Week 1 - Forest Animals
The children love learning about animals. They are a popular topic that can promote engaging discussions between the children and teachers. Through these interactions, the children can share their prior knowledge while building new content knowledge and vocabulary. For example, the children may have some prior knowledge about bears, and through meaningful experiences, they will gain more information, such as the importance of bear dens in the winter. Teachers play an important role in creating these engaging experiences for the children and making sure they have a variety of opportunities to learn about a topic. As the children learn about animals, they begin to gain a respect for living creatures. They also build on their understanding of life skills, such as how animals eat, grow, live and protect themselves. 

Letter: Bb, Kk. Phonic Words: bird, book, ball, kite, kangaroo, key. Basic Concepts: green, square, honesty.

Week 2 - Woodlands
The outdoors provides endless experiences for the children to discover, learn and play. All of these experiences help the children explore their senses. The children use their senses to feel, listen, smell, see and taste what nature has to offer. Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to experience all parts of nature. Teachers can create experiences for the children by bringing nature indoors. For example, if snow is non-existent in your climate, the children can explore ice or other cold items. By providing an array of sensory-focused experiences, the children become curious beings. This allows them to find meaning in their learning and make real-world connections. It is important for teachers to provide this type of guidance and structure to engage in rich scientific inquiry.  

Letter: Xx, Vv. Phonic Words: x-ray, box, fox, violin, volcano, van.

Week 3 - Winter Gear
The children are able to try on a different experience when they are engaged in imaginary play. This type of play is important for building language, social and emotional and cognitive skills. Dramatic play areas are wonderful ways to help the children pretend and practice role-play. For example, if you do not live in a snowy climate, dramatic play can help the children better understand what that would be like. Through props, clothing and other winter gear, the children can experience winter wherever they live. During this play, the children can use expressive language and try out new vocabulary words with their peers. 

Letter: Yy, Jj. Phonic Words: yarn, yak, yo-yo, jam, jellyfish, jacket.

Week 4 - Winter Living
The children thrive by being given a variety of experiences to explore and learn new concepts. It is important for teachers to utilize inside and outside spaces to provide the children with diverse experiences. With a range of experiences, the children are more likely to think about connections between them, question their ideas and develop new ones. For example, building structures like a log cabin may happen in the block area, table tops or in the sandbox. Teachers play an important role by setting up activities in new and interesting ways. These changes help the children understand that there is not just one way to explore an area.     

Letters: Bb, Kk, Xx, Vv, Yy, Jj. Phonic Words: bird, book, ball, kite, kangaroo, key, x-ray, box, fox, violin, volcano, van, yarn, yak, yo-yo, jam, jellyfish, jacket.

      


Copyright - The Nurturing Nest
All Rights Reserved