A visit from d:side
On Friday we had a special visit from d:side who talked to us about different feelings and what we could to to help us when we have these feelings. We had some fantastic responses and it was clear to see that our Feelings First sessions are a success.
“He is feeling cross and angry, when I am angry I rip up paper until I feel calm again.”
“She is sad, she needs to tell her mummy or the teacher. They can help her feel better.”
We also talked about being healthy and did some exercises in class. Dave was very impressed with how well we listened and answered each question.
Well done Reception, you showed our visitor how fantastic you are.
The Bug Collector
This week, we’ve been reading The Bug Collector by Alex Griffiths.
This book follows George as he visits a wildlife museum and discovers the fascinating world of bugs. After his visit, he collects all the minibeasts from his garden and puts them in jars, but they don’t seem very happy.
After reading the book, the children enjoyed being minibeast explorers in our own garden. However, they made sure to return the creatures safely to their natural habitat. We also finished off making our own bug house using the hand drill and putting up the sign in our ‘Air Bee ‘n’ Bee.’ I’m sure George and his Grandad from the story would be very impressed with us.
Fine Motor Control and Writing Stay and Learn
On Wednesday afternoon, we were so lucky to invite so many of our parents and grown-ups in to explore some fine motor challenges with us. We had the chance to show everyone just how well our pincer grips are developing.
Some of the activities included pegging out the washing, creating butterfly paintings using cotton wool buds, and filling the holes in LEGO pieces with water using pipettes. The children showed great focus and enthusiasm throughout.
Mrs Kendrew then spoke to our grown-ups about how we are developing both our gross motor skills (big movements) and fine motor skills (small and pincer movements) to support correct pencil grip. We also discussed the 4 P’s of handwriting: posture, pencil grip, paper position and pressure.
Finally, we talked about writing for a purpose—for example, creating shopping lists, labels, cards, letters and postcards. These are all activities that can easily be practised at home using the children’s phonics knowledge.
Help at Home: try some of the example above and bring them in to show the teachers. Don’t forget the 4 P’s of handwriting when you do.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This week we had a special delivery in Early Years the children were so excited to find what was inside the little cardboard box that arrived by post. Inside, there were 5 teeny, tiny caterpillars! They were so hard to see that we needed to use the magnifying glasses. We’ve been checking them everyday and they are getting bigger and bigger, just like the caterpillar in this weeks story The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be learning about life cycles. We’ll closely observe caterpillars to help us understand the four stages of a life cycle.
The weather has been perfect for some gardening outside too. We got our green fingers busy and planted some flowers and herbs in the garden. We talked about making sure that we watered the seeds so that they will grow.
We then finished the week with Forest school, we had such an amazing time with Sarah, we made butterflies and decorated them with flowers. We explored the slack line, the swing and all the exciting areas in forest school. We can’t wait to go again next week!
Life on Earth
Summer 1
This half term will be learning about bugs and will be going on lots of bug hunts. We will be learning about the life cycle of a butterfly and will hopefully set some free! We will be using some hand drills to build a bug hotel for our outdoor area.
We are also hoping to develop our outdoor space a bit more so if anyone has any compost, plant pots, tree stumps or plants we would would really appreciate them.
Reminders and Notices
Forest School- It is our turn to go to Forest School after the holidays. Please send your child to school in their PE kits on Friday with waterproofs and wellies in a labelled plastic bag.
Rabbits Don’t Lay Eggs
We ended the spring term with the focus book Rabbits Don’t Lay Eggs! by Paula Metcalf.
This was a very funny book, that definitely made us chuckle! We were also very lucky to receive a visit from the Easter Bunny who kindly left us all a tasty Easter egg in forest school! Thank you so much Easter Bunny and the PTA helpers!
Our final week in school was full of Easter fun, we made cube carrots in the maths area, Easter bonnets in the workshop area and used our funky fingers to cut out and make Easter chicks.
Have a happy and healthy Easter break and we will see you on Monday 20th April.
Jack and the Beanstalk
This week we’ve continued our learning using the traditional story Jack and the Beanstalk.
We’ve learnt to retell the story using our class story map and a few actions to help. Our prosody has really improved as we became more confident with the story.
Maths
In maths we’ve been doubling, we’ve used the stem sentence 2 is made of 1 and 1, double 1 is 2. Doubling numbers up to 5. We’ve also had a go at doubling the leaves on a beanstalk.
Poetry Picnic
Each week we learn a new poem and recite it every day. By saying the poem out loud, we can focus on the sounds and rhythm of each word or line. We talk about how this can help us become better readers. This week’s poem is called Hungry Birdies.
Hungry Birdies
I have built a little nest,
look inside, look inside.
Hungry birdies with their beaks,
open wide, open wide.
And the little birdies grow,
day by day by day.
‘Till they spread their wings and fly,
far away, far away.
We talk about how a poem sometimes has rhyming words and sometimes doesn’t. Can your child tell you the rhyming words in this week’s poem? We also talk about how a poem can have a fast rhythm or a slow rhythm.
Jack and the Beanstalk
ack and the Beanstalk
This week, we’ve been reading the traditional story ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
We’ve been orally rehearsing the story and we’ve begun to use a story map to help us. This week, our word of the week was gigantic. We discussed other new and interesting vocabulary from our story too: poor, furious and shoved. We will continue using this book next week for our learning.
Poetry Basket
Each week, we learn a new poem. We recite the poem each day. By saying the poem out loud, we focus on the sounds and rhythm of each word or line. This week’s poem was called Spring Wind.
When the spring wind blows,
In her gruff and growly way,
She’s saying keep your mittens on,
I’m blowing cold today.
But when the spring wind blows,
In her soft and gentle way,
She’s saying take your jumpers off,
I’m blowing warm today.
Help at home: Ask your child to recite the poem at home and talk about the words that rhyme.
Celebrating your child’s reading: eBooks
We hope that you’re enjoying listening to your child read their eBook at home and that your child is enjoying celebrating their super reading skills!
At school, your child reads a physical book four times a week – with a focus on teaching phonics skills. This is then sent home as an eBook. The purpose of the eBook at home is to celebrate your child’s success (in phonics skills). Your child should be able to read most of this book confidently and really feel like a reader.
We’ve chosen to use eBooks at home for many benefits. Allocating eBooks frees up about two hours of teacher or TA time changing books – now spent teaching reading!
Here’s some information on how to access eBooks but if you’re having any problems please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Happy reading!