Hi there!
Yet another fantastic week was had by all in the Foundation Stage last week. The rockets the children made have been hung by our mystery giant, Bertie and look amazing hanging from our ceiling. What did you think of their cars? The children were thrilled with them. You wouldn’t believe the trouble I had getting them to stand upright. However, Super Hero Latham and Mrs Hughes ( a parent from last year) came to my rescue. Better stick to my forte in future and leave the experts to it next time!
So what’s in store for this week?
Well…
IT’S BOOKWEEK!!!
The book week starts with a poet coming in to school for two days. The children will have a fantastically humorous story told to them. In addition to this, I have asked that the children bring in their favourite book on Monday to share with a friend. They will write the title on a leaf and stick it on to the reading tree in the hall. Throughout the week, the children will have a competition. I will leave clues for them and they have to work out the nursery rhyme or familiar book title from the clues. The one who gets them correct will have a prize on the Tuesday of next week in the prize giving assembly. Lots of other activities celebrating the wonder of books will be completed throughout the week concluding in our annual book week dressing up day. I am absolutely full to the brim with excitement!!
The book fair will be on from Wednesday after school until the following Tuesday. All books bought enable us to receive commission to purchase resources for school. Please come along.
Talking of reading…
As a school we are aiming for all classes to have 100% response from parents in reading diaries. That is to say that we ask that every parent writes at least one comment per week after they have read with their child. The whole school is publishing their percentages each week. I am pleased to say that ours is 93%. This equates to just two diaries not being commented in each week. I’m sure we can get to a 100% by the end of this week.
PHONICS
Your child may have talked about learning ‘c’ and ‘k’ and how together they make ‘ck’. Over the past few years I have searched for some inspiring way of helping the children understand when to use ‘ck’ and this year, ‘by jove’ I think I’ve cracked it! I have told the children that the letters love each other and are very lazy because more often than not they are found at the end of words. So what are we learning this week?
By the end of the week:
MUST be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘h’, ‘b’, ‘f’, ‘ff’, ‘l’, ‘ll’ and ‘ss’.
SHOULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
COULD be able to read and write captions containing words with these letters.
Again there are double consonants here that make one sound and are often found at the end of words. These are the twins!!! They look the same and even sound the same. Plus, they are equally as lazy as ‘ck’.
NEW - http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/flags.html this is a brilliant game. Choose the vowel you want to have in the middle of the words and then put the flags on the sandcastles to make the word said by the computer.
NEW http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/teddybearPicnic_v2.html - a good website for matching lower case and upper case letters.
www.starfall.com - The children are doing amazingly well with their letter sound and name recognition so why not try out the vowels at the bottom of the page to help them use them in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to add one more to a given number up to 9.
SHOULD be able to add two numbers to make a total of up to 10 by combining two sets.
COULD be able to add two numbers by counting on from the larger number.
Please continue to work on the vocabulary of addition on Mr Adder. Here are a few websites to help support your child.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - if you start on the Kindergarten level and review the combining of sets to find the total first. When you think your child is managing this why not let them have a go at the Year 1 addition games. I’m sure you will be surprised at how they will be able to manage them by the end of the week.
http://www.ictgames.com/save_the_whale_v4.html - find the pairs to 10 to save the whale.
http://www.ictgames.com/funkymum.html - love this one but they will have to use the counting on from the largest number method.
http://www.ictgames.com/flight_for_fuel.html - collect the fuel to make the totals on the top.
http://www.ictgames.com/safecracker.html
http://www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - just a little taster of the work for next week on ordering numbers and it will also help with identifying the larger number.
http://www.ictgames.com/beaver.html
A game to play at home to help your child identify the larger number.
You will need:
A set of playing cards
How to play
Divide the cards between two players
Each person takes a turn to reveal their playing card.
The one with the biggest number gets to keep the two cards.
The winner is the one with the most cards at the end.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The children will develop their understanding of transport that travels on the sea and air this week. Get the paper ready because we are actually going to teach them how to make paper aeroplanes and have a competition to see how far they can make them fly. They will also learn about floating and sinking. Perhaps during bath time you could reinforce this by adding a few objects. Keep those mobiles out of reach though as we have had at least three in the bath in our house over the past year!
Creative Development
We continue to work on the backgrounds to the amazing pictures the children did last week. The children will have to work together in a team to complete the task. We are amazed at the level of collaboration that children so young are demonstrating. The children are also going to be able to use the knowledge they gathered from making the cars on Friday to creating their own wheeled vehicle from junk materials. So…please continue sending in any boxes, tubes etc.
Other bits and bobs
Please can all museum permission slips be handed in by the end of the week. Also, we now have enough parent helpers. Thanks. A letter regarding the details of the day should go out on Monday.
