Welcome to Spring 2!
This week we have started our new topic Let’s Go, our first book is called The Train Ride by June Crebbin.
We have really enjoyed this story, we have talked about old trains like Stephenson’s Rocket, The Mallard and of course The Flying Scotsman! Plus new trains like the Eurotunnel and The Bullet!
“It is an old train because it has steam coming out of the funnel!”
“It is old because I can see some rust on it!”
We are also very excited about out upcoming trip to the National Railway Museum, we have had lots of discussions about how many sleeps it will be and what we will be taking in out lunch boxes! It is all very exciting!
Our Word of the Week was: Destination, the children have really enjoyed using this during their learning.
“My destination in the morning is school, at night time it is home, or sometimes the park!”
“When we go on our school trip our destination will be the Train Museum.”
Help at home: Talk to your grown up about the different destinations you go to over the weekend.
Phonics
This week in our phonics we have reviewed the digraphs ai, ee, oa, oo/oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, and the trigraphs igh, ear.
Help at home: Please support your child with the ‘learn at home’ sheet sent home today. Please also keep accessing the ebooks.
Poetry Picnic
This week our poem was Pancakes
Mix a pancake,
Stir a pancake,
Pop it in the pan.
Fry a pancake,
Toss a pancake,
Catch it if you can.
Maths
In Maths this week we have looked at comparing and in particular looking at differences and similarities. In our activities we have looked at the numbers of objects in a set, without being diverted by colour, shape or size. The children have then been encouraged to notice when quantities are equal or unequal, and to consider how they can manipulate the number of objects in 2 sets to make them equal. Our stem sentences have been
____ has more than____.
____has fewer than____.
Help at home: Can you share an even number of objects (e.g. counters, pens etc) between two teddies. Do the objects need to be the same colour, shape or size?
The Classroom Challenges this week have been
- to make a train
- to make a bridge for a train to either go over or under
- to make a large train track outside
- to write a list of the things they go past in the story The Train Ride
- to make the scales balance
- to draw something you can see out of the window
Also this week, we had a visit from MindMate on Monday, who read us the story Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival.
We already love this book in reception and have used it a lot when we have talked about our own worries and anxieties. Tom Percival also writes other books that deal with different emotions, they are a great starting point to support young children.
Next week our focus book is The Hundred Decker Rocket by Mike Smith.
Reminders and Notices
PE is on a Monday, please send your child to school wearing their PE kit and trainers they can fasten themselves.
Library Day is on a Friday this term, please can all Library books be returned on Friday ready to swap for a new one.
Forest School is on Friday, please see additional letter sent home for information.
Waste Innovation- Please don’t forget to send in any donations for us to be creative. We really appreciate anything!!
Please can we also ask for any donations of children’s underwear, socks and old school uniform, we work hard and play hard in reception so things can get a little bit messy!!
Stay and Learn Sessions
World Book Day 07.03.24-8.50am-9.20am
Please don’t forget to email any pictures from home stjameseyfs@spherefederation.org thank you!
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs. Kendrew, Mrs. Rippon and Mrs. Feldman