Maple Class: Term 5 - 2023-024

PLANTING, ANIMALS AND OLYMPIC GAMES

During this period we worked on 3 different themes; plants, animals and finally the Olympic Games. So the children planted, reviewed the plant cycle, learned to take care of the plants they saw growing. Then we devoted a chapter to the animals that we were able to observe at the Thoiry zoo.

The end of this period was devoted to the Olympic Games, preparation for the show as well as participation in the sports day. It was a great adventure that we shared together!

MAPLES’ HAPPY DAYS

Through various experiences, both in the forest and within the classroom, the children explored and enhanced their understanding of geography, art and language (both oral and written). They engaged with the literature read in class and continued their studies with Jolly Phonics. Additionally, they focused on mathematics, with particular attention given to the concept of dozens and units, along with the review of 3D shapes and counting and understanding numbers up to 100.

Additionally, the little pupils developed their faculties through practical life activities and sensory experiences. They refined their motor skills and focused on being more meticulous in terms of drawing, cutting, and other physical activities such as climbing trees, cycling and swimming.

GEOGRAPHY

By addressing the theme of the Olympic Games, we learned about the different continents, and the origins of the students in the class. This allowed us to see the different continents and discover the flags concerning the countries where the children are from.

Life cycle of the plant
This term, we reviewed the life cycle of the plant, from seed to plant/flower shoot. The children enjoyed digging, touching, planting the seeds and seeing the plants grow gently. They also understood the importance of taking care of the plants by watering frequently but sensibly.

We also tended to the mint in the garden by removing the plants around it and thus promoting the growth of the mint.

LAND ART

During this term, the children had the chance to create Landart with Delphine. This contemporary art uses natural elements to create ephemeral or permanent works.

This allowed the children to express themselves freely with natural materials.
The children explored and collected, imagined and created, assembled and composed.

SENSORIAL
Throughout this term, we continued to develop our students’ sensory abilities. One of the key activities we engaged in was in relation to the theme of geography, we reviewed the 3 elements: land, air, sea.

The children also worked on the brown staircase and the pink tower blocks, conducive to concentration through a work of ordering from the youngest to the oldest and biggest to smallest.

We also continued to use Jelly Beadz as well as a variety of tools to practice our hand-eye coordination and develop our sensory skills.

CRAFTS
Throughout the term and year, the children engaged with a variety of materials, crafting shapes, objects, characters, and animals based on the themes explored. This process not only fosters their imagination but also enhances their fine motor skills.

Using mediums like painting, drawing, clay modelling, and colouring, the children unleashed their creativity, producing artworks inspired by spring, plantation, animals and Olympics. Thus, we used toilet paper rolls, cotton buds, corks, leaves, sticks, pasta…

Creating Lillies of the valley for May 1st

Preparing the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts with maximum love and attention.

Creating some necklaces with pasta…

Using chalk to draw some animals! How creative it is!

The children also worked on creating animals with drying clay!

Becoming an animal for the day was fun!

……Before going to the zoo (Thoiry) and enjoying a wonderful time together 🙂

OLYMPICS

As the Olympics are taking place in Paris this Summer, we addressed this theme through many activities.

CREATION OF THE OLYMPIC FLAME – ALL TOGETHER

MODELING SOME OLYMPIC MEDALS

WORKING ON THE OLYMPIC RINGS

Concerning manual manipulation, we also practiced DIY activities. The children were able to saw, screw, unscrew, with care.

PREPARING A SUNFLOWER

PRACTICAL LIFE
Practical Life is a key component of the Montessori educational approach. It involves providing children with hands-on, real-life experiences that contribute to the development of physical, intellectual, and social skills.

During this term, as with others, we focused on skills related to self care, such as to be able to clean a table properly, rolling a carpet, tidying up when they finished working on an activity or working on frames..

WORKING ON FRAMES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE MOTOR SKILLS AND IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE IN PRACTICE

OPENING/CLOSING THE CLOTHESPIN TO DEVELOP MOTOR SKILLS AND STRENGTHEN THEIR PENCIL GRIP

ROLLING A CARPET

As part of our daily routine, the children are in the habit of cleaning and tidying up the classroom. During this term they also cleaned the tables.

CLEANING THE MIROR

Composting is also one of our initiatives that is followed throughout the year as part of our school’s Eco project .

We did an experiment with water, pepper and dishwashing liquid to make the children aware of the germs on their hands and how to avoid them.

These activities help children develop their independence, coordination and fine motor skills along with concentration and a sense of responsibility. In repeating the same gestures, children reinforce their self-confidence and acquire the necessary maturity related to their age and growth.

FINE MOTRICITY

In order to develop and work on children’s motor skills, we have, among other things, made a lot of use of scissors and carried out various cutting sessions.

