Easter Activities

Our focus this week in Reception class has been Easter.  This has been a busy craft filled week, although we have still managed to squeeze some sneaky math work in with it.

Children have enjoyed all the activities that have been laid out  this week, although the two most popular tables, where children have kept returning to this week have been the Easter Sensory table and the Writing table.

Easter egg, sensory basket

I have been a little surprised at how much enthusiasm this table has raised.  Children have loved using the tongs to transfer items from the basket to the egg cartons and filling the plastic Easter eggs. The most popular  item in the basket has been the fluffy pompom style balls.  Many of the other items have been ignored.  

This activity has been great for developing motor skills, cross lateral body movement, sorting by colour, shape and item, as well as developing counting skills.  

Some questions that have been generated this week include; How many blue balls did you choose?  How many are there all together?  Why did you choose to fill the basket this way?  Can you describe what the balls feel like?  I will definitely keep this activity up my sleeve for a future year. 

Writing Table:  Another popular table this week. Prior to introducing this table I showed this cute little video about decorating eggs video eggs, with zigzags and spots 

 This table included a wide variety of activities, including pre motor skills, ( follow the Easter bunny trail and trace over the egg numbers, finish the egg patterns).  I also laid out paper eggs for children to draw and decorate and write messages on.  I extended this activity by printing out some small images of decorated eggs and easter bunny baskets.  Children cut out the images and used them to decorate larger paper eggs.

Some of the other activities this week have included, making Easter Bonnets and Easter Cards, egg marbling and making egg sun catchers.

Beyond our Easter Crafts, we found a great Science activity (thanks to Growing a Jeweled Rose blog page - follow this link to find ithttp://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/03/egg-experiment-two-ways.html - gives a good outline of what to do.

This egg less shell experiment was a big hit with the children, who were fascinated to see that the eggs bounced afterwards, whilst the egg in the water cracked straight away.  We looked to see high we could drop the eggs before they finally splattered.  Interestingly some children were initially unsure of the touching the eggs when they came out of the vinegar.  By the end they were all having a good prod and a poke.