Curiosity in Action: Our Recent Adventures

Dear Monkey Class Families,

It's been a wonderfully busy and engaging couple of weeks in our classroom, and we're excited to share some of the highlights with you! We’ve been diving deep into our "How the World Works" unit, fostering curiosity and encouraging exploration.

Pamela Peck Discovery Space

A huge thank you to all the parents who joined us for our recent excursion to the Pamela Peck Discovery Space! It was a fantastic day filled with exploration, play, and a healthy dose of risk-taking, especially on the climbing frame! It was wonderful to see the children being courageous as they tried new things. Seeing the children (and parents!) engage in collaborative play and create those special candid moments was truly heartwarming. We've captured some of those joyful memories in the photos below.


Water Wonders: From Ice to "Hey Water"

Building upon the children's natural curiosity, we began by exploring the fascinating attributes of materials, specifically water. Our investigation started with ice, where we experimented with different ways to melt it. The children were captivated by the process and change as they observed the solid transforming into liquid. The array of colourful ice we created together led to exciting colour mixing discoveries. This exploration naturally led us to the beautiful book "Hey Water" by Antoinette Portis, reinforcing the understanding that water is all around us and encouraging symbolic exploration and expression through our discussions.

Fizzy Colours and Scientific Inquiry

Continuing our scientific journey, we ventured into the world of fizzy colours in our classroom science zone. We set up an experiment with two clear liquids: one water and baking soda, and the other vinegar and baking soda. Without revealing which was which, we encouraged the children to observe and formulate questions and hypothesise. It was incredible to witness their critical thinking and collaborative discussions as they explored the reactions, demonstrating they were true thinkers. The excitement didn't stop when the liquids ran out; the children eagerly used pipettes and transfer tools to mix colours and see if they could recreate the bubbling effect, showing great problem solving & perseverance.

Shadows and Light: Torch Exploration

We also delved into the world of light and shadows with torch exploration. It was fascinating to see how each child approached this activity, showcasing different ideas about how things work (perspective). Some focused on creating shadow figures, while others used the torches to illuminate and investigate different spaces within the classroom. It was clear that many children had prior knowledge of using light to find things in the dark, which added another layer of understanding to their play.

Measuring and Predicting: Tools and Theories

The children's growing interest in tools led us to introduce measuring instruments like timers, scales, and tape measures. The scales proved particularly engaging, as the children experimented with balancing different objects. At first, they often tried to use their hands, but with time, they discovered the art of balancing by adding various toys to each side, demonstrating self-management and resilience. There were countless predictions about which animal toys were heavier or lighter, with the giraffe's height often leading to assumptions about its weight. We also explored measurement using non-standard units, such as magnetiles, and had fun measuring our friends. The children are embracing mathematical language, and it’s wonderful to hear them using terms like “heavier,” “lighter,” “taller,” and “shorter” during their play. We encouraged the children to share their ideas, and communicate their findings and theories.

Looking Ahead: Sink or Float!

Inspired by the children's continued fascination with water and their burgeoning understanding of measurement, particularly weight, we will be exploring the concepts of "sink" and "float" this week. We're excited to see what discoveries they make

Google Albums & Spotify Playlists

As always please take a look at the Google albums for more activities we have explored at school and don't forget to share the photos with your child and what their highlights are.


Wishing you a lovely week ahead, until next time take care!

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