Reception: Attenborough
Welcome to Rocket Class, where:
Here you will find our class newsletters, photos, and any important information you may need to know!
Our class teachers are: Ms Newey
Our class TA is: Mrs Adams
If you have any questions, please feel free to speak to us at the end of the school day; alternatively, you can email the school office to arrange a meeting.
Important Class Information:
Welcome to Attenborough Class page! Here we will keep you updated on what is happening both in school and within our class. However, if you have any questions about anything, please feel free to catch up with us at the beginning or end of the school day.
Our Curriculum - Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In our reception classes, children will build on their pre-school and home experiences and take part in a wide variety of multi-sensory activities in both the inside and outdoor classrooms. Learning opportunities are planned predominately around the children’s interests, wants and needs. This allows us to provide individualised learning for each child. We provide many practical experiences, such as forest school, baking, role play, sand and water and physical play. Alongside this, there will be regular phonics, maths and reading sessions. We provide a balance between teacher and child-led activities and, in addition, we arrange both visits and visitors to help enrich the curriculum.
The EYFS Framework (2021) explains how and what children in our EYFS will be learning to support their development. Our EYFS pupils learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through seven areas of learning and development.
All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.
There are three prime areas which are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for helping their capacity to learn:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
There are then four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
We will ensure that:
- Teaching and learning activities engage and motivate children to learn, and foster their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
- There are focused activities to support, develop and extend children’s learning at their own pace.
- Children are given opportunities to develop their own ideas, thoughts and opinions about their play activities.
- Activities are extended/modified according to what the children like/find tricky.
- There are strong links between home and school.
- Parental partnership in their children’s learning is recognised, valued and developed.
Click on the link to look more closely at 'Development Matters 2023'
Our Classroom
Our classroom is designed to create a calm, nurturing and homely environment, which research suggests is the best environment for children to feel safe, learn and thrive in.
We have lots of natural and 'real' resources which encourage curiosity, discovery, awe and wonder through open-ended experiences.
We have continuous provision organised within learning stations around the classroom (resources which are always available) as well as enhanced provision (new or additional resources) which are added in each week by targeting specific skills, with a focus always including early reading, writing and maths.
Class Information
WATER AND SNACKS
In addition to their own water bottles, all children have a drink of milk or water (in a cup) at snack time. We ensure that every child has a drink at this time, so please be reassured that they have been drinking, even if their school bottle still has some water in. We also refill lots of their bottles during the day. Children do have access to water if they forget their bottle. Infant children are also provided with a free fruit or vegetable snack daily.
COATS
Whilst the weather is still fairly pleasant, please ensure that your child has a coat in school with them each day, as we will take the opportunity to go outside in both rain and shine! We recognise that some children may find putting on and fastening their own coat difficult, and we support children in practising and developing this skill in school. This is something that parents can practise at home to help their independence.
WOW VOUCHERS
We love to hear about your child’s WOW moments at home. Please jot down any of your child’s achievements on a WOW voucher so that we can celebrate with them in school and add these to our WOW wall. Please ask if you need any more vouchers.
WELLY WALK
We are fortunate to have a dedicated area for our Welly Walks. Welly Walks offer an ideal opportunity to learn outdoors, and offer a rich and sensory environment for learning, particularly for our children in Reception. We go to the woods on a Friday afternoon. Although we will not take the children outside in heavy rain/snow, we try to go out whatever the weather! Please ensure that your child has a pair of named wellington boots at school. It is very wet and soggy down in the woods at the minute, and we don't want them to get their school shoes dirty.
PE AND MUSIC
PE will take place on Wednesday morning with Mrs Townsend. As the children are now changing into their PE kits, please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name. That way, if your child brings someone else's uniform home, we can quickly return it to the owner. The children keep their PE kits on their pegs throughout the term, and then they will be sent home half-termly for washing. Please can ear-rings be removed for PE.
Music lessons will be conducted by our specialist teacher, Mrs. Farrington, every Wednesday morning.
LABELLING
Please ensure that all belongings (uniform, coats, shoes, lunch boxes, book bags, water bottles etc) are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This helps your child to recognise their name and locate their own belongings but also enables misplaced items to be easily identified and returned.
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING THIS TERM?
This term, we will be learning all about ourselves, our families and what makes us special. We will talk about our feelings, our bodies, our likes and dislikes, and the people who are important to us. Through stories, songs, play and activities, we will encourage the children to develop their confidence, independence and understanding of themselves and others.
We will also be exploring the wonderful story of Elmer, the colourful patchwork elephant! Elmer will help us to celebrate what makes each of us unique and special. We will explore colours, patterns, friendships and emotions while encouraging the children to be proud of who they are and to appreciate the differences in others.
Throughout the term, we will provide lots of opportunities for children to talk, explore, create, investigate and learn through play, both indoors and outdoors.
This term, we will be exploring a range of wonderful books and stories. These stories will support our learning and provide opportunities for the children to talk, listen, develop their vocabulary, explore new ideas and learn through play. We will focus on the following books:
PHONICS
This term, we will be learning Set 1 sounds using the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme.
The children will learn a new sound each day and will have lots of opportunities to recognise, say and practise each sound. As their confidence develops, we will begin to support the children in blending sounds together to read simple words.
We will also practise forming letters correctly, using the correct formation and developing a comfortable and effective pencil grip.
There will be lots of opportunities to practise through games and practical activities, making phonics fun and engaging for the children.
Please see the leaflet at the bottom of the page for more information about Read Write Inc. Phonics and how you can support your child at home.
Phonics is the key to unlocking reading and writing, and that is why we have chosen to use the Read Write Inc (RWI) phonics and writing scheme at our school.
Learning to read is a life-long skill and a key thing your child will learn. Everything else depends upon this skill, and so, at Bourton, we put as much energy into ensuring that every single child not only learns to read but learns to love reading!
We have included some documents at the bottom of this page which you can use to support your child at home, but here are the Set 1 Sounds your child will be starting to learn in Reception:
Video links you may find helpful when practising phonics at home with your child:
How to help your child learn the Read Write Inc. phonics sounds (youtube.com)
Read Write Inc. | Set 1 Sounds | Learn Phonics | British Teacher (youtube.com)
Reading the bouncy sounds with your child - YouTube
MATHS
In Maths, we will be focusing on counting and developing a strong understanding of numbers. We will spend lots of time counting together and exploring the numbers 1, 2 and 3, helping the children to become confident in recognising, counting and using these numbers in their play.
We will also begin to explore the composition of numbers – understanding that numbers can be made up of different parts. For example, we might explore how 3 can be made from 2 and 1.
As the children become more confident, we will introduce number bonds, using practical resources, songs, games and everyday experiences to help children develop a secure understanding of how numbers are connected.
Most importantly, we will make maths fun, practical and meaningful, giving children lots of opportunities to explore numbers through play and everyday routines.
For further information, please look at the parent guide attachment.
Important dates:
Wednesday 2nd September: 1:1 meetings
Thursday 3rd September: 1:1 meetings
Friday 4th September: 1:1 meetings
Monday 7th September - Children start to school
Thursday 10th September - Phonics / maths meeting
Tuesday 13th October - Early Parents Evening
Wednesday 14th October - Harvest Parents Open Morning and Late Parents Evening
Thursday 15th October - Flu Nasal Spray
Friday 16th October - Break up at 3.15pm for half-term