Who ate the porridge?

Hola

Welcome to this week’s blog!

On Friday the children voted to do the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Therefore, the role play area will have a selection of props which will enable them to re-enact the story with their friends. This is a vital part of your child’s development so any encouragement of pretend play is good. As part of our endeavour to create independent learners the children will receive a letter from Goldilocks. She has decided to apologise for sleeping in Baby bear’s bed and breaking his chair. She says in the letter that she would like to commission our children to help her design a new chair and bedroom just for baby bear. Let’s see where it takes us!

Phonics
Mrs Malone took the children whilst I was on a course last Thursday. When I asked the children in front of her what they are really good at the response was ‘listening and phonics’. I say no more! This week we will be consolidating their understanding of the sound patterns taught over the past few weeks which include ‘or’, ‘oa’, ‘ar’ and ‘igh’. The children are okay with ‘oa’ and ‘igh’ but still a little unsure of ‘or’ and ‘ar’. Any chance to identify them in books would be greatly appreciated.

By the end of the week, the children;
MUST be able to identify the patterns ‘or’, ‘oa’, ‘ar’ and ‘igh’ on sight;
SHOULD be able to use them to make new words;
COULD be able to read and write words containing the patterns.

Here are the websites to support this area of learning:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/longvow/poems/flash/fpoem4.shtml - this looks at the spelling pattern ‘oa’.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/longvow/poems/flash/fpoem9.shtml - this looks at ‘igh’.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/longvow/snap/snap.shtml - a snap game to help the children quickly identify the letter patterns in words.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/whirl/game.shtml - I would recommend this website to support the blending of sounds together when reading.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks1bitesize/literacy/phonics/index.shtml - a great website with different levels. Start at the medium level and then work on from there at your own pace.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/16022007/wordmaker_vowels1/lesson.html - I really like this one. You could easily have a go at sections 1 and 2.
http://www.starfall.com/n/skills/the-lonely-vowel/load.htm?f - a great little video!
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/load.htm?f - select the games to play with our spelling patterns in them.


Problem-solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
I feel that it is time to return to looking at addition for the next two weeks. The children will review some previous learning on ordering numbers before reviewing addition. Therefore, the children:
MUST be able to count up to 10 objects reliably and order numbers to 10;
SHOULD be able to identify missing numbers on a number line, order random numbers to 10 and write most numerals from 1 to 10 correctly;
COULD be able to count backwards from 20 to 0, recognise all the numbers to 20 and some beyond, order a random set of numbers to 20, count at least 20 objects reliably and write the numbers 0 to 20 correctly.

Here are some websites for your child to play on at home to support their learning:
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/846/Teddynumbersv2.swf - the children are presented with a teddy bear and a jar of sweets. The computer generates a number between 1 and 15 and the children need to drag the given number of sweets into the bear’s tummy.
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - the children must listen to the number given and then post the letter through the corresponding door.
http://www.ictgames.com/100hunt2.html - this is a real challenge for those children who can already recognise the numbers to 20. Encourage your child to say the target number out loud before finding it.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/ngfl-flash/numbers_eng/numbers_e.html - this is a good website for supporting number formation.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/numorder.swf - the children need to order the random numbers by placing the numbered hats on the children’s heads.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=washindex - remember to select the numbers to 20.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ntrack - missing numbers on a number track. The children click and drag them into place. The children should be able to access all three levels.
http://www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - one that we have had before but remember to alter the minimum and maximum range of numbers to accommodate your child’s range of recognition.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - click on the numbers, python and possum

Any opportunity to review number formation is good as would be the words on Mr Adder.

We will be extending the children’s learning to counting on from the largest number and applying addition to money situations. You may wish to support this at home by playing shop and asking your child to find the total of two items in the shop.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to find one more than a given number to 10;
SHOULD be able to understand that addition is the combining of two sets of objects and use 1p coins to pay for the total of two items.
COULD be able to find the total of two numbers by counting on from the largest number, and find ways of making given totals.

Suitable websites to support these learning objectives are:
Addition
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/numbers/ch1.shtml
www.ictgames.com/save_the_whale_v4.html - this game asks the children to select the number to add to the given number to make magic number 10. The strategy the children need to use is the counting on from the number given to 10;
www.ictgames.com/safecracker.html - the children have to choose two numbers to make the target number given.
www.ictgames.com/beaver.html - the children must select two numbers that make the magic number 10.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=8
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/num%20machine/add1.html - good website for rapid recall of adding one more.
Money
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/counting_with_money/index.htm
http://www.ictgames.com/moneysplat.html - a good website for encouraging addition

Here I Am
We will be continuing our work on Holidays. The children created some lovely collages of the holiday the Gingerbread man would go on for his holidays last week. The children will further develop their understanding of the Holy Spirit this week.

St George’s Day
The children will learn lots about St George’s Day on Thursday. They will be set the task of making dragons in teams. This will be a whole day events with a certificate at the end of the day for the team who have worked the most collaboratively.

Physical development
The children will focus on their ball skills this week. They will be playing target games and learning how to keep score. We will also begin developing the skills for our Sports Day. It would be a good idea to check your child’s pumps now to see that they fit. I will send pump bags home on Friday.

Friends of St Vincent’s meeting
There will be a friends meeting at 8pm in St Joseph’s Parish Club. Everyone is welcome. See you there!

I think that is all for now!

Have a great week.

Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx