Welcome to Reception Class!

During the Summer Term we will be learning and developing holistically through the following exciting topics; 

‘How do we make sense of the world?’ and ‘Was it once upon a mixed up time?’

As always our topics are very much child led, and as a result, learning can often take an entirely new direction!

For a more detailed look at the seven areas of learning and planned activities for these topics, please see the attached topic webs below.

What to Expect, When? 

Did you know that children develop more rapidly during the first five years of their lives than at any other time!

 The attached booklet  has been written to help you as a parent/carer know what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

A Typical Day in Reception Class...

Each day includes:

• A time for the whole class to be together for story-telling, imaginative talk, word collecting, sentence building and writing!
• A phonics session (in a group with an adult)
• A mathematics session (again, in a group with an adult)
• Opportunities to self-select from a wide range of activities both inside and outside the Reception Classroom.
• A time for a snack of fresh fruit and a drink of water or milk
• A group session/time for (and this changes from day to day) music, physical activity, drama, cooking etc
• A challenge (two or three times a week); for example, “How can we make our hall fit for a ball?”

Read, Write Inc

Small group RWInc phonic sessions will continue to take place throughout the week.  Additional reading and writing opportunities take place on a daily basis where children are encouraged to use their sound knowledge to support their independent reading and writing.

Maths

We will continue to explore mathematical ideas and concepts through a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors! 

This terms Number focus will allow children to use the knowledge they already have about the numbers 0-10 and apply it to counting up to 20 and beyond.  Using our number knowledge, we will identify patterns and look closely at the following concepts:

• Identifying number patterns when counting to 20 and beyond.
• Using the vocabulary involved in adding and subtracting during practical activities.
• Beginning to understand that some quantities will share equally into 2 groups and some won’t.
• Understanding that double means 'twice as many'.
• Using marks to record amounts.
• Solving mathematical problems.

This terms Shape, Space and Measure focus will allow for further exploration of 2D and 3D shapes as well as looking at length, height, time, spatial reasoning and repeating patterns. We will look closely at the following concepts:

• Using the correct names for 2D and 3D shapes.
• Using mathematical words to describe shapes.
• Using shapes to create patterns and make models.
• Identify a shape from its name.
• Describing objects and shapes using mathematical vocabulary.
• Talking about time and using the correct words.
• Order events in the correct sequence.
• Measuring short periods of time in simple ways.
• Using prepositions to describe where something is.
• Recognising and making my own repeating patterns.

 Forest School

During the first half of the Summer Term, our topic is to explore ‘How do we make sense of the world?’.  For the children to gain a good insight into the world around them, they will have the opportunity to participate in a weekly Forest School session at our on-site Forest School area.  They will also be using their senses to grow and harvest some crops of their own.

iPads

In class, your child has access to lots of educational apps on our class iPads. Most are free although some do have to be paid for. Here are some of the most popular ones...

Twinkl Phonics, Eggy phonics, Collins ‘Big Cat’ stories, Twinkl Count to 20, Addition and Subtraction for kids, Tiggly chef/ Tiggly Series, Space numbers, How to write numbers, Get Growing, Meet the Alphablocks, Shape’s got Talent, Chef Addition, Story Maker, Safari.

Helping at Home

Help your Child to be Marvellous at Maths!

Did you know that children with good numeracy skills are more likely to learn more, stay in education longer and have more chance of actually being in work when they grow up?

Children are born with an innate mathematical ability and research has shown that parents have a massive effect on how this develops.

Do maths together every day...

This may not sound very attractive, but guess what?  You already are!  Maths is everywhere - helping your child get dressed, baking together, going to the shops, singing counting songs, building with blocks - practically every activity we do with our child involves Maths!  For further information, please follow the link...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/help-your-child-with-maths#:~:text=When%20your%20child's%20getting%20confident,feel%20they've%20grasped%20it.

Read, Read, Read

Read to your child as often as you can!  Read anything and everything, not just the reading scheme books.  Real books, with pictures, rhyme and enjoyable stories are crucial here.  Try to encourage your child to talk about the pictures, or to make predictions about what will happen next.  It’s most important for your child to enjoy reading above all, so try to relax, and stop when either of you begins to feel pressured or anxious.

Encourage your child to recognise and read print when you are out shopping, on the bus or at the park.  Most children can recognise the Golden M for McDonald’s a mile away!

Communication Book and Book Bags
Our aim is to be paperless; therefore most written communication will be via Showbie or the school email system.  Feel free to ask if you require any support with accessing or using Showbie.

Please could you ensure your child brings their book bag into school every Friday so that reading books and materials can be changed weekly.  It would be great if you could aim to read with your child as much as possible, maybe even every day, just 5 minutes!  Every little bit of reading practise will help your child develop their reading skills - not just word recognition or sound blending techniques, but their comprehension of the text they are reading.  Asking questions to check their understanding of the text is really helpful too!  The children will be heard read weekly in their RWI groups as well as individually during our DEAR Time.

SUMMER TERM DIARY DATES

Tuesday, 20th April - Return to School for Summer Term

Wednesday, 28th April - Talking Trees Workshop at School

Monday 31st May - Friday, 4th June - Half Term

Tuesday, 20th July - End of Summer Term

​​​Please note, my door is always open so please feel free to arrange an appointment to come and see me if you wish to discuss anything about your child and their learning.

Thank you to all parents for your continued support. 

Best wishes,

Miss Self!