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!”
Living and Learning: I make safe choices.
This week, we’ve been thinking about making safe choices in different situations. Here are some suggestions made in a class discussion:
“If somebody tells you or asks you to do something inappropriate online then report, block and tell a trusted adult.” Sofia
“If your friends are peer pressuring you to try a cigarette or an e cigarette then tell them you don’t want to and walk away.” Mya
” If you’re crossing a road, always try and find a zebra or pelican crossing to cross rather than anywhere random.” Rodi
Living and Learning: I know how to seek help
During this week’s living and learning session, you learnt some mindfulness techniques. These are great techniques to help yourself.
Mindfulness gives your brain a moment of pause to assess any situation without responding irrationally and full of emotions. Here are some of the mindfulness activities that we learnt:
Here are some pictures of us practising these techniques.
Skipping Superstars
Today, Leanne, from the Skipping School, visited to teach us some new skipping skills.
We learnt a variety of jumps; the double jump, the speed bounce, the crossover and the pretzel to name a few.
We played two group games and we also learnt a dance routine which we will add skipping to ready for a competition in March.
Living and Learning: I know what a drug is.
This week, our Living and Learning statement was ‘I know what a drug is’. As part of our learning, Dave from D:side came in to talk to each class about drugs. With the younger children, he spoke to them about medicines and how we can keep our bodies healthy. In KS2, he delivered workshops on smoking, alcohol and drugs.
Following on from this, each class discussed the issues and dangers around passive smoking and what they could do if they felt uncomfortable about it. The NHS website has some excellent information about passive smoking and the risks for children.
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: stjameseyfs@spherefederation.org
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?