We have three new additions to the team. Mrs Hibbits who is training to be a teaching assistant and will work with us evry Monday and Tuesday. Mrs Kirkham who is a trainee teacher who will work with us every Thursday, and Miss Scott, who is a student from Hope University. She will be with us every Friday until she does her block teaching practice in March. We warmly welcome them all. Mmm…how much more can I squeeze into the week now????
I am please to say that Mrs Higgins is now on the mend. She is making a speedy recovery and she should be back with us soon.
That is all for now, PHEW!!!
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxxx
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
We're off, We're off, We're off in a Motor Car....
Welcome
What a fantastic week the children had last week as we developed our topic further to look at Space Travel. They particularly enjoyed the symmetrical underpants they made after reading the story ‘Aliens love Underpants’. Our rocket role play area is now ready for lift off which will make the children very happy, as well as our rocket reading corner. At the end of last week I asked the children take a vote on what they would like to learn about this week. It was a close call but the children asked if they could learn about travelling on the LAND.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Why does a car have an engine?
Why does a car have a steering wheel?
How do you make a car go?
These are three of the questions asked by the children about things that travel on the land at the start of the topic. It is my aim to answer these questions for them by the end of the week. CRIKEY!!! In order to do this, my car will be driven onto the playground for the children to see under the bonnet and how the steering wheel works. Needless to say, Health and Safety is our priority. Mmm…may need to clean my car out this weekend. the text Mr Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham will be out inspiration this week for role play and writing.
Creative Development
Unfortunately we did not have sufficient time to do our Van Gogh pictures last week so guess what’s on the agenda for this? In addition to this, the children will be developing their drawing skills. They will be drawing pictures of modes of transport that travel on the land. You may wish to have a practice with your child before Monday. They will draw them using a permanent pen onto acetate. Then use oil pastels to colour them in. Using different collage materials, the children will work in teams to create landscapes surrounding their vehicles. Yes, another chance to work as part of a team. You may begin to hear your child talk more about team work.
Phonics
By the end of the week:
MUST be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
SHOULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
COULD be able to read and write captions containing words with these letters.
NEW - http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/flags.html this is a brilliant game. Choose the vowel you want to have in the middle of the words and then put the flags on the sandcastles to make the word said by the computer.
NEW http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/flags.html
NEW http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/teddybearPicnic_v2.html - a good website for matching lower case and upper case letters.
www.starfall.com - The children are doing amazingly well with their letter sound and name recognition so why not try out the vowels at the bottom of the page to help them use them in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Mathematical Development
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to add one more to a given number to 10;
SHOULD be able to add two numbers to make a total of up to 6 by combining the two sets;
COULD be able to add two numbers to make a total of 10 by combining the two sets.
To make the vocabulary of addition more memorable to the children I have created a character called Mr Adder (get it? Add and Adder) Actually this was Mrs Bethell’s idea in the ‘Land of the Giants’. You should have received a copy of Mr Adder in your child’s diary this week for you to see the sort of language we aim to help the children use and understand. The acquisition of the vocabulary associated with addition is the class target for this week.
We use a mantra which goes like this:
COUNT, COUNT, TOGETHER, COUNT. The children will be able to tell you the actions to the mantra on Monday after the teaching. This is a hook on which the children can hold on to in order to facilitate their learning.
Here are some fabulous websites to help make their understanding of addition appear to be FUN!
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.
Physical Development
Yes, more apparatus this week with the children looking at imaginative ways of travelling along the benches, etc using the different parts of their bodies. We now have a World Record to beat for getting changed. The children are going to be timed getting ready for PE, as apparatus work is time consuming and the longer they take to get dressed the less time they have on the equipment. So…each session they will be timed and they have to beat their record. ANY HELP you can give in this department at home will be much appreciated.
Here I Am
We continue with the RELATE part of our topic on Celebrations. This week the children will review their learning about the visit to the temple made by Jesus. They will further discuss the different artefacts found in church and learn about what they symbolise.
Museum Visit
Your child may have already told you about us visiting the museum. It has now been booked along with the coaches. We have a workshop in the planetarium with Barnaby Bear. Can’t wait!! A letter will be going out this week with further details. If you are able to accompany us on the visit please call in and see me.
Other bits and bobs
Please could you ensure that the children have a label on their water bottles as over 50% do not. Thanks.
Handwriting homework is to be handed in on Mondays to go out again on Wednesdays.
You may have noticed Mrs Higgins’ absence. Unfortunately, she is unwell. We miss her very much and I am sure you join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.
I think that’s all for this week.
Have a good one.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
What a fantastic week the children had last week as we developed our topic further to look at Space Travel. They particularly enjoyed the symmetrical underpants they made after reading the story ‘Aliens love Underpants’. Our rocket role play area is now ready for lift off which will make the children very happy, as well as our rocket reading corner. At the end of last week I asked the children take a vote on what they would like to learn about this week. It was a close call but the children asked if they could learn about travelling on the LAND.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Why does a car have an engine?
