There's snow business like show business!!!

Hi there!

Lots of fun and frolics are to be had this week as the excitement surrounding the month of December approaches. I just can’t wait! However, the weather is a little too cold for my liking so please ensure that your child has a warm coat, gloves and a hat for outdoor play. Please also label them so they can be easily returned to their rightful owner should they go astray.

Now, what are we doing this week?
Due to the final week of rehearsals for the Christmas Production time is still limited and therefore, we have to be realistic about how much we are able to pack into the week. Therefore, the unit of work started this week will run for two weeks.

Communication, Language and Literacy
This week will be introducing the use of more sound/phonemes. These are: ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’ and ‘r’.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to recognise the letters and say the sounds they represent;
SHOULD be able to hear the sounds at the beginning and end of sounds;
COULD be able to read and write words containing the letter.

Here are some great websites you may wish to visit.
http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/activities.htm - The children are to try to hear the initial sounds in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - Look at the letter shown and then select the picture that begins with that letter.
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - This is an amazing website focusing on the initial sounds. Hours of fun why you do your ironing I think!
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/beginning.html - the children are to focus on the initial sounds of the picture shown and then identify a picture with the same initial sound.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonemeFlop_v4.html - a good website for getting the children to identify the letters of the alphabet.
www.starfall.com - this is a great all-rounder. Remember to encourage your child to use the letters they are unsure of. I will stick this information in your child’s diary this week.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - I love this game!
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - activities 12 and 13 are good for helping with identifying the initial letters.
http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html

Mathematical Development
This week, we begin a two week block of work looking at shapes and their properties. Your child’s existing knowledge of shapes will determine whether they will be working on 2D shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, star) or 3D shapes (cuboid, cube, sphere, cone and cylinder). The vocabulary related to shape is very important so I will be sending home an information sheet for you in your child’s diary.

By the end of the week, the children:

MUST be able to recognise and name all the 2d shapes

SHOULD be able to describe the 2d shapes using the correct vocabulary

COULD be able to name and recognise 3d shapes
Here are some good websites also.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/Artanddesign/Keystage1/Making/Shapepictures/Introduction/ - the children review their recognition of 2d shapes and then look for them in pictures. The children also get the opportunity to create their own shape picture on the computer.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/build_it/eng/Introduction/default.htm - a good website for seeing how models are make up of 3D shapes.
http://www.learningplanet.com/act/rats/rats1.htm?rats_shapes - a great website. The children must catch the given shape but no others.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/simpleshapesort.swf - shape sorting activity according to properties.
http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/shape/shapes.htm - a good website to help the children match, find, build and discover the properties of the 2D shapes.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=2 - the children can copy shape pictures by clicking and dragging them. They can then go on to create their own.
http://www.ictgames.com/Y1shape.html - parts of a shape are shown and the children have to guess the shape.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/memory.html - this is a fantastic game to help the children develop their visual memory techniques.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/shapereveal.swf the children have to guess the shape as it is revealed. They can chose to use 2d or 3d shapes.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/MatchingPairs3Dshape.swf - 3D shape matching game.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/longshape3d.html - a good website. The children have to identify the shape that is partially hidden in sand and then click on the correct labelled picture.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/castle_shapes/eng/Introduction/default.htm - identifying 2D and 3D shapes.
http://www.ictgames.com/Y2shape.html - guess the 3D shape.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ -by clicking on the shapes label you will be able to make patterns with 2D shapes. If you also click on the space row under 3D and 2D shapes you will have to sort different shapes according to the given criteria.

So what else is going on this week?
Well…we will be beginning a two-week block of work on the text ‘Anna’s Amazing Multi-Coloured Glasses’ by Wendy Body. This is a fantastic book and enables us explore learning in other areas of the curriculum.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Creative Development
This will be very much linked with the work we are doing on shape. The children will receive a commission from the Blind Society to create three large pieces of art work for blind children. The art work will be based on the work of Wassily Kandinsky, and the children will be encouraged to talk about their likes and dislikes about his work. They will be set the task of creating a textured piece of art. This will enable them to explore different materials using their senses.

They will also learn how to use a programmable robot called a beebot. This will be linked again to their work on shape. In the computer suite, the children will learn how to use the shape icons to create a picture in the style of Wassily Kandinsky.

The story ‘Anna’s Amazing Multi-coloured Glasses’ ends with Anna celebrating her birthday. During circle time the children will get to talk about their experiences of birthdays.

Physical Development
As we are practising for the Christmas production, the hall is in great demand. Therefore, the majority of our PE lessons will be outside. It is for this reason that we will be concentrating on developing the children’s ball skills. The children will develop the ability to bounce, throw and catch a ball. This is a great opportunity for you to get outside as a family and practice the skills.

