Jungle Nymphs and power drills

Question. What has two ears, four legs, whiskers and a wagging tail?

The answer to this question will be revealed a little later.

The little learners of Sunnyside School (that's the little school that sits proudly in the heart of the seaside town of Whippy Cove, which in turn is situated on the South Eastern shore in the Isle of Wight) are currently enjoying their topic on animals. 

Already this week the little Sunnysiders have met and learned all about a Tenrec, a Bearded Dragon, a Jungle Nymph and a Tawny Owl when they welcomed an animal keeper from Whippy Cove Zoo into the classroom. In addition they also met Bracken, a nine year old Springer Spaniel brought into school by her owner, a veterinary nurse from Whippy Cove's very own Veterinary Surgery. Bracken's sweet and extremely laid-back nature allowed the little learners some quality time to get to know her. As they combed her glossy liver and white coat, they wrapped bandages around her paws and listened to her heartbeat using a real stethoscope. They also learned about the role of a veterinary nurse, as well as all that's involved in owning and caring for a pet. 

Consequently since encountering these animals, the little Reception learners have been keen to share information about their own pets. Once such little learner approached Miss Very Jolly this afternoon and blurted out that her cat Rosie had had her kittens in her mummy's bed. "Oh how exciting!" shrilled Mrs Very Jolly at a pitch audible to only small dogs and bats. "How many kittens did Rosie have?" 
"Five!" stated the little learner thrusting five fingers in Mrs Very Jolly's face. "But they're a bit bitey and scratchy!" 
Mrs Very Jolly sympathised with the little learner then asked her what she was planning to do with her five kittens. "I'm gonna train 'em!" exclaimed the little learner with utter conviction. "You really can train kittens you know!" she went on reassuringly. 

Stealthy reaching for a post-it note and pen (for she felt sure a little learner gem was imminent,) Mrs Very Jolly asked the next obvious question which was of course, "What are you going to train your kittens to do?" As quick as a wink, the deadly serious little learner replied, "Well first I'm gonna train 'em to do art and to bake, and then......I'm gonna train 'em to fly!" 

Needless to say, a giggling Mrs Very Jolly couldn't wait to pass her post-it note to her colleague Mrs Crayon, for she knew the words scribed across it would be all the information Mrs Crayon would need to inspire her next doodle and rhyme.

Oh! And finally, in answer to the question, what has two ears, four legs, whiskers and a wagging tail?.......Well, it's a whale, surprisingly and the suggestion offered by one particular little learner when he took part in a 'guess the animal' quiz this afternoon.

Whilst a whale with four legs, two ears, whiskers and a wagging tail has all the required elements for a delightful doodle, Mrs Crayon has nevertheless opted to go with the kittens on this occasion!

Training Kittens

If you're smitten with your kitten,

But you're getting scratched and bitten,

And your furnishings are hanging by a thread,

Make your kittens well behaved, 

Then your curtains will be saved,

Yes, training kittens is the only way ahead.

It may take a little while,

But kittens can be versatile,

If you train them to one inch of their nine lives,

You can teach them how to sew,

Paint a landscape and make dough,

Use a power drill and sharpen all your knives.

Show them how to ride a scooter,

Teach them skills on the computer,

Do the ironing, mow the lawn and even fly,

Show them how to trampoline, 
How to scrub your dishes clean,

Play the flute and hang the laundry out to dry.

They can handle all the plumbing,

Ice a cake when someone's coming,

Tile the bathroom and compose a symphony,

Teach them how to roller skate,

Fix the hinges on the gate,

Drive a bus and make the perfect cup of tea.

So should you want to be a teacher
To this little furry creature,
Keep the kitten training up the whole week through, 
Though it may seem tedious,
Your pet will be a genius,
Yes, he'll wind up far more cleverer than you!

"Come on now....there's just time for some guitar practice before your driving lesson!"

Bleached hair and Noisy kittens

Welcome back Sunnysiders young and old, welcome back faithful readers to Sunnysiders, and a very warm welcome to any new visitors to the Sunnysiders blog.

You all join us at the start of a brand new half term where the little Reception learners will be focusing on all things 'health and fitness' for the next few weeks. 

And it was an extremely fit and healthy looking cohort of Sunnysiders that bounded through the classroom doors first thing this morning. The two week spell of warm sunshine had coloured their cheeks, bleached their hair, and put a definite spring in their step. 

As always following a holiday break, the little learners were bursting to share their holiday news from the very moment they entered the classroom. Consequently, team members were required to once again tune their ears in order to be able to listen to a multitude of holiday stories all at once. This incidentally, is a skill they've managed to perfect over the years!

However, in spite of the little learners so obviously enjoying their Easter break, their transition from holiday mode back to school mode appeared seamless this morning. Within no time at all, little learners were reaching for the clipboards and pens to engage in a spot of teacher role play, and demands of "What you havin' for lunch?" rung out all over the setting. At the same time, another firm role play favourite, that of 'mums and kittens', was in full flow from the off. The home corner was instantly filled with meowing little learners and a host of 'mums' desperately trying to shoo them out of the kitchen. 

The Team also welcomed a brand new little learner to the Sunnyside Reception family today. As this particular little learner had come to live in Whippy Cove from the mainland, Mrs Very Jolly and Mrs Caring were keen to hear all about his previous school. "Well...." began the little learner very confidently, "It's a bit different here, because all my other teachers were very beautiful!" Before either crest fallen team member could muster a comment, a second little learner appeared from nowhere, and with impeccable timing, said to Mrs Caring, "Whenever I see you Mrs Caring, you're wearing that top!"  

A sad and sorry, not to mention dull and dreary feeling Mrs Caring then shuffled off for a good old sob in the corner of the classroom.

Well you ought to know by now team members, little learners do not mince their words, they'll aim straight for the jugular every time!

Straight Talking

Just like every little learner 
That you decide to quiz,

You can rest assured we'll tell it 
Exactly as it is.

We'll be brutal, we'll be honest 
And we'll cut you down to size,

Then we'll sling you a remark

That hits you right between the eyes!
We will never beat about the bush,
We're nothing short of frank,
 When you're dying of embarrassment
It's us you need to thank!