It has been another busy and exciting week in Reception, with lots of fantastic learning taking place across all areas of the curriculum.

In phonics, the children learnt two new digraph sounds: th (unvoiced), where we make the sound without the vibration, and th (voiced), where we can feel the vibration in our throat. We also learnt the ng sound. The children practised saying these sounds alongside the actions, and worked hard to read words containing these sounds. We also practised writing the sounds and writing words that include them. As always, we revisited previously learnt sounds to help build confidence and fluency.

In maths, we have been developing our understanding of numbers using conceptual subitising, helping the children see how numbers can be made up of different parts. The children explored the idea that “my ___ is a part of me and the whole of me is ___” to help them understand parts and wholes. We also investigated different ways of making 7 using two parts, saying sentences such as “___ and ___ make 7.” The children used interlocking cubes to build towers and practised noticing whether the towers were made of 7 or not 7 cubes. We also enjoyed singing the song “7 Little Ducks”, thinking carefully about the parts during the song. For example, we talked about how many ducks had swum away and how many came back. We also continued our learning about doubles to 8, this time focusing on making doubles using practical resources.

In PE, the children have been very active this week. In dance, we explored how different body parts move, and practised remembering and repeating actions. The children created their own actions to match the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” In gymnastics, the children worked on creating different shapes on the apparatus, developing their balance, control and confidence.

In Drawing Club, linked to our topic, we read the story Busy People – Police Officers. The children talked about the story and discussed new vocabulary including patrol, emergency, equipment and community. The children then drew their own police officer, designed a police badge, and created a wanted poster. Throughout this activity they practised their sentence writing by completing the sentence “I can see ___” and writing about their picture.

This week was also very exciting as we celebrated World Book Day. The children looked fantastic dressed as their favourite book characters. We spent time reading lots of wonderful stories together and the children created their own bookmarks to take home.

Star of the week: Congratulations to Esme, who is our star of the week, for always engaging well during carpet time! Esme will be taking home her certificate and Wilfred the Elephant to write in the book all about her time spent with Wilfred over the next week and will bring him back next Thursday.

Please remember to read with your child, even for just 5 minutes! Please also remember to record it in the reading record. We will only change your child's book if you have read with them 2 or more times in that week! Reading books are changed on Tuesday's and Friday's. Please also remember to have the library book in your children's book bag on Thursday to be changed. 

Any issues or concerns we need to know about, please speak to the Acorn team before and after school or email at: acorn@st-barnabas.kent.sch.uk

Well done to all the children for another fantastic week of learning!