Year R

This Week

 

It has been lovely to see the children returning after half-term full of energy and ready to resume their Learning Journey.

 

So far this week we have heard all the children read and it is great to see the progress they are making both with their reading and the learning of their Key Words. Thank you for supporting your child's reading at home - all our evidence shows that the more often children read and practise their Key Words the faster they progress. Hopefully the booklet you were given at Parent's Evening has helped you with ideas on how to support your child's reading at home. We are always pleased to offer further suggestions so do not be afraid to ask us.

 

Today the children have started consolidating their subtraction skills in mathematics and this will continue tomorrow. We have been showing the children the different resources that can support their maths skills (cubes, number lines, bead strings, number squares and drawing lines or dots on a whiteboard). Next Wednesday during Family Day there will be opportunities for you to see Year R maths in action!

 

Many families have already signed up for a session for Family Day on Wednesday 28th February and we look forward to welcoming you. The sign-up sheets are inside the school reception area of you have not yet signed up. Please remember that we can only accommodate one family member per child during the day and unfortunately cannot accommodate siblings.

 

We are continuing with our topic of Transport and on Friday have planned lots of activities based around the book 'The Train Ride'. The children will be moving from class to class during the day and will have opportunities to do poetry, maths and creative activities linked to the story. We are sure your child will be keen to share their experiences with you an we will take photos to share on the website next week.

 

 

Dates for your diary:

Friday 9th February - Last day of Spring 1  (3:15pm)

Monday 19th February - INSET DAY

Tuesday 20th February - First day of Spring 2 (8:35am)

Tuesday 20th - Friday 23rd Mrs Attenborough/Mrs Martin co-teach Hedgehog Class

                                   Mrs Maylen and Mrs Faye teaching in Mole Class as job-share

Friday 23rd February - Mrs Martin's last day with Hedgehog Class

Wednesday 28th February - Family Day (see separate parentmail for details)

Thursday 1st March - Book Day (children to dress up) - See newsletter

Tuesday 6th - Thursday 8th March - Book Fair in the library

Tuesday 13th March - Class photos

Friday 16th March - Open session to share your child's learning 2:45pm-3:15pm

 

Please see our website https://www.oldbasinginfants.co.uk/ for details of this week and some photos as well as learning opportunities you may want to try at home. Thanks for supporting your child’s learning.

 

The Year R Team  

Key : CT=Class Teacher      EYA = Early Years Assistant     

SEN - Special Educational Needs

Mole Class - Mrs Maylen (Mon-Weds) Mrs Faye (Weds-Fri)  CT

Ms Smith EYA

 

Hedgehog Class - Mrs Attenborough CT          Miss Lees (Final Year Teaching Student)

Mrs Laverton EYA           Mrs Jobson-Wood (SEN)

 

Dormouse Class -  Mrs Nightingale CT

Mrs Davies EYA

 

SEN support across the school - Mrs Hart and Miss Thurgood

Teaching cover for non-contact - Mrs Reid

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week

 

 

In cooking this week the children made fruit Santas, Grinches, candy canes and Christmas trees.  The children chose their design and then used a choice of strawberries, grapes, bananas and melon.  The children learned how to chop fruit carefully and safely.  They then enjoyed eating their creations.  We will be cooking again next term.

 

The dress rehearsal went very well today (Wednesday) and the Year R children all took part in front of the rest of the school.  The narrators were brilliant and their voices were very clear.  We were very proud of them and look forward to performing in front of parents and relatives on Thursday (2pm) and Friday (9:30am).

 

In phonics we have continued our work on Phase 3 sounds.  The children should be able to tell you digraphs and perhaps trigraphs.  Digraphs are two letters (graphemes) that make one sound, for example 'sh'.   Tooth contains the digraphs 'oo' and 'th'.   Trigraphs are where three letters make one sound, for example 'air'.   Tight contains the trigraph 'igh'. 

 

If you take a look at Education City, you will see that we have allocated some phonics homework.  Just look in 'My City' to access these activities.

 

To improve our number work, please practise counting forwards and backwards from any number.  For example counting from 4 to 14.  Or counting back from 18 to 0.  See if your child can tell you the number before 20, or the number before 16 etc.

 

Due to rehearsals and performance over the next week or so, we will not be able to have guided reading but we will oversee a book change so that you can read at home.  Please continue to read and practise Key words as often as you can.

 

Thank you for all of the effort you made with the costumes.  The children looked amazing!  We will send these home after the last performance.

