Reception

Spring Term

Friday 10th January 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year! It has been a fabulous (and very cold) first week back in Reception after the Christmas break. We would just like to thank you for your cooperation and patience in getting the children to school safely during the icy weather. We know it is not always easy, and we really appreciate the extra care you have taken.

Fairytales

This week, we have been delving into the world of fairytales! To bring these stories to life, we now have a stage in the classroom where the children have been working in groups to act out different fairytales. This has been a fantastic opportunity for the children to develop their oracy skills. We have been having lots of discussions about what helps us to be heard and understood when speaking. The children are learning to:

• Speak clearly and confidently
• Avoid covering their mouths, and
• Face the person they are talking to

These skills are helping them to become more effective communicators, and it has been wonderful to see their confidence grow!

ILT

We have had some great discussions this week about ILT and the learning line. We have noticed that more children are now actively seeking challenges that will lead them into the learning pit. They have started demonstrating more enthusiasm for expanding their skills and knowledge. It has been fabulous to witness the children’s increased confidence in navigating challenges and fostering a love for learning which also expands beyond the classroom. Please continue to engage in conversations with your child about their ILT projects, as your support plays a crucial role in reinforcing their motivation and curiosity. Can your child tell you about projects they have been involved with this week? Can they talk you through the stages as they progressed through the learning line to reach brilliant blue? Have they been in the beginning black this week and how do they know? We have also suggested to the children that they come to school in the mornings with a plan in mind. You could help talk them through a project which they will enjoy doing but will also challenge them and get them into the ‘rough red’ at the same time.                       

Tapestry Summaries – Children’s Homework

Your child’s tapestry summary for the autumn 2 term is now available for you to view. This week, for homework, we would like your child to share all the exciting activities and projects they enjoyed last half term. At Newlaithes, we believe it is important for children to be an active part of their learning journey. Taking the time to reflect on their experiences together is a valuable part of the process. Once you have viewed the summary, please leave a like or a comment to let us know you have read it. Your engagement and feedback mean a lot to us. Thank you In advance.

Maths

This week in maths we have been focusing on the number 10. The children have been exploring the number and its significance in more detail. We have discussed that number 10 is a 2 digit number and explored the role of the digit 0 in 10, understanding how it acts as a placeholder in 10 and ensures it keeps its value. The children have also been practising writing the number 10 correctly, working on their number formation skills.

Phonics and Reading

This week we have learnt the sounds ‘ch’ and ‘sh’. ‘Ch’ and ‘sh’ are diagraphs, which means that two letters make the one sound. As well as learning the sound, the children have started having a go at applying these sounds to their writing. They are encouraged to use their fingers to decode (sound out) the word before writing this down. Can your child write the words ‘chip, much, shop, push’?

We have also learnt the tricky words: all and are. These are words that cannot be sounded out and they must be recognised by sight. As always, the phonics play online resource is available for your child to use to reinforce their learning at home.  Please also see some suggested active and engaging games below which you could play with your child at home.

1. Word hunt: Write down the tricky words or words containing sounds we have been learning and hide these around the house. Encourage your child to find and read each word aloud.
2. Flashcard Challenge: Make flashcards with words. Time your child as they go through the cards, aiming to increase speed and accuracy.
3. Memory match: Create pairs of cards with matching tricky words. Lay them face down and take turns flipping them, trying to find matching pairs by reading the words.
4. Rainbow writing: Have your child write tricky words using different coloured pens and crayons. This multisensory approach reinforces word recognition.
5. Story building: collaboratively create a short story using as many tricky words as possible. This will encourage both spelling and storytelling skills.

If you have any queries, concerns or things to celebrate then please do not hesitate to email us. You can reach us at the following email addresses: reception@newlaithes.co.uk

Kind regards,

The Reception Team

Elizabeth, Ella, Natalie, Justine, Sophie and Halima