Why does a car have a steering wheel?
How do you make a car go?
These are three of the questions asked by the children about things that travel on the land at the start of the topic. It is my aim to answer these questions for them by the end of the week. CRIKEY!!! In order to do this, my car will be driven onto the playground for the children to see under the bonnet and how the steering wheel works. Needless to say, Health and Safety is our priority. Mmm…may need to clean my car out this weekend. the text Mr Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham will be out inspiration this week for role play and writing.
Creative Development
Unfortunately we did not have sufficient time to do our Van Gogh pictures last week so guess what’s on the agenda for this? In addition to this, the children will be developing their drawing skills. They will be drawing pictures of modes of transport that travel on the land. You may wish to have a practice with your child before Monday. They will draw them using a permanent pen onto acetate. Then use oil pastels to colour them in. Using different collage materials, the children will work in teams to create landscapes surrounding their vehicles. Yes, another chance to work as part of a team. You may begin to hear your child talk more about team work.
Phonics
By the end of the week:
MUST be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
SHOULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
COULD be able to read and write captions containing words with these letters.
NEW - http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/flags.html this is a brilliant game. Choose the vowel you want to have in the middle of the words and then put the flags on the sandcastles to make the word said by the computer.
NEW http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/flags.html
NEW http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/teddybearPicnic_v2.html - a good website for matching lower case and upper case letters.
www.starfall.com - The children are doing amazingly well with their letter sound and name recognition so why not try out the vowels at the bottom of the page to help them use them in words.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Mathematical Development
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to add one more to a given number to 10;
SHOULD be able to add two numbers to make a total of up to 6 by combining the two sets;
COULD be able to add two numbers to make a total of 10 by combining the two sets.
To make the vocabulary of addition more memorable to the children I have created a character called Mr Adder (get it? Add and Adder) Actually this was Mrs Bethell’s idea in the ‘Land of the Giants’. You should have received a copy of Mr Adder in your child’s diary this week for you to see the sort of language we aim to help the children use and understand. The acquisition of the vocabulary associated with addition is the class target for this week.
We use a mantra which goes like this:
COUNT, COUNT, TOGETHER, COUNT. The children will be able to tell you the actions to the mantra on Monday after the teaching. This is a hook on which the children can hold on to in order to facilitate their learning.
Here are some fabulous websites to help make their understanding of addition appear to be FUN!
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.
Physical Development
Yes, more apparatus this week with the children looking at imaginative ways of travelling along the benches, etc using the different parts of their bodies. We now have a World Record to beat for getting changed. The children are going to be timed getting ready for PE, as apparatus work is time consuming and the longer they take to get dressed the less time they have on the equipment. So…each session they will be timed and they have to beat their record. ANY HELP you can give in this department at home will be much appreciated.
Here I Am
We continue with the RELATE part of our topic on Celebrations. This week the children will review their learning about the visit to the temple made by Jesus. They will further discuss the different artefacts found in church and learn about what they symbolise.
Museum Visit
Your child may have already told you about us visiting the museum. It has now been booked along with the coaches. We have a workshop in the planetarium with Barnaby Bear. Can’t wait!! A letter will be going out this week with further details. If you are able to accompany us on the visit please call in and see me.
Other bits and bobs
Please could you ensure that the children have a label on their water bottles as over 50% do not. Thanks.
Handwriting homework is to be handed in on Mondays to go out again on Wednesdays.
You may have noticed Mrs Higgins’ absence. Unfortunately, she is unwell. We miss her very much and I am sure you join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.
I think that’s all for this week.
Have a good one.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Sunday, January 13, 2008
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 BLAST OFF!!
Hi there!
What a fantastic start the Spring Term we had last week with the introduction of our new topic on Transport and Journeys. The children have posed some excellent questions which they would like answered by the end of the topic. The focus for teaching and learning each week will be determined by the children themselves. On Friday they had to vote on whether they wanted to learn about space travel, travelling by land, by sea or by air. The majority voted for…(drum roll please) SPACE TRAVEL.
So what will the children be learning?
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Last year Mr Narraway visited the Kennedy Space Centre in America and took some amazing photographs for me. I have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to use them. The children will have the opportunity to have a look inside a real rocket and learn about its contents. They will learn about the moon and the other planets in our solar system. They may have already told you that the role play area is being changed into a space rocket.
