We’ve had a week full of festive fun!
The Christmas story
We’ve been learning the story of the first Christmas- The Nativity. We learnt that this is why Christians celebrate Christmas. The children independently wrote what they could see, in a scene from the story.
Christmas Dinner
Reception had a yummy Christmas dinner. They had fun exploring the Christmas inflatables, organised by Mrs Pennock.
Maths- Professor Myers and the candy cane experiment!
Professor Myers introduced our maths focus this week, with the candy cane experiment! We investigated the strength of a candy cane by hanging different objects from it.
We’ve also been exploring the language we use to describe weight; heavy, light, heavier, lighter, heaviest, lightest. We compared objects using balance scales.
Some children decided to compare their weight using the balance boards outside!
Christmas around the world
We’ve been exploring the different ways that people celebrate Christmas across the world. We looked at the difference between Santa in the UK and Santa in Australia.
We made Chinese paper lanterns for decorations.
We heard about the good witch, La Befana, who brings presents to children in Italy.
We made observational drawings of Poinsettia- a popular Christmas plant here, in Mexico and in India.
We went hunting for the lucky almond (in picture form). In Denmark, it’s a Christmas tradition to hide an almond in pudding. The finder has good luck for the year!
We added drawings of presents and sweets to a picture of shoes. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas leaves gifts in children’s shoes. Our shoes were magic and turned into real treats at play time!
We discussed similarities and differences with our own Christmas traditions:
“I decorate with lights on my tree and tinsel in Mummy’s car”- Orlah (Christmas in China)
“We have a witch at Halloween but scary”- Daniel (Christmas in Italy)
“It is hot there. It’s cold and snowy here”- Mollie B (Christmas in Austrailia)
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. This week’s poem is Cup of tea.
We talk about how a poem sometimes has rhyming words and sometimes doesn’t. Can your child tell you the rhyming words in this week’s poem? We also talk about how a poem can have a fast rhythm or a slow rhythm. Can your child tell you if this week’s poem is fast or slow?
Here are some children from Sunshine and Rainbow classes, reciting this week’s poem:
Someone special visited our classrooms…
On Wednesday, the children received a special video. Santa had been to visit our classrooms and he’d left us all a present! He even took the time to read us a story on the video. We were so impressed that he came to see our school.
Christmas party day
We’ve had lots of fun today; dancing, playing games and being with our friends.
Thank you to FOSP (The Friends of Scholes (Elmet) Primary) who gifted us an online pantomime to enjoy- Cinderella!
Learning Journey drop-ins
Thank you to parents and carers who joined us for our Learning Journey drop-ins on Monday/Tuesday morning and Thursday after school.
If you were unable to join us this time, we’ll be offering more of these drop- in sessions later in the school year.
Phonics
It was another review week in phonics this week. We’ve been revisiting and consolidating all we have learnt across phase 2. The children have been brilliant in their reading groups and independent writing this week. It is fantastic to see them confidently using all of the skills they have developed this term.
This week we have sent home tricky words. Please practise these as your phonics challenge over the holidays.
A message from the Reception Team
The Reception team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy spending time with family and friends this festive season. We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 3 January 2023!
Reminders
Swimming/Football
Spring 1 – swimming
Rainbow Class- 4 Jan, 18 Jan, 1 Feb
Sunshine Class- 11 Jan, 25 Jan, 8 Feb
When your child is not swimming, they will be taking part in Foot Tech Football sessions. Please ensure your child comes in PE kit every Wednesday, including suitable trainers.