What another fantastic week we have had in Acorn Class! The children have continued to settle into our routines and are becoming more confident and independent each day. We have been busy with lots of exciting learning across the curriculum.

Phonics

In phonics this week, we have been developing our listening and sound skills. The children have been practising sorting and matching objects that have the same initial sound, listening carefully to identify which objects begin with the same sound.

We have also been practising saying VC, CV and CVC words when hearing the individual sounds in the correct order. The children have been working hard to listen carefully and blend the sounds together. We have also focused on identifying the matching initial sound of a set of objects and saying each sound in a CVC word in the correct order. We have been really impressed with how carefully the children are listening and joining in!

Maths

In maths, we have been developing our understanding of small quantities and subitising. The children have been learning to subitise 1 and 2, and recognise these quantities within 3 without needing to count each object.

We have also explored different ways to represent quantities using our fingers, discovering that there are different ways we can show the same number. The children have been identifying sub-groups of 1, 2 and 3 within larger arrangements, helping them to recognise smaller quantities within a bigger group.

We have also started looking at matching, sorting and comparing objects, thinking carefully about what is the same and what is different.

Art and Design – Self Portraits

This week, the children have been getting creative as part of our All About Me topic by creating their very own self-portraits!

The children used mirrors to carefully study their faces and look closely at their different features. They then chose the colours they needed to represent themselves, including their skin, hair and eyes.

The children worked really hard to look carefully at their own features and make their portraits personal to them. They are all incredibly proud of their finished artwork, and we think they have done a fantastic job!

PE

In PE this week, we have been continuing our Introduction to PE unit. The children have been learning how to share equipment with others and make independent choices while taking part in different games and activities.

This week, our imaginations took over as the children became wizards and witches! They had to make magical potions, fly around the hall and carefully avoid the cauldrons. This was a great opportunity for the children to practise moving in different ways while also thinking about how to move safely around others.

We also talked about how to stay safe in the hall, including being aware of the space around us, listening carefully to instructions and using equipment safely.

We have also started Week 1 of our BEAM sessions (Balance, Education and Movement). The children have enjoyed beginning to explore these activities and develop their movement and balance skills.

Our Buddy Time

Last week, we had lots of excitement when we met our buddies for the first time! This week, the children had some time at the end of the day to play together on the playground.

The children really enjoyed spending time with their buddies and developing these lovely relationships. We will continue to have buddy time almost every week, giving the children regular opportunities to play, talk and learn together. 

Our First Friday Assembly

This week was a very exciting week for Acorn Class as we went to our Friday assembly for the first time! The children did incredibly well. They listened beautifully, sat so sensibly and showed that they are already learning how to be part of our whole-school assemblies.

The children also had the opportunity to stand up if their name was in the Golden Book, which they were very excited about! It was lovely to see them celebrating their own achievements and those of their friends.

Star of the Week – Meet Wilfred!

We also introduced Star of the Week for the first time this week! Each week, one child will be chosen to receive Star of the Week for something that they have done particularly well or something that has been great that week. 

The child will receive their Star of the Week certificate during Friday assembly and will also get to take home our very special Acorn Class friend, Wilfred the Elephant! 🐘

Wilfred will come home with your child, along with his special book, and can stay at home with you until the following Thursday. Please bring Wilfred and his book back to school on Thursday so that he can go home with the next Star of the Week.

Inside Wilfred's book, there is an example picture to help you. We would love for you to take some photographs of what Wilfred has been getting up to with your child at home and add them to his book. Please also write a few words about what you have done together.

It doesn't need to be anything complicated or a special day out – it could be something as simple as eating a meal together, playing at home, reading a story or going to the park. We want the children to be able to share their special time with Wilfred with the rest of the class.

If you are unable to print photographs, you can email them to acorn@st-barnabas.kent.sch.uk and we will print them for you to add to Wilfred's book.

We are really looking forward to seeing all the wonderful adventures Wilfred gets up to with the children! 🐘

Star of the week: Congratulations to Thea, who is our star of the week, for becoming more confident in class and being a fantastic role model to her peers. Thea will be taking home her certificate and Wilfred the Elephant to write in the book all about his 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 Monday's and Thursday'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

Another brilliant week in Acorn Class! We are so proud of how well the children are settling in, growing in confidence and becoming more independent each day.