Weekly Reception Newsletter 11.02.13

Term: Spring 1
Date: 11.02.13

We have had a great start to the New Year and are really enjoying being in our new environment. The outside area is changing rapidly. The children have been very interested in the development and last week we invited the builders in for tea and cakes to discuss the project with the children.

We are continuing with our topic ‘We love Toys’. Our focus this week is ‘Princesses and Dragons’ incorporating Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake).

This week your child will be taking part in the following activities within the seven areas of development:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Circle time: Discussing special days and similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Communication and Language

• Read the Chinese New Year story PowerPoint. Discuss the story and how each year is named after a different animal. 

Physical

• Playing on the bikes, with the hoops and balls 
• Making their own playdough. 

Literacy

• Writing our names encouraging correct pencil grip. 
• We will be continuing our daily Read Write Inc sessions. 
• The children need to be bringing in their reading books daily. We sent home reading letters last week explaining exactly which day we will hear your child read. We praise the children who regularly read at home to an adult and have reward system in place. Well done to Isabelle and Kabey for earning their Silver Award; this means they have now read 50 books. 
• Chinese writing using marker pens. 

Maths

• Exploring ‘Ten Town’ encouraging correct number formation. 
• Putting the Chinese animals in order. 
• During snack, thinking about sharing fruit equally. 

Understanding of the World

• Set out a small world scene with the animals trying to cross the river? 
• Look at espresso clip on Chinese New Year. Children to try some Chinese food – discussing taste, texture, smell etc… 
• Children to watch Cbeebies ‘Let’s Celebrate – Chinese New Year’. To make lanterns, red money envelopes, Chinese dragon puppets, lanterns etc… 

Expressive Arts and Design

• Enjoying our daily dance warm up to the ‘5 a day’ fitness programme. 
• Weaving a large dragon outside on the fence using different length materials – can they make a pattern? 
• Set up a Chinese restaurant role play area. 
• Children to create a Chinese dance to the beat using a dragon head, drapes and streamers. To move rhythmically to Chinese music. 

Messages

• Please follow Broadford on facebook (remember to press the ‘like’ button) and twitter. We update the Early Years blog regularly with photos and information. 
• Many thanks to the children who have brought in PE kits. Nearly everyone now has a kit. Please remember to label all items of clothing, including shoes as 25 white t-shirts and blue jumpers can get in a muddle as we encourage the children to undress and dress independently. 
• Children may bring in something related to ‘Dragons and Princesses’ for Show and Tell on THURSDAY MORNING. 
• School is closed on Friday as it is an INSET Day 

Homework
This half terms homework theme is ‘Toys’. Please work with your child to make a collage about their favourite toys. This could include photos, drawings, interesting facts and any great days, themed parties etc... Please return any homework this week. We look forward to listening to your child/children sharing their special times with their class.

Thank you for your continued support.