24th November 2022
I have stopped doing Celebrations in Autumn Term 2
I have stopped doing celebrations on the actual dates, or the run up to them, because I want the children to come to the provision and activities having experienced the celebration (sometimes not).
Why? Because the after party allows more conversation from what they know.
This Autumn Term I will do celebrations because I think the season is littered with awesome ones. Halloween or winter solstice. Diwali for me has the best story with Rama, Sita and the ten headed demon monster. Followed by Bonfire Night but I will change when I do it, it will be after the event! It also makes resources cheaper.
We’ve made a pumpkin patch after Halloween ? and we are exploring them as observational drawings, weighing them and opening a pumpkin shop. Did you see my Instagram pumpkin ideas? @spread_the_happiness_
We will make pumpkin scones (you need tinned pumpkin) and dry the seeds from an open one for counting. We will make seed art and each day we will hide our pumpkins in different places. Of course we will read “Pumpkin Soup” by Helen Cooper.
Diwali was in our half term but the story is so rich that I will still do it as a Story of the Week. Bonfire Night can be explored after the 5th November because it will be fresh in their minds. I love the splatter paintings and musical opportunities after the 5th November so here are my plans for Autumn Term 2 in books:
- “Christopher Pumpkin” by Sue Hendra,
- “Pumpkin Soup” by Helen Cooper,
- Bonfire Night, The Story of Guy Fawkes
- The Story of Diwali
Then we will start Christmas celebrations!
