Weekly Reception Newsletter 14.01.13

Term: Spring 1                                    Date: 14.01.13

The children all settled in brilliantly last week and are enjoying the new surroundings. If you haven’t already been in to have a look around, feel free to pop in one morning when you drop your child off at school.

A very big thank you to all the parents who supported the sponsored keep fit event. Monies raised will go towards our outdoor learning environment. If you have sponsored money to send in, please can you hand it in by Friday.

This term our topic will linked to the theme of ‘We love Toys’. We will change the focus each week depending on the children’s interests. We will be starting with ‘Superheroes’. This week your child will be taking part in the following activities within the seven areas of development:

Personal, Social and Emotional

During Circle time we will be introducing our topic Superheroes. We will be finding out what the children already know and want they want to find out about Superheroes. We will then be introducing the idea of learning power heroes, encouraging the children to see themselves as powerful and in charge of their own learning and identifying their own strengths.

Communication and Language 

• We will be encouraging the children to talk about what they think they are good at and how they can help others.
• The children need to be bringing in their reading books daily. We praise the children who regularly read at home to an adult and have reward system in place. 

Physical 

• Playing on the bikes, with the hoops and balls. 
• Making a Superheroes obstacle course. 

Literacy 

• Writing our names encouraging correct pencil grip. 
• We will be continuing our daily phonics sessions. 
• Writing speech bubbles - an adult in class will scribe their ideas for the children to copy underneath. We will be encouraging some children to use their phonic knowledge to spell simple words unaided.

Maths

• In small groups we will be playing superhero bingo – matching number to quantity. 
• In whole maths sessions we will be focusing on number formation and problem solving. 

Understanding of the World 

• Explore Tommy Zoom saves the World programme. 
• Looking at a range of Superhero video clips. 
• Free use of our new computers. 

Expressive Arts and Design

• Creating our own Superhero characters 
• Enjoying our daily dance warm up to the ‘5 a day’ fitness programme. 

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. 
• Please fill in your home/school learning books this week. 
• PE kits need to be in school – we still have several children without completes. Your child needs a white t-shirt, black shorts and plimsolls. 
• Children may bring in something related to Superheroes for ‘Show and Tell’ on Friday afternoon. 
• If you have any spare Superhero comics at home then please bring them in for us to share with the children.

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 from the week beginning 11/02/13.

We look forward to listening to your child/children sharing their special times with their class.

Thank you for your continued support. 

Sponsored Keep Fit

Thank you to all the parents and children for joining in with the sponsored keep fit sessions. Great fun was had by all and our fitness levels were pushed to the limits by the super fit Mrs Light. If you missed the event, don't worry as Miss Morris was on hand to catch it all on camera. 

A big thank you to Mrs Light for taking the time and energy to hold this event. Please return your sponsor form and the money you raised by the 18th January.

Wow...Look at our new Smart board

Miss Greening has been training all of our children to be ICT experts. We can't wait for our new computer's to arrive next week.

Weekly Reception Newsletter 07.01.13

Term: Spring 1 Date 07.01.13
Happy New Year and welcome back! We would also like to say a very special welcome to all the new families joining us this term! 

I hope you all enjoyed the festive celebrations - A big thank you to all the wonderful cards and gifts received, all the staff appreciated them very much. 

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

Personal, Social and Emotional
Circle time: Discussing Christmas- talking about presents, families and festive celebrations.
Reinforcing class rules and how to treat all our new equipment.


Communication and Language
Sharing our favourite stories.
Listening to children read their reading books. Please ensure books are brought into school every day.

Physical
Playing on the bikes.
Gymnastics– Val Sabin lesson 1 – Balancing. Children need to bring in a clearly labelled kit ASAP, please. (white t-shirt, black shorts and plimsolls)
Developing fine motor skills through tracing activities and manipulating dough.

Literacy
Writing our names, encouraging correct pencil grip.
Daily phonics sessions - reviewing sounds learnt so far and completing phonics assessments.

Maths
Maths assessment – assessing children’s understanding of number.
Maths songs and games.
Practising number formation.

Understanding of the World
Using the computers – designing Happy New Year posters. 

Expressive Arts and Design
Free choice

Homework and 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.
You may not be aware that Free School Meals eligible children attract Pupil Premium funding of £600 per child. This additional money is used to improve achievement for that group but it also impacts on all of our children. For instance a chunk of it pays for the free after school clubs that everyone benefits from. Our Governing Body have discussed how we can use this money to directly help eligible families. Support we can offer includes: free school trips, support with uniform and help with residential trips. If you think you may be eligible, please apply now. You don’t actually have to eat the school dinners… you just have to sign up! The more children who sign up, the more money we get the more we can help our children. If you feel you are entitled to free schools meals, please pick up a form from the office. If you need help in completing the form, just ask!
Show and tell will begin this week – Children may bring in one Christmas toy to show over the next few days. Toys must be placed in the box on arrival and will only be shown during show and tell time to avoid any damages and toys getting misplaced.
Homework information will be on next week’s letter.

Ways you can help at home
Website: http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/phase-3-games.html is a great website to support our phonics programme.
Please listen to your child read and record it in their reading records. We now have a reward system in place for children reading regularly – This includes certificates, book marks and vouchers.

Reception and Nursery Newsletter 10.12.12

Term:  Autumn 2                        Date 10.12.12

Many thanks for all your support as we settle the children into our new building. In the New Year, when we have completed the move, we will invite parents in to come and look around.  Over the next two weeks, Nursery and Reception will be working together, completing our topic ‘Celebrations’. We will be continuing our Christmas activities and developing an understanding of the real meaning of Christmas. Your child will be taking part in the following activities.

