Category: Reception Blog

In phonics this week, we are learning the sounds b, f, e, l and n. We will be introducing how we say the sounds, what it looks like and how we write it down. Then, the children will be asked to spell simple CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words using the sounds they have already learned. We will also be using Fred-talk with the children, to help them with their blending. Fred can only segment words, so the children are asked to help Fred blend the sounds together to make the word. Children will be given a phonics reading book in the next few weeks, once they have learned all of the sounds and are confidently segmenting and blending. In the mean time, continue to work on Fred-talk at home and practising the sound cards that have been sent home.

In maths this week, we are continuing our learning on patterns. The children will be creating their own movement pattern with their friends and performing it to the rest of the class. We will be looking at the story ‘We are Going on a Bear Hunt’ and discussing how the author uses patterns in the text. We will be assessing the children’s learning on pattern making by asking them to create a 3 colour repeating pattern using finger painting.

In the wider curriculum this week, we are learning all about Diwali. We will be discussing the reasons why some people celebrate Diwali and the different ways in which people celebrate. The children will be using clay to create their own Diya lamp, which they will decorate after the half-term break. We will also be talking about the story of Rama and Sita and asking the children to act out the story from what they have learned.

As the weather is getting wetter and colder, we would like to remind all parents that the children need a water-proof coat with a hood, in school. For the rest of the week and during the half-term break, the children’s homework is to practise putting their coats on and off independently and zipping them up!

Can we also remind parents to return their parents evening slips in, if you haven’t already done so.

Have a fabulous week and half-term break!

The Reception team

This week, continuing our Autumn theme, we are introducing the story ‘Don’t Hog the Hedge’. We will be focusing on the different parts of the story, such as the blurb, title page, setting and characters. We will be delving deeper into the character’s thoughts and feelings throughout the week, by asking the children to fill in speech and thought bubbles of the characters. We will also be comparing our story with ‘Little Acorns’. We will be discussing how the stories are similar and different to each other.

In phonics this week, we will be learning the sounds ‘o’, ‘c’, ‘k’, ‘u’ and ‘b’. We will be introducing the sound to the children, then we will be learning how to write them down. The children will also be practising writing the sounds they have already learned. We will also be asking the children to make simple words using the sounds they have learned, such as, ‘map’, ‘sad’, ‘mat’, ‘at’. Use the packs that have been sent home to recap the sounds to your children and ask them to create words using the letter cards.

In maths this week, we are introducing patterns. We will be learning about how we can make patterns in different ways. We will be creating patterns using the autumn objects we have found around the school grounds. We will also be creating a potato-printing pattern, using different colours. See if you can find objects around the home and make a pattern with them.

Please remember to send the children in with a waterproof coat, now the weather is getting cooler. Also, please check that coats, bags and uniforms are named clearly, as it makes it easier to find if anything may go missing.

Have a fab week everybody!

The Reception team

This week we are beginning to talk about Autumn and are starting to recognise the changes that take place. We will be learning facts about Autumn and will be reading the story ‘Leaf Man’ to look at the changes. We will also go on an Autumn walk to collect some Autumn foliage so we can make our own leaf man and other pictures. Please collect leaves, conkers, acorns etc when out on your walks at home and bring them into school to add to our collection.

Remember to bring a waterproof coat each day as we spend a good portion of the day outside. Can parents please remember to lateral flow their child if displaying any symptoms so we can try and stop the spread of the virus.

A huge thank you to those parents that have been contributing to our weekly 50p fund. We will be looking to purchase some consumable resources to enhance the provision and also to support the curriculum with our upcoming festivals and celebrations.

This week, the children have been continuing to build confidence and learning the rules and routines of the school day. It has been lovely seeing them engrossed in their learning and making use of the learning facilities, during their ‘busy time’. We would like to thank all of the parents for continuing to contribute to our 50p collection, it is much appreciated.

In phonics this week, we will be learning the sounds ‘d, t and i’. The children will also be practising writing the sounds, ensuring they form them in the correct way. Fred the frog will be segmenting words with the new sounds in, and seeing whether the children can blend the sounds together, to make the word e.g. d-o-g, t-i-p, t-a-g’. Try doing this at home, by segmenting simple words in your every day conversations e.g. ‘Time for b-e-d’.

In maths this week, we are learning about ‘matching’. The children will be discussing what they notice about different objects, such as buttons and socks. What is the same? What is different? The children will be given a sock and asked to find their ‘match’ with their peers. They will also be designing their own matching buttons. Ask your child if they can find any matching objects at home? What do they notice about them?

In the wider curriculum this week, we have steered towards the children’s interests – DINOSAURS. We are reading fiction and non-fiction texts about dinosaurs, and discussing what they notice about the different types of text. There will also be lots of dinosaur themed resources in all of our learning areas.

Have a fabulous week!