Here I Am
We continue our topic on VISITORS and, as Mrs Wishy Washy did not visit the class last week, she will this week. The children will review what preparations are made for visitors and visits they make, before moving on to the RELATE part of the topic. The children will learn about different ways of getting ready for Jesus coming at Christmas. Thanks to Beth Isherwood, we have a lovely story to share with the children which explains the Christmas Story well. The children will also be shown our Advent calendar which will be started the following Monday.

Christmas production update
This is the final week of rehearsals before the big event. If you have not managed to send in your child’s costume then please do so as soon as possible. Thanks. On Friday, the children will have their dress rehearsal when they will perform for the whole school and the local nurseries. This is lovely for the children to do as they get to see their old nursery teachers and show how much they have grown.

That’s all for this week folks!

Keep safe

Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx

TELL A FRIEND!!!

Hi there!

Well, our Christmas production is very much on its way and the children are loving getting up on the stage now. This week, we will be practicing together as a whole department and putting the finishing touches to it. Please remember that costumes need to be in by Monday 26th November to allow for us to make any minor adjustments. Also, please could you remember to sign the diary to give your child permission to have their face painted. For the girls it will be a red nose and whiskers, and the boys will have rosy red cheeks. If anyone has any spare tickets they will not be needing please pass them to me and I can then redistribute them. Also, if you need to swap any between yourselves then please do so.

Here I Am
This week we begin our new topic about VISITORS. This is a lovely topic when the children go on to learn all about the Christmas story and the visitors to the stable in Bethlehem.

By the end of the topic, the children:
MUST be able to recall some memories of the visitor to school or home, know that Jesus came at Christmas and that in Advent people get ready for his coming.
SHOULD be able to explain what a visitor is and give examples of getting ready for a visitor. They should know that Advent is a time for getting ready for Jesus’ coming at Christmas and be able to name the visitors who came to Jesus that first Christmas.
COULD be able to explain how they have prepared for visitors and how they felt when being visited. They could be able to describe some Advent traditions and be able to retell the Christmas story.

The aim of this week is to enable the children to:
RECOGNISE what a visit and a visitor is;
REFLECT on visitors they have had and how they are welcomed
RESPECT and appreciate having visitors and all that has to be got ready.

The children will be taught this topic through a MANTLE. They will receive a visit from Mrs Wishy-Washy explaining that she is to have a special visitor coming to the palace. The children will help Mrs Wishy-Washy to make preparations for the visit. For this week, the home corner will be used to make preparations for the royal visit.

Anti-bullying Week
This week is National Anti-Bullying Week. This is an opportunity for children to reflect and learn about their own and other’s behaviours and actions. We are very careful in the way we deliver this week as we do not want the children to think that every incident that occurs can be labelled as bullying. We will use this week, as an opportunity to focus on how we are the same and how we are different from one another. We will look at similarities and differences in appearances, likes and dislikes. It is hoped that the children learn that it is okay to be different and not like the same things as others and learn to celebrate their differences.

The key word of the week is TELL. In order to help the children remember to tell someone if they are being bullied we teach them a little song to the tune of ‘If you’re happy and you know it’. This will form part of our contribution to the whole-school assembly next Monday. On Friday the children can come in school dressed in anyhting blue. Yes, I know their uniform is blue but it can be something different.

Communication , Language and Literacy
This week we will be focusing on the letters g. o, c and k. Some of the children already know these letters but this week, they will be required to hear them in words, read words containing them and even have a go at writing them.

By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to provide the sound for the letters g, o, c and k in response to seeing the letter symbol;
SHOULD be able to orally segment (sound out) the words containing the letters;
COULD be able to read simple phrases containing words that have all the letters we have looked at so far.

If you have a set of magnetic letters at home then why not have a go at spelling some of the words with them. Here are some websites your child could use to develop their letter recognition and start to develop their reading of words.
http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/activities.htm - The children are to try to hear the initial sounds in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - Look at the letter shown and then select the picture that begins with that letter.
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - This is an amazing website focusing on the initial sounds. Hours of fun why you do your ironing I think!
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/beginning.html - the children are to focus on the initial sounds of the picture shown and then identify a picture with the same initial sound.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonemeFlop_v4.html - a good website for getting the children to identify the letters of the alphabet.
www.starfall.com - this is a great all-rounder. Remember to encourage your child to use the letters they are unsure of. I will stick this information in your child’s diary this week.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - I love this game!
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - activities 12 and 13 are good for helping with identifying the initial letters.
http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html

Mathematical Development
We will continue to work on our recognition of numbers this week. However, we will be placing a different perspective on it. The children will be required to fill in the missing numbers. Therefore, by the end of this week, the children:

MUST be able to recognise all the numbers to 10;
SHOULD be able to order the numbers to 10 and fill in the missing numbers;
COULD be able to recognise and order the numbers to 20, and fill in the missing numbers.

