Our 3-4 and 5-6 year old sessions all have a structure that helps the creativity flow! We know students aren’t always the best and explaining what they’ve been doing in class, so we thought a quick look at our session structure would be useful!

Whilst parents have a quiet hour and a half, grab a coffee or catch up on some life admin – this is what your little ones are getting up to! Our sessions are an hour and a half long and split roughly into three main sections of 25 minutes on each subject: singing, dance and drama. Each subject is split roughly in half; firstly we warm up and do our techniquye exercises to keep growing out skills, and then move onto that terms main piece for the subject; each week bulding on the week before. But our familiar Jigsaw routine begins before the sessions even start!

Preclass – The day begins as soon as students arrive at Harirs Academy Morden. Schools manager Emma welcomes the students and signs them in as the start lining up for class. Class teachers greet their students and welcome them into the classroom!

Circle Time – We start with our weekly newsround and register Now is the time to share news they’ve been bursting to tell Jigsaw friends all week. (Cuddly toys and props are,of course, welcome). For some this is a moment of confidence to say a quiet ‘hello’, for others it’s the moment to recount an exciting story from their week.  

Dance Warm Up – Time to warm-up! We get everyone up and moving, we get the music on and the endorphins flowing for some of our fun warm ups and games. Some are familiar party favourites with a dance twist, such as musical stautes or bumps. Others are Jigsaw games focusing on stretching, spacial awareness, co-ordinationa and dance technique! 

Dance Sessions – Keeeeep dancing! With the energy levels up from our warm-up, we seize the moment and launch into our current dance. Whether we are working on a show or a presentation there will be a main dance for the term that we keep coming back to and improving. Each week builds on the week prior so students re-cap what they were taught, before going on to learn some further moves and choreography. 

Drama Warm Up – Our drama sessions are all about creativity, imaginiation and communication. Our technique exercises can include tongue twisters, imagination games, role play and also near the begining of term a few name games to make sure we are all get to know each other well! 

Drama Session – Each term the focus of our drama can change from a scripted scene, a choral piece like a poem or narrative story to imagination and role plays. The focus is always on building confidence and helping students release their imagination and creativity. If we are working on a scripted piece for the term teachers usually send home a script week three or four so that we can practice at home! Sometimes we find ourselves going on daytrips to the beach, other times we’re in magical forests. If we’re in the middle of a show or presentation term, we’ll be running our scenes and practising our script lines.

Break time! Our 3-4 classes join the 5-6s for their break, a prime opportunity to chat to friends or siblings, have a few minutes down time and of course teachers organise the all important toilet trip! When packing a snack for break time remember that we are a nut-free school, and that students only have a few minutes so it’s a small snack and drink. And nothing too messy please (no yoghurts!). Once everyone is feeling refreshed we split back to our usual classes ready for more Jigsaw fun! 

Singing Warm Up  – Last, but certainly not least, we make time for some singing. A lovely way to end our 90 minute session, we’ll form a semi-circle and start with a vocal warm-up so as not to strain our voices. We do fun an accessible vocal warm ups based around faciial warm ups, tongue twisters and scales – but all turned into fun and engaging exercises. 

Singing Sessions – With our vocal sirens complete, it’s time to look at our song for the term. We sing through what we’ve already learnt before covering some new ground. We’ll run it a few times so it’s really ingrained in us; muscle memory is real! Initially we will sing along with the orgiinal singer, but then during the term move onto a backing track. During the term we’ll also often add some movement, or choreography to the song – to help little ones remember the words but also bring the piece to life. 

End Of Class –  Time flies when you’re having fun! Sometimes we have time for a quick game before a wind-down exercise. A calming excesie at the end of term is a grreat way to bring the day to a close, reflect on what we have learnt and be ready to leave the session with a big smile on our faces! Students always come out buzzing and already looking forward to next week’s class! At collection there’s an opportunity to for parents to talk to the teacher, often scripts, song words or even costume sheets will be sent home. 

Feedback – During the early weeks of term parents understandbale may want some feedback about how their little on has been getting on! If parents wait outisde for a moment whilst teachers pair students up with their families, teachers will then step out and come and give feedback once everyone is collected. We also share a few photos most week in our private Jigsaw Mitcham & Morden facebook group so you can see a few snapshots of how students are getting on in class.

During the Week – We don’t set homework of course but that doesn’t mean Jigsaw isn’t thought about until the next session! At home parents can always support Jigsaw sessions by playing any songs that they know are used in the sessions. Usually around week three or four we’ll share the class content in our Facebook group and teachers will always be happy to let you know. It could be the playlist you have on in the car on the way to school, whilst having breakfast or even bath time! But becoming more familiar with the content is always a good way to support your childs Jigsaw journey. 

Before you know it we’ll be back in class for another super Saturday at Jigsaw Arts Mitcham & Morden.