Another busy two weeks in Reception learning about hot and cold countries. We had some very interesting visits from parents to share their experiences and knowledge with Willow and Lilac classes – thank you so much. Children listened and learned about life in Qatar from Aadya’s mum, learned about Australian wildlife and landmarks from Theo’s dad and heard all about an adventure to Mount Kilimanjaro from Sammy’s dad. We also enjoyed learning about Massachusetts from Ottie’s mum. Finally, we discussed road safety with Frank’s Mum and even had the opportunity to explore different layers of road structure.
We are continuing to extend and consolidate our phonics and beginning to apply our knowledge and phonological awareness to our own independent writing during Child Initiated Learning. For example, National Storytelling Week during Week4 gave us opportunity to become storytellers ourselves by writing our own stories, engaging in role play and drama such as acting Three Billy Goats Gruff, using puppets and storysacks to tell our favourite stories and sharing a variety of fact and fiction in whole class sessions.
In Maths, we introduced the concept of doubling and applied our understanding through creative activities such as making doubling ladybirds and butterflies with paint. Children were intrigued by this technique and this also helped us to explore symmetry and pattern. In the final week this half-term, we engaged in a maths carousel each day to consolidate our mathematical skills of counting, subitising and understanding odd and even numbers.
You can help by:
- reading daily with your child – this has a very positive impact on children’s progress in reading and comprehension. A little goes a long way!
- encouraging your child to ask questions using question words and whole sentences.
- encourage your child to notice numbers in the environment and doing lots of counting.
Have a wonderful and restful half-term!
The Reception Team
