Early Start

Hip Hop Show

Well done to Early Start for their great performance on Stage at the Hip Hop Concert. Many months of preparation went into their dance routine. They all enjoyed movement, dance and learning Hip Hop moves. They were great.

Role Play

Some classic fairytale stories this week and some Role Play to go with it. Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk !

We're going on a bug hunt !!!

The children spent the week learning all about the different types of bugs and insects. We looked at posters and read a story about ants called 'Ants In Pants'. We sang some bug songs. At the end of the week we all went on a bug hunt. We brought a net to catch Insects, a bug gun that safely hoovers them up, magnifying glasses and small glass jars to collect some live Insects ! We went back to class to have a look at what we found. There is a great BUG HOTEL on the grounds of the school which was made by some very talented parents who gave up their time to create something wonderful ! ! The children enjoyed their visit to the bug hotel !

Farm Lesson

A big thank you to Ann Lynch from Heritage in Schools who came to give us a lesson about animals and nature. The children fed a lamb and brought her for a walk ! They got to feel a piece of wool and we talked about what you can make from the wool. Ann took out some knitting she brought to show the children how a wooly jumper is made. We looked at real birds nests, a large one and a small Robins one. The children felt the nests and talked about how the birds collect all the twigs. We learned the difference between the male and female chickens and we can tell now by looking at their heads and tails ! ! Ann asked all the children to collect grass and weeds and give them to the chickens. The children looked into a pot of water and saw lots of tadpoles. This was great for the children to see as we had only just learned about the frog lifecycle the previous week !! Ann took out MR FOX who she said was very naughty and sometimes tries to catch the chickens ! She blew her warning horn and the kids thought this made a funny noise. She brought some sapling plants that she had grown to show the children. All the children enjoyed learning about the natural environment.

Easter Fun

The children had a great time making Easter Arts and Crafts. We displayed them outside the classroom. They enjoyed a baking activity making Easter Nests and we had an Easter Egg Hunt in the classroom ! ! Happy Easter from Early Start !

Farm Day

Pat the farmer brought lots of animals to show the children. He talked about the animals and how he cares for them. The children could rub the animals and hear the sounds they make. We all loved the pigs who were called 'Rasher' and 'Bacon' and watched them ROOTING in the soil. The children rubbed the soft wool on the sheep and Pat let the lambs out of the cage. Pat let all the children sprinkle feed for the ducks and hens. We all got a lovely surprise when the hen laid an egg !!!!
A big thank you to Pat and AGRI AWARE FARM who came to visit our school.

St Patricks Day

Making pizza faces

As part of our 'feelings theme' The children enjoyed creating pizza faces. They used tomato sauce, grated cheese and tomato pieces for the eyes, nose and mouth. They smelled delicious coming out of the oven.

School Trip to Fun Galaxy Play Center

The children all came well prepared with a packed lunch and we headed on our first school trip to Fun Galaxy. This is a large play center with lots of climbing frames, slides and different fun areas for the children to explore. After a few hours of playing the children enjoyed their lunch together and then returned for their last play before the bus arrived. A big thanks to all the parents who gave up their morning to come with us and help out.

Christmas....Santa Visit

Santa came to the school and gave the children some presents. They must have been very good boys and girls this year and they were very happy and excited to see him ! Each child got their photo taken with Santa. Merry Christmas everyone ! ! !

Science Week

The children enjoyed Science Week. One of the experiments was called ' The Skittle Experiment '. The children watched as we poured water over skittles in a pattern and watched as the lovely colourful pattern emerged ! They used their sense of touch and smell in some of the experiments to guess the answers. There were also visual clues to help them. The children investigated a number of items to find out if they were magnetic or non magnetic. There were simple skeleton puzzles, magnets for building and creating and space putty for tactile creations !

Fruit Tasting Activity

Our theme this week was fruit. We looked at posters and charts about fruits and learned the names of the fruits. We brought in lots of different fruits and displayed them in a fruit bowl. The children got to smell, feel and taste each fruit. At the end of the week we did a ' blind ' tasting test on 5 of the more well known fruits. This was a great game and the children enjoyed guessing the fruit.

Halloween

A special thanks to Hannah Rehill ( pictured above ) who came in on work experience from school to help us in Early Start this week. We really enjoyed having her. The children were sad to see her go ! She was a great help and we hope she enjoyed her time in Early start. Come back and visit us soon Hannah ! !

The children worked hard on their arts and crafts for Halloween. We displayed them on the corridor. We learned two pumpkin songs and read some scary stories !

Maths Week

The children were invited to the Library to take part in some early maths activities. They had some fun knocking down the numbered cans, using peg boards, counting and matching games. Thanks to all involved !

Free Play

A few times a week the children have some free play. This is where they choose what to play with. Some of the favourites are the sand box, the home corner and the cars/garage !

Pencil Work

The boys and girls are working very hard in Early Start. The children do many types of work sheets e.g. mazes and trails, matching, follow the dots and will move on to number sheets later in the year. They are learning how to hold their pencil correctly and improving their fine motor skills. Worksheets help the children's concentration skills and helps them focus so that their attention span can lengthen. Worksheets are fun and the children enjoy colouring in the picture afterwards !

Circle Time

The children love coming to circle time. We choose a different theme each week and we use various visual aids such as posters, charts,stories/ books and props to teach each theme. Circle time helps children's listening skills, encourages language, helps children grow in confidence when speaking in front of their peers, turn taking and recall skills. We choose a different helper each day and this is the highlight of the children's day ! We say our days of the week, count and say phrases in Irish. We sing songs and talk about the weather. Mr Monkey gives stickers out to the children when they have been very good !

Table Top Activities

Learning to get into a line

The children will practice how to walk down the corridor and out to the yard/playroom/hall. We usually tell the children to put one hand on their head and the other on their lips. If their hands are occupied then they can concentrate on walking well in their line !

Yard Time

The children enjoy yard time. We begin with some exercises to warm up and then we play circle games, use balls, hula hoops, bean bags, relay racing and lots more games.

Painting

The children are painting their paper plates. They will sprinkle glitter all over them, and stick their photo in the center. We will display them in the classroom.