Sharing a Shell

Friday 23 June 2023

We’ve continued our learning on coastal habitats this week, by taking a closer look at rockpools and some of the sea creatures you may find in them.

Sharing a Shell

We’ve been reading Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson.

We looked at the characters, events and settings and matched them with real images and text in a non-fiction book.

In our writing, we retold parts or all of the story in our own words.

The book also had some great messages about sharing and how to treat others. Linked to this, our word of the week was thoughtful.

Holidays in the past

We’ve been looking at the way people enjoyed a seaside holiday in the past, specifically in Victorian times. We’ve been looking at similarities and differences with seaside holidays in present day.

Ask your child what they can remember about seaside holidays in the past.

Making a rockpool

Maths; comparison and doubles

This week, we’ve re-visited comparing quantities and identifying when there is more, fewer or an equal amount. We’ve also revisited how to find doubles and reciting them using the maths stem sentence, eg.

“4 is made from 2 plus 2; double 2 is 4” 

In provision, we’ve been using Numicon to compose numbers. This encouraged us to use a range of skills: shape matching (Numicon frame), subitising (Numicon) and addition.

Froglets!

Our tadpoles have turned into froglets (or metamorphs to give them their posh, scientific name!) Some with just their back legs so far, some with all legs and still with their long tail. They’ve had to move into a taller home as they’re getting very adventurous!

Phonics

Summer 2 week 3 has focused on:

Phase 4 words ending –s /s/
Phase 4 words ending –s /z/
Phase 4 words ending –es
longer words

Please continue to use the Little Wandle sheets, sent home with your child each week.

Poetry Picnic

Each week we will be learning a new poem. We will recite this poem each day. By saying the poem out loud, we can focus on the sounds and rhythm of each word or line. We talk to the children about how this can help us become better readers.

This week’s poem is the traditional rhyming song- The Big Ship Sails

Click below to watch Reception recite this week’s poem!

The Big Ship Sails

Help at home; packaging and pollution

As part of our continued art project, please send your child into school next week with one or two items of packaging. We would ask for these to still be solid, in their original 3d shape.

Our recycled art project links closely to our literacy focus text next week and to pollution. You could help prepare your child by having a quick chat about what the word ‘pollution’ means and about the ways we might help to keep our planet clean and healthy.

Outdoor learning come rain or shine!

Painting and colour mixing: “woah, I made purple- it was blue and red” (Harry) “My pink was red and white” (Orlah) “Yellow and blue makes green” (Daniel)
Testing agility on the obstacle course, mud kitchen masterchef!, using guttering and balls to explore force and motion.

More of our learning this week…

 Reminders and Dates

Transition Morning- Thurs 6 July Drop off and collect your child from their usual Reception classroom on this day. We will send a slip home with your child on this day, confirming which class they will be in from September.

Learning journey drop-ins- Week commencing 10 July

An opportunity to “drop into” school and share your child’s learning journal with them. We would like to welcome you into the classroom on one of the following sessions:

9.00 – 9.30 Monday 10 July

9.00 – 9.30 Tuesday 11 July

3.30 – 4.00 Thursday 13 July

Swimming

Rainbow- 5 July, 19 July

Sunshine- 28 June, 12 July