 

Raffle tickets are on sale.  The children have the opportunity to buy a ticket for the raffle draw.  The school staff all donate gifts for the raffle.  If  you wish to buy a ticket please send 20p per ticket in a named envelope over the next few days where the teachers will keep them safe.  Please don't let your child keep the money in their bag or pocket as the coins will get lost!

 

Dates for your diary this term...

Thurs 14th - 2pm year R performance (anyone can come)

Friday 15th - 9:30am Year R ticket performance

Friday 15th - 3:30pm Rock Steady Concert (for the parents of children who take part in Rock Steady)

Monday 18th - 2pm Year 1 Open performance

Tuesday 19th - 9:30am Year 1 ticket performance

Tuesday 19th - 2pm Year 2 open performance

NO LIBRARY DUE TO PERFORMANCES

Wednesday 20th - 9:30am Year 2 ticket performance

Wednesday 20th - Christmas lunch

Wednesday 20th - Special assembly

Thursday 21st - End of term at 3:15pm

 

Next term:

Thursday 4th January - Back to school for Spring Term.

 

 

As always please do pop in and ask if you have any questions.

 

The Year R Team

 

This Week

 

 

Dylan respected his right to learn by challenging himself to order 8 animals by height.

 

The children are doing very well with their play rehearsals.  If your child is a Narrator please make sure they memorise their lines and speak them loudly for all to hear.  We have been most impressed so far!  A letter will go out this week to give you more details about costume ideas. Please do ask if you are struggling to get a costume together - we do have a small store of costumes and can easily sort out something if we are given enough notice.  Costumes can come in at any time in a named bag.  Please make sure all costumes are in by Monday 11th in the morning as the children need to practise putting on their own costumes.

 

In phonics we have been consolidating the childrens' use of sounds by building words in sound 'families'  For example:

 

Can your child read or write CVC words (consonant, vowel, consonant)?  Can they sort them into groups?  If your child is able to use digraphs they could extend their learning by creating CVCC or CCVC words - for example  sock, chin, bath, shop).

 

These are the words that we have learned recently.  Can your child use these in a verbal sentence?  See if you can write it as they say it.  Model how to use finger spaces and full stops.

play, saw, there, the, so

 

We have made clay penguins this week and also painted them.  The children did very well at creating their penguins based on a plastic model and they were unsupported in this.  We will be sending the penguins home soon to make space for cards, stockings etc!

 

In Maths we have been ordering animals by height, counting snowflakes (sequins) onto gloves, and practising counting forwards and backwards to 20.  Can your child count backwards from 10 to 0?  Can they do it from 20 down to 10?  What number is one more than...?  What number is two less than...?

 

Due to rehearsals and performance over the next week or so, we will not be able to have guided reading but we will oversee a book change so that you can read at home.  Please continue to read and practise Key words as often as you can.

 

As always please do pop in and ask if you have any questions.

 

The Year R Team

 

This Week

 

We had a good turn-out of parents at the open session last week.  Thank you if you were able to come and take a look at your child's journal.  We realise that it is not always possible to take part in this, but you are always welcome to make an appointment to review your child's learning - just ask and we can have the book ready for you!  There will be more open sessions over the year - look out for dates on the regular Newsletters from Mrs McCarley.

 

We have started working on the songs for our Christmas Performance of 'Wiggly Nativity'.  We ask the children what they would like to do in the performance; either saying lines, dancing, singing, or just being a part of a procession.  Based on this feedback from the children we have given parts for the performance.  Every child will get the opportunity to dress up and take part in some way.   Please look out for letters which inform you of the costume requirements - they will go out over the next few days.   Please do ask if you are struggling to get a costume together - we do have a small store of costumes and can easily sort out something if we are given enough notice.

 

Top Tips for parents:

