This term our topic is The star that Fell by Karen Hayles
Phonics
● We will be learning the phase 3 phonemes from our phonics programme ‘Unlocking Letters and Sounds’. The majority of these are digraphs (where two letters make one sound) for example ch as in chip.
● We will introduce the next set of common exception words; me , we, be, he, she, was, you, they, all.

Maths
Our Maths work will focus
● on numbers within 6 e.g. ordering, 1 more, 1 fewer
● addition and subtraction within 6
● measure
● shape and sorting

Literacy
● The children will develop their speaking and listening skills whilst exploring a range of books linked to the theme of light and dark.
● We will continue to develop prediction and inference skills.
● We will look at fiction and non- fiction books, with a focus on nocturnal animals, particularly owls.
● We will read Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and enjoy a visit from a ‘Mummy Owl’ who will be able to answer all our questions about her owl family.
● The children will be learning to retell the Christmas Story.
● We will continue to focus on developing pencil control and fine motor skills as well as forming letters correctly.

Expressive Arts and Design

Music
● We will be listening to music from a range of cultures and creating our own music using instruments.
● We will be singing traditional Christmas songs.
Art
● The children will draw their own Mehndi patterns linked to our learning about the festival of Diwali and also watch some Diwali dancing, before joining in and learning some of the movements.
● We will then move on to do some collage work linked to Bonfire Night.
● We will explore colour mixing with paint before painting our own patterns in the style of Kandinsky.
Reception
class news for the term ahead
Supporting your child at home
Please hear your child read at home five times a week. Little and often is best.
Please continue to practice common exception words, phonemes and name writing.

DT
● Our topic this term is Structures. We will be making a home for an owl. We will need to consider how to create a stable structure and where to position our building materials so our structure does not fall!

PSHE
● Our PSHE topic this term is Celebrating Differences linked to our school values.
● The children will think about how we are all unique but belong to one school community. We will discuss the things we are good at and celebrate these strengths. We will look at homes and families and discuss similarities and differences. We will focus on kindness and learn the importance of being kind to our friends and also think about what to do if someone is unkind.

Understanding the World
● We will be learning about how people celebrate special times in the year such as Bonfire night, Diwali and Christmas.
● We will be comparing schools over time.
● We will notice how the seasons are changing and explore the natural world around us.
● We will learn how some animals get ready for hibernation and look at habitats such as nests.

PE
● This term the children will be learning football skills. We will also have a weekly dance lesson. PE days will remain the same.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to please write in your child’s reading log book each time you read with them, as this is helpful for us to know how the children are progressing at home. As we continue to work through the phonemes the children will be given new flashcards.

From Term 2, Nightingales will be taught by Mrs Trypanis on Wednesdays. Mrs Trypanis is currently teaching in Year One, however previously worked as part of the Reception teaching team. We are looking forward to Mrs Trypanis working with us for the rest of this year.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sophie Barnett, Ruth Kennedy, Laura Keay and Hermione Trypanis
Reception Team

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