A Cross-Curricular Dino Dig in Little Elms

8th February 2019 | Little Elms Blog

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the basis of all learning for boys in Little Elms and Reception. There are seven different areas and within those seven areas, there are several different aspects and a wide range of statements to be met. Planning for and observing these statements is the basis of my day. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities are a wonderful way of achieving cross-curricular observations.

This week, we have been exploring dinosaurs - a favourite of many a boy! I began our STEM activity with a story. I find a story first helps to get the boys focus and immersed. The boys then dug in the sand tray for ‘dinosaur bones’ and stuck them down with glue using a rough skeletal outline. Some bones also needed the be trimmed to fit. The boys made some lovely dinosaur skeleton pictures.

That was the activity but not necessarily the learning intention. While they explored and played, the boys were covering six out of the seven areas of learning. They were playing in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas (PSED) and using language to imagine (C&L). They were using simple tools to effect change to materials (PD), using shapes appropriately for tasks (Maths) and commenting and asking questions about aspects of their familiar world (UW), as well as playing alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme (EA&D).

Cross-curricular heaven! View photos of Little Elms enjoying the 'Dino Dig' activity.

- Mrs Skinner