Internet Safety and Mindfulness
The foundation classroom is such a busy place!
Mindfulness can help children to take control of their emotions and feelings.
This week, Foundation have started to take part in mindfulness sessions. The children watched a video called Rainbow Breaths which allowed them to practise how to control their breathing. This is a great technique for children to use when feeling upset or frustrated. We used battery operated tealights to help transform our classroom into a calm environment.
Take a look at how focused the children are…
We have made a Friendship Stop area in the classroom. This area allows the children to write kind notes to their peers. At the end of the week we will be handing out the notes. Below are some of the notes already written this week.
Next Tuesday is Internet Safety Day. Foundation have already started to think about how to stay safe when online.
This week, we have been focusing on the story Once Upon A Time Online by David Bedford and Rosie Reeve. The story follows some of our children’s most well recognised and well loved fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood on a journey that started when a laptop arrives. The book delivers an important message about making sure that when you do go online, you always ask a grown up, and use the internet sensibly.
We also read a story about Smartie the Penguin. Ask your child if they remember Smartie’s special song.
“Before you click click click…
you need to think think think …
and tell someone!”
Fantastic Foundation!
This week, our Living and Learning statement was I know what a drug is. On Monday, Foundation had a special visitor from D:side called Dave. He talked about: medicine, healthy foods and brushing teeth. The children sat really well and answered lots of questions – showing off their super knowledge!
Some of the answers…
“You should brush your teeth in the morning and at night.”
“Medicine makes you feel better.”
“I eat lots of fruit and vegetables!”
“I only have medicine when I am poorly.”
The children were eager to put their hands up – this was great to see!
Some more great highlights this week in Foundation…
Foundation’s Home-Link Challenge
Please use this Time to Talk sheet, to talk about and share your favourite story that links to castles.
It could be a traditional tale (like Cinderella or The Princess and the pea) or any other story involving princesses, kings, queens, knights, dragons or anything else that lives in or visits a castle!
This will mainly be a talking focus. We will ask your child about the beginning, middle and end, about characters and settings and their opinions of the story. They could draw a picture and add labels and/or a sentence on the Time to Talk sheet.
If you would like to send us images to print, please send to our email address: [email protected]
First week back…
Welcome back Foundation!
We hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year.
This week, our Turrets and Tiaras topic has got off to a good start! The children have loved exploring the new role play area. They have enjoyed dressing up and acting like Kings and Queens. In literacy, we looked at different castles around the world and the different parts of a castle. The F2 children designed their own castles and wrote invitations to a party at a castle.
In maths, we are looking at the number 7. The children used Numicon to make 7 in different ways. The children were brilliant at noticing the numbers within 7.
“I can see 6 and 1.” “I can see 5 and 2.” “I can see 3 lots of 2 and 1 more”
At the beginning of the year, the F2 children did a self-portrait. On Wednesday, the children used the mirrors to draw another self-portrait. It was great to see the progress from September to now! Come and have a look at their updated self-portraits.
Christmas Fun!
Well done Foundation for another amazing term!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Another busy week in Foundation!
In maths our focus number is number 6. F2 children used the Numicon to make 6 in different ways. We have also been making up number stories using the polar animals. We are going to continue this learning next week.
We try to make phonics fun and active for the children. This week we played Musical Blending. The children dance around and when the music stops they jump on a CVC word and blend it. This is a simple game you can play at home!
One of the challenges this week was to paint an icy picture using their fingers. The children mixed white and blue to make different shades of blue.
Fun, fun and more fun in Foundation!
Community Week
As part of Identity week in school, Foundation have been thinking about our school community and the people who work here. On Wednesday, all Foundation children went out in groups to help Mr Atkins and talk about the work he does in school and how he keeps us safe.
Mrs Walshaw is visiting Foundation tomorrow to discuss her role in school and what she does to help us.
Fantastic Learning!
This week, Foundation have all shown an interest in books. They have enjoyed reading with adults, on their own and in groups which is marvellous to see. Encourage your child to read a range of things at home. This can be non-fiction, fiction, labels and magazines.
In the construction area, a group of children worked together to create an amazing model! They showed great enthusiasm when sharing and listening to ideas.
The F2 children went on a phonics hunt. This involved the children working together to find pictures around the classroom and match them with the CVC words. The children did some fantastic segmenting and blending!
The F1 children have had a great week exploring the movement area. A group of children used the musical instruments to play games and sing songs. In their key worker time, they have played counting games, tuned into different sounds and listened to stories.
Have you seen the new area in the classroom?
The role play area has turned into Santa’s Workshop – a popular area this week! The children have loved wrapping presents and writing labels to help Santa.
Christmas Production – this isn’t one to miss!
Foundation have been very busy practising the Christmas production. The children are very excited to perform on stage and show off their amazing singing!
Home-Link Challenge
It’s December on Sunday – Christmas is nearly here!
Visiting Santa in the next few weeks?
Bring in or send us a photo.
F2
Write a letter to Santa with your child. Encourage them to do this independently and use their amazing phonic knowledge.
F1
Draw a picture for Santa.
What will you draw for him?
Well Done!
Well done to Freddie, Chloe and Leo for their amazing home-link challenges this week!
We were very impressed with your creations.
Keep sharing your lovely home learning moments with us.
[email protected]
This week in Foundation…
Our first week back in Foundation has been packed full of learning! It’s great to see that the children have come back ready to learn with fantastic attitudes. The children have loved exploring the new role play baskets in the home corner. We’ve seen hairdressers, doctors, vets and firemen!
This week our focus story has been Dear Zoo.
All the children in Foundation are able to retell the story using our amazing ‘Talk for Writing’ actions! F2 children changed some of the animals to create their own versions. Some children even changed the title to ‘Dear Farm.’ Take a look in their writing books to see their fabulous story maps!
F2 children have now learnt all Phase 2 phonics sounds and are moving on to Phase 3. It’s really important that children pronounce ‘pure sounds’ when practising and using their phonics in reading and writing.
PE
This week the children did so well at getting changed for PE -independently!
All children in Foundation need a PE kit in school for PE on Mondays.
Don’t forget!
Fiddly Fingers stay and play at 3:15pm on Wednesday 13 November.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Home-Link Challenge
Remembrance Sunday
On Monday, during carpet time we will be talking about the importance of this day.
Talk to your child about Remembrance Sunday.
You could even draw a picture or make a poppy for us to display in the classroom.
Living and Learning
This weeks Living and Learning statement is I can take part in democratic decisions. In our circle time this week, we discussed the word democracy and why it is important to make our own decisions. Linking to the statement, we have set up a voting station in the classroom. Encourage your child to vote for the book they would like at story time.
Fabulous Foundation
Movement Monday!
Monday was our first movement PE session for all Foundation children. We had such a good time travelling around the hall in a range of ways, such as slithering, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping. The children particularly enjoyed throwing and catching chiffon scarves. This is a simple activity to try at home. Take a look at their fantastic concentration faces.
A little reminder that ALL Foundation children will need their PE kit, with all items named and in school, by Monday 04 November.
Worm Wednesday!
The children collected 14 different worms from around the outdoor area. They compared lengths, counted them, showed fascination and used magnifying glasses to look closely. This led into discussions on environments they like to live in and how we should treat them.
In maths, we have started to use stem sentences to support understanding and reasoning.
Home-Link Challenge
As we come to the end of our first half term, ask your child what their favourite thing has been so far at school. Ask them to draw a picture of this and grown-ups record what they say about their picture in your child’s own words.