This week we focused on ‘Everyone is Different’ with the help from these wonderful books that introduce different cultures and beliefs:

• ‘All Are Welcome’, by Alexandra Penfold
• ‘We Are Together’, by Britta Teckentrup
• ‘Happy in Our Skin, by Fran Manushkin
• ‘Whoever You Are’, by Mem Fox

These books lead to discussions about inclusion and belonging; that no matter what race or religion we are, what language we speak, what we look like or where we come from, we all belong.

Under the stairs, our ‘nook’ became a home for all. A lot of fun was had as the children created stories around household chores and sharing tea with friends.

Rainbows were the topic of conversation in the number room. The catchy song ‘Colours of the Rainbow’ could be heard throughout the week as the children continued singing the song long after painting their own rainbows with the seven colours. We also discovered if we ‘mix’ all the colours of the rainbow, we create our colour of the week, brown!

We continued the creativity in the letter room with the children painting self-portraits of their faces. Whilst in the corner squeals of delight could be heard once the children discovered the fish in our ‘pond’ were squirty fish!

On Friday the children were read the book ‘Ava’s Poppy’, by Marcus Pfister. The children were encouraged to share who had seen people selling poppies and we discussed why are people wearing poppies on their clothes and bags. The children were introduced to the beautiful Remembrance Day poem ‘Poppy, Poppy’. They then drew and cut out circles to make their own flower for our poppy field display.

Poppy, Poppy

 Poppy, poppy, what do you say?

Please wear me on Remembrance Day.

Poppy, poppy, what do you tell?

Many soldiers in battle fell.

Poppy, poppy, what should we know?

That peace on Earth should grow, grow, grow.