A Week of Wonder at Honeybees: Exploring Colour, Light, and Festive Fun

It's been a vibrant and engaging week at Honeybees, filled with exciting activities that have sparked imagination and curiosity in our young learners. Our journey began with an in-depth exploration of colour and shade, as we sorted an array of coloured pom poms and delved into the fascinating world of light, colour, and translucency. This hands-on experience allowed us to discover the magic of reflection, refraction, and the way colours interact with each other.

Storytime was a highlight of the week, as we brought the classic tale of the Gingerbread Man to life through our puppet show. The children's eyes sparkled with delight as they retold the story and then got creative in our dough kitchen, crafting their very own gingerbread men. The sweet aroma of freshly baked treats wafted through the air, as we continued the baking theme making mince pies on Wednesday. In our art area, we reinforced our concept of "down" through a series of fun activities, perfectly complemented by our Rhyme Time favourite, "Incy Wincy Spider". As we sang and acted out the song, we explored the idea of rain coming down, which beautifully linked to our learning from the previous week. The children's understanding of this concept grew, and they were able to apply it to various situations, demonstrating their developing problem-solving skills.

The pièce de résistance of the week was undoubtedly our spectacular Carol Concert. The children's voices filled the air as they sang with gusto, performing festive favourites like "Little Donkey" and other seasonal songs. It was heartwarming to see so many families in attendance, all getting into the holiday spirit together. The sense of community and joy was palpable, making the event a truly unforgettable experience.

As we wrap up the week, we invite you to continue the learning journey at home. Why not try reading "The Gingerbread Man" together as a family, and then bake some delicious gingerbread biscuits using our special recipe (attached below)? You could also explore the concept of rain coming down during bathtime by using a selection of containers for pouring, creating a fun and interactive water play experience.Gingerbread Recipe:Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Decorations of your choice (e.g., icing, sprinkles, candies)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
6. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
7. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
8. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Decorate as desired and enjoy!

Extend the Learning at Home:

• Create a rain-themed sensory bin filled with water, soap, and various objects to explore, such as cups, buckets, and sponges.
• Use a torch to create a makeshift "light table" and experiment with colour and translucency using transparent objects like glass beads or acrylic sheets.
• Practice retelling the story of "The Gingerbread Man" using puppets or stuffed animals, and then act out the story together as a family.
• Use blocks or cups to build a tower up and then knock it down.
• Count the blocks as you go up to add a maths link.

A Week of Wonder at Honeybees: Exploring Colour, Light, and Festive Fun