This term the children will continue to learn all about the season of Winter recapping on the changes that have taken place since Autumn and then eventually as we move into the season of Spring. We will be making observations of our environment during this winter period and looking at ice and snow in play. The children will also learn how they can help wildlife such as birds and minibeasts during Winter.
The children will be learning all about the story of 'Lost and Found' which explores the theme of friendship between a boy and a penguin. The children will learn all about animals in the Artic and Antarctic making comparisons to animals we have in this country. The children will then look at a story called 'Handa's Surprise' which is set in the continent of Kenya. We will explore these places on the map and discuss the similarities and differences between them.
The children will explore simple map work and will use the orienteering course in the school grounds and the nature garden which will ask them to read simple maps. The children will create their own simple maps as well.
PE days
This term PE is going to be on a Wednesday and a Thursday. Please ensure that children come to school in the correct PE kit either wearing trainers with pumps that they can change in to or just the black PE pumps if it is dry. Trainers are more substantial if the weather is wet for when we go out to play.
Home reading books
Two reading books will be given out each Monday for your child to practise their reading skills at home. Please ensure that these books are sent back into school each week so that your child has regular access and practise in this area. Reading books at home will embed what they are learning in school and in time make your child a more confident reader.
Reading challenge
Please check the date when a reading challenge wallet comes home so that the book can be shared with your child at home and returned with a completed book review ready for the next reading challenge. The children love receiving a high quality text to share with you at home and they might even be able to read a page of two or pick out some key words or phonic sounds that they have been learning in school.
Key words
The children will bring home a key word sheet to keep at home to learn with you. We will check key word recognition with the children in school letting you know which words may need practising. Regular practise in the form of a flashcard will massively help your child retain the words as some of the key words can't be sounded out and your child needs to rely on identifying the word by sight.
Homework
Homework will generally be set on a Friday and will need to be completed by the following Thursday. Homework is generally linked to something that we are working on in class and will be set on seesaw.
Phonics bag
I have made a set of all the sounds we have covered so far in phonics this term. It is really important to get into a regular routine of using the sounds as flashcards for recognition and then building 2 and 3 letter words to help develop your child's blending skills. The more practise the better.
Here is a list of some great websites to find fun games, lessons, clips and resources to help you at home...
Cbeebies - Numberblocks and Alphablocks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/numberblocks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/alphablocks
TopMarks Interactive games
Phonics Play
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/freeIndex.htm
Phonics Bloom
Oxford Owl Reading Books
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/
BBC Bitesize