• Children must have bare feet to be on stage (every child will be on stage at some point, apart from Narrators).  So no tights please!  (unless you cut off the foot part)
• All costumes in a named bag so that they don't get misplaced or confused.
• Items such as tails, ears, halo - named if possible for the same reason.
• Sheep (white or grey leggings, trousers, white or grey top, fur waistcoat, alice band ears)
• Stars (black leggings or trousers with black tshirt with stars all over or just one star on the front)
• Angels (white dress, trousers, leggings, tops with anything sparkly!  Wings optional! Halo of tinsel)
• Animals (e.g. an ox would be brown leggings or trousers with brown top with alice band ears or head mask (above the face so that they can see adequately!)
• Shepherd - Anything rustic.  Perhaps a crook.  Teatowels non-obligatory!
• Wise Men - grand clothing and perhaps a crown.  We have some spare if you want to use ours let us know.
• Please don't stress if you can't find anything.  :0)  We have spare costumes in the cupboard that we can access.  Please let us know ASAP so that we can negotiate with other Year Groups. 
• If you search the internet you will see some lovely ideas for every costume imaginable.  Take a look if you feel the need to do something unusual or are struggling for ideas.
• Most importantly, this performance should be fun and exciting for the children.  If you are worried about it please do conceal this from your child as they will pick up on your nerves.  Each child is taking part to their comfort level so please believe us when we say it will be a lovely special experience that you will cherish.  If your child is particularly clingy or has a nervous disposition please try not to sit at the front - this may make them anxious.  Standing at the back is a good idea to create a bit of distance and comfort at the same time.  A cheery wave as you come in, and all should be fine!  We will scoop up any children that find it too overwhelming (it WILL happen!) but please leave us to comfort them and they should be able to get back 'on track'.   Every year we are amazed at how the children perform and they are rightly proud of doing it themselves.
• If your child has lines, they will be expected to say them without reading, so please practise at home.
•  

 

Matilda respected her right to learn by seeking a challenge

 

We have started celebrating children who read at home in a new way - for the last 2 weeks, if a child reads at home they receive a sticker and their name goes on a special 'we have read at home' board.  If you access Bug Club, or a sibling reads with your child,  or even if your child reads environmental print at the supermarket; please do jot this down in their reading records.  We rely on reading records to tell us how much children read at home.

 

Children in Need was a huge success with many children making generous donations (Thank you Mums and Dads!).  A total amount will be shared once we have collated all the money from donations and the money box.

 

We have started our differentiated work on handwriting.  Some children are building co-ordination and hand strength by making letter-style shapes.  These children are having extra support through special 'Write Dance' sessions in the hall.  Some children are ready to write letter shapes using the same medium (goo, shaving foam, sand, etc).  Other children are ready to use pencils and are writing letter shapes on paper.  There are 1-armed robots, long ladders, and curly caterpillars.   See if your child can tell you some of them.

 

Here are some FMS activities that we have used in class that you could try at home...

 

 

In phonics we have been continuing our work on phase 3 sounds with most children, working on digraphs such as 'ch', ,'sh', 'th', 'ai', and 'ng' and the trigraph 'igh'.  Can your child tell you some words that contain these digraphs?  Other children are consolidating phase 2 sounds and should be able to tell you the sound of each letter (google phase 2 sounds if you want to try it out).

 

These are the words that we have learned recently.  Can your child use these in a verbal sentence?  See if you can write it as they say it.  Model how to use finger spaces and full stops.

his, has, come, said, was, by, do, be, no, go.

 

In maths the children have been counting pompom baubles on trees, marshmallows in hot chocolate and many other exciting 'Winter' themed activities.  Some children are working on their accurate counting and recognition to 5, some are working up to 10 and some children are consolidating their knowledge of teen numbers.  

 

Guided reading will take place on Thursday 30th November and Friday 1st December this week.  Please make sure children have their books and reading records in school every day, as they may be having key words checks on any day. 

 

As always please do pop in and ask if you have any questions.

 

The Year R Team

 

This Week

Owen was respecting his right to be healthy by drinking water (Article 24)

 

Don't forget that it is Children In Need on Friday 17th November. The children can dress in whatever they wish for that day. If they want to wear spots they can, but they don't have to. Please make sure their costume or clothes are practical for outside learning and that they can fit a coat over the top! There is a £1 fee to wear non-uniform. Please hand £1 to your teacher and these donations will all be sent to Children In Need. Please also remember that if you find any 'old' money - tatty tenners, floppy fivers and round pounds - please use the donation box at the office.

 

Monday 20th November at 2:45pm is our open session where you are welcome to come into the classroom and take a look at your child's work. Please arrive at the usual door a half hour early and we will let you in and your child can lead you to their book. When you have finished looking at their work you can sign your child out with an adult from class and exit via the outer door.

 

We realise that some parents may forget about this and panic when they turn up at 3:15pm. However, we have staff meeting straight after school and you won't be admitted to the classroom after 3pm. There will be other open sessions to watch out for.

 

During guided reading we hear the children read and the children take these books home. If your child has been moved on to Pink band, the children can change their book at the beginning of the day and they can do this as often as they like.

 

In phonics this week we have learned the following sounds.. The children should be able to tell you the letter name, the sound it makes and the action that accompanies the sound.

j, w, x, y

 

We have also practised these keywords. Your child should be able to recognise these on sight and not have to sound them out. They may be able to use them in a sentence.

