What a busy week we have had in Reception!

Phonics

In Phonics, we have started learning our Level 4 tricky words. This week we focused on the words 'said' and 'so'. The children have been practising reading and writing sentences containing these tricky words. We have also been recapping our Level 2 phonics sounds and using them to read and write words independently. Some children have also been working in a small group to further develop their complex sentence writing skills.

Maths

In Maths, we have been revisiting our understanding of numbers to 5 through subitising activities. We have been using rekenreks and linear dot patterns to help us recognise quantities without counting. We have also been exploring one more and one less. Some children took turns sitting on the 'bus' at the front of the classroom while we discussed how many children would be on the bus if one more child got on or one child got off. We then represented these changes using our rekenreks. We have also been practising adding more to a group and finding the new total.

Understanding the World

In Understanding the World, we have been learning about the different layers of the ocean. The children learnt the names of the layers, discussed how deep they are, and added labels to our working wall. We also explored the different sea creatures that live in each layer and talked about how animals adapt to their ocean habitats.

Art

In Art, the children created their own pictures showing the layers of the ocean. They carefully mixed different shades of blue using white and black paint before creating the ocean layers. They then added pictures of sea creatures to the correct parts of the ocean. The finished artwork looks fantastic!

PE

Due to the very hot weather this week, we adapted our PE sessions and focused on short, calming yoga activities instead. The children enjoyed stretching, balancing and practising mindfulness while staying cool and safe.

Star of the week: As Wilfred has now visited all the children's homes, our Stars of the Week will no longer be taking Wilfred home. From now on, Stars of the Week will continue to receive their certificates to celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to Moore and Hudson, who are our stars of the week. Moore is our star of the week for always participating, joining in and being ready to learn in the classroom, and Hudson for writing a fantastic sentence with Miss Evans. Moore and Hudson will be taking home their certificates this week. 

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 Thursday's. 

Please remember to also have the library book in your children's book bag on Thursday to be changed. These reading books and library books will be collected on Thursday the 10th and, therefore, please can you remember to put these in your children's bag. If they have not been returned, I will have to follow this up. If they are damaged or lost, please make one of the Acorn team or the office aware. 

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 of the children for another fantastic week of learning!