Hello everyone, what a lovely week we’ve had in Reception.
This week
We have spent this week thinking about the best ways to learn in Reception. To help them the children have been introduced to some very important characters. Each of these Mr Men and Little Miss characters are associated with one of the 9 characteristics of effective learning. The children have had lots of opportunities this week to apply their new found learning with the characters we have met so far this week. All of the adults have been so impressed with how well the children are beginning to explain how they learn, keep it up!
In Phonics this week we have been working hard; continuing to develop our listening skills and attempting to identify the initial sound in words. We have been practising how to listen to the sounds that letters make in order to hear words. In order to do this, the children are beginning to use robot-talk as a tool to help orally segment sounds in words, e.g. coat becomes c-oa-t. We combine robot-talk with oral blending e.g. c-a-t become cat. We are really impressed with how hard the children are working at these two key skills.
In Maths this week, we were developing our comparison skills. We shared an explanation of the word comparing using the following STEM sentence:
“Comparing means to say what is the same and what is different.”
To help the children understand this concept, we used lots of key vocabulary and equipment as part of our learning. The children used words like big and small, bigger and smaller, biggest and smallest to help compare different buttons. We were so impressed with how quickly the children used maths vocabulary to explain their understanding.
The children have also been listening to the story of ‘Brown Bear Brown Bear, What do you see?’ by Bill Martin. Throughout the story, there are repeated refrains in which each is animal is asked “What do you see” and they respond “I see a (animal) looking at me.” As each day passed, the children’s listening and attention improved and by the end of the week, we were so happy to see the children being able to join in with the repeated refrains.
It was also an exciting week as Reception had their first Music and PE lessons. Mrs Davies; our Music Teacher, was very impressed with the children’s listening and how they were able to join in with the actions of the songs taught. Mr Smith; our PE Teacher, was so proud of how safely and sensibly the children enjoyed the carousel of activities. The Early Years Team were very pleased to see the children developing lots of new skills which we know they will enjoy practising throughout the year – well done everyone!
Next week
- We will continue to meet more of our Mr. Men and Little. Miss characters to help the children understand the characteristics of effective learning.
- In Phonics, the children will continue to practise the skills of oral segmenting and blending to help prepare them for reading.
- In Maths, the children will continue to develop their comparison skills but compare differing lengths and heights.
- In Music, the children will continue to join in with the actions and songs taught.
- In PE, the children will continue to practise some fundamental skills involved in travelling.
Supporting your child at home
- Model using comparative language such as less, more and same to describe objects at home or whilst you’re out and about e.g. 2 glasses with different amounts of deciding, different sized leaves in the park etc.)
- Encourage your child to ask questions that start with a question word e.g. who, what, when, where, why and how.
- Over the past few weeks in school, we have been practising how to listen to the sounds that letters make in order to hear words. This skill of blending sounds together is so important in preparing your child for reading. You could practise this skill at home. You may like play the picture game sent home this week.
- You could also use robot-talk as part of your everyday conversations e.g. “Can you get your c-oa-t?” Please practise orally blending frequently until your child is feeling confident.
Any other information
- READING BOOKS – In your child’s bag today you will find a reading record, a wordless book and a picture book. Please would you be able to begin to listen to your child “read” their wordless book at home. If you can encourage them to tell a story using the illustrations as prompts that would be great. There is also a picture book for you to share together. It really helps children’s understanding of stories if you can ask them to make predictions about the story, discuss alternative endings etc. There are some ideas of possible questions inside the front cover of their reading record. You will also find ways to help your child with “pre-reading skills” such as following text from left to right. Please can you note in your child’s reading record each time you hear them read, along with a comment letting us know how they are getting on. Please can you ensure that your child’s reading record, wordless book and picture book are in school every day.
- PHONICS & MATHS INFORMATION EVENING – Please save this date for your diaries – TUESDAY 5th OCTOBER 6:30-7:15PM. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how reading, writing and maths are taught and ways in which you can support your child throughout the year.
- JUNK MODELLING – Thank you so much for all of the junk you have provided to us, it is always very much appreciated. Please keep it coming!
Thank you for your continued support, we hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Mrs. Fisher and Mr. French
Willow and Lilac Class Teachers