Mantle of the Expert
Last week the children received a visit from the Mayor of Little Town asking the problem solvers to design mode of transport for the citizens to go on holiday in. The children really got into this and worked well in their teams. However, this week there will be a twist to their designs. Yes! Another problem. The people of Little Town have heard that visits to the moon are all the rage now and would like the problem-solvers to design a rocket for them to travel into space. The children will therefore, take on the role of being designers. They will plan their designs on paper and decide on the materials they are going to use for them. Towards the latter part of the week, the children will all be making a junk model rocket big enough for five citizens from Little Town to travel into space. In order to do this though, we will need lots of plastic bottles, cardboard tubes and yoghurt pots etc. If you have any please do send them in.
Communication, Language and Literacy
The text for this week will be The Jigaree. This is a great book which helps the children practice reading their high frequency words in context. The Jigaree is an alien from outer space and when the astronaut visits the jigaree follows him everywhere. The repetitive nature of the text will hopefully feed into our writing activities this week.
Phonics
As with last week the children:
MUST be able to recognise the letters s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c and k by sound or name.
SHOULD be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
COULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
http://www.starfall.com/ - this is a great website. Perhaps make sure that your child focuses on the letters that they are working on for the week.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Mathematical Development
As well as continuing with their 3d shape recognition, the children will start a new topic on SYMMETRY and PATTERN.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to create a repeating pattern
SHOULD be able to recognise symmetry
COULD be able to make a symmetrical model from a range of materials, pointing out matching pairs on each side of the middle.
Here are some great websites the children can play around on.
http://crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=butterfly - the children have to create a matching symmetrical butterfly to the one shown. The level of difficulty can be raised by the use of two colours and then the chance to create their own symmetrical butterfly.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/symmetry/index.html - this is great. The children can create a kaleidoscope effect on the screen.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/reflection.swf - I love this one. The children can make a pattern on one side and then make its reflection on the other side. Just keep clicking on the squares to change the colours.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/symmetry.swf - a good website for helping children to understand what symmetry is.
http://www.adrianbruce.com/Symmetry/index.htm
Creative Development
Our classroom is ready to be adorned with beautiful pieces of art created by the children. The Fernand Leger and Wassily Kandinsky inspired pictures are beautiful and we can’t wait to put them up. This week, the children will look at Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. They will learn about how Van Gogh used the swirls in the picture to create the impression of the movement of the wind. Here is a picture of the art that will inspire us.
What a fantastic start the Spring Term we had last week with the introduction of our new topic on Transport and Journeys. The children have posed some excellent questions which they would like answered by the end of the topic. The focus for teaching and learning each week will be determined by the children themselves. On Friday they had to vote on whether they wanted to learn about space travel, travelling by land, by sea or by air. The majority voted for…(drum roll please) SPACE TRAVEL.
So what will the children be learning?
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Last year Mr Narraway visited the Kennedy Space Centre in America and took some amazing photographs for me. I have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to use them. The children will have the opportunity to have a look inside a real rocket and learn about its contents. They will learn about the moon and the other planets in our solar system. They may have already told you that the role play area is being changed into a space rocket.
Mantle of the Expert
Last week the children received a visit from the Mayor of Little Town asking the problem solvers to design mode of transport for the citizens to go on holiday in. The children really got into this and worked well in their teams. However, this week there will be a twist to their designs. Yes! Another problem. The people of Little Town have heard that visits to the moon are all the rage now and would like the problem-solvers to design a rocket for them to travel into space. The children will therefore, take on the role of being designers. They will plan their designs on paper and decide on the materials they are going to use for them. Towards the latter part of the week, the children will all be making a junk model rocket big enough for five citizens from Little Town to travel into space. In order to do this though, we will need lots of plastic bottles, cardboard tubes and yoghurt pots etc. If you have any please do send them in.
Communication, Language and Literacy
The text for this week will be The Jigaree. This is a great book which helps the children practice reading their high frequency words in context. The Jigaree is an alien from outer space and when the astronaut visits the jigaree follows him everywhere. The repetitive nature of the text will hopefully feed into our writing activities this week.
Phonics
As with last week the children:
MUST be able to recognise the letters s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c and k by sound or name.
SHOULD be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
COULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
http://www.starfall.com/ - this is a great website. Perhaps make sure that your child focuses on the letters that they are working on for the week.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Mathematical Development
As well as continuing with their 3d shape recognition, the children will start a new topic on SYMMETRY and PATTERN.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to create a repeating pattern
SHOULD be able to recognise symmetry
COULD be able to make a symmetrical model from a range of materials, pointing out matching pairs on each side of the middle.