Personal, Social and Emotional

• We will be continuing to share ‘The Christmas Story’ and discussing why we celebrate Christmas and completing a sequencing activity.
• Practising our Christmas concert.
• Decorating the Christmas tree.

Communication and Language

• The children in Reception still need to be bringing in their reading books daily. We are starting a reward system to praise the children who regularly read at home to an adult.

Physical

• Playing on the bikes, with the hoops and balls.

Literacy

• Writing our names encouraging correct pencil grip.
• We will be continuing our daily phonics sessions.
• Continuing to write messages to go in their Christmas cards.
• Writing a letter to Father Christmas.
• Christmas mark making activities.

Maths

•  Making paper chains, focusing on repeating patterns.
• Making Christmas tree pictures out of different sized triangles.

Understanding of the World

• Making Calendars.
• Free use of our new computers.

Expressive Arts and Design

• Stocking collages.
• Christmas card designs.

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.
• Please fill in your home/school learning books this week.  

Homework

This half terms homework theme is Celebrations and Special days.  Please make a collage of any special family events such as parties, weddings and special occasions and any great days out.  Your collage can be a mixture of drawings, photos, train tickets, leaflets etc…

Please return any homework from the week beginning 10/12/12.

We look forward to listening to your child/children sharing their special times.

Thank you for your continued support.

Weekly Reception Newsletter 26.11.12

Term:  Autumn 2                        Date 26.11.12

This week, we will be continuing with our topic ‘Colours and Celebrations’. Our book of the week is ‘Kipper’s Birthday’. Our colour of the week is ‘orange’.  Your child will be taking part in the following activities. (Activities are subject to change, depending on the children’s interests):

Personal, Social and Emotional

• We will be sharing the story of ‘Kipper’s Birthday ‘.  In circle time, we will be discussing special days and what we do to celebrate.
• On Friday, the children may bring in a favourite present to talk about during circle time.

Communication and Language

• Writing cards to our friends, developing our writing skills.
• Listening to children read their reading books.  Please ensure books are brought into school every day.

Physical

• Playing on the bikes and climbing frame.
• P.E – focussing on hopping and skipping. Can we please remind you that all children need a full kit in school at all times.
• Developing fine motor skills through tracing activities and manipulating dough.

Literacy

• Writing our names encouraging correct pencil grip.
• Daily phonics sessions – introducing sounds v and y and reviewing previous sounds.

Maths

• We will be matching number to quantity.  Can the children count the sets of objects accurately and find the corresponding number?
• Ordering balloons 1 to 10, extending to 20.

Understanding of the World

• Free use of the computer.

Expressive Arts and Design

• Continue to experiment with colour mixing.
• Decorating balloons using collage materials.

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.
• You may not be aware that Free School Meals eligible children attract Pupil Premium funding of £600 per child. This additional money is used to improve achievement for that group but it also impacts on all of our children. For instance a chunk of it pays for the free after school clubs that everyone benefits from. Our Governing Body have discussed how we can use this money to directly help eligible families. Support we can offer includes: free school trips, support with uniform and help with residential trips. If you think you may be eligible, please apply now. You don’t actually have to eat the school dinners… you just have to sign up! The more children who sign up, the more money we get the more we can help our children. If you feel you are entitled to free schools meals, please pick up a form from the office.  If you need help in completing the form, just ask!
• As the weather gets colder, please wrap up your child/children to keep them warm.  We continuously use the outside area, so please ensures coats are in school at all times.
• Please fill in your home/school learning books this week. 

Homework

This half terms homework theme is Celebrations and Special days.  Please make a collage of any special family events such as parties, weddings and special occasions and any great days out.  Your collage can be a mixture of drawings, photos, train tickets, leaflets etc…

Please return any homework from the week beginning 10/12/12. We look forward to listening to your child/children sharing their special times. 

Thank you for your continued support.

Weekly Nursery Newsletter 26.11.12

Term:  Autumn 2                          Date 26.11.12

The children started to learn about Nocturnal animals last week.  They seemed to be really interested and some children could already identify a number of creatures that come out during the night.

Next week we will be basing our learning around the book ‘The very noisy night’, the children will get the chance to take part in sound activities. We will also be carrying out daily singing sessions, to promote language and communication. We will be singing Little Miss Muffet, 1,2 buckle my shoe, jingle bells and Away in a manger

Your child will be taking part in the following activities and routines:

Personal, Social and Emotional

• Being encouraged to demonstrate friendly behaviour, sharing and playing kindly with peers and familiar adults.
• Being encouraged to change their own coats and shoes.
• Talking about what makes them happy.

Communication and Language                                                    

• Listening to the story ‘The very noisy night’.
• Talking about the features of night time and nocturnal animals.
• Identifying sounds.

Physical Development:

• Hoola hoops and balls.
• Bikes, slides, large and construction.
• Action songs.

Mathematics

• Playing boards games involving numbers.
• Playing with the caterpillar number mats.

Understanding of the World

• Talking about the features of night time and identifying nocturnal animals.
• Identifying different colours.
• Exploring torches in the tent.

Expressive Arts and Design

• Role play in the home corner.
• Colour mixing.

Messages

This week the colour theme is ‘orange’.  Please send in an orange object to go on the topic table.  Well done to everyone changing books regularly.

Thank you for your continued support.