The Reception team

This week, it has been great to see how well the children are settling into Reception and becoming more confident with the rules and routines of the day. They have also been building positive relationships with their peers and adults, which has enabled them to build confidence inside their learning environments. We are continuing to encourage children to build independence, such as, getting their jumpers and coats on/off and persevering with tasks they may find difficult. Try and enforce this at home, too, as it is a key skill the children will be learning throughout the year.

In phonics this week, we will be introducing the sounds ‘m’ ‘a’ and ‘t’. Children will be introduced to each sound at the start of the session, focusing on what it sounds like, looks like and then learning how to write it down. Remember to keep reading to your child at home, it makes a huge impact on their reading progress. The children will not be sent home with a reading book yet, until they have learned the sufficient phonics sounds to be able to blend.

In maths this week, we will be continuing to play maths games and singing songs and dancing. We will also be reading stories with numbers and counting, to reinforce the language used in maths. You can access maths games at home on www.topmarks.co.uk.

In the wider curriculum, we will be introducing our theme ‘Being Me’. The children will be discussing who is in their family and what makes them special. We will also be discussing feelings and encouraging the children to describe how they are feeling, using the appropriate language. Reinforcing to the children that their feelings are heard and validated, will help them regulate their emotions as they progress throughout Reception.

Thank you to everyone who has very kindly donated this last week, to our 50p fund. Any contribution is a huge help to us!

Have a fabulous week!

The Reception team

Well done to this weeks Head Teacher Award winners.

This week we will be continuing to settle the children into the setting and will be reinforcing the rules. Now that all of the children are in, we need to learn how to use the environment with more people. The children’s independence will be encouraged and we ask that you support this at home by encouraging your child to try and dress them selves, put on their own shoes and socks, put on their own coat, eat with a knife and fork and use the toilet by themselves. This will help to make your child more confident in Reception as they will not be relying on an adult all of the time to assist them.

This week we are beginning to introduce the children to our Read, Write Inc phonics program. The children have been learning some signs and actions that will help them with their learning and are being introduced to how the lessons will begin to work. We will send out more information to you in the weeks to come which will explain to you how you can support your child at home with their phonics and reading. The children will not yet take home a reading book as they haven’t yet been taught the relevant phonics to enable them to blend sounds together to read. We ask that you continue to read books daily to your child to develop their love of stories. Don’t forget to talk about the story and the pictures and allow your child the opportunity to talk about what they are seeing and hearing.

In Maths this week we are singing different number songs and are playing a range of simple maths games so the staff can get to understand each child’s mathematical starting point. Singing number songs at home such as ‘5 little speckled frogs and 1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive’ will help reinforce what we are doing in school. You could also play simple counting or matching games.

This week we will also begin the Governments national baseline assessment with all of the children. This will be done during the child’s day and will be some simple games and activities done on a 1:1 basis. The children will not know they are sitting an assessment so please don’t worry.

Thank you to those parents who have contributed to our weekly 50p fund. This enables us to enhance the curriculum by providing consumable resources that we would otherwise be unable to purchase throughout the year. Previously the money has been spent on a range of things such as food for tasting sessions, baking ingredients, enhancements to follow the children’s interests such as decorations and themed items, a weekly treat for the children, to help support parties and celebrations and many more things. All contributions are greatly received.

Now that the weather is beginning to change we ask that all children come to school in a waterproof coat every day. Can you also please name all of your children’s clothing and personal items as we already have some things that have not been named.

If you need to contact your child’s teacher for any reason then please email us on:

[email protected]

[email protected]

The last week of the school year!

In phonics this week, the children will be practising the skills they have learned over the past year, by working through reading and writing activities. The children will also be writing an account of their trip to the farm, using ‘first’ ‘next’ ‘then’ ‘finally’. We will also be singing our favourite phonics songs and reflecting on our learning over the past year.

In maths this week, the children will be completing maths activities and challenges. They will also be singing their favourite maths songs, and reflecting on their learning.

On Tuesday 13th July, the children will be partaking in Sports Day. We will be staying in our class bubbles and all of the children will be participating in different sports activities. Unfortunately, due to the current guidelines, parents and carers will not be able to attend, however, we will be taking photographs and uploading them onto Teams, for you to have a look at.

On Wednesday 14th July, the children will be spending an hour of the morning transitioning into Year 1. They will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher, spend time in their classroom and meet their new classmates. Some children have shown signs of being quite anxious about transition, so the more positive conversations at home, the better.

We would like to express our upmost gratitude to all of the parents and carers, this past year. It has been a challenging year for all, but with your support and hard work, we have been able to ensure the children have had an enriching, joyful year in Reception. We have absolutely loved getting to know all of the children and being able to watch them grow and flourish, as well as they have done. We wish them all the best in Year 1 and hope their transition will be enjoyable and exciting for them. We will miss them all!

Have a fantastic summer break!

The Reception team