A message for Reception Parents and Children
Dear Parents and Reception children,
We hope you are all keeping well and know that you will be resilient and resourceful over the next weeks as you adapt to the changes ahead. We will do our best to support you and help you through this very challenging time.
As school closures begin on 23.3.20 we will add weekly learning on to our class page to continue the EYFS curriculum for the rest of this term. After the Easter holidays we will review the situation and find the best way to move forward.
The main focus will be basic skills such as phonics, writing, maths and activities and games to ensure learning and play is still taking place. We have suggested ideas for all areas of learning on a home learning map but if your child is particularly interested in doing something else that is fine too. You are probably much more likely to get good quality writing when it is for a purpose or something the children wish to do. An email to a relative, or a picture or letter to send to an elderly neighbour are a fantastic way of practising skills and learning as well as brightening someones day!.
You already have access to reading books on bug club and logins for Mathletics and Purple Mash (minimash). Also don't forget about all of the useful documents on this page such as the list of high frequency words and tricky words.
You should have received an exercise book that you can use to record any activities you wish to do.
Above all please bear in mind that this will be an unsettling time for everyone, the children and yourselves as parents. There is a lot of information below and on the website; you do not need to complete it all. Weave bursts of 20 minute learning cycles into your day and allow lots of time for play and exploration. This is the beauty of Early Years, learning can take many different forms. Lastly, ensure that you make time for yourself also; you can’t pour from an empty cup as they say!
Please visit monsterphonics.com to find the Sleeping Beauty Powerpoint story. It can be found by going to Reception, Term 3, Week 5 (click on the right of the black box).
We hope everyone is well and finding the right balance of activities. Twinkl have recently added to their site and have some suggested timetables that some of you may find helpful.
Please send in your photographs to the school office. We would really love to see how our Reception children are getting on and please give them all a big hello from us!
Mrs Crook and Mrs Holt
Useful websites and Apps:
Phonics:
Monster phonics have given us free parent access, details below.
Username - parents
Password - homelearning
We are currently working on Reception Term 3 and would be due to start week 4 on Monday 23rd March
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ (free access)
Username: march20
Password: home
http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/
A website that gives you information, flash cards and games for phonics. We’re currently working at Phase 3 and 4
Reading :
Bug Club
https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk/login?e=-1&c=0
School code: ktjp
Reading eggs App – free 30 day trial
Writing: (letter formation and spellings)
Writing Wizard App
Maths:
https://www.mathletics.com/uk/
Use your mathletics log ins to access video lessons and games
https://play.numbots.com/#/intro
Practice addition facts and number bonds.
mathseed app – free 30 day trial
Physical Development:
Websites:
Use your Purple Mash (MiniMash) login to play games
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/home-early-years
Twinkl are offering parents free access to learning resources.
To access the free offer, you will need to visit www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and log in as a new to Twinkl member using your email address, set up a password and use the code: UKTWINKLHELPS
Online games - some tablet friendly, but others need Flash.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
Videos, games and activities linked to their favourite characters.
https://theimaginationtree.com/
This website gives parents lots of free simple and fun ideas to promote all areas of learning.
https://www.orchardtoys.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxoXjxMum6AIVQrDtCh23JwOLEAAYASAAEgLc6vD_BwE
Lots of free resources at Orchard Toys Online.
https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/
Lots of fun indoor crafts, activites, apps, etc.
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7sW4j8p7k9D_qRRMUsGqyw
YouTube video clips from Mr T does phonics Please review Phase 2 & 3 Phonics sounds, digraphs and trigraphs learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_qs3c0ehDvZkbiEbOj6Drg
Alphablocks videos to support phonics.
Instagram accounts with lots of great ideas for learning & play at home:
Parents have been issued with emails for staff. If you are having difficulty with something, do contact us and we will try to respond as soon as possible.
Our very best wishes.
Stay safe and well!
Mrs Crook and Mrs Holt
Welcome to Reception!
In reception we believe in providing a safe and stimulating environment where all children con flourish. We believe that each child is unique and that children learn best when playing and learning are combined. We know that the most successful learners are happy, confident, curious, motivated and engaged. We provide a nurturing environment which reflects our core values and interests of our children, develops skills for now and success in the future and offers challenges so that children are able to achieve their full potential.
Our Team
Your class teachers are Mrs Crook and Mrs Holt.
Mrs Crook will be teaching Mondays, Tuesdays & alternate Wednesday afternoons.
Mrs Holt will be teaching alternate Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays.
Mrs Sheppard and Mrs Duncan are our class teaching assistants and will be with us Monday-Friday.
Wednesday mornings will be taught by Mrs Reekie & Miss Windle
Our topics for this year are:
| Autumn 1 | Do you want to be friends? |
| Autumn 2 |
Why do squirrels hide their nuts? What happens when I fall asleep? |
| Spring 1 | Why can't I have chocolate for breakfast? |
| Spring 2 | Will you read me a story? |
| Summer 1 | Why do zebras have stripes? |
| Summer 2 | What can you see in summer? |
We will cover each topic through a mixture of teacher-led whole class learning, small group or 1:1 teacher-led activities and continuous provision related to the topic that allows the children to learn more through independent, group or individual play. On top of this there will be visits to Forest School, daily phonics sessions, weekly music and RE sessions and two PE sessions a week (on Mondays and Thursdays for this term). Children can come to school in PE kit on PE days. These can also be worn on other days.
We conclude most topics where possible with an 'Express'. Parents are invited into the classroom so that the children can share with them some of the things that they have learnt during their topic.
As we move through the term, we will update the page with photos and highlights from the topic.
If you haven't already done so, have a look at our curriculum map below for more detail on what your child will be learning during their time in Reception.
Autumn Term 1 - Do you want to be friends?
This is a great topic to start the school year as it explores what friendship looks like, the new setting, how to be a good friend and how to take care of each other. We will read lots of stories about friendship and base our learning, in all areas of the curriculum, around these stories, giving the children the chance to play together, get to know their new school and each other.
Autumn 2 - Why do squirrels hide their nuts?
During this topic, we will find out all about the seasonal changes we see as we move into Autumn and then Winter. The children will listen and respond to stories about woodland animals and will find out about how different animals prepare for the cooler months. Which animals hibernate for the winter? Where do they go? How do they know when it is time to wake up? We will make careful observations to discover patterns, similarities and differences in the natural environment. A trip to Braywick will bring all this learning together and enrich the children's understanding of our natural world.
Spring 1 - Why can't I have chocolate for breakfast?
During this topic we will take a close look the things we eat and how they can affect our health and well-being by investigating a wide variety of foods. We will take scientific look at the changing state of foods by cooking, melting, mixing and freezing. This will be complimented by our chocolate workshop which will delve into the science and ignite our imaginations. Finally we will research where different foods come from, how they are grown/produced and also how we can keep our bodies healthy by eating a balanced diet.
Spring 2 - Will you read me a story?
Was the big bad wolf really that bad? How many bowls of porridge did Goldilocks really eat?
Our new topic will take us deep into the exciting world of story telling and fairy tales. We will be exploring fairy tale characters, goodies, baddies, homes and castles, magic, fantasy, writing and telling stories.
Additional information and resources
Bug Club
Presentations
Cookham Dean CE Primary School, Bigfrith Lane,
Cookham Dean, Maidenhead SL6 9PH.
Tel: 01628 482734.
Email: office@cookhamdean.org