Class Name: Robins

This term our topic is:
Are Minibeasts Like Me?

This half term our learning question is 'Are minibeasts like me?'. Key questions that we will be exploring include 'What is a minibeast?' 'Where do minibeasts live?' 'How are minibeasts different to each other? Features of different insects' 'What is a lifecycle?' 'What is the lifecycle of a butterfly?' 'What does metamorphosis mean?' 'How do you care for a minibeast?'. 

To support our learning we will share various non-fiction texts as well as books such as 'Superworm' by Julia Donaldson, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle, 'Matisse's Magical Trail' by Sam Boughton and Tim Hopgood and 'Mad About Minibeasts' by Giles Andreae.

In maths we will be focussing on numbers to 20 and beyond. We will explore number patterns, match pictures to numerals, investigate the composition of numbers using ten frames, learn how to estimate, order and subtract. We will also complete a unit of work on 2D shape. 

Our value for April/ May is Honesty. This value will be explored during our SCARF PSED time when we will be completing a units of work called 'Rights and Respect' and 'Being My Best'.

We will continue to our learning outdoors for 'Forest Fridays'. Please ensure children have outdoor clothing suitable for the weather i.e sun hats for hot days, wellies and coats for rainy or cold days. If parents would like to come and help out during one of the session please contact Mrs Bates or Miss Maule before the day you wish to come.

 We will continue to update parents and carers on Class Dojo, about what is happening and when. Please also keep and eye out for emails and messages from the school office.

Reading

Your child will be sent home with a book matched to their phonics learning and a library book. 

Reading books will be changed on a weekly basis. Please bring you child’s reading book every day as we are always looking for extra opportunities to listen to them read.

We ask that you try to share a book with your child at least three times a week. It really does make a difference. If your child finds some of the words difficult, remind them to use their phonics for support. Alongside reading the text, ask your child questions about the book and what they think might happen next in the story. Please log your child's reading on our 'Boom Reader' app. Children who read three times or more will be entered into our class 'Reading Challenge' draw. Each week a child's name will be chosen at random and they will win a prize from the prize box.

As well as our class incentive, we are also part of the whole school reading challenge. If we improve the percentage of children reading three times or more per week, we win a golden book award on the hall display. We can then decide on a class treat with our teacher. This could be a non-uniform day, cinema time or bring a toy to school day for example. 

Our library book day will be Thursday. Your child will only need to bring their library book back on this day if they want to change it. 

Tricky Words

Children will be sent home with a set of tricky words for them to practise reading. Tricky words are common words that cannot be sounded out using regular phonics.  The tricky words will be linked to the phonics phase your child is learning. Please ensure that tricky word bookmarks are in your child’s book bag every day.

PE

This half term the children will be doing PE on Wednesdays. Please ensure they come to school in their PE kit on this day. Kit should include plimsolls/ trainers, shorts/ joggers, a tee-shirt and a hoodie/ track suit top. All earrings must be removed for PE, school staff are unable to take them out so please can you make sure that your child is not wearing earrings to school. If your child has newly pierced ears, please see the school office for a form to sign.

Maths

We follow White Rose maths supported by Master the Curriculum. Please keep an eye on Dojo for suggestions of how you can support your child at home.

Wow Moments

We would love to hear about any recent achievements, news, or exciting activities that you and your child have been up to at home. Please write any exciting things you would like to share with us on a wow slip. All completed slips are to be given to a member of staff as we can then share these with the class and display them.

Reminders

Children have the opportunity to learn outside every day and need appropriate clothing for the weather. 

Please can you ensure that all your child's belongings are clearly labelled.

Please see the newsletter at the bottom of the page for more information about our class.