Here are some great websites the children can play around on.
http://crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=butterfly - the children have to create a matching symmetrical butterfly to the one shown. The level of difficulty can be raised by the use of two colours and then the chance to create their own symmetrical butterfly.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/symmetry/index.html - this is great. The children can create a kaleidoscope effect on the screen.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/reflection.swf - I love this one. The children can make a pattern on one side and then make its reflection on the other side. Just keep clicking on the squares to change the colours.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/symmetry.swf - a good website for helping children to understand what symmetry is.
http://www.adrianbruce.com/Symmetry/index.htm
Creative Development
Our classroom is ready to be adorned with beautiful pieces of art created by the children. The Fernand Leger and Wassily Kandinsky inspired pictures are beautiful and we can’t wait to put them up. This week, the children will look at Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. They will learn about how Van Gogh used the swirls in the picture to create the impression of the movement of the wind. Here is a picture of the art that will inspire us.
Did you know that the song Starry Starry Night by John Denver (I think?) was inspired by the painting by Van Gogh?
In music the children will continue to use percussion instruments to accompany the song The wheels on the Bus.
Physical Development
Your child may have come home and told you that they had been on the climbing frame last week. They were beside themselves with excitement when we got the apparatus out. This whole half term will focus on moving along, through, under and over different pieces of apparatus, and learning to make a safe landing.
Here I Am
We move onto the RELATE part of our topic on Celebrations. This week the children will learn about the visit to the temple made by Jesus. They will discuss the different artefacts found in church and learn about what they symbolise.
Finally…
If the weather is okay next week, the children will hopefully be able to go outside throughout the day to enhance their learning. Please could you ensure your child is suitably dressed in a warm coat and a hat. Thanks.
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Ready, Steady, GO!!!
Hi there and welcome to the start of a new fantastic year!
The Spring Term is very short but nevertheless action packed and full of fun! So here goes with this week’s activities.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Straight away we will begin our new topic on TRANSPORT and JOURNEYS. This week we will begin by finding out what the children already know about transport and journeys they have made before moving on to their new learning. Therefore, the children will look at photographs of different modes of transport and sort them according to whether they travel on land, sea or by air. A trip to the local library would be a great idea. Why not get some books out on transport to look at and discuss.
The children will look specifically this week at wheeled vehicles and how they move. There will be particular attention paid to the axles and how a simple axle can be made using straws and bobbins.
They will also be using the larger construction equipment to make models of the different forms of transport before moving on to making models using the LEGO pieces.
Mantle of the Expert
The children will set up their business as problem-solvers this week. They receive a visit form the Mayor of Little Town. They have a problem and can the problem solvers help? Basically, the mayor explains that the people of Little Town have such short legs they are taking forever to get from one place to another. Can they help to design some kind of transport for them? The children will be given a ‘family’ to make transport for. However, some families have more in them than others, whilst some are just two or one person. The aim is also to help the children understand about traffic congestion and protecting the environment. This children will then take on the role of designers in their teams. (If you think back to the induction evening in October, you will understand that all children will have a specific role to play). Therefore, we ask that you start to collecting your empty cereal boxes, plastic bottles and tubs, bottle tops etc that can help the children create their models. Eventually, the children will make a model of their own.
Outdoor Play
The outdoor play area will be in full use this week with the children learning about road safety. A road will be created complete with zebra crossings to help the children understand the need for safety. Please ensure that your child has a warm coat, gloves and a hat everyday.
http://www.hedgehogs.gov.uk/main/main.html - This is a great website to explore the dangers of the road when travelling on foot or by car.
ICT
In the ICT suite the children will be investigating symmetry ready for next week’s mathematical development work. This is always a wonderful area of pattern to teach. We have a fantastic program in school which allows the children to paint on one side of the screen and it creates a symmetrical image on the other side. The results of their work are always excellent.
Creative Development
The children will also be sharpening up on their observational and drawing skills by making simple representations of the different modes of transport. This will then be used to produce some art work inspired by ‘The Two Cyclists, Mother and Child’ by the French Cubist Painter, Fernand Leger. Please click on this link to see the artwork for yourself. http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/exhibitionInfo/exhibition/17004
In music, the children will use their imagination to compose music to accompany the song of The Wheels on the Bus.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to recognise the letters s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c and k by sound or name.
SHOULD be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
COULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
www.starfall.com - this is a great website. Perhaps make sure that your child focuses on the letters that they are working on for the week.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Homework
Handwriting homework will resume this week and be given out on Wednesday as usual. We have been really pleased with the progress the children have made in this area of their physical development. Thank you for all your support at home.
Reading
Reading books will be changed on Tuesday as usual. Please ensure that you make at least one comment a week when you have read with your child. On Monday, there will be a reviewed copy of your child’s reading targets stuck into their diaries for your information.
Further Information
You will also receive an update on how your child is doing with their letter sounds/names and number recognition. All the children have made extremely good progress and we are well on our way now. Thanks again for all your support.
Mathematical Development
By then end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to describe 2d shapes using the correct mathematical vocabulary;
SHOULD be able to name some 3d shapes
COULD be able to describe 3d shapes using the correct mathematical vocabulary.