Here are some websites to support your child.


http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc-home/vtc-ey-home/vtc-ey-md/vtc-ey-md-number.htm - choose any of these stories to work with your child. Perhaps focus on the ones they need to work on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - a good website for number recognition.
http://www.learningplanet.com/act/rats/rats1.htm?rats_numbers - this was my favourite (which is why it took me so long to do the blog spot!)
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game11.htm - this focuses on ordering numbers. The children must click on the next number in the number sequence.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=washindex - hang the shirts in the right order.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ntrack - missing number activity at different levels of difficulty.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/english/fruits/level2/l2/activity2.html - count the fruits.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/english/fruits/level2/l3/activity3.html - count the fruits and insert the numbers.
http://www.ictgames.com/duckshoot.html
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/jungle.html - count the objects and match the number
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=count-with-lecky7b - read the number and catch the balloons.
http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/counting/bugz.htm - this is my all time favourite!
http://www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - this is a FANTASTIC site as you get to alter the number range for your child to use when ordering numbers.

Working with a challenge!
http://www.ictgames.com/piratenumbers2.html - count the barrels and type the numbers in
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/recognition_to_10/index.htm - a little on the tricky side as the children have to match the numeral to the name of the number. Try encouraging your child to look at the initial letter and then having a guess.
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - listen to the number said and then post the letter through the correct numbered door.

Topic
We just have a few unfinished things to do linked with last week’s work on Divali. The children loved the story of Rama and Sita and could retell it well. They have made some lovely diva lamps which will be sent home this week. In addition to this, the children have decided that we will change our classroom shop to an Indian Restaurant.

Finally…
We are going to be changing our role-play area from a house into a hospital. If you have any old plastic medicine bottles, etc that you can let us have that would be fantastic. If there are any doctors or nurses out there who could talk to the children about their job that too would be marvellous.

Have a good week

Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx

Let’s go on with the show…

On Friday we thought we’d take the plunge and see how the production was coming together. Little did we know that we have some budding thespians in our midst. Yes! The Christmas Production is coming along nicely. Although I do have to admit that humming the tunes to the production have resulted in me getting some very odd looks around the supermarket this weekend. You are in for a treat! I hope you costume hunting is doing okay. Please don’t leave it until the last minute as nearly all schools in Warrington will be requiring similar costumes. The costumes are due in on Monday 26th November.

TOP TIP! (Oh that makes me feel like Delia Smith!)
Costumes often get a little crumpled over the production period. Perhaps hang the costume on a hanger with your child’s name on. This will assist storage also. A labelled plastic bag is also needed on the hanger for your child’s accessories and pumps.

Even though we do spend time practising the production, we still concentrate on our exciting curriculum. This week is one of my favourites. We learn about the Hindu festival of Divali. If you are a little unsure of what Divali is all about then here are some useful websites.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/festivals/resources/The%20story%20of%20Rama%20and%20Sita.ppt - this is a very simple version of the story of Rama and Sita.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/earlyict/colour_mixer.html - have a go at creating your very own mendhi pattern.
http://www.chandrakantha.com/musicpage/index.html - the children can listen to Indian music on this site. Encourage them to talk about their likes and dislikes. What instrument do they think is used to make the sound?
www.indexo.pionexnet.co.uk/elloughton13/dday.htm - this contains information about Diwali.
www.snaithprimary.eril.net/rang.htm - paint your very own rangoli pattern

There will be many exciting activities linked to Divali that the children will work on this week. Here goes…
Diva lamps – this will be a lamp which will be modelled out of clay and so beautifully decorated that you will most definitely place it on your mantelpiece.

Divali cards – an opportunity for the children to practise the use of the high frequency words to, mum, and, dad, as well as writing their name.

Rangoli patterns – these are symmetrical patterns using shapes. The children will have 2d shapes to place in dough to create them as well as using the school playground as a canvas. Let’s hope the rain doesn’t spoil our fun!

Role-play – the children will act out the story complete with the monkey army. Mmm...casting should be easy!

Barfi sweets – Mrs Latham will be making traditional Indian sweets with the children. Yum yum!

