Whatever Next!!!

Hi there!

I am sure the children had a wonderful time finding out all about the celebrations surrounding the Chinese New Year. I am really sad to have missed it, as I love doing the theme every year. Never mind. I’m sure Mrs Higgins and Mrs Latham cooked up a wonderful feast for everyone.

So what is in store for this week?

Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to name and sound all the letters they have been taught so far.
SHOULD be able to name and sound the letters Qq, Vv, Ww, Xx, Yy and Zz, being able to segment them when writing words containing them, and blend them when reading words.
COULD be able to use all the letters taught so far to blend and segment when reading and writing.

In order to support your child with these objectives I would suggest a browse back over previous blog spots and select websites focussing on the letters in question. The sheet I stuck in your child’s diary before I went on maternity leave should be of some use to you here. Any websites involving blending sounds and segmenting sounds should be a real focus now. I’d recommend this website!
http://www.ictgames.com/ladybird_v2.html - this can be extended to up to four sounds in words.

To link in with the topic of JOURNEYS and of course, the wonderful rockets that are being made, the children will be creating zig-zag books linked to the story of Whatever Next by Jill Murphy.

Problem-solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to recognise objects that are bigger, smaller, longer and shorter in practical everyday situations;
SHOULD be able to use and understand the language such as longer and shorter when comparing to set of up to three objects;
COULD be able to choose and explain their own criteria for sorting, and use comparative language in doing so.

Here are some great websites that you could use to support your child at home.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=3
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/mathsE1.htm - you need to select the activities from the menu
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=compare-order7
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/big_small/eng/Introduction/default.htm

Perhaps at home you could compare the lengths of different everyday household items.

Physical Development
This week the children will develop their ability to handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control. In class the children will be doing sponge printing, continuing to make their model rockets and creating a city plan for vehicles. In addition to this, and to support them in their handwriting skills, the children will complete a range of fine motor skills activities. Please continue to practice the handwriting and colouring with your child.

Many thanks for the junk materials. We have plenty now but would like to thank you for all the recycling. I know what a mess it creates in your kitchens!

Creative Development
The children will use their imagination in art, design, music, dance, imaginative and role play. They will be using the text Rosie’s Walk to retell the story in PE. The role play areas will become a school room and a Chinese restaurant in order for them to consolidate their learning about the Chinese new year.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The children will find out about and identify the uses of everyday technology, and use ICT and programmable toys to support their learning. In doing so, they will be using the Beebot robot to work out how far to a certain place, and the Roamer to develop their understanding of distance and directions.

Here I Am
The children will learn to reflect on the journeys that they and others make.

I think that’s all for this week.

Have a good one!

Miss you all very much but I will be calling in on Tuesday with Ellen for the children to see.

Take care
Jayne Narraway xx