Our topic this half term is ‘Reach for the Stars’. Our book focuses will be ‘Whatever Next’ by Jill Murphy and ‘Tiny Little Rocket’ by David Fickling. There will also be two weeks where we focus on Christmas. The children will learn new topical vocabulary, which will include the appropriate  Makaton signs.  

The children will have regular opportunities to participate in attention circles and will play turn taking games with their peers. The attention circles will be sensory based and linked to our topic and other areas of learning.  

When in the library, the children will be encouraged to explore different books and share their books with an adult or on their own. In phonics, they will focus on a different sound each week. They will then complete activities linked to the letter. The children will explore a variety of instruments and listen to different sounds. Caterpillar Class will experience lessons from our ‘Charanga’ music scheme. The children complete different mark-making activities and will attend to a fine motor session each week to strengthen their hand and finger muscles.  

In Maths, we will be listening to different number songs and learning about different numbers. The children will be encouraged to join in with the songs and given time to explore the different the number rhyme props. Each week we will focus on a different number, and we will look at different ways that the number is shown.  

Our science topic is ‘senses’. We complete activities that involve us using our senses. Each week we will focus on a different scent, texture and sound. The children will then explore different activities at their own pace with encouragement from us.    

Caterpillar Class will be cooking every Friday. They will be encouraged to use different utensils and will explore different foods to touch and eat. They will be making edible sparklers, sandwiches, Christmas biscuits and pizzas.

During making we will be exploring space. The children will be encouraged to make stars, planets, space rockets and the moon. We will use a range of materials and colours to complete the activities.  

Every Thursday we will continue to go cycling. The children will be encouraged to wear a helmet and use the bikes around the track. On our community visits will be heading to local woodlands, supermarkets and local parks. We are also looking forward to our day trip to Hobbledown to see Father Christmas.   

It’s going to be a lovely half term!  

Lauren & the Caterpillar Team