Scarecrow

  Nate found some pumpkin seeds and wanted to plant them. He decided to plant them in a tub rather than the ground “because it will be easier for me to look after”, he told the adult. “I will know exactly where it is planted”. Nate self-resourced a pot, soil and spade and planted his seed. The adult worked alongside Nate and they talked about other things his seed might need to grow. Adult introduced vocabulary (germinate, root). Nate wanted to write a sign so others would know what was planted. He bought paper, pencil and bluetac to the garden to make his sign. Nate could identify the initial sound and the adult supported Nate to match phoneme to grapheme by modelling the mnemonic. Nate was fully focused on his activity making. Another adult introduced the ideas of the birds eating seeds in gardens and gave Nate an idea of covering his planted seed with leaves. Nate made links with his own experiences “we could make a scarecrow, I’ve seen one in someone’s garden when they had planted lots of vegetables”. Nate asked the adult for “old trousers, a jumper and a head” for his scarecrow. The adult Nate thought about what they could use as the filling for their scarecrow. Nate suggested leaves and with his friends he began stuffing the clothes with leaves. Nate experimented with the different sized leaves seeing which made the most rigid stuffing “big dry leaves are better”, he decided. He spent a considerable period of time focused on his activity, getting just the effect he wanted. Nate asked for a hat and wellingtons for his scarecrow. Nate found a suitable spot for his scarecrow to sit near his plant. He was very proud of his achievements and wanted to show his friends and all the other adults who visited the classroom. Nate was keen to plant more and the adult suggested that they visit the Garden Centre during lunchtime to see if there was anything else they could plant. Nate, James and the adult went to the Garden Centre. Nate chose some Daffodil bulbs “they are very bright and will make everyone happy”. The adult drew attention between blubs and seeds. “These bulbs are really big already”. The adult talked to James and Nate about paying with a debit card and looked at the contactless payment system.