Parent's Newsletter Autumn 1
Welcome back after your holiday and welcome to Reception. I can't wait to start all of our fun learning!
Here are the new 'Rainbow Rules' that expect all of the children to follow every day:
- I will be safe.
- I will respect others.
- I will be in the right place at the right time.
- I will co-operate.
- I will control my feelings and emotions.
- I will communicate appropriately and use the correct language.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'What do I know about me?' We will be looking at what qualities make us special. We will also be looking at how we change as we grow up so if you have photographs of your child from when they were a baby these would be great to bring in to school or even to talk about whilst at home. Each week we will have different question (linked to our topic title) to spark the children's interest.
Week 1 - Transition
Week 2 - Who am I?
Week 3 - Am I a pirate?
Week 4 - Am I a superhero?
Week 5 - Am I a prince or princess?
Week 6 - Do I live in the wild west?
Week 7 - I am special because...
Outdoor Provision:
The start of our reception year is very exciting as we have just had a brand new outdoor area installed. This includes; a trim trail, cycle track, astroturf grassed area, mud kitchen as well as many other exciting resources. We want your child to be able to access these areas and resources all year round and in all weathers, therefore, we ask if you could bring in a pair of wellies for your child to keep in school (if you also have waterproof clothing for your child we would appreciate it if we could keep these in school too.)
We have a set of 8 all-in-one waterproofs to share between the children. (We would greatly accept any donations of wellies or all-in-one waterproofs)
R.E:
In RE we will be focusing on 'Getting to know Jesus.' We will be learning that Jesus loves us and learning about how he helped people who were ill. We will be thinking about how can we help people who are ill?
Personal, social and emotional development (PSED):
In PSED we will be focusing on 'New beginnings' and 'My family'. We will also be thinking about our rules and routines in reception. We will be working on developing a positive self-image.
Communication and language:
We will be focusing on developing our listening skills and our ability to following instructions. We will begin to learn how to solve problems by ourselves.
Physical development:
How to hold a pencil properly. We will also be learning how to keep ourselves healthy and maintain a high level of personal hygiene. We will help to make our hands and fingers stronger through 'Dough disco' (this will help with your childs writing). Why not check out 'Dough Disco' on youtube and you could even practice at home!
PE:
In PE we will be 'Exploring movement.' PE will be on a Monday and a Friday. Children will need to have pumps in school on both of these days. We will begin to practice getting changed fully for PE after half term so your child will need a full PE kit for our first week back in November (yellow PE top, Black PE shorts, pumps).
Literacy:
We will be learning to recognise and writing our own name as well as practicing to continue a rhyming pattern.
Numeracy:
In numeracy we will be: practicing counting rhymes; counting to 10 and back; counting up to 10 objects; learning the names of 2D shapes (circle, rectangle, triangle, square).
Understanding Of The World (UOTW):
We will be exploring our indoor and oudoor environment at school. We will also be leaning about the religious festival of Diwali.
Expressive Arts and Design:
To link in with our Topic we will be making Self-portraits. And to link with the festival of Diwali (festival of lights) we will be exploring art through light and dark.
Reading:
Your child will read with a teacher once a week however there is no set day when your child will read so it is very important that your child brings their reading book and school diary in every day. Reading is an important and fun way for your child to develop their understanding of language and we love to see children getting excited about reading. One fantastic way for your child to foster a love for reading is to read at home with an adult, therefore we expect your child to practice reading at home as often as possible (this may include practicing some phonics sounds; listening to an adult read and joining in). Please sign your child's school diary when they have read at home (I would love to hear what sorts of book you have been reading or what phonics activities your child has been doing as well so feel free to write a comment in your child's diary).
Phonics:
Your child will recieve a daily phonics lesson which will help them to learn new sounds to help with their reading. We will begin to learn the sounds for the letters of the alphabet. I recommend using the 'Jolly Phonics' videos on youtube to help your child learn the sounds by listening and joining in with the songs (these videos use the correct phonic pronunciation of each letter)
Homework:
For the first half term we do not send home any formal homework. However it would be great if your child could investigate lots of things to do with themselves (they could make a scrap book with lots of information about themselves including things they like/dislike and photographs/drawings of things that they get up to at home.)
We expect children to read with an adult, at home, every day. Please sign your childs school diary when you have read with them.
Thank you for your continued help and support
Mr Shaw, Mrs Walton, Mrs Quinn and Mrs Nolan