Harvest time and Leonardo da Vinci

This week, the Caterpillars continued with their harvest theme. They enjoyed pasta and learnt this is also made from wheat and re-read The Little armed Hen story. They also looked at vegetables and learnt the names of vegetables like leek, carrot, cauliflower and corn. On Thursday, the Caterpillars got chopping and made a delicious vegetable soup which they then enjoyed together.

Meanwhile, the Butterflies got in touch with their inner Leonardo's. They admired works of art like the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper and Lady with an Ermine. They painted their own works of art and on Friday, got inventing doing what is now called "creative design with recyclable materials" (formerly known as junk modelling!)

As well as working with the Montessori materials, the children had fun eating pasta in an Italian restaurant, singing new songs with Mr Ed and playing clowns in Miss Debbie's circus in dance and movement.

Finally, we continued to work with the children on their "grace and courtesy" skills. Our puppets, Bella and Maxie, are on holiday and will return after half term to focus on topics like taking turns, sharing and asking for help. This week, we introduced "The Kindness Tree" to the children. When the children are observed doing something kind for their peers (e.g. sharing) or their teachers (e.g. helping or listening) they are invited to find the peg with their name on it and place it on the Kindness Tree. At the end of the day, we discuss with the children why their name is in the Kindness Tree.

We wish you all a lovely half term and look forward to seeing you on Monday 2 November.

Soda Bread

On Tuesday, the Caterpillars and Butterflies made soda bread. For a copy of the recipe, please follow this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/irishsodabread_67445 

Enjoy!!

St John the Baptist C of E Church

We are very fortunate to be able to make use of the beautiful church and its gardens. This week, we celebrated our Harvest Festival in the church.

Harvest week

Another fun packed time at KVM this week with all the activities focusing around the story “ The Little Red Hen”. We had lengthy discussions about emotions and how the hen was feeling when her friends refused to help her. We also got the chance to make our own delicious soda bread.

On Thursday Kingston Vale Montessori celebrated Harvest Festival with a service in St John the Baptist Church. A number of parents and grandparents were able to join us, and we'd like to thank them and everyone for their generous food donations, which will be passed to Homeless.

Next week, the Butterflies will get creative with Leonardo da Vinci, looking at his creative work as well as his inventions. There will be plenty of opportunity to get creative during the week! The Caterpillars will continue with the harvest theme and explore vegetables, naming, tasting and cooking up a hearty winter vegetable soup.

A typical day at Kingston Vale Montessori Nursery

Our children arrive between 9.15 - 9.30. After they self-register by moving their named butterfly picture from the "home" to the "school" board, they start their Montessori work cycle, finding activities from the shelves they would like to work with. At 11.30, the children help the teachers tidy up after which they have circle time. Circle time will focus on the class theme or on PSED issues. After circle time, the children wash their hands before sitting down together at tables to share and enjoy the fruit snacks they have brought with them that day. There is plenty of table conversation covering a range of topics!!

After circle time, the children generally have a story before going outside to enjoy some fresh air and a good run-around. At 12.45, we sing our goodbye song and we open the doors to the parents and carers waiting outside.

Additional activities such as cooking, music, dance and nature experiences in the church garden also take place.

A week of colour...

This week, the Caterpillars and Butterflies continued to look at colour. With the autumn sun creating the most stunning colours in nature, it was a fabulous week to focus on this theme.

Both the Caterpillars and the Butterflies made rainbow biscuits. The recipe can be found here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/rainbow-butter-cookies. The Butterflies also learnt the names of the colours in Spanish from our Montessori student teacher, Miss Julia.

Dance and movement on Wednesday was very exciting as the children acted out the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. On Thursday, Mr. Ed kept the children much entertained in their weekly music class. Mr. Ed writes a lot of his own music and incorporates various dance moves for the children as well which keeps them very engaged.

On Friday, Teddy Tennis had the children running around our make-shift court. The children were extremely focussed and hit some extremely good volleys!! After Teddy Tennis, the Butterflies went into the garden for football, balancing games, follow my leader as well as painting using things they found in the garden as paint brushes. While the Butterflies were outside, the Caterpillars were given free reign with the paints and painted their family, a crocodile and mummies and daddies. It was a wonderful morning.

Next week, harvest!!