This week in phonics we learnt the new sounds ‘ai’ and ‘ee’, as well as the tricky word ‘was’. The children practised saying the sounds, learning the actions, and writing them. We also worked on reading and writing words that contain these sounds. Alongside this, the children began writing simple sentences using the tricky word was, helping them to build their confidence with early sentence writing.

In maths, we have been focusing on identifying when two sets are equal in number and exploring the idea of doubling. We talked about how doubles must always be equal. The children also used their conceptual subitising skills to describe parts of a whole set. We practised using the stem sentences:
“___ is made of ___ and ” and “ and ___ make ___.”
The children then worked on finding doubles up to 10. Using counters and working in pairs, they explored different ways to create doubles and check that both groups were equal.

In Drawing Club this week we read the story “Busy People: Doctors.” We began by looking at the cover and discussing what we thought the story might be about, before exploring the vocabulary used in the book. The children then completed several drawing challenges: they drew a doctor, drew how a doctor might help someone, and designed their own doctor’s bag. Alongside their drawings, the children independently wrote sentences using the structure “I can see ___.” It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing in both drawing and early writing.

In PE, we have continued developing our movement skills. In dance, the children worked on expressing and communicating ideas through movement. They explored different directions and levels while creating a transport-themed dance, using different movements to represent different types of transport. In gymnastics, the children focused on balancing and taking weight on different body parts. We began with a game of Flamingo Tag, before practising different balances inspired by animals.

In RE, we continued our learning about the question “Why do Christians put a cross in an Easter garden?” We looked at images of a palm cross, donkey, white robe, palm leaf, and the word “Hosanna.” The children discussed what they thought the story might be about before watching a short clip about Palm Sunday and the Easter story. We talked about how Christians sometimes make crosses from palm leaves to remember how Jesus was welcomed. The children then enjoyed singing the song “Hosanna” and making their own palm leaves.

Finally, with Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, the children worked hard to create some special Mother’s Day cards to take home.

Star of the week: Congratulations to Jayden, who is our star of the week, for a fantastic first week at our school! Jayden will be taking home his 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 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