Welcome to Reception Class An informal chat.

Staff Mrs Anita Griffiths;- class teacher Miss Sue Morse;- classroom assistant all day everyday. Mrs Hart/Miss Williams;- classroom assistant for afternoons

Our Learning Journey. Our Learning Journey records our children’s achievements. It will consist of photographic and written evidence. This evidence will be contributed by teachers, teaching assistants and yourselves as parents.

Area of Learning and Development Prime Areas Personal, Social and 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

Daily Organisation Children line up in our small playground, ready for the bell at 8.50am. The children may cry initially, but this soon stops (honestly!!). By the end of the 3rd week I would really appreciate it if the children could walk in on their own. When the children enter the class they will be greeted by Miss Morse and reminded where their belongings go in preparation for registration, lunch orders and our daily assembly at 9.05am.

Phonics Jolly Phonics, a combination of stories, pictures and actions for each sound. Sounds rather than letter names. 3 per week. Sheets for each letter brought home to reinforce learning. I will give out letter formation and sound sheets for children to practise at home. Sound fans.

Reading Emphasis on learning through range of strategies with strong emphasis on phonics. We use Letters and Sounds with the reinforcement of Jolly Phonics. We will be learning to recognise a series of High Frequency Words, many of which cannot be sounded out phonically. We encourage children to look at the context and other clues to assist in understanding text.

Literacy Covers communication through reading and writing. Provide opportunities to imagine and recreate experiences through activities (exploring language as they do so) which will be modelled by adults. To have access to, and share a wide range of rhymes, stories, poems, songs and non-fiction books. More importantly, real, rich experiences that develop language.

Reading Begin by looking at books without text, telling own stories from pictures- this encourages prediction skills. We have a book banded system which gives a clear progression, but they work through them at their own pace. Books will be regularly changed by the children.

Reading at home Children will bring home book band books each week, from this point onwards. Please share these with your child, reading on a regular basis has such an impact when developing skills. Repetition is the key! Will also send home words to learn, these are the HF words mentioned earlier.

What you can do to help! Look at phonics sheets and practise actions for each. Read bedtime stories! Visits to the library. Look at and talk about printed language in their environment, on food packets, road signs, labels and leaflets.

Writing Children begin with “wiggles and squiggles”. They begin to ascribe meaning to these marks. Increasingly use phonic knowledge and letter formation in their writing Write simple “CVC” words as knowledge increases.

What you can do to help! Encourage children to draw, paint etc Show children your writing, shopping lists, things to do, birthday cards. Make scrap books, write postcards, party invitations. Develop fine motor skills by cutting, sewing, dot-to-dots etc.

Mathematics. Covers counting, sorting, matching, patterns and connections Children work with numbers, shape, space and measures. Children learn through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. We encourage children to use as many manipulatives and models and images to support their learning.

What you can do to help! Point out numbers around you, on houses, cars, television channels, cookers and microwaves, Say number names in order as you climb the stairs, count teddies on a bed, plates on the table. Compare quantities, who has the most sweets, which shopping bag is heavier?.

In the Class Children will work in groups based on ability rather than age. Will have opportunity through day for teacher and child led activities, Ensure indoor and outdoor activities New playground area is now developed and being regularly used to engage and stimulate their learning.

Practical Details Please ensure all uniform is labelled with your child’s name, especially PE equipment Children need to have a coat in school Packed lunches in named lunch box We provide healthy foods for our snack time. Children have “accidents”. If these are regular, please can you provide a set of spare clothes.

Practical Details If, for some reason, someone different is picking your child up, please let me know. Children will be very tired initially, school is hard work especially when you have just turned 4.

Medical Matters Any sickness, diarrhoea, must be followed by 48 hrs absence. Head lice are common! Please check regularly and treat as recommended. Any absence requires a note and a telephone call before 9.30am explaining why. Any medicines can only be administered by prior arrangement with the head teacher/school secretary.