And much more…BUT what would a week in Foundation Stage be like without FOOD? Yes, we will be introducing the children to a variety of Indian foods. Perhaps this is an opportunity not to cook and get on the phone to the local take away for tea. Last year, we only bought a little as we thought the children wouldn’t like it. How wrong were we? They ate us out of house and home.

Communication , Language and Literacy
This week we will be focusing on the letters i, m, n and d again. Some of the children already know these letters but this week, they will be required to hear them in words, read words containing them and even have a go at writing them.

By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to provide the sound for the letters i, m, n and d in response to seeing the letter symbol;
SHOULD be able to orally segment (sound out) the words containing the letters;
COULD be able to segment, blend and write the words containing the letters.

If you have a set of magnetic letters at home then why not have a go at spelling some of the words with them. Here are some websites your child could use to develop their letter recognition and start to develop their reading of words.
http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/activities.htm - The children are to try to hear the initial sounds in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - Look at the letter shown and then select the picture that begins with that letter.
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - This is an amazing website focusing on the initial sounds. Hours of fun why you do your ironing I think!
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/beginning.html - the children are to focus on the initial sounds of the picture shown and then identify a picture with the same initial sound.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonemeFlop_v4.html - a good website for getting the children to identify the letters of the alphabet.
www.starfall.com - this is a great all-rounder. Remember to encourage your child to use the letters they are unsure of. I will stick this information in your child’s diary this week.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - I love this game!
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - activities 12 and 13 are good for helping with identifying the initial letters.

http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html

Mathematical Development
As time is limited we have decided to focus on number recognition and the ordering of numbers. Therefore, by the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to recognise all the numbers to 10;
SHOULD be able to order the numbers to 10;
COULD be able to recognise and order the numbers to 20.

Here are some websites to support your child.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc-home/vtc-ey-home/vtc-ey-md/vtc-ey-md-number.htm - choose any of these stories to work with your child. Perhaps focus on the ones they need to work on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - a good website for number recognition.
http://www.learningplanet.com/act/rats/rats1.htm?rats_numbers - this was my favourite (which is why it took me so long to do the blog spot!)
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game11.htm - this focuses on ordering numbers. The children must click on the next number in the number sequence.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=washindex - hang the shirts in the right order.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ntrack - missing number activity at different levels of difficulty.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/english/fruits/level2/l2/activity2.html - count the fruits.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/english/fruits/level2/l3/activity3.html - count the fruits and insert the numbers.
http://www.ictgames.com/duckshoot.html
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/jungle.html - count the objects and match the number
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=count-with-lecky7b - read the number and catch the balloons.
http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/counting/bugz.htm - this is my all time favourite!
http://www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - this is a FANTASTIC site as you get to alter the number range for your child to use when ordering numbers.

Working with a challenge!
http://www.ictgames.com/piratenumbers2.html - count the barrels and type the numbers in
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/recognition_to_10/index.htm - a little on the tricky side as the children have to match the numeral to the name of the number. Try encouraging your child to look at the initial letter and then having a guess.
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - listen to the number said and then post the letter through the correct numbered door.


http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/ngfl-flash/numbers_eng/numbers_e.html - a valuable resource for number formation as stated on target sheets from parents’ evening.

REMEMBER!!!
We are still working on those matching number pairs to 10 so please continue with the number rhyme.

Parent Helpers
Any parents wishing to help out at all are very welcome to do so. Please just call in and see one of us.

I think that’s all for this week.

Have a good one!

Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x

Ooohh!! Aaahh!! BANG!

Hi!

Welcome to another new week. What is going on in the Foundation Stage this week?

Deep breath! Here goes...

Mathematical Development
Here are some great websites you could use to support your child in their mathematical development. However, developing this mathematical understanding is better in context. For example, when eating chicken pieces at tea time, ask how many they have and then as they eat one what is one less? It is hoped that by the end of the week, the children will have moved on from last week's objectives and:
Must be able to find one more and one less than a number to 6;
Should be able to find one more and one less than a number to 10;
Could be able to KNOW one more and one less than a number to 10 or beyond.

Here are some websites to help:
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/counting/random%20count.html - with this website, you will need to work with your child. They will need to firstly count the fish (they are moveable into a line) and then find one more and one less.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/20050208/Mathematicaldev/Earlyyears/Number/Numberrhymes/Introduction/default.htm - this website is great for developing the children’s understanding of one less. As one speckled frog jumps into the pool, there is one less!
http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/counting/index.htm - these are great for those counting rhymes that involve one less each time.

