Reception Humanities Learning Challenges

What weather in which season?

Understanding the world – The world 40 – 60months - Looks closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.

ELG - Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another.... They talk about changes.

Opening Children observe the weather daily as well as when they are outdoors for playtimes, PE and Forest School sessions.

Investigations Is the weather the same every day?

How can we record the weather?

What clothes are best for different types of weather?

How does the weather affect the plants and animals in our local environment?

How can we capture the beauty of the weather?

Can we learn some different vocabulary for describing the different types of weather?

Reflection Do you like the weather in England or would you rather have a different weather pattern?

Geography Observe the daily weather, changes over a week, changes with seasons. Discuss the weather in different countries.

Discuss extremes of weather which the children may come across locally or see on the News.

Science Observing closely, using magnifying glasses to look at snowflakes and frost etc. Looking at a simple thermometer.

Mathematics Collecting data on the weather, make tally charts and simple graphs. Look at numbers on thermometers and rain gauges.

English Learning different ways of describing weather.

Physical Experience using the weather for different outdoor activities, splashing in puddles, playing in and making things with snow.

Caring for yourself in different types of weather.

What was home life like long ago?

Understanding the world – People and communities 40 – 60months - Enjoys joining in with family customs and routines.

ELG -Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Technology ELG - Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools.

Opening Has life in our homes and schools always been the same?

Talk to older friends and relatives about when they were young.

History Compare life nowadays with life in the ‘olden days’. Use everyday experiences and real photos and people to look at and talk to.

Investigations

Science Look at items made of brass. How does it change as time goes on? Can we change it to make it like new?

How did they wash clothes in the ‘olden days’ How did children play ‘Long ago’?

What were ‘old fashioned’ clothes made of?

How did children help in the home long ago?

What technology do we use to help us ‘nowadays’?

How and where did people travel in the olden days?

Reflection Do you fancy going back in time to live in the olden days?

Mathematics Look at money, measuring length and weight. Discuss how they used different units in the ‘olden days’..

English Read ‘Peepo’ by Janet & Allan Ahlberg Learn new vocabulary linked with this topic.

Physical Experience ‘hard work’ – beating a rug to clean it, polishing shoes, polishing brass, doing the laundry.

Are all babies beautiful?

Understanding the world – world 40 – 60months - Looks closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.

ELG - Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another. They make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes.

Understanding the world – people ELG - Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members.

They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Opening Why do adults always say that babies are all beautiful? Are they all the same?

Investigations How can we make baby food for a baby without teeth?

Science What do babies need to survive? How do babies change as they grow up?

Geography How are babies cared for in other cultures?

History What were our relatives like as babies. What was life like for babies when they were little?

Do all animal mums feed their babies in the same way?

What does a real baby look like and how does it behave?

Reflection Would you like to look after a baby? (human or animal)

English Extends vocabulary linked with this topic.

Uses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.

RE Story of Moses, story of Christmas & christenings Mathematics Mathematical vocabulary to describe shapes and compare sizes etc.

How is our woodland different from the school field?

Understanding the world – world 40 – 60months - Looks closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.

ELG -Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things.

They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another.

They make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes.

Expressive Arts and Design: Being Imaginative 40 – 60 months - Create simple representations of events, people and objects. Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play. Plays alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme. Plays cooperatively as part of a group to develop and act out a narrative.

ELG -They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through, art, music, role play and stories.

Opening How are our woods different from the field?

Investigations What plants and trees do we find in each environment – compare?

Science What plants and animals can we find in the woods? Are they same types found say, on the school field?

Geography How do the woods change through the seasons?

What weather can we experience in the woods?

History How have the woods changed over the years?

Do all trees lose their leaves in autumn?

English Learn new vocabulary linked to the woodland.

Can we name trees in winter? How?

Reflection How must we care for our woods?

RE Talk about and explore Walmsley Church when we pass.

Mathematics Mathematical vocabulary to describe shapes and compare sizes etc. Counting.

Art Make pictures of the plants and church. Make art with natural objects. Use mud etc to sculpt. Look at other artists who use natural materials or do outdoor art.

Do French People Eat Fish & Chips?

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Making relationships ELG -They show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, and form positive relationships with adults and other children Self confidence and self-awareness – 40-60months -Can describe self in positive terms.

ELG -They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about their ideas Managing feelings and behaviour 40-60months - Aware of the boundaries set, and of behavioural expectations in the setting ELG -Children talk about how they and others show feelings.

Understanding the world – people 40 – 60 months - Enjoys joining in with family customs and routines.

ELG - They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Opening Do French people have ‘special’ or traditional foods? Who has been to France?

Investigations Where is France?

What is the Eifel Tower?

Can we use our senses when tasting some new foods?

Can we count in French?

Reflection Would you like to visit France, What would we do to welcome a French visitor here?

Science Using senses to describe foods.

Geography Look at maps to find out where France is.

History How and why was the Eifel tower built?

English Extend vocabulary linked with this topic.

Uses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.

Mathematics Learn to count in French!

Are all volcanoes dangerous?

Understanding the world – world 40 – 60months - Looks closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.

ELG -Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another. They make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes.

Expressive Arts and Design: Being Imaginative 40 – 60 months - Create simple representations of events, people and objects. .

Opening What do we know and think about volcanoes?

Investigations How is our planet made?

Do all rocks look and feel the same?

Where do we find volcanoes?

Can we make a mini volcano?

Reflection Do we know what our earth is made of?

Science Use senses to describe different rocks.

Observe what happens when we mix sodium bicarbonate with vinegar.

English Learn new vocabulary linked to the woodland.

RE Awe and wonder at God’s amazing world.

Mathematics Mathematical vocabulary to describe shapes and compare sizes etc.

Art Make pictures of volcanoes.