Welcome to Reception’s Information Evening C onsideration, A spiration, R esponsibility, E njoyment

Parents Information Evening Give an overview of teaching and learning for Reception pupils at Highfield. Give parents/carers information regarding expectations and guidance to help you to support your child at home – with phonics, reading and early numeracy skills.

EYFS at Highfield Characteristics of learning: Playing and exploring – engagement Finding out and exploring Playing with what they know Being willing to ‘have a go’ Active learning – motivation Being involved and concentrating Keeping trying Enjoying achieving what they set out to do Creating and thinking critically – thinking Having their own ideas Making links Choosing ways to do things

Areas of Learning and Development Prime Areas Personal, Social & Emotional Development Making relationships Self-confidence and self-awareness Managing feelings and behaviour Physical Development Moving and handling Health and self-care Communication and Language Listening and attention Understanding Speaking Specific Areas Literacy Reading Writing Mathematics Numbers Shape, space and measure Understanding the World People and communities The world Technology Expressive Arts and Design Exploring and using media and materials Being imaginative

Read Write Inc Learning to read is one of the most important things that your child will learn at school. Everything else depends on it, so we put as much energy as we possibly can into making sure that every single child learns to read as quickly as possible. We want your child to love reading – and to want to read for themselves. This is why we put our efforts into making sure they develop a love of books as well as simply learning to read. As we all know children progress and develop at different rates. Our aim at Highfield is to ensure that children are always learning and are challenged at the right level. Reception children are currently being taught phonics everyday. They will be assessed on a half termly basis and placed in groups which match the progress that they make.

Phonics Children are taught to read the sounds in words and then how those sounds can be written down. Hearing the sounds is extremely important. (counting sounds on fingers is something that the children enjoy and find helpful) Frog talk – m – a - t ch- i - p The children also practise reading (and spelling) what we call ‘tricky words’, such as ‘the,’ ‘have, ‘said’ and ‘I’. The children practise their reading with books that match the phonics and the ‘tricky words’ they know. They start thinking that they can read and this does wonders for their confidence.

Reading Children will also take part in a guided reading session during Read Write Inc. Guided reading is where a teacher works with a small group of children and draws out particular elements of a text. Your child will also be heard read by a teacher, teaching assistant or parent helper each week. Confidence and Comprehension – As children become more fluent readers it is increasingly important to ask questions and discuss a book to clarify understanding.

Reading Your child will always have a reading book. All books are now book banded by colour. Pre readers – books without words. (lilac) Children who read for pleasure are likely to do significantly better at school than their peers, according to new research from the Institute of Education (IOE). Sept 2013 Your child will also have a library book from the school library. This provides an opportunity for children to read a greater variety of books, choose books that are more challenging and choose books that stimulate their interest for example non-fiction books.

Maths Throughout the year the children will experience a lot of practical activities that will encourage them to develop their recognition of number, counting skills, understanding of shape & space and problem solving. Mental Maths

Basic Skills Each morning, between 8.35am and 9.00am, children are given basic skills activities. These include exploring books, name writing, maths puzzles etc. These activities are really important as they provide additional consolidation, challenge and kick start your children’s brains working!

Target Setting Each half term we will be filling in ‘My little book of targets’ we will work with the children to discuss what they are good at and what they want to become ever better at! I will then set two targets. At the end of each half term these will be sent home, we kindly ask that you also work with your child and set another two targets- they do not need to be maths or literacy based. Autumn 1 Things I have enjoyed this half term at home Visiting the park, visiting family, playing with my friends, baking cakes, trips out Things I need to work on EXAMPLES 1.Try to get dressed independently 2.Fasten my coat independently 3.Discussing changes in the park 4.Learning to ride my bike with or without stabilisers 5.Remember to take turns with siblings Autumn 1 Things I have enjoyed this half term at school Things I need to work on 1.Writing my name 2.Ordering numbers to 10

Assessment At Highfield the Early Years Foundation Stage team use assessment for learning. This is the process where staff use their expertise and knowledge of individuals to make informed decisions about a child’s progress and plan the next steps to meet their development and learning needs. From September 2015 EYFS staff will complete a Reception baseline for all children. The results from this will inform the learning opportunities your child will be offered during their time in Reception to support and challenge them. Important information about your child’s development and learning is shared with parents throughout the year and when Autumn and Spring Parents Evenings are held. Learning journeys are kept as a record of individual’s attainment and progress over the academic year. A final report is produced in the Summer term. We encourage parents to contribute to this process through using ‘wow’ moment sheets to record your child’s achievements you witness at home. (These are sent home regularly & are available upon request).

Rewards Every child has a Teacher’s Award card and tries to earn stickers for this. Stickers are awarded for hard work, excellent presentation, extra work completed at home, sporting achievements, politeness spotted by a teacher, etc Once child has 10 stickers parents/carers are invited to join child at Celebrations assembly on a Friday. I look smart in my uniform. Star of the week – Gold Book, afternoon tea

If a child has been green all week they receive an ‘I’ve been Green all Week’ sticker – on their jumper/cardigan. If a child has been green for a half term, they receive a mini certificate – It’s Good to be Green. If a child has been green for a full term they receive a ‘consistently good behaviour’ certificate. Good to be green stickers – to be given out to children who have made a particular effort to behave well. C.A.R.E. Consideration Aspiration Responsibility Enjoyment

Highfield Online Each class has their own webpage on the school’s website. You can find this at: and negotiate using the pencils on the left-hand side. Welcome to Class 1 & The class webpage will be updated regularly with information about upcoming events, learning activities at school and photos or videos of the children..

Parent Partnership Parent partnership have 2 representatives from each class throughout the school, Nursery to Year 6, who meet with Mrs Lewis every half term to discuss policies and procedures at Highfield.

What is it? A child centred thinking tool that is a useful vehicle for meaningful discussions about learning. 1.Appreciation – what people admire about your child 2. Happiness – what makes your child feel happy 3.How to support – the ‘expertise’ from you and your child, alongside the teacher Thank you to everybody who has already returned them!

Thank you for attending & showing an interest in your child’s education. Please feel free to ask any questions. Don’t forget to take your child’s home learning pack home & enjoy using it.