Phonics In the teaching of Phonics in the Foundation Stage we introduce a new letter/sound each day. Each sound is linked to an action to help the children remember it. The letter sounds are not taught in alphabetical order, as this allows children to begin word building within the first set of sounds. Once the new sound has been introduced, usually through a story, we then practise forming the letter. We finish the session by asking the children to try and think of their own words to fit the sound.

Phonics – Blending This is the process in which the children begin to make and read words. s a t Most of our initial blends involve CVC words, but the children will come across words such as sack where the ‘ck’ are acting as one sound.

Beginning to Read As a school, we follow the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme, which supports and progresses your child, before becoming a ‘free reader’. Your child has been bringing home wordless books. These are a fantastic beginning to home reading, as it gives the child an opportunity to really get to know the characters before the first word books. These books are also invaluable for developing children’s communication and language skills. Initially there is no set day for changing your child’s book, but as we intend to make time in class to hear each child read, they will need to have their books with them every day.

Beginning to Read Before long the children will bring home their first words books. The character cards they have had from the beginning will help them to recognise the names of the key characters within the stories. You can support your child’s reading by encouraging them to sound out and blend words together. However, this is not possible with some words. These are referred to as ‘tricky words’ or ‘sight words’. These words just have to be learnt and are covered during our daily phonics sessions. We will highlight the words we have covered in our weekly newsletters and send them home to be learnt in the phonics folders. As well as teaching the children the mechanics of reading, it will still be really important for the children to discuss what is happening in the pictures as this supports their comprehension skills. It is also really important to keep up the communication of your child’s reading progress through the use of the orange reading record.

Reading in school As well as hearing your child read on a 1:1 basis each week, we have a daily quiet reading session. Within this the children are encouraged to select books of their choice to enjoy. This is often done by themselves, but sometimes there are opportunities to listen to stories read by other adults and their Year 6 buddies.

Preparing to write Alongside our daily phonics sessions, children are encouraged to write and draw in all areas of the classroom, inside and out. Daily finger gym tasks and Dough Disco help to develop children’s finger strength and fine motor skills. To help the children write in a range of styles and genres we have focussed group writing sessions, which they complete in their Busy Books. During quiet reading sessions children also have the opportunity to quiet write where they can write and draw in their free writing books.

Free Writing Guided Writing

Writing in all areas Writing their name Dough Disco Practising letters

Mathematics Mathematics is split into two areas Number and Shape, Space and Measure. Within Foundation Stage and into Year 1 Maths is taught through practical and planned play activities. We try to provide opportunities for daily counting, and where the need arises we teach the formation of numbers. The children will be given experiences to discuss their learning of mathematics and will be introduced to the appropriate vocabulary.

Mathematics Recognising numbers Counting and Order

Mathematics Exploring shape Making Patterns