Our topic for the first half term is “Families". The children will use this topic as a springboard into creative, social and chronological areas of development. Among other things, we will be learning about animal families and habitats, making collage family members, thinking about how we have changed since birth, as well as exploring our senses in science - based exploratory activities.
Our topic focus for the second half term will be "Festivals and Celebrations". We will investigate different cultures and beliefs with many cookery and art sessions involved. As we move towards Winter we will think about and prepare for Christmas.
During independent and teacher–led activities the children will be learning to hear initial and final sounds in words through games and songs. For those who can already do this, the focus will be towards word-building and blending. We will be using the Jolly Phonics scheme and new synthetic phonics. We will provide more information about this and about reading with your child at the Foundation Stage Parents’ Evening on Thursday 24th September. The children will have the opportunity to develop speaking and listening skills, for example through sharing holiday and weekend news with others in both formal and more informal settings. The children are encouraged from the beginning of the year to master correct pencil grip and to develop emergent writing skills. At home, this can also be encouraged through involving your child in writing activities, for example the weekly shopping list or letters to family members.
At present the role play area is set up as a house, providing the children with a familiar environment in which to re-enact family characters and scenarios with each other, developing communication skills and co-operative play.
Number work will focus on counting and ordering, sorting and comparing using a range of both practical resources for the children to explore and experiment with, and teacher led activities. All mathematical work in Reception is practical.
Opportunities to develop mouse control and basic keyboarding skills will be introduced in ICT. At home, you can support your child in this area by encouraging them to use a computer, if available, and encourage them to bring their work in to school to show to the other pupils.
I am looking forward to the forthcoming year with your children and hope to develop positive relationships with you in the best interests of each child in my care. If you have any points you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to come in and see me.
If your child would like to bring in any books, games, puzzles, pictures and resources related to our topic, please ensure that they are labelled.