I am a small part of the world

[Guest sweetnessy]

Hi!

I don't know if any of you can help me but I am an NQT and am meeting up to discuss our new topic which is 'I am a small part of the world' to do medium term planning. I am hitting a brick wall and can't think of anything at all. The meeting is on Thursday and I'd be seriously grateful if any of you had any ideas or hints of where I could try please...

Thanks x

[Guest]

EEK I'm not surprized! Are you planning for Reception or Nursery? Sorry I nearly always plan from child interest for Reception.

x

[HappyMaz]

Firstly, welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your first post.

I'm not a reception teacher, so I don't feel qualified to answer your query, but someone will be along soon!

[Guest sweetnessy]

Thanks for both of your responses. I am reception, and yes we will be making it child led but I have been asked to come up with some ideas just to get the topic started. I have no idea what books to use, activities which could help to make the topic enticing etc. x

[BevE]

It does seem quite huge. Off the top if my head I would probably go along the lines of comparing 'my' everyday life to other peoples in the world. Perhaps the Queen of England, an Eskimo, and a cowboy. That way you could explore similarities and differences across countries/cultures. I suppose 'size' could also be a way if getting in to this topic, comparing things that are bigger/smaller than them. It would also depend what sort of cohort you have, and what interests them.

The great thing about Reception is that your planning can be so flexible and adapt to what the children are interested in.

Hope that helps a bit x

[Guest sweetnessy]

Wow! That's a massive help broadlea -thank you! Just needed something to get me started so to speak. Thanks! You've been fab :1b x

[Froglet]

I've been pondering this and found myself not being entirely sure what it meant! Could it be a way in to looking at different places around the world? Then maybe go with the backgrounds or experiences of the children - which countries have they lived in/visited etc? What about looking at 'big' things in the world? Biggest ocean, mountain, desert etc? Have no idea whether that's along the right lines!

[SueFinanceManager]

I was thinking big...big mountains, forests, oceans

 

Can you look at town map and find school then how small that is as a county view then country and continent

 

Talk about populations

 

Good luck...quite broad topic so hopefully lots of scope

[Froglet]

I was thinking big...big mountains, forests, oceans

Glad it wasn't just me!

[Guest sweetnessy]

Thanks everyone! I can't believe I've been a member for so long and rarely used the forums!! Am realising how silly it was of me -really appreciate everyone's ideas -especially as I am rather nervous about the meeting as I am the least experienced of the lot and do not want to look as though I have not made the effort. Just really struggled with this so thank you!!! x

[BevE]

Wow! That's a massive help broadlea -thank you! Just needed something to get me started so to speak. Thanks! You've been fab :1b x

Your welcome. I think don't make it too complicated, have an idea of where you want to go but then adapt it to what the children are interested in/want to find out about. X

[Guest sweetnessy]

Thanks -will try my best to :1b x

[SueJ]

If it's of any help we have been looking at sea creatures which may fit in somewhere with your plans - we have a couple of young lads particularly interested in whales and sharks and they have been fascinated at the scale maps that are easily downloadable from the internet that show just how diddy a human being is in comparison to a blue whale and a whale shark - of particular interest was that some 30 TRexs are required (obviously in a very large sack) to make up the same weight as a blue whale!!!

[finleysmaid]

we're sailing down the nile

oliver jefferies up and down

my granny went to market

for some reason these were the first three things that came to mind as ideas......also thought about the enormous turnip story...in as much as the smallest creature (the mouse) was the one who made the difference.

You could also look at a map of the world and try and plot as many people as possible on there connected with the children...bound to be some links

probably not very helpful...just random thoughts!

[catma]

Have you considered this from the perspective of the educational programmes (p5 of current statutory framework) rather than just think what the topic might make you think of...by looking at what the learning is first you can then often see how the context will work or not) to deliver the actual curriculum.

Cx

[Guest sweetnessy]

Thanks for your help everyone -some fab ideas and the one from Catma re: EYFS -I have always done a harvest of ideas so am not sure how it is going to work tomorrow -different school and is all new to me. Really appreciate everyone's input and can't wait to be able to return the favour x

[Guest sweetnessy]

I had the medium term planning today and it went well thanks to all of you helping me! I really appreciate it.

May I be cheeky and ask if any of you have any clever ways of getting the children out to their parents quickly and in an organised manner? At present the class sit on the carpet and wait to be told their parents are there but they are apparently not the fastest at getting up and out of the door,,, Or are there any games or anything any of you play? Thanks in advance-really appreciate it x