we read The Three Little Pigs and focused on the solution to the story. Together we wrote a sentence about the ending of the story and then the children independently wrote the same sentence in little groups. They are working very hard to use finger spaces and write all the sounds they can hear in words.

In maths this week, we have been learning all about measuring height. The children had lots to say about how they measure how tall they are at home and explained that they use height charts to record their measurements.

We introduced the vocabulary of taller, shorter, shorter than or taller than or equal/the same. We linked the concept of height to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and the children knew that the beanstalk was so tall it went up through the clouds! We ordered different beanstalks made of cubes and discussed their height in comparison to one another. We then counted how many cubes tall each beanstalk was. We then used cubes to measure some wooden blocks and record how many cubes tall each one was. In small groups, the children then measure other items using cubes and record this in their maths books. Measuring the small world castle was a great challenge!

The children were very lucky to enjoy an afternoon being taught by Mrs Warner. Linking to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the children made some delicious bread rolls and were sure to use flour rather than bones like the giant! They enjoyed collecting some rosemary from around Russell House grounds to add to their bread and then kneading their dough into the correct shape. Once baked, the children had great fun adding butter and jam and trying their creations! They told me their bread was delicious!

The children have continued to use clay this week to make their own clay dragons and have enjoyed adding different features using pipecleaners, lollysticks, feathers and split-pins. Using some iridescent paint, the children then carefully painted their pet dragons and will make habitats for them in the coming weeks. The children have also loved building castles outside, playing in the fairy tale cottage roleplay and using the small world castle and characters to create their own stories.