This project recognises that:
* settings should be constantly resourced and organised in such a way as to offer learning opportunities across all areas of the Foundation Stage curriculum
* topics can enhance basic provision and respond to children's interests
* children need plenty of first-hand experiences and time to develop ideas, skills and concepts through play
* the practitioner has a vital role in supporting children's learning.
This project, therefore, suggests:
* adult-led activities for introducing the theme
* resources that enhance basic provision and facilitate learning through child-initiated play
* how the practitioner can support children's learning.
When using the project, practitioners should recognise that:
* activities should be offered and never imposed on children
* children's experiences, and learning, may differ from those anticipated
* the learning, planned or unplanned, that takes place is valid
* the process is very valuable and should not be undermined by an inappropriate emphasis on outcomes or concrete end results.
The areas of learning are:
Personal, social and emotional development
Communication,language and literacy
Mathematical development
Knowledge & understanding of the world
Physical development
Creative development
Let a star guide the children in your settingto learning through some inspired activity ideas suggested by Jean Evans
An excellent basis for a project is Little Bear's Special Wish by Gillian Lobel, with charming illustrations by Gaby Hansen, an appealing book about the magic of friendship and love. The story tells of a little bear's attempts to fulfil his special wish to find the best present in the world for his mother. When he sees a twinkling star glittering in the night sky he knows that this will be perfect. However, catching a star so high in the sky is not easy, even with the help of friends.
Adult-led activity
Aiming high
Share the story of Little Bear's attempts to capture a star as a lead-in to a problem solving activity.
Key learning intentions
To use mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems
To work as a group, contributing ideas and respecting those of others
Adult:child ratio 1:4
Resources
Little Bear's Special Wish by Gillian Lobel (Little Tiger Press, 4.99) ,foil star ,thread ,planks ,wooden crates ,large floor cushions ,soft toys ,resources suggested by the children, for example, a slide, wooden steps or trampoline Activity content
* Hang the star out of reach of the children, above a clear carpet space.
* Sit under the star and read the story. Talk about how Little Bear tried to reach the star by jumping up, climbing a hill, building a stone tower and having his friends climb on his shoulders.
* Suggest that the children pretend to be Little Bear and try out his ideas to reach the foil star hanging from the ceiling, for example, by stretching on tiptoes, jumping up and down, creating a hill with planks and wooden crates, building a tower with floor cushions or carrying soft toys on their shoulders. (Make sure that the children are well supported in their efforts to reach the star, and discourage them from being overly exuberant to ensure their safety.)
* When the children have tried to put into action all their ideas, ask the children to think of other ways of reaching the star, for example, by bouncing on a trampoline or using a climbing frame. Have fun trying to reach the star.
Extended learning
Key vocabulary
Reach, high, stretch, tiptoes, climb, tower, top, bottom, near, nearer, far, up, down, tall, taller, tallest, big, bigger, biggest, pile, long, backwards, forwards, over, under
Questions to ask
* Why couldn't Little Bear reach the star by jumping? How high can you jump? Can you reach the star?
* Can you reach up to put one more cushion on our tower? How tall is it now? Is it taller than you?
Extension ideas
* Discuss the feelings of the characters in the story and then talk about how the children feel when they receive or give presents.
* Build an obstacle course and introduce positional language, for example, as children climb 'high', 'low', 'under', 'over', 'through', 'in front' and 'behind'.
Shining bright
Encourage the children to follow Little Bear's example and make their own shiny present for someone as an alternative solution to the problem of reaching the star.
Key learning intentions
To listen with enjoyment and respond to a story
To use their imaginations in art and design
Adult:child ratio 1:4
Resources
Little Bear's Special Wish by Gillian Lobel ,coloured card ,hologram paper ,shiny materials such as sequins, glitter, coloured foil scraps, pearlised buttons, sweet wrappers, tinsel, cellophane ,PVA glue ,scissors ,framed picture
Activity content
* Read the story and talk about how Little Bear managed to create his own present for his mother by capturing the star's reflection in some water in a shiny shell.
* Show the children the framed picture you have provided and suggest that they make a shiny picture as a present for someone special.
* Provide children with squares of hologram paper mounted on card and a wide selection of shiny materials. Allow the children lots of time to explore the materials and glue them to their squares.
* Frame the finished squares in the children's choice of coloured card and attach a loop of thread to the back to hang them up.
* Support the children as they write a suitable caption on paper and glue this to the bottom of the picture frame.
Extended learning
Key vocabulary
Special, wish, pool, moonlight, bright, shine, shiny, shining, twinkling, sparkling, shimmering, glittering, silver, pearly.
Questions to ask
* Why did Little Bear want to give his mother a special present?
* Who are Little Bear's friends? How did they help him? Who are your special friends?
* Why was Little Bear sad when he couldn't reach the star?
* Who will you make your special shiny picture for?
* Talk about your picture. What did you choose to make it shiny?
Extension ideas
* Sing 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star' and make up some actions.
* Hang old CDs outdoors or in a sunny window and watch the reflections as they turn in the breeze.
* Investigate reflections in puddles.
* Stir some sequins and glitter into a small bowl of water before freezing it. Tip out the shiny ice block and watch it shimmer in the sunlight.
Child-initiated learning
Encourage children to develop their own interests and ideas across the curriculum by adding topic resources to the basic provision.
Creative area
Additional resources
,Card, foil and hologram paper stars ,foil trays ,sweet wrappers ,sequins ,glitter ,cellophane ,small recycled boxes
Possible learning experiences
* Using their imagination in art and design.
* Exploring colour, texture, shape and form.
* Trying out exciting new materials in their work and displaying a high level of involvement.
The practitioner role
* Visit the area as the children are exploring the materials and encourage them to make links between the story, the shiny pictures they made earlier and the new resources.
* Mount and display the children's work.
* Replenish the resources frequently and ensure that they continue to be attractive and unusual to stimulate the children's senses.
Home corner
Additional resources
Imitation birthday cake with candles ,wrapping paper ,sticky tape ,scissors ,recycled boxes ,old birthday cards ,card ,paper ,writing tools ,party clothes ,party hats
Possible learning experiences
* Introducing a story into their play.
* Remembering and talking about significant past experiences.
* Realising that print carries meaning.
* Using writing for a purpose.
* Using language to recreate roles and experiences.
The practitioner role
* Visit the area with a doll who is about to celebrate a birthday. Suggest that the children organise a party, cards and presents for the doll.
* Continue to make visits at intervals to support and extend the children as they use the resources. Scribe for them if necessary.
Construction area
Additional resources
Foil stars and moon ,thread ,toy bear, rabbit and frog ,wooden blocks ,planks
Possible learning experiences
* Recalling the story and trying out some of the ideas using available resources.
* Playing alongside other children engaged in the same theme.
* Talking about what they are trying to achieve and how they propose to do this.
* Handling equipment with increasing skill, with due regard to their own safety and the safety of others.
The practitioner role
* Hang the stars and moon above the area and talk to the children about how Little Bear might use the resources to reach them.
* Encourage the children to explore freely, and only suggest alternative ways of using the resources if any of the children's ideas seem unsafe.