These objectives will be taught through the children’s work on transport and their art work. If you think about a lorry. It has a cuboid to carry the goods in and cylinders for wheels. Last half term we didn’t manage to get through some of the shape work and so we are continuing just for this week. The children will create a piece of artwork using 2d shapes inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. This link shows the art work we are using as our inspiration.
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?workid=7816
The children will explore the vocabulary associated with the shapes as well as developing their understanding of words linked to size. They will then compose their own piece of art. Yet there is a twist. They are only allowed to use a shape if they can describe two of its properties. Here are the websites we will be using in class.
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.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://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.
Finally, may we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for the beautiful and generous gifts you gave us. Also, many thanks to all those parents who have helped us with the productions, walking to church etc last term. Your help is very much appreciated and valued. We may be calling on your help very soon as we are hoping to take the children to the Science and Industry Museum.
Here’s to another fantastic term.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
The Spring Term is very short but nevertheless action packed and full of fun! So here goes with this week’s activities.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Straight away we will begin our new topic on TRANSPORT and JOURNEYS. This week we will begin by finding out what the children already know about transport and journeys they have made before moving on to their new learning. Therefore, the children will look at photographs of different modes of transport and sort them according to whether they travel on land, sea or by air. A trip to the local library would be a great idea. Why not get some books out on transport to look at and discuss.
The children will look specifically this week at wheeled vehicles and how they move. There will be particular attention paid to the axles and how a simple axle can be made using straws and bobbins.
They will also be using the larger construction equipment to make models of the different forms of transport before moving on to making models using the LEGO pieces.
Mantle of the Expert
The children will set up their business as problem-solvers this week. They receive a visit form the Mayor of Little Town. They have a problem and can the problem solvers help? Basically, the mayor explains that the people of Little Town have such short legs they are taking forever to get from one place to another. Can they help to design some kind of transport for them? The children will be given a ‘family’ to make transport for. However, some families have more in them than others, whilst some are just two or one person. The aim is also to help the children understand about traffic congestion and protecting the environment. This children will then take on the role of designers in their teams. (If you think back to the induction evening in October, you will understand that all children will have a specific role to play). Therefore, we ask that you start to collecting your empty cereal boxes, plastic bottles and tubs, bottle tops etc that can help the children create their models. Eventually, the children will make a model of their own.
Outdoor Play
The outdoor play area will be in full use this week with the children learning about road safety. A road will be created complete with zebra crossings to help the children understand the need for safety. Please ensure that your child has a warm coat, gloves and a hat everyday.
http://www.hedgehogs.gov.uk/main/main.html - This is a great website to explore the dangers of the road when travelling on foot or by car.
ICT
In the ICT suite the children will be investigating symmetry ready for next week’s mathematical development work. This is always a wonderful area of pattern to teach. We have a fantastic program in school which allows the children to paint on one side of the screen and it creates a symmetrical image on the other side. The results of their work are always excellent.
Creative Development
The children will also be sharpening up on their observational and drawing skills by making simple representations of the different modes of transport. This will then be used to produce some art work inspired by ‘The Two Cyclists, Mother and Child’ by the French Cubist Painter, Fernand Leger. Please click on this link to see the artwork for yourself. http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/exhibitionInfo/exhibition/17004
In music, the children will use their imagination to compose music to accompany the song of The Wheels on the Bus.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to recognise the letters s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c and k by sound or name.
SHOULD be able to recognise the sound and name for ‘ck’, ‘e’, ‘u’, and ‘r’.
COULD be able to use the letters they have learned to segment and blend words when reading and writing.
www.starfall.com - this is a great website. Perhaps make sure that your child focuses on the letters that they are working on for the week.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - this game is great for helping your child to blend sounds together. You can select the pattern (choose those with the letters we have been working on) and then the children have to read the word and click on the tick if it is a real word.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=cvcmaker - This again is a great website for blending three letter words together.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/learn_y4/main.asp?lesson_path=year_4/word_machine_c-v-c/&lesson_file=lesson.swf&language=eng - This helps the children see how three letter words are made up of a consonant, a vowel and then a consonant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - If your child is experiencing difficulties listening to the middle sound then this is a great game for them.
http://www.ictgames.com/machine - a great site for blending again. Look at the picture in the machine and click on the correct word to match it.
Homework
Handwriting homework will resume this week and be given out on Wednesday as usual. We have been really pleased with the progress the children have made in this area of their physical development. Thank you for all your support at home.
Reading
Reading books will be changed on Tuesday as usual. Please ensure that you make at least one comment a week when you have read with your child. On Monday, there will be a reviewed copy of your child’s reading targets stuck into their diaries for your information.
