This week sees the return of Pete the Cat, by special request from the Elephant Group! We really enjoy these stories. Have a look at Pete the Cat’s website, here, for videos of the stories and much more.
Our Song of the week is When I was one (Pirate Song). We love to sing this as we play with the lycra and we usually change the words to think of new rhymes. So much fun!
This week we have a mixture of old favourites, stories to help develop the children’s sense of rhythm and rhyme and stories to think about. We hope your children enjoy them as much as we will!
Our song of the week is ‘Down in the jungle where nobody goes’.
Our Traditional Tale this week is a definite favourite. Everybody get ready… “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!”
These two are both by Martin Waddell, one of our favourite authors at the moment.
After reading ‘Sally’s Secret’ last week, one of our children commented that it looked like Alfie’s dog, so here’s a classic, just for him.
A lovely, engaging read by an author we will be hearing lots more from in coming weeks.
Our song of the week is Five Little Firemen. Click on the link to see a version by Singing Hands, who use Makaton with their songs. We’ll be trying to learn some of the signs too.
Have a great week! We’re looking forward to seeing you at Parent Chats and at our Maths Workshop on Wednesday.
The Magic Porridge Pot is a traditional tale which we will be retelling and acting out over the next fortnight. 
We chose Sally’s Secret to tie in with a current interest in den building. The illustrations in the book are just beautiful!
Last week, we read The Happy Happy Hedgehog Band and so enjoyed joining in with the rhythms created by Harry the Hedgehog and his friends. This book will give us lots of opportunity to tap out the rhythms too. There is lots of evidence out there that children who develop a good sense of rhythm have a better chance of developing as good readers, so the more we can do to support this, the better.
This is the last ‘Big bear and Little Bear’ book that we will be reading. The children have loved this series by Martin Waddell and it has led us to explore more books by him…
…like this one, which is a little gem.
We hope your child enjoys this week’s stories. Please let us know if there have been any particular favourites.
Our song of the week is Peter taps with one hammer.
It can be found in this book, which the children very much enjoy using in Nursery.
Our song of the week is to celebrate Chinese New Year and can be heard here and here. During our group times, we will be dancing to Chinese music, cooking and tasting noodles and learning more about Chinese New Year Traditions.
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese New Year Song
(wishing you good fortune and happiness)
Chorus:
(keep a rhythm patting hands together one hand up, then the other)
Gung Hay Fat Choy, Gung Hay Fat Choy
Sing Happy New Year, Gung Hay Fat Choy
1. The new moon tells us, exactly when
(hold up one hand in C shape for crescent moon)
To celebrate with family and friends (clap hands in rhythm)
2. Clean up the house and get out the broom (pretend to sweep)
Sweep out the old year, bring in the new
3. Bring out the apples, the oranges too (hold out one fist, then the other)
Their colors bring us joy and good luck too
4. The dragon dances, the lanterns light
(place hands together, and snake around )
The firecrackers light up the night
(alternate right and left fist out with fingers opening quickly to mimic shooting fireworks).
Our stories this week are as follows:
We have been particularly enjoying the ‘Little Bear’ series of books and look forward to sharing another this week.
Please let us know if your child has any favourites from the stories we have chosen.
Enjoy the week!
Our stories this week are Threadbear by Mick Inkpen, The Silver Christmas Tree by Pat Hutchins, Little Robin Red Vest by Jan Fearnley and The Smallest Christmas Tree by Peggy Blakeley.
We don’t have a song of the week as we are so busy rehearsing our songs for our Christmas Performances next week.