LITERACY

LIBRARY

Phonics
This term the children reinforced their knowledge and understanding of phonics and some continue to read little cvc words (3 letter words).

At school

In the forest

The children engaged in activities to search and write with sticks representing the sounds we studied in class.

During this term, we have continued exploring a range of new letters and sounds through actions, songs, story telling and games.

Jolly Phonics phase 5 introduces the sounds z, w, ng, v, oo, y, x, ch/sh, th. We have learned these sounds whilst using games about phonics, using more exercises at school and working on syllables.

Through action of these sounds, the children begin to use their knowledge of letter sounds to blend and segment words and listen more carefully to sounds that compose the words.

We also reviewed the sounds learned in the first term and strengthened our knowledge of

s, a, t, i, p and n as well as ck e h r m d, g, o, u, l, f, b, ai, j, oa, ie, ee, or, z, w, ng, v, oo.

Writing
The children also continue to write their names using sand, concrete letters and the whiteboard to recognise and practice writing their names.

The children also focused on writing their names in the snow using sticks and their imagination.

Writing the names and practicing

We are also focusing on spoken language thanks to our discussions during circle time about different subjects such as talking about their weekend, the books we are reading in class and putting the stories into the correct order.

Finally, the children enjoyed the time reading at the library or in class, choosing and reading books related to their interests.

WRITING SOUNDS

NUMERACY

Regarding numeracy, we worked each day on a different matter such as counting from 1 up to the current date but also from 1 to 100, understanding the notions of dozens, units and hundreds but also reviewing the different 3Ds shapes and writing numbers. We also worked on the notions of bigger than” and measurements. Additions were also strenghtened by understanding the fact that we put groups together.

WRITING NUMBERS

MEASUREMENTS

We worked on measurements through different ways.

EVERYDAY COUNTING FROM 1 TO 100

3D Shapes

ADDITIONS – PUTTING TOGETHER

SHOW AND TELL

Every Thursday, the children are happy to share an object from home. It’s an opportunity for them to talk about what they like and introduce the class to their favorite object.

FOREST ACTIVITIES

Since the beginning of this term, the children have explored the forest and have become more comfortable and creative when playing with all of the forest materials at their disposal.

They also have gained more confidence during this term when it comes to climbing and balancing on trees and tree trunks.

CLIMBING / BALANCING

CYCLING

During this period, we also wanted to clean up the forest by collecting all the glass, plastic, paper ….that we could find! Well done children.

PLAYING WITH THE WIND WAS GREAT FUN FOR THE MAPLE CLASS!

JUMPING OVER THE ROPE

SWIMMING

During this term, swimming sessions have been organised.

In the forest and at school, we also practised a lot of coordination games, allowing the children to improve their motricity.

SPECIAL DAYS

During this term, we also had a great time on special days such as;

An extraordinary visit….Arthur Belitto, leading the flame. He was a student at FISP a few years ago.

It has was an amazing meeting! Thank you for giving such a great talk on how to become a champion.

TRIP TO THE PARK

SUMMER ACTIVITIES – WATER ACTIVITIES/PLAYING WITH WATER

PREPARING THE END OF YEAR – SUMMER FETE

ART AUCTION

The SHOW

SPORTS DAY

CIRCUS

Dear Parents, It has been so nice to share this year with your children.

We have had great moments all together and I also thank you for your supprt and confidence throughout this year.

Enjoy the summer holidays and take care😃

Dina

French with Marie

De ces albums, ont découlé différentes activités qui ont permis l’exploitation de ces histoires. Nous avons donné du sens à l’apprentissage des voyelles et des consonnes.

A chaque début de semaine, vos enfants ont appris et chanté une nouvelle chanson:

Une poule grise, Une poule sur un mur, Ma belle gazelle, Y’a un rat, Dans ma guitare, L’enfant et l’oiseau,

Les objectifs de cette période ont été de :

– intensifier la pratique de la langue française

– employer des phrases simples mais correctes

– s’exprimer en français en petit groupe

– tracer le bonhomme de chaque mois

– se repérer dans l’espace

– apprendre la lettre B, D, F, L et R

– savoir dénombrer une collection

– reconnaître de petits mots

– réaliser des activités de graphisme

– comprendre les albums lus en classe

– participer à des projets artistiques

– activités des chesnut

– réciter une poésie

French Topic with Marie

The Olympic Games are a big sports party where athletes from all over the world come together to have fun and show their talents. There are many different sports like running, swimming, soccer, and even high jumping! Each athlete represents their country and tries to win medals: gold, silver, and bronze medals. The Olympic Games happen every four years, and each time, it’s in a different country. It’s like a big meeting of friends where everyone does their best, cheers each other on, and has fun together. The Olympic Games show us that sports are great for staying healthy and making friends!

We’ve read these books: