Many thanks to those of you that have sent in jungle animals. The jungle area is looking great. Next week there will be animal print tabards to give the children the opportunity to dress up.

May I also thank you for the prompt snack payment.

 The children have enjoyed having their lunch in school this week. Most of them know whether they are having dinners or sandwiches and have quickly got used to the lunchtime routine.

My PPA (Planning, Preperation & Assessment) time is on a Thursday afternoon. This means I will not be in class during this time. Miss Day will lead the class, and the additional adult in the class will be Mrs Barussi. The children are already familiar with Mrs Barussi as she supports the class during the first half of the week.

The children have already been introduced to our topic of  'Our Wonderful World of Colour', by listening to the story 'Elmer', for those of you that don't know, he is a patchwork elephant - and you can't get much more colourful than him!!
 Over the next two weeks the activities we will be completing with the children include will be based around the story of Elmer and will include:

• role-playing sections of the story 'Elmer', using elephant masks to help
• completing two sequential patterns, using the linking elephants
• completing our own patchwork elephant - instead of making him colourful, our patches will be of different textures. The children will be encouraged to describe the feel of the different materials
• Going for a walk looking for different shades of green, orange, yellow or brown. When they find something they will be sticking it to a square patch
• Circle time activity. The children will sit in a circle with a group of children. In their groups they will decide what they think the class rules should be, and why it is so important that we follow them - when the rules have been decided by the children we will inform you of them so that you can re-enforce them at home
• Colouring a picture of Elmer. The children will be encouraged to hold the crayons correctly and then 'snip' around him

Since the children started school, we have learnt a number of songs. I know that some of the children are coming home and trying to sing them. So here are the words to our favourite ones!

'5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the tree'

5 little monkeys swinging in the tree, teasing Mr Crocodile, you can't catch me, you can't catch me. Along came Mr Crocodile as hungry as can be and SNAP ate one for his tea!
4 little monkeys.....
3 little monkeys...
2 little monkeys...
1 little monkey


'Autumn Leaves' (to the tune of London Bridge is falling down)

Autumn leaves come falling down, falling down, falling down
Autumn leaves come falling down, red and yellow, green and brown

Twirling, swirling to the ground, to the ground, to the ground.
Twirling, swirling to the ground. Red and yellow, green and brown

Please can you ensure that the children all have wellies in school, as next week we will be starting some outdoor activities - thank you.

As always if you have any concerns about anything, please come and see me.

Have a great weekend, see you all on Monday