The last week of September is here already!! This week we will be focussing on the Nature table – going on a nature walk to the GAA field to collect objects for our nature table, examining the type of objects we find using our magnifying glasses, and making art with them a la Jackson Pollock! Last week we did a lovely experiment about the equinox and changing seasons using a torch and the globe, and this week we will be continuing to learn about the passage of time and the sequence of days in the week.

In other exciting news, Thursday is Pet Visit Day!!!! We are inviting children to bring their pets into school for a visit – last year we had the very first Pet Visit day and it was such a fantastic experience – but if children don’t have live animals, teddies will do just as well

Days of the Week (tune of My Darling Clementine)

There are 7 days, there are 7 days,
There are 7 days in the week –
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Following a great week last week doing all things appley, this week at The Children’s House we will be focussing on our families! We are asking all children to bring in a family photo that they can put up on the wall as part of their family trees – we will be physically linking these photos to their birthday balloons so they can literally see the link from where they are coming from as part of a family, to developing their own individual selves. We will be discussing what makes each of our families so special and different, as part of the process of getting the children to see themselves as unique individuals in their own community.

We will also be talking about the change in weather as Autumn keeps moving in – the longer nights, shorter days, and chillier weather – and how we adapt to this by wearing different clothes (time to put away the tshirts and shorts!!) This week will also see us carrying out our first fire drill, as fire safety is very important and we practise it every month, so be prepared for lots of questions about smoke alarms etc!

Families (Poem)

Some families are big,                    (spread arms out wide)
Some families are small,                (bring arms close together)
But I love my family,                       (point to self)
Best of all!!                                       (throw hands up in air)

This week will be all about apples at The Children’s House!! It’s that time of year, so we’ll be using them for apple printing (examining the insides first and observing the seeds and the difference in shape and pattern between cutting lengthwise and widthwise), for making stewed apple later in the week, and of course for eating at snack time!

As well as this we’ll be putting together our friendship blankets, using the pictures that each child has created; we’ll be philosophising about why we have rules before making our own classroom rules that everyone will have a say in; we’ll be keeping an eye on the weather with our new weather song; we’ll be practising gross motor movement by walking on the line and balancing beanbags on our heads; finally, we’ll be having our first yoga session!!

What’s the Weather? (tune of My Darling Clementine)

What’s the weather, what’s the weather,
What’s the weather everyone?
Is it cloudy? Is it rainy?
Is there rain or is there sun?

The first full week of Montessori is here!! This week we’ll be learning & practising a lot of practical skills needed in the classroom, such as carrying chairs, rolling mats, saying please and thank you, and using a quiet voice indoors – we’ll also be using drums and shakers to explore the difference between loud and soft sounds.

As well as this, we’ll be making birthday calendars, starting a friendship craft, and doing lots of indoor and outdoor activities – sand and water play, imaginary play, and music and movement – it’s going to be a busy and fun week!!

Rolaí Polaí (Irish rhyme)

Rolaí polaí suas, suas, suas,                    (roll arms and raise them up)
Rolaí polaí síos, síos, síos,                       (roll arms and lower them down)
Rolaí polaí amach, amach, amach,        (roll arms and stretch them out)
Rolaí polaí isteach, isteach, isteach!      (roll arms and bring them in, hugging yourself)

Welcome back everyone!! The first 2 days of school were all about getting to know each other as a class, and getting to know our school environment. The children are all settling in well and getting used to the new routine – playing outdoors, circle time, snack time, Montessori & group activities, then circle time again before going home. Really looking forward to our first full week together!!

Hello Neighbour (chant)

Hello neighbour                             (wave)
What do you say?                           (raise hands)
It’s going to be a beautiful day    (make large circle with hands in front)
So clap your hands                        (clap hands)
And stamp your feet                     (stamp feet)
Jump up and down                       (jump)
And have a seat                              (sit down)