This week we have had a whirlwind trip around the World for International Week. On Monday we visited China and learnt about Chinese New Year celebrations, it is the year of the Rooster – the staff set up the role play area as a Chinese kitchen and there was lots of interest in this, looking at the different types of food and utensils that are used in another country. We also ate some Chinese food and made Chinese dragons. Tuesday we were off to Australia which gave us the chance to sing one of our favourite songs, Cuddly Koalas. We decorated and assembled kangaroos from kitchen rolls. We looked at the map to find out where Australia is and how BIG it is too – you can bring Maths into anything! The children made some delicious Anzac biscuits using oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup and desiccated coconut – some children were able to recognise coconut from the smell! Wednesday took us to India – we looked at the map to see where it was and a few children commented on other countries they had been to and were able to recognise these on the map. One child mentioned that the Taj Mahal was on Gojetters and we looked this up in CBeebies and watched a short clip on it showing the Taj Mahal. We discovered that it is symmetrical and is made from white marble which changes colour in the sun. The children made tiger masks and all enjoyed tasting naan bread and poppadum at snack time. We talked about eating naan with curry and some said they had eaten curry at home. On Thursday we travelled to another big country, Africa and there was lots of chat at register time about African animals, we danced to African music and read ‘Handa’s Surprise’ in the book corner which gave us the opportunity to talk about unusual fruits and the beautiful bright colours of the clothing that some African people wear, we also chatted about the similarities and differences about the homes that people live in. The children went home with a lovely giraffe made out of a yellow cone which they decorated with spots. We ate couscous at snack time, lots of children enjoyed this, some said they hadn’t had it before but wolfed it down – a big success! We finished on Friday with France and had a lovely French feast – lots of lovely croissants, chocolate brioche and baguettes which we offset with fabulous fresh fruit as usual! Some children made French flags and lots of concentration involved in making the Eiffel Tower out of straws which Sally had cleverly found in red, white and blue colours – Maths again involved in the different lengths of straws needed! Thank you so much to everyone who sent items in from home with their children, these really do make a difference and the children are so proud to show us and talk about the items that they bring. The end of another busy but very happy week! Have a good weekend and see you next week for Goldilocks and the 3 Bears.