Welcome to Reception
Miss Longhorn is teaching Rome
Mrs Gratton is teaching Berlin
Our teaching assistants are Mrs Palin and Miss Godfrey
Miss Friesner and Mr Raiswell teach Reception on a Tuesday. Please come in PE kits on Tuesdays.
Our homework is reading and practising letter formation.
General Information
- Reading books and records need to be in school everyday so that children can read with a member of staff.
- Reading books are changed each week and your child will bring home a book banded reading book.
- Please look after books and return them to school after use.
- Please can you name all of your child's belongings and help them to practise putting them on.
What are we learning at the moment?
Summer 1
Summer 2
In literacy, we will be reading ‘Gigantosaurus’ by Jonny Duddle and ‘The Sea saw’ by Tom Percival . We will continue learning lots of new vocabulary with Freddie Fox and Pete the cat will help us say sentences about the story. It is important that the children are using the correct letter formation now and we will continue to practice these using letter join. We will also work hard using our phonic knowledge to write words and simple sentences about the stories. The children will learn more digraphs, trigraphs and tricky words.
In maths, the children will build on their earlier learning and become more confident with numbers up to 20 and beyond. They will practise counting, recognising number patterns, and solving simple addition and subtraction problems using practical resources. They will also explore shapes by building and combining them, and begin to understand sharing and grouping as early ideas of multiplication and division. Alongside this, children will develop their understanding of position, direction, and spatial awareness through practical activities. By the end of the term, the children will be encouraged to make connections across their learning and apply their maths skills with growing confidence, helping prepare them for Year 1.
In Summer 1, our topic will be ‘Our Planet’. We will talk about our planet when dinosaurs roamed the land. Dino Dan will visit us to show us dinosaur bones and fossils. We will be busy planting sunflowers grown from seeds we picked in the autumn term and learning about the lifecycle of a butterfly. Our jigsaw theme is ‘relationships’. Our summer starts with a visit to ‘The Runway Centre’ where we will find out about the airport and discuss the places people visit on holiday.
In Summer 2, our topic will be ‘How much have we grown?’. Our jigsaw theme is ‘Changing me’. We will talk about how we have changed since we were babies. We will talk about changes by doing experiments involving freezing too. Our seaside day will be a wonderful celebration to end the year and a collaboration with our cygnets to help them as they transition into school. The children will talk about Year One and start getting to know their new teachers and classrooms.
Phonics
We follow the Rocket phonics scheme and will continue to learn new sounds. They will continue practicing how to blend and segment words with the sounds that we have learnt. Please continue to use the sound mat that we sent home, the ideas sent on tapestry or this letter Rocket Phonics Parent Leaflet
Reading
How to support your child with reading at home
- Read with your child nightly and practice a rapid recall of the sounds learnt so far.
- Reading should be fun to encourage a love of reading, some nights this may be you reading a story to them which supports fluency or having a discussion about a story which supports comprehension
- A coloured banded book will be sent home, Reading books will be changed each week.
- Initially your child will receive a lilac book which does not contain any words. This is to develop language and discussion skills that support reading comprehension. Make sure you have watched the video above for some top tips.
- Remember to re-read stories to develop fluency
- Children will read to an adult in school at least once a week
- When we feel your child is ready, they will move up a colour following an assessment. The assessment covers fluency and comprehension as well as word recognition
What to Bring to School
- School book bag - this can be purchased from the office. Book bags fit in the children’s trays so please no rucksacks or backpacks.
- Reading books should in your bag every day (these will be provided in the first few weeks of term)
- Home school diaries (this will be provided)
- School water bottle (these will be provided in the first week of term - don't worry about buying one!)
- Waterproof coat and wellies (if these could stay in school that would be great!)
- Sun hat and sun cream on hot days
- Woollen hat and gloves on cold days
- PE kit (the children can come into school dressed in their PE kits on those days, we will tell you which days this will be needed)
- Spare underwear and socks
- Packed lunch if your child is having one. (Please note that all children in EYFS are entitled to a free school lunch. More information on school lunches is available on the website)
Please note that you do not need to provide a snack for your child. Fresh fruit is available every day.
Useful Resources, Websites and Links for EYFS
In this section you will find links to websites and apps which you can use to support your childrens learning at home
Reading and Writing
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ using the following free login details username: jan21 password: home
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ -This is often free if used on a computer. Small charge for use on ipads / other devices
https://www.phonicshero.com/ - sometimes offers a 7 day free trial
https://readingeggs.co.uk/- Often offers a 30 day free trial for website and app users
Alphablocks are another fun way to learn phonics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01cz0p1/alphablocks
Tricky Words
https://www.youtube.com/watch/TvMyssfAUx0?safe=true - Tricky word songs that we use in school
A Website with lots of ideas for teaching tricky words
Tricky Word Activity Mats
Maths
Numberblocks are a great way to learn numbers and have fun - available on IPlayer and as an app too!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/numberblocks-help-your-child-with-maths
Other websites to support with learning in EYFS
Twinkl https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parents They are currently providing some activities and resources for free.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk - some brilliant games and activities!
http://www.ictgames.com - ICT games for different subjects
www.busythings.co.uk - Excellent site built around the 7 areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. You can access a free 7 day trial but you need to subscribe after this period to access the content – various subscription packages available.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/barnabybear/ - Visit the world with Barnaby Bear!
Don't forget that as EYFS parents, you can keep up to date on what you child has been learning and any WOW moments, by accessing the tapestry website or app.
You can also add photographs and videos from home too!
If you do not have access to this, please speak to the school office staff.
This video tutorial shows you how to add photographs and videos from home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=espJ96TJHV8
Physical Development
The children are encouraged to be physically active throughout the day. We use continuous provision to support the development of gross motor skills and go for a welly walk every Friday. However, we do some focused physical activities during our Physical Development day.
Our PE day is on Tuesdays with the Sports Coaching Group.
On these days we ask that children come to school in their PE clothes rather than their school uniform.
Weather dependant they can wear their shorts and school coloured PE T-shirt and House PE sweatshirt. If the weather is cold, then track suit bottoms/leggings would be more suitable. Trainers are preferable to pumps as it is possible the children may be outdoors for some lessons.
We want the children to think about how they can express themselves, talk about how they are feeling, and also who they can talk to if they are not feeling ok.
More information for parents can be found here: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/
Below, we have uploaded some activities to help you and your children think about and support their mental health.
Please remember, all the staff at Church Lane are here if you are your child need us - please contact us if you need us.
Draw your feelings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STdJ__8ORyE&feature=youtu.be
A great activity in which your children can draw their body and think about how they are feeling – they can express this in any way they choose. The video goes through this step by step.
Meditation and Yoga for children
Your children will already be familiar with “cosmic kids yoga”
On this website you will also find guided meditations for children. They are called “peace out”
We have uploaded some mindfulness colouring sheets to the class page that your child may wish to use this week.
Play some calm, relaxing music as your child completes these. You may wish to do one too!
Non-Screen Time
Take some time away from your screens today
Here are some ideas you could use:
Starting School this year?
Parents Information Powerpoint
We invite parents of children due to Start Reception in Septmber 2023 to an information evening on Wednesday 5th July at 6:30 pm.
Documents to help with starting school
Here are some useful hints and tips for parents when preparing for and when starting school