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Dear Parents,
Welcome back, I hope you all had a lovely Easter Break!
Our topic this term is ‘Turrets and Tiaras’. We will be spending time learning about castles, knights, kings and queens and The Royal Family. As part of this topic, we will look at non-fiction books and will be writing letters, posters and invitations. We are also planning on taking our first trip to Herstmonceux Castle and will also enjoy a Royal Banquet with our friends at East Hoathly School. Letters for these events will follow shortly. This term’s learning will begin with a very mysterious visitor to the classroom!
Some of the texts we will be looking at are:
Home Learning
I would like to thank you all for your effort with last terms home learning tasks including reading with your children. The children have made great progress with learning sounds and every read with help this to become more secure. The homework will continue as last term.
| Readng | Please read with your child regularly, even if it is just for 5 minutes.
It is really important that the children bring their book bags, yellow reading record and their reading book into school every day. When reading with your child please acknowledge the fact that the book has been read by signing and dating in the comments book, or you may like to add a positive or helpful comment in the reading diary. High frequency words are on the back of the yellow reading record book for the children to learn 5 at a time. |
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Writing |
The children will have a new homework book for writing about their topic or anything that interests them. These can be used at home to develop their literacy skills.
Please ensure that they are treated as a school book and kept neat. |
| Maths | The most important thing for children in their reception year is that they can read, write, order and recognise numbers to 20. Please encourage the children to count their toys when playing and try to write and use numbers when appropriate at home. |
| Home Creative Task | We would love all children to have a go at making their own knight’s shield or princess’ hat!
You could use cardboard and decorate with paint, stickers, sequins or anything you choose. Think about designing a shield with your family name on, or a hat with a beautiful pattern or picture. |
Key questions to ask your child at home
- Who lived in a castle?
- How is living in a castle different to living in a house?
- Who worked in a castle?
- What job would you like to have done in the castle?
Useful Websites
- www.ictgames.co.uk and www.topmarks.co.uk for Literacy and Maths games.
- www.phonicsplay.co.uk Phase 3 and 4 games, blending sounds and words.
- If you wish to make games to have fun at home with learning, you can print from www.twinkl.co.uk and search Knights, Castles or Kings and Queens, to find games and activities to learn vocabulary and facts linked to the topic.
Friday Afternoon Learning Journey Sharing
Every Friday at 3.15pm, we will opening our doors for parents to come in and share their child’s learning journey with them. Please feel free to come in whenever you choose. There is no expectation for parents to come every week as some weeks we have more to share than others but it would be lovely to see as many of you as possible over the coming weeks. We will be asking any visitors to add a small speech bubble to the learning journey to comment on a beautiful piece of work or an achievement that you are proud of. Please come to the classroom door as normal.
Quick Reminders
- Please can you make sure your child brings in a water bottle and their book bags each day.
- Can the children please always have a coat in school particularly as the British weather is Now that the weather is getting warmer, children will need a sun hat and suncream applied before school. We spend a lot of our time outside and need to ensure that the children are safe.
- Our PE days are Monday & Friday but PE kits should be in all week.
- Welly Boots – Please can all children have a set of Wellies in school at all times, this is so we can use the field and outside areas when it is wet and muddy. All in one waterproof suits are essential too.
I hope you all enjoy sharing this learning journey with your children. Please do not hesitate to come and speak to me if necessary.
Thank you for your support,
Mrs Winchester