January’s newsletter

After returning from our Christmas break, we spent the first week reconnecting with friends and enjoying being back together in the classroom. The children were happy to be among familiar faces and enjoyed exploring new toys that were introduced to the room, engaging in cooperative play and shared discovery. As it was the beginning of a new year, we listened and danced to the traditional Scottish New Year song “Auld Lang Syne.” Inspired by this fresh start, the children drew pictures illustrating their own goals for the year, completing the sentence “In 2026, I hope to…”. Their ideas were thoughtful and imaginative and included wishes such as climbing a mountain in Crete and Cyprus, becoming a policeman, giving love to a sister, and even having a cake.

Throughout the week, we continued our New Year theme through songs and calendar work, focusing on number sequencing and time. We enjoyed listening to and acting out the story Hickory Dickory Dock, followed by the action song, which supported number recognition and counting through movement. We also read Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks, which led into a washing line activity where the children added objects while practicing counting and number concepts.

During the second week, the children showed a strong interest in counting games and recognizing numbers, so we extended this learning through active and playful experiences. We introduced movement games linked to numbers, where children chose a number and performed a corresponding action such as jumping, waving, or touching their nose. These activities were full of energy and excitement and supported both physical development and number awareness. Alongside this, we explored numbers through stories such as The Ants Went Marching by Don Crisp, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, and Pigs Love Potatoes by Anike and Christopher Denise, counting together as we read.

Our learning expanded into science and measuring, beginning with observing the weather using flashcards and discussing changes we could see outside. We read The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming and carried out a wind experiment, sparking curiosity and discussion. The science centre became a popular area, supported by storybooks and student-led science show and tell. The children conducted simple experiments, including a “pepper and germs” activity, explored light and heavy objects through sorting, and carried out sink or float experiments while recording their results.

During the third week, our focus remained on numbers and extended into the world of shapes. Number learning continued through role-play shopping games, where the children counted items from a shopping list and explored simple addition. Following a recipe together, the children made salt dough and used it to mold number figures, which were later displayed in the hallway for everyone to see. To celebrate the New Year and further explore numbers in a meaningful context, the children baked a Vasilopita to share with friends across the school, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

In addition, we read the Greek story Ο Πολυπόδαρος έχασε τα παπούτσια του by Παπαφάγγου Σουζάνα and continued to develop number awareness through number music corners and games such as number bingo. The children also engaged with the story Shapes Around the World, which supported their understanding of shapes in different environments. Through an “I Spy” shape game, the children identified shapes around the classroom, built structures using a variety of shapes, and were gradually introduced to more complex shapes. Furthermore we went on a shape hunt around the classroom and worked collaboratively on a shared art project.

Last but on least on week fourth, we explored Planet Earth learning about what our planet is made of and what lives on it. The children discovered the Earth’s layers by drawing, cutting, and assembling them using coloured paper, identifying the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, and discussing their characteristics, such as the mantle being “hot like lava. ”As another month comes to a close, we look forward to the discoveries, learning, and adventures that the new year and the coming months will bring!