Early Years Foundation Stage
at Peaslake Free School
Our planning of what we are going to teach starts with the child. Through careful observations we can identify what interests our pupils, how they like to learn and what their next steps of learning will be.
The classroom is set up so that resources are easily accessible, so children can learn independently both inside and outside. Children have long periods of time to explore activities that interest them in our continuous provision.
During the day there are short adult led sessions where children are taught skills such as phonics and mathematics. We also share stories as a class and have time to reflect on our learning every day.
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In Pine Class we encourage children to be curious, enthusiastic and energetic towards their learning. We want to make sure children have the ability to adapt to different situations and to have the resilience to bounce back when faced with challenges. We also want the children to be able to regulate and discuss their feelings and to have the vocabulary to communicate effectively.
Observations are made on the children to see how they are learning and how they are accessing the resources in the classroom. Our school values tie in with the characteristics of effective learning so there is lots of talk in the classroom about how we can become better learners.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum there are seven areas.
The first three areas highlighted in blue are called the Prime areas.
These areas are always in action for a child.
In every activity the child is experiencing feelings and developing a sense of self and others, is physically engaged through their senses and movements, and is learning to understand and communicate with others. Therefore theses prime areas open up the door for children to access the specific areas.
1.Personal and Social Development
Self Regulation, Managing self,building relationships
2.Communication and language
Listening, attention and Understanding, Speaking,
3.Physical Development
Gross Motor Skills, Fine motor skills
4. Literacy
Comprehension, Word Reading, Writing
5. Maths
Number, Numerical patterns
6.Understanding the World
Past and present, People, culture and communities, Natural World
7. Expressive Art and Design
Creating with materials, Being imaginative and expressive
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Characteristics of effective Learning and teaching In Pine Class:
We encourage children to be curious, enthusiastic and energetic towards their learning.
We want to make sure children have the ability to adapt to different situations and to have the resilience to bounce back when faced with challenges.
We also want the children to be able to regulate and discuss their feelings and to have the vocabulary to communicate effectively.
Observations are made on the children to see how they are learning and how they are accessing the resources in the classroom.
Our school values tie in with the characteristics of effective learning so there is lots of talk in the classroom about how we can become better learners.
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What are the characteristics of effective learning?
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Playing and Exploring
Playing and exploring focuses on how the child:
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plans and thinks ahead;
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is guided by their own thinking and actions;
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makes their own independent choices;
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responds to new experiences and has their own interests and fascinations.
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Active Learning
Active learning is all about how a child:
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displays goal-directed behaviour;
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participates in routines and gets to know these routines well;
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begins to correct their mistakes and persevere even when they find something difficult.
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Creating and Thinking Critically
Creating and thinking critically looks at how a child:
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takes part in pretend play;
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sorts materials;
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can review their own progress to achieve a goal;
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solves real problems;
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uses pretend play to think beyond the 'here and now';
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feels more confident about their own ideas as their knowledge grows;
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makes links between ideas and concentrates on achieving things that are important to them.
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