Further Information
You will also receive an update on how your child is doing with their letter sounds/names and number recognition. All the children have made extremely good progress and we are well on our way now. Thanks again for all your support.
Mathematical Development
By then end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to describe 2d shapes using the correct mathematical vocabulary;
SHOULD be able to name some 3d shapes
COULD be able to describe 3d shapes using the correct mathematical vocabulary.
These objectives will be taught through the children’s work on transport and their art work. If you think about a lorry. It has a cuboid to carry the goods in and cylinders for wheels. Last half term we didn’t manage to get through some of the shape work and so we are continuing just for this week. The children will create a piece of artwork using 2d shapes inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. This link shows the art work we are using as our inspiration.
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?workid=7816
The children will explore the vocabulary associated with the shapes as well as developing their understanding of words linked to size. They will then compose their own piece of art. Yet there is a twist. They are only allowed to use a shape if they can describe two of its properties. Here are the websites we will be using in class.
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.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://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.
Finally, may we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for the beautiful and generous gifts you gave us. Also, many thanks to all those parents who have helped us with the productions, walking to church etc last term. Your help is very much appreciated and valued. We may be calling on your help very soon as we are hoping to take the children to the Science and Industry Museum.
Here’s to another fantastic term.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Monday, December 24, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Navidad Feliz
Weekly update for week beginning 17th December 2007
Can you believe it? We have completed a third of the school year already, and what a term it has been! We are truly amazed at the level the children are working at and are well on their way to achieving great success. This is not only due to the hard work they are doing in school, but to your commitment to supporting your child and the every child’s enthusiasm for learning. So…it’s a pat on the back all round I think.
We had a fabulous time at the cathedral and Mr Barker was full of praise and admiration for the children. We even got to have our photograph took infront of the nativity scene. I have placed the photograph on the desktop of the Interactive Whiteboard if you want to have a look at it. The Year 6 looked after them very well.
This week is full of fun and frolics. Mmmm…so what’s different from any other week?
This week is goes very quickly but nevertheless action packed with seasonal activities. On Monday, the children will have a some-what normal morning (if it is at all possible to call the foundation Stage 'normal) but then…It’s time to PARTY!!! Yes, the children can come in their frilly dresses, glittery shoes and lip gloss…and that’s just the boys. Seriously, the children can come ready dressed to party. Many thanks for your contributions. Santa has emailed us to say he will be making a very special appearance too. No expense spared for our little treasures! We would like to thank all the parents who acted as santa’s elves last week.
Wednesday – remember those PE kits? Yes, they will come home for a good wash and iron ready for the Spring Term.
Thursday – with the last day being so action packed the children are treated to a toy afternoon. The children are allowed to bring in a toy to play with. We do encourage the children to bring in a toy that the can share with a friend e.g a card game, Buckaroo, Hungry Hippos, etc (I love those!!)
Friday is the carol service and the children have a lovely day. The Christmas Carol Concert will be held in St Joseph’s Church. We will be walking to church so if you are available to escort us then please let one of us know. Thanks. They are finally treated to a pantomime performed in the school hall by our parents. We all have a great laugh! One year I had to do a 'bush-tucker trial' involving jelly and creepy-crawlies. The children love it (and secretly so do the staff). All in all, the children go out on a high and are ready to drive you mental over the Christmas holidays. Ha ha ha!!! Please don't worry for I too have a four year old excited to the point of explosion to contend with over the Christmas break.
Also… clear space in your house for all the spectacular Christmas nick-nacks the children have made for you.
In addition to this, we will be completing our assessments of the children. WOW!!! is the word that comes to mind so far as we collate our information. Please remember to check out your child's diary for information on the letter names, sounds and numbers they need to work on as well as any other additional information we may need to pass on.
After lulling you into a false sense of security, I have found a series of websites which you can use to give your child a 'taster' of what is in store for the New Year. These should keep them busy over the holidays.
www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html - develops letter recognition and keyboard awareness
www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - love it!!
www.ictgames.com/plankgameR.html - remember to keep those high frequency words going.
www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html - type in your own spellings to learn
www.ictgames.com/machine.html - look at the picture then blend the sounds together to read the words and click on the matching one. Remember to use pure sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - find the number that matches the one under Bill's feathers
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/snakes.shtml - snakes and ladders for one and two players
www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/numorder.swf - ordering random numbers
www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - ordering random numbers
http://pbskids.org/lions/games/ears2.html - hearing the initial and final sounds in words and matching the letter symbol
www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - number recognition game
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa%20count.html - a little festive counting
http://pbskids.org/lions/games/pounce2.html - using the initial letter to identify words
You may have been aware of Mrs Latham’s absence from the team for the last four weeks. She has been with her family in Ireland and sadly, her father passed away Monday. We are sure you join us in our prayers for Mrs Latham and her family at this very sad time.