Communication , Language and Literacy
Now that everyone is settled we start our rapid teaching of phonic skills. You will be amazed at how quickly the children learn to read and write. This week we will be focusing on the letters i, m, n and d. Some of the children already know these letters but this week, they will be required to hear them in words, read words containing them and even have a go at writing them.

By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to provide the sound for the letters i, m, n and d in response to seeing the letter symbol;
SHOULD be able to orally segment (sound out) the words containing the letters;
COULD be able to segment, blend and write the words containing the letters.

If you have a set of magnetic letters at home then why not have a go at spelling some of the words with them. Here are some websites your child could use to develop their letter recognition and start to develop their reading of words.
http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/activities.htm - The children are to try to hear the initial sounds in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - Look at the letter shown and then select the picture that begins with that letter.
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - This is an amazing website focusing on the initial sounds. Hours of fun why you do your ironing I think!
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/beginning.html - the children are to focus on the initial sounds of the picture shown and then identify a picture with the same initial sound.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonemeFlop_v4.html - a good website for getting the children to identify the letters of the alphabet.
www.starfall.com - this is a great all-rounder. Remember to encourage your child to use the letters they are unsure of. I will stick this information in your child’s diary this week.
http://www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - I love this game!
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/hoobs/activities/interactiveActivities.jsp?id=letters - activities 12 and 13 are good for helping with identifying the initial letters.

http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html

High Frequency Words
As the children develop their knowledge of the letters of the alphabet, their recognition on sight of the high frequency words will also increase. These are some websites you may wish to save to favourites to support this area of learning:
www.ictgames.com - select the spelling ship and the flower reading one.

Our theme for this week will continue to be AUTUMN. Last week the children looked for and discussed signs of Autumn and use this as a stimulus not only for their creative work but for their language activities also. Due to the build of our new outdoor play equipment and other exciting events last week we didn’t quite finished all we planned. Therefore, we will continue with some of the activities linked to Autumn. Such activities will include:

Finger painted trees
The children will be getting their fingers messy while they create a finger painting of an autumn scene using only their fingers. They will be encouraged to think about the shapes and the colours of the leaves during autumn time.

Leaf printing
The children will explore and investigate the patterns on leaves by printing with leaves, laying them in clay and doing leaf rubbings.

Autumn crowns
The finishing touches to these will be done to enable us to have our Autumn parade on Friday for Golden Time. We were supposed to have it last week but the temptation of a go on the new outdoor play area was too much to bare.

Sewing and Weaving
The children will continue to develop their fine motor skills through the creation of an Autumn Weaving Sculpture. With Mrs Latham they will be learning to stitch thread onto leaf shaped felt to mirror what they observed on the leaves when looking for patterns. Mrs Higgins will be working with the children to create the weaving ‘loom’ and selecting appropriate fabrics and materials for the weaving. The finish product will include the weaving and the stitched leaves. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November
Of course we could not let Bonfire Night go without a mention. Come on…lights, loud noises, glittering fireworks and food, who could resist? The children will learn about the story behind why we celebrate bonfire night, what traditions we have, and have the opportunity to talk about their experiences during circle time. They will also be completing art activities linked to the theme. Why not try out www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/guy/fireworks/index.htm This is a fantastic virtual firework display. Faith, my daughter, wouldn’t let me on the computer for playing with it. Pity I can’t get her to a real one!

Here I Am
We will continue on our theme of Signs and Symbols. This week the children will be shown the symbols of a Baptism. They will learn the importance of the white shawl, the sign of the cross, the words spoken, the candle and then shell. Please talk to your child about their baptism as this helps them to understand the concept a little more. We will be having our own ‘baptism’ in class. Last week the children were invited to the baptism of Miss Polly’s Dolly. The event will occur this week.

Homework
Handwriting homework will resume this week. The children will also receive a library book to share with you. Both will be given out on Wednesdays to be returned on Mondays.

Jingle bells
This week we start to practise our dances and songs for the production. You should have received a letter with costume details on. It is very simple for us in Foundation Stage. The boys are all elves and the girls are reindeers. Many thanks in anticipation of your support in providing the costumes.

Friends of St Vincent’s Meeting
On Thursday at 8pm in the lounge of St Joseph’s the Friends of St Vincent meet. This is a group of people who support the school through fundraising, putting on events for the children, etc. The group is a mixture of parents, staff and people of the community. Please feel free to come along. I’ll be there so at least you will know one person. It’s great fun and when we see the outdoor play area being provided it is down to the dedication and hard work of our Friends of St Vincent. Why not give it a try?

Parents’ evening
You will have received the time and date of your parent/teacher interview. I look forward to seeing you all.

I think that is all for now!

Take care and have a GREAT week!
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x