9:15am Monday 16th February 2009
YOUNGSTERS at the Grove Infant School at Portland have been improving their numeracy and broadening their imaginations with a little help from Harry and his dinosaurs.
The Little Stars Foundation Stage Unit, an innovative learning group that combines reception class and pre-school children, has had a nursery rhyme theme to the teaching this term.
Their latest project was inspired by the children’s book ‘Harry and the Dinosaurs Go To School’. The youngsters have been caring for a dinosaur egg, making dinosaurs and counting toy dinosaurs.
The three to five-year-olds were also told to bring into class a ‘bucketful of something special to them’, with many of the kids bringing in their own dinosaurs while others arrived at school with their favourite teddy or toy.
Childcare supervisor Sarah Honeybun said: “They have been improving numeracy by counting the dinosaurs and the reception children have been doing estimating by guessing how many will fit in a bucket.
“They have been reading books all week to improve their literacy and doing fact-finding with a dinosaur book.” Reception class teacher Jackie Thomas added: “The children were completely fascinated by the dinosaurs, especially the boys who really got involved.” The Grove Infant School’s Foundation Stage Unit consists of 17 Reception Class pupils and around 20 pre-school children who come in everyday.
Mrs Honeybun said the process helps the transition of early years children into education and benefits all of the children’s development. She said: “Reception are really good role models and they like looking after the little ones, they interact so well and it helps the younger children.”
A number of the children’s parents have also come in to talk to the Little Stars, with dads who work at the Verne Prison, tourist information centre and Sunseekers boatyard all sharing their experiences.
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