Gigantic Turnip Fun

Overview

Use ‘A Gigantic Turnip’ by Alex Tolstoy to develop EYFS children’s communication, creativity, physical and personal skills through continuous provision activities. This plan supports mixed-aged EYFS groups (Nursery and Reception) in a small rural C of E primary school setting, promoting inclusion and engagement aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and the National Curriculum (England).

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Learning Objectives (I can…)

• Communication and Language
  • I can listen attentively to a story and talk about what happened.
  • I can use words and phrases to describe characters and the story.
• Physical Development
  • I can use my body to act out the story, like pulling the turnip.
  • I can use tools and materials safely and with increasing control.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • I can work with friends to solve problems and take turns during role play.
• Expressive Arts and Design
  • I can use different materials to create pictures or models related to the story.
  • I can use water creatively for play and exploration.

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Success Criteria

• Children can retell the story with some details and key vocabulary.
• Children confidently take part in role play, demonstrating cooperation and communication.
• Children use art materials with control to make a turnip or character.
• Children explore the water tray with enthusiasm, making links to the story (e.g., washing, watering the turnip).
• Children demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning and can express their ideas physically and verbally.

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Lesson Structure (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Provision Area	Details and Differentiation
0-10 mins	Storytime & Discussion	Whole class carpet area	Read ‘A Gigantic Turnip’ aloud with picture prompts. Pause to ask, “What do you think will happen next?”, “Who is helping?”, “What is a turnip?” Use props (toy turnip, farmer hats). Use visual timetable to sequence events. SEN: Use simplified vocabulary and gestures.
10-50 mins	Continuous Provision Exploration (choose activities by interest)	Four areas	Role Play: Home Corner – Act out the story. Children take roles (farmer, grandmother). Provide scarves, toy tools, oversized turnip prop. SEN: Provide visual role cards, support language with sentence starters (“I pull the turnip.”) Small World – Use figures and farm animals to retell and extend story with own endings. Provide mats with farm fields. Arts & Crafts – Create turnups using playdough, natural materials (twigs, leaves), and paints. Challenge: Create the biggest turnip! SEN: Use hand-over-hand modelling and simple shapes. Water Tray – Use water, sponges, buckets. Pretend to water the turnip and wash vegetables. Investigate floating and sinking with plastic turnips. SEN: Smaller containers for easier control; adult support.
50-60 mins	Reflection & Sharing	Whole class carpet area	Gather children to share what they did. Use PECS or sentence frames for SEN children (“I… pulled…”). Display children’s creations and photos of play areas. Use a ‘smiley face’ self-assessment: show thumbs up/down how they felt.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Nursery Children & SEN:
  • Use visual supports, clear modelling, and repetition.
  • Provide adult or peer buddy support in activities.
  • Focus on one or two language-rich, sensory activities at a time.
• Reception Children:
  • Encourage expanded vocabulary and retelling phrases.
  • Support fine motor skills in crafting.
  • Promote problem solving in cooperative role play.
• Mixed Ability:
  • Scaffold language for less confident speakers; extend sentences for advanced learners.
  • Provide challenge materials (bigger turnip craft or story extension in role play).
• Sensory Needs:
  • Offer quiet sensory breaks or alternative tactile materials in arts.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Write or dictate a short alternative ending to the story.
• Measure and compare their crafted turnips using non-standard units (e.g., “my turnip is 3 blocks long”).
• Create story maps or simple storyboards either as pictures or with labels.
• Lead small group retelling or peer-support in role play.
• Explore planting real turnips outdoors or in pots (linking to Understanding the World).

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Links to EYFS Areas of Learning & Development (Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, DfE)

• Communication and Language
  • Listening, attention and understanding: ELG - Listen attentively and respond to what they hear with relevant questions, comments and actions.
  • Speaking: ELG - Participate in small group, class and one-to-one discussions, offering own ideas.
• Physical Development
  • Moving and handling: ELG - Use a range of small tools, objects, and materials safely with increasing control.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Self-confidence and self-awareness; Managing feelings and behaviour; Making relationships – ELG all covered through role play and collaborative work.
• Expressive Arts and Design
  • Exploring and using media and materials; Being imaginative – ELG Create with materials, share thoughts and feelings through art and role-play.
• Literacy (Understanding Literature)
  • Engaging with stories and non-fiction; understanding sequence and narrative.

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Additional Teacher Notes

• Use Rosenshine’s Principles for effective teaching:
  • Start with clear objectives (“I can…” statements).
  • Use frequent questioning and modelling during storytime.
  • Support spaced repetition via continuous provision revisited over days.
• Encourage nurturing relationships to build confidence, especially with SEN children, through warm adult engagement and praise.
• Observe children’s verbal and physical interactions unobtrusively to assess progress against success criteria.
• Display children’s work and photos in the classroom to build a rich literacy environment and encourage pride in achievement.
• Outdoor link idea: Plant seeds or root vegetables outdoors to continue learning about growth and nature.

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This lesson plan nurtures the whole child as per your school ethos, supporting language, fine motor skills, social-emotional development, and creativity by immersing children in story-based play and learning experiences that can be tailored for SEN, nursery, and reception children alike.