I have absolutely loved teaching Class Antarctica this term. They are a really lovely class and I am sure like me, you feel very proud of how they have settled in to school life. Thank you for all of your support, you kind words and gifts. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break! – Miss Ockenden

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful cards and gifts. It is really appreciated! We hope you have a very Merry Christmas! – Mrs Davies, Mrs Butler, Mrs Cripps & Miss Jones

It has been a very busy couple of weeks with nativity rehearsals, performances and other festive fun, but we have managed to squeeze in some other learning here and there!! Things you could ask your child:

• What is the difference between a square and a rectangle? Can you find any squares and rectangles around us now?
• What are ‘traditions’? What traditions do we have in our family? Do all families have the same traditions as us?
• Can you see the finger spaces in the sentences in your reading book? Why do we need these spaces? Can you write a short sentence with finger spaces (cat on a mat)?
• Can you read tricky words: I / no / go / to / the / into?

Next week:

• There will be no Forest School on Wednesday. Instead, the children will have a Christmas party with Years 1 and 2 in the hall. Please send your child into school in uniform. We ask that they bring party clothes in a named bag for them to get changed into.
• On Wednesday morning, Miss Roberts will be in to lead an activity and get to know the children before she returns in January.
• PE as normal on Thursday.
• On Friday, we invite the children to bring a toy or game from home that they can play with their friends. We ask that they don’t bring anything of huge expense, anything electronic or games that have lots of small parts that could easily get lost. Perhaps they could bring a doll, card game, or something creative. The toys will stay in the classroom for the day and will not go out onto the playground.

Thank you.

• Can you read these tricky words (words we can’t sound out)? – I, no, go, to, the, into
• What can you tell me about triangles and circles? How many sides and corners do they have? Can you see any circles or triangles around the house?
• Tell me about the picture you drew on the school iPad.
• Can you remember any of the words you found at Forest School? Can you sound them out to me?
• It was anti-bullying week this week – can you tell me 3 ways you can show kindness to someone?

All children in Reception are mice in this year’s nativity – Born in a Barn! The children will make their own headband with ears in school, so all they will need is some mouse-coloured clothing (brown, grey or white). You do not need to send shoes with their costume as for safety reasons all children will be in bare feet. 

We will paint a nose and whiskers on your child if they are happy to have this. If your child is allergic to face paint, then please let a member of our team know as soon as possible. 

Please send the costumes in as soon as you have them, ensuring that the clothes are named and that they are in a named carrier bag. We will then keep these costumes in school ready for dress rehearsals and then for the performances. Please ensure that your child’s costume is in school by Monday 28th November.  

If you have any questions about costumes, please do not hesitate to ask.  

Many thanks, 

Miss Ockenden and Mrs Davies 

• Do you recognise the sounds g o c k ? Do you know any words that begin with these sounds?
• What did Leaf Man see on his journey?
• How does the song ‘ten green bottles’ go?
• What does recycling mean?
• Can you show me different ways to pass a ball? (bounce, throw, roll etc).

It has been another busy week in class Antarctica!

Things to ask:

• Do you recognise these sounds: i n m d ? Can you think of any words that start with these sounds?
• Can you tell me the story of The Little Red Hen? Do you remember any of the actions?
• What is one more than / one less than [any number within 10]?
• What can you tell me about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia?
• Can you sing the ‘days of the week’ song?

Next week:

Please can we kindly ask that children leave their own toys at home and are not in bags. We don’t allow them to play with them in school as we don’t want to risk them getting lost or broken. Thank you.

We hope you have a lovely weekend.

The Reception Team.

We hope your child enjoyed reading their school books over the weekend. Please could we ask that when you have heard your child read, you make note of it in their green reading record. That way we know if we need to change their book on a Tuesday and Friday.

Thank you for your support. If you have any queries regarding your child’s reading please do not hesitate to ask at the door.

Best wishes,

Miss Ockenden

Firstly, thank you for the effort you put into the children’s penguin costumes on Thursday! It was a great, fun-filled day and having them dressed as penguins made it very special!

This week:

• We have been looking at the sounds s/a/t/p this week. Can your child think of words which begin with these sounds? Can they show you how to write them? Do they remember the names of the letters as well as the sounds?
• We have been reading ‘The Very Helpful Hedgehog’ in literacy. Perhaps they could recall what happened in the story – how did Isaac the hedgehog help donkey?
• Can they show you how to write numbers 1-5? Do they remember some of the rhymes to help?
• What can they remember about Antarctica? Can they tell you any facts about penguins?

READING BOOKS

You will have hopefully seen that we have sent the children home with their first reading books this week (one picture book and one with words). Please read the Bug Club letter and inside their reading record for more information.

We will change the children’s reading book every Tuesday and Friday so please ensure they are in book bags on these days.

Please can we also ask that the children do not put their water bottles in their book bags as spillages often happen and we want to prevent books from getting ruined.

Next week: Individual school photos will be taken on Tuesday.

Thank you for your support. We hope you have a great weekend.

The Reception team.

It has been a great week in Antarctica class! The children are really getting to grips with the school routine now and are beginning to be a lot more independent with things such as collecting and clearing away their lunch, putting away their belongings and going to the toilet. Here are some things you could ask your child based on what we have done this week:

• Can you think of a word that rhymes with cat / dog / sock etc…?
• The children went to Antarctica on their magic carpet during snack time this week – what can they tell you about the continent?
• Can you show me how to write numbers 1, 2 and 3? Do you remember the rhymes to help you?
• What is a family portrait?

Next week:

• Next Thursday 29th September, the whole school will be taking part in Continent Day. Every class will take a break from ‘normal’ lessons and spend the whole day creatively learning about their class continent. As ours in ANTARCTICA, we would LOVE the children to come to school dressed as penguins! Please can they wear their trainers so they can still take part in PE! Thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Reception Team

This week:

– We have been sounding out words like a robot this week (c-oa-t, h-a-t, b-oo-t-s). Perhaps you could have a go at sounding out words at home together. You could see if your child can work out what they’re having for dinner when you speak in a robot voice!

– What can you tell me about the number 1? Can you spot the number 1 anywhere in the environment?

– What are the Forest School rules? (1. When the trees stop we stop. 2. No picking, no licking. 3. Sticks down to the ground. 4. Walking is fine, we have loads of time!)

Next week:

We will see you all on Tuesday next week. Forest School will be on Wednesday and PE on Thursday as normal.

We hope you have a lovely weekend.

The Reception team