 

my, you, of, like, said

 

1. maths we have been working on our knowledge of teen numbers as well as practising counting using 1:1 correspondence. Can your child choose a number between 11-19 and tell you 3 things about this number? E.g. what is the number before it? What is the number after? How many tens are there?

 

1. children thoroughly enjoyed writing day on Tuesday. They 'discovered' the story of the Three Little Pigs by finding clues around the outside of the school. The children then came in a retold the story to an adult and then wrote in whatever style they wanted. The writing was completely child led and independent and gave us a good idea of what they have learned so far this year. Every single child wrote something and they were enthusiastic and can't wait for the next writing day! Here are the stages of writing. Some children will be at stage 1 and some will be working at 2, 3, or 4.

 

 

1. continue to read as much as you can at home. We will be starting a new reward system for those who are reading at home, so if you read Bug Club, any books, comics, magazines, environmental text then do pop it in their reading records. Even a quick date and signature if you are in a hurry. Please also keep practising keywords and sounds as this makes such a difference.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

The Year R Team

 

 

This Week

Ruby was respecting our right to be safe by tucking her chair in (Article 36)

 

We had a busy day with Family Day this week. Thank you to everyone who came along on the day. There were a maximum of 10 adults per session and this avoided an overly full classroom! There will be two more Family Days over this academic year. The children enjoyed hearing the story 'Welcome' by Barroux and having discussions about their right to shelter and the right to a family.

 

The children have thoroughly enjoyed writing letter shapes in sand, glitter, slime and foam. We looked at "long ladder" letter l, "one armed robot" letter r and "curly caterpillar" letter c. Can your child write these letters using water and brushes, chalk, fingers in sand etc. This is what they should look like. Each cursive letter begins on the line.

 

We have learned the following keywords this week;

to, the, me, we, she

We are focusing on phonics to make sure that all children are secure in their sounds. Please take a look at the phonics songs and games on Education City as they really help children to learn them. By the end of Year R most children will be expected to know all of the alphabet sounds and names as well as the main digraphs (secure in Phase 3).

 

Try going through the alphabet in this way...

"My name is A [ai] and my sound is a [a]. My name is B [bee] and my sound is b [b] my name is C . [see] and my sound is c [ck]. It helps to use the Jolly phonics actions to differentiate between name and sound. The alphabet song is a really good way of practising the letter names.

 

 

This Week

 

The children had their first PE lesson this week and thoroughly enjoyed themselves! They learned to negotiate space whilst moving around the hall. A major part of our learning came from getting changed back after PE. Lots of children had difficulty with buttons, tights and socks. Please do practise this at home and ask your child to put on their own clothes, even if it takes a lot more time! If your child is at football club, please do practise changing as we only have one adult in class on a Wednesday afternoon and the children need to be a bit more independent in their dressing skills!

 

Don't forget it is Family Day on Tuesday 7th November. If you want to spend an hour in class with your child please sign up at the office. We can only allow one adult per child but there will be other Family Days throughout the year. If you haven't signed up you won't be able to come...

 

When you practise keywords, make sure the children read them out of order! They should not read them in order of "you can see" - they memorise this too easily!

 

The children have created their Class Charters which describe their rights. They have learned that all children have rights under the United Nation's Charter for the Rights of a Child. (UNCRC). Every child has the right to:

• be safe
• learn
• be healthy
• play
• be heard

Can your child remember some of their rights? How can they stay safe? What can they do to stay healthy? etc.

 

We are focusing on phonics to make sure that all children are secure in their sounds. Please take a look at the phonics songs and games on Education City as they really help children to learn them. By the end of Year R most children will be expected to know all of the alphabet sounds and names as well as the main digraphs (secure in Phase 3).

 

Try going through the alphabet in this way...

"My name is A [ai] and my sound is a [a]. My name is B [bee] and my sound is b [b] my name is C . [see] and my sound is c [ck]. It helps to use the Jolly phonics actions to differentiate between name and sound.

 

We have continued our work on number and have learned about the numbers to 20. What numbers can your child see in their environment? Can they tell you 'one more' or 'one less' than this number?

 

If your child walks to school (either all of the way, or part of it) please remember to hand in their walk to school cards for October. We will be celebrating these on Friday so we need them to be handed in by Thursday. Even if they walk once a week, it still counts!

 

As always please ask if you have any questions or need clarification.

 

The Year R Team