Curriculum Newsletter - Summer

Dear Parents,

 

Welcome back!

We hope you had a lovely and restful Easter.  The Spring Term was very busy but exciting! The Easter activities were very fun and the concert was a great afternoon.  Thank you for all your support in making the Spring Term successful.

We are all looking forward to another exciting term and we hope you and your children will enjoy the topics and learning that will take place over the next few months. The curriculum booklet will give you more information about this and will also give you some important notes to remember throughout the term.

We hope you find it useful and please don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any questions.

Many thanks,

Miss Hayward, Miss Smith, Mrs Leech, Mrs Barnett and Mrs McGarvie

Topics

Under the Sea

Under the Sea’ is our topic for the first half of term.  There will be a focus on non-fiction books, finding information and talking about our findings.  We will be encouraging the children to develop their speaking and listening skills, in order to develop in confidence. Children will be exploring water, taking part in investigations such as floating and sinking and making predictions.    

Amazing Animals

Our topic for the second half of term is ‘Space’. We will be learning about the Solar System, looking closely at planets. The children will investigate mechanisms, in order to find out how things work. There will be lots of opportunities for construction as well as sensory activities.  We will look at Space travel, linking many learning opportunities to books.

 
Knowledge and Understanding of the World

During our topic on ‘Under the Sea’ children will learn about similarities and differences between different sea creatures. We will take part in investigations and experiments to find out why things happen, patterns and change.

The topic ‘Space’ will provide opportunities for the children to find out about the planets of the Solar System. There will be a focus on mechanisms, to find out how things work.  The children will have opportunities to construct their own rockets and ‘moon buggies’!

Science Week will introduce children to new topics within Science and allow them to experience investigative skills.

Through child initiated play, using the resources available, the children will develop exploratory and investigative skills which will extend their knowledge and understanding of the world.

Creative Development

During this term, children will continue to learn new songs and begin to explore changes in sounds through the use of musical instruments.  We will focus on the tempo, pitch and volume in music and identify patterns and change. Drama skills will be developed as we incorporate role play of stories within our Literacy sessions.

Art and design will be primarily be related to our topic.  The children will investigate different art techniques in order to create scenes from Under the Sea and Space.  They will continue to develop 2D and 3D creations and talk about how they can improve their work. Independent play opportunities will encourage the children to explore a variety of materials where they can use their senses to investigate.

Physical Development

PE will take place every Wednesday morning. The topic this term will be ‘Games’. This will help the children to develop the basic skills needed for team games as well as introduce the skills that will be used in Sports Day activities. Children will learn how to travel around a space and how to use equipment safely. They will also learn the importance of keeping healthy. Children will have access to outdoor space and resources to encourage gross motor development.

Communication, Language and Literacy

During this term we will continue to develop phonic, reading and writing skills, with a focus on sentence structure and punctuation.  Storytelling will be explored in order for children to develop their understanding of sequencing, characters and endings.

Please continue to use the reading record book to record notes on your child’s reading.  Your child’s teacher and LSA will also write notes when they hear your child read.

The children will develop their writing skills as they continue to progress in writing CVC words, captions and sentences.

Children will participate in a phonics session every morning. This term we will be learning and revising the following sounds:

Set 6: j v w x Set 7: y z,zz qu

Graphemes: ch, sh, th, ng, ai, ee, igh, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ear, air, ure, er.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

The children will continue to develop their numeracy skills through fun, engaging and practical activities. Children will continue to learn to recognise, count and order numbers, as well as a focus on number formation. Children will solve simple calculations and number problems, through using their own methods and skills learnt.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This term, the children will continue to develop their self confidence as they move to their final term in Reception.  We will be encouraging the children to work independently on some tasks and support them in using the skills they have learnt to develop their learning. Towards the end of term, the Reception Graduation will encourage the children to be confident to stand in front of an audience!

We will continue to encourage children to dress and undress independently for P.E and continue to encourage them to take responsibility for their own belongings. 

Cookery

Thankyou for all your support in organising and participating in cookery during the Spring term.  If you would like to help in the kitchen either on a regular basis or on a rota, please see your class rep. We would be grateful for a voluntary contribution of £5 per child per term, in order to cover the cost of cookery. We will be sending a separate letter with regards to cooking contributions.

Uniform & PE Kit

Please continue to check that each item of your child’s school uniform, P.E kits and coats are clearly named.  PE kits can remain on your child’s peg throughout the school year. Please ensure that long hair is tied back. If your child wears earrings, they must be able to take them out independently.

Donations

Donations of glue sticks and tissues would still be very much appreciated because these are essential, especially in Reception!

Dates for the Diary

1.  Pizza Express Trips – RCH Thursday 19th April & RKS    Thursday 26th April

2.  Sports for Schools athlete visit – Friday 27th April

3.  PTA Summer Fair – Saturday 26th May

4.  Science Week – Week of 28th May

5.  Half Term – Friday 1st June

6.  Sports Day – Tuesday 26th June (Reserve Sports Day – Friday 29th June)

7.  Reception Graduation Assembly – Tuesday 17th July