Welcome to Reception Class!

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

‘How can we help Cinderella have a ball?’ and ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star how I wonder what you are.’

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 topic, 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 for the introduction of the number 0 as well as the numbers 6 to 10. Using our number knowledge, we will look closely at the following concepts:

• Using marks to record amounts.
• Solving mathematical problems.
• Sharing a group of objects equally.
• Spliting a group in half.
• Understanding that doubling is 2 sets of the same number.
• Using the language ‘more’ or ‘fewer’ when comparing two sets of objects.
• Understand and identify number bonds to 10.

This terms Shape, Space and Measure focus will allow for the explorations of mass, capacity, length, height, time, 3D shapes and patterns. We will look closely at the following concepts:

• Recognising and ordering objects by length, height, weight and capacity.
• Using the correct vocabulary to talk about position, distance, objects and shapes.
• Talking about time using the correct words.
• Talking about money using the correct words.
• Measuring short periods of time in simple ways.
• Identifying the mathematical names and properties of 3D shapes.
• Creating repetitive and significant patterns using shapes and objects.

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

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!

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.

Communication Book and Book Bags
Please could you ensure your child brings their book bag into school each day.  Book bags should contain your child's phonics sheets and later in the year, a reading book.  Our aim is to be paperless; therefore most written communication will be via Showbie or the school email system.  More information about this app and how to access it will be provided when your child starts school. 

SPRING TERM DIARY DATES

 Tuesday, 5th January 2021: First day of term

Monday, 15th – Friday, 19th February 2021: Half Term

Wednesday, 31st March 2021: Last day of Spring 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!