Today I want to save you time. Lots of time. For a whole year. Can you imagine how great it would be if you knew that you had a time saving plan in your back pocket? For the whole academic year? Yeah, I agree. It would feel pretty awesome.
Let me introduce you to my
EYFS planning overviews
(also suitable for Pre-K or Kindergarten). Using the Development Matters Framework as a guide I have coordinated a cross curriculum plan for an entire year of learning that is 100% back to school ready!
There are six overviews that cover:
- Physical Development (including Health Education, Fine and Gross Motor Skills)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Behaviour,
- Communication and Language
- Literacy (both Reading and Writing)
- Maths (Number and Space, Shape Measure)
- Understanding of the World (encompassing Geography, History, Cultural Influences, Science and Computing)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Art, DT, Dance, Music, Drama)
in detail and ensuring that all the learning points required are covered over the year.
Is this really going to save me time?
I know what you are thinking – this isn’t exactly going to save me any time, the planning isn’t done for me. I get that. As a teacher, I too want to be able to save my time for the “more important” things. However, whenever I have tried to use complete step by step plans I have ended up basically replanning the entire thing to ensure my kids’ needs are covered, it fits the point of the year and only using the ideas I have bought, rather than the whole kit and caboodle.
So instead, I have created an overview with suggested ideas and texts for each half term that you can customise for your class, your planning format and your needs, knowing that the entire curriculum is covered. Hooray!
Also including….
Now, because I am totally there for you, I have included visits and visitors for each topic. Yes indeed. Oh and a variety of ideas for both role play areas, and outdoor learning opportunities alongside some suggested resources for these.
To me, it doesn’t matter if learning is inside, outside or somewhere in the middle as long as the kids are learning something! With this in mind, the outdoor ideas are cross curricular from maths, to literacy to art and the role play areas try to allow for as many application opportunities as possible. So if the role play centre is a shop or garage, I have included a till, play money, clipboards with paper and writing materials so that it there are no limitations on what can be shown in the area. Writing? Numbers? Fine motor? Shape? Done, done and done!
The topics are:
- Marvellous Me
This topic is a celebration of what the children are expert in – themselves! Who they are, where they are from, what they like, who they live with and so on.
- Celebrations
Firework Night is an excellent starting point here, then you can include Hallowe’en, birthdays, Diwali, Hannukah, Eid and Christmas!
- Three is the Magic Number
A classic traditional tale unit that includes the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
- People Who Help Us
Learn all about professions such as Police, Paramedics, Dinner ladies Religious leaders and even teachers! The Literacy focus is non-fiction.
- Here We Grow!
A unit that focus on growing – both us and the plants that live in the garden. Key texts include Farmer Duck and Jasper’s Beanstalk.
- Carnival of the Animals
From small insects to dinosaurs, the creatures of the sky and sea use this unit to explore feelings (Rainbow Fish), write letters (Dear Zoo) and learn about measuring with real life dinosaur lengths outside!
Not only does this include a comprehensive approach to learning (with the EYFS planning overviews, role play suggestions, visits, visitors AND Outdoor learning opportunities). there are both full colour and black and white options! In my opinion, this is a huge time saving device that is brimming full of ideas to whet your creative appetite, so head over to my TpT site (or click on one of the images to buy this for just $5.00 (£3.92).
Any ideas on what I should make next? Is this useful for you? Don’t forget to like, comment and sign-up to site updates!
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