We have had a really successful start to the school year in Reception! The children have settled in really well and learned our class routines and expectations. It is also really lovely to see so many children coming in enthusiastically and independently. It has been a real joy to get to know the children and their interests through their treasures and holiday memories. We have been up to so many different and exciting activities from making our self-portraits to starting our PE lessons with Mr Kinnersley.
In our literacy lessons, we will be listening to a wide range of stories and listening out for words that rhyme. We will be focusing on “pre reading behaviours” encouraging children to identify the title of books, track from left to right and notice that a sentence ends with a full stop. We will be making marks for meaning whilst playing in the role play area, such as making a shopping list or taking a telephone message. We will be recapping Phase 1 phonics, which will ensure that we have all the skills firmly in place to move onto Phase 2 once we are ready. We have been practising holding our pencil correctly, using an established grip and practicing lots of pre-writing skills.
In addition, we will be learning lots of number rhymes that will help us to count forwards and backwards. We will be comparing amounts, thinking about when we have more, less or the same of something. We will be classifying objects in different ways, for example sorting vehicles into those that have wheels, those that have funnels and those that have both. We will be identifying patterns in the environment and creating our own patterns, using natural and other materials. We will be learning about subitising, by looking at familiar arrangements of numbers on dice, dominoes and playing cards.
On Monday 6th October we celebrated our Monster Phonics day. Children arrived to school dressed as their favourite monster phonics character – so many wonderful costumes! Thanks so much to all parents and families for putting these together, it is much appreciated as it really adds context and enthusiasm to the day. We participated in lots of phonics games and activities such as an exercise class with Miss Oh No, Cool Blue stage for music and drama, Tricky potions in the mud kitchen.
On Tuesday 14th October we learned about Harvest and began to understand the importance of being grateful for our food. Each child made a harvest crown, we learned some harvest songs such as ‘Oats and Beans and Barley grow’ and ‘Dingle Dangle Scarecrow’, and even enjoyed making some apple crumble to taste during the afternoon!
Next, we are really looking forward to Nursery Rhyme dress up day on Monday 10th November where children (and staff) can come dressed as their favourite nursery rhyme character. Watch this space!
Things you can do at home to help your child’s learning:
- Fostering independent skills such as taking on/off jumpers, coats, shoes, using a knife, fork and spoon appropriately, independent toileting and handwashing.
- Reading every day with your child including reading for pleasure.
- Counting in the environment – counting vehicles, steps, natural materials
- Play ‘I Spy’ to encourage initial sounds
- Use ‘robot-talk’ to blend words such as ‘can you put on your c-oa-t’ etc.
- Go for a walk in the local environment to spot well-known landmarks
We look forward to a year of fun, laughter and learning.
Best regards,
Reception Team
