The children have now settled into the new routine and we thought we would give you an insight into what happens in the Magpie class during the ten minutes before the school day officially starts.

Miss Waugh opens the door at 8:50 am and because the children go straight into the classroom next door it is a great time for parents to pass messages on without the children having to wait too.

Once in the Magpie classroom they become independent learners!

On each table there is a box with an activity designed to develop skills that young children still need to be frequently exposed to.  Several of the activities will be reinforcing fine motor skills. Fastening buttons, stretching elastic bands over pine cones, threading beads, learning how to tie knots, snipping feathers.......simple activities that help Year 1 and Year 2 children to gain greater control. Holding a pencil firmly and being able to write neatly owe a lot to theses type of exercises.

Whilst improving their fine motor skills these activities are developing so many of our "Keys 2 Learning".  In Key Stage 1 we try to create an environment where the children can become independent and make their own decisions. The boxed activities give them a framework allowing them to become self managers, creative thinkers, independent enquirers and effective participators. Using these boxes enables  these skills to happen without your child having to ask anyone how to do it.

Whilst the children are taking part in theses activities there is a lovely hub bub going on where they can share their news with each other and  with Mrs Lindley or Mrs Betts. This means that when the bell rings at 9:00 am they are ready to settle straight down having had time to pass their own messages on.

Wow... all that in just ten minutes each morning!

Click here to see more photos of the types of activities that can be done.