Finally….
May I take the opportunity to wish you and all your family a very special, happy, safe and Holy Christmas. Here’s to 2008!!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and The Foundation Stage Team xxx
PS If your little angel gets a little bored of the expensive presents you have trawled the internet and shops for, then you could always occupy them with these Christmas websites. http://www.merry-christmas.com/games/games.htmhttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/ Christmas resources from Northumberland Grid for Learning.
http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/xmas/xmastlinks.htmhttp://members.tripod.com/~newyearseve/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.htmlhttp://www.star28.net/snow.html hilarious!! the penguin will write your message in the snow - perhaps you could write the high frequency words.
http://dingo.care2.com/cards/new/0422/Do-a-rain-deer.swf play the reindeer noses!!http://www.icq.com/friendship/pages/browse_page_7944.html reindeer band
http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag75.html a to z of Christmas book
http://www.northpole.com/ - this is a lovely website with lots of festive activities to enjoy.
http://www.funranch.com/games/tree/index.htm -get those creative juices flowing with a little decorating of the tree.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/snowman_v4.html - a great website for supporting your child’s understanding of size. The children can make a family of snowmen. Encourage them to use the language, taller, shorter and some shape names also.
Have a good one!
Can you believe it? We have completed a third of the school year already, and what a term it has been! We are truly amazed at the level the children are working at and are well on their way to achieving great success. This is not only due to the hard work they are doing in school, but to your commitment to supporting your child and the every child’s enthusiasm for learning. So…it’s a pat on the back all round I think.
We had a fabulous time at the cathedral and Mr Barker was full of praise and admiration for the children. We even got to have our photograph took infront of the nativity scene. I have placed the photograph on the desktop of the Interactive Whiteboard if you want to have a look at it. The Year 6 looked after them very well.
This week is full of fun and frolics. Mmmm…so what’s different from any other week?
This week is goes very quickly but nevertheless action packed with seasonal activities. On Monday, the children will have a some-what normal morning (if it is at all possible to call the foundation Stage 'normal) but then…It’s time to PARTY!!! Yes, the children can come in their frilly dresses, glittery shoes and lip gloss…and that’s just the boys. Seriously, the children can come ready dressed to party. Many thanks for your contributions. Santa has emailed us to say he will be making a very special appearance too. No expense spared for our little treasures! We would like to thank all the parents who acted as santa’s elves last week.
Wednesday – remember those PE kits? Yes, they will come home for a good wash and iron ready for the Spring Term.
Thursday – with the last day being so action packed the children are treated to a toy afternoon. The children are allowed to bring in a toy to play with. We do encourage the children to bring in a toy that the can share with a friend e.g a card game, Buckaroo, Hungry Hippos, etc (I love those!!)
Friday is the carol service and the children have a lovely day. The Christmas Carol Concert will be held in St Joseph’s Church. We will be walking to church so if you are available to escort us then please let one of us know. Thanks. They are finally treated to a pantomime performed in the school hall by our parents. We all have a great laugh! One year I had to do a 'bush-tucker trial' involving jelly and creepy-crawlies. The children love it (and secretly so do the staff). All in all, the children go out on a high and are ready to drive you mental over the Christmas holidays. Ha ha ha!!! Please don't worry for I too have a four year old excited to the point of explosion to contend with over the Christmas break.
Also… clear space in your house for all the spectacular Christmas nick-nacks the children have made for you.
In addition to this, we will be completing our assessments of the children. WOW!!! is the word that comes to mind so far as we collate our information. Please remember to check out your child's diary for information on the letter names, sounds and numbers they need to work on as well as any other additional information we may need to pass on.
After lulling you into a false sense of security, I have found a series of websites which you can use to give your child a 'taster' of what is in store for the New Year. These should keep them busy over the holidays.
www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html - develops letter recognition and keyboard awareness
www.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - love it!!
www.ictgames.com/plankgameR.html - remember to keep those high frequency words going.
www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html - type in your own spellings to learn
www.ictgames.com/machine.html - look at the picture then blend the sounds together to read the words and click on the matching one. Remember to use pure sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - find the number that matches the one under Bill's feathers
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/snakes.shtml - snakes and ladders for one and two players
www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/numorder.swf - ordering random numbers
www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - ordering random numbers
http://pbskids.org/lions/games/ears2.html - hearing the initial and final sounds in words and matching the letter symbol
www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - number recognition game
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa%20count.html - a little festive counting
http://pbskids.org/lions/games/pounce2.html - using the initial letter to identify words
You may have been aware of Mrs Latham’s absence from the team for the last four weeks. She has been with her family in Ireland and sadly, her father passed away Monday. We are sure you join us in our prayers for Mrs Latham and her family at this very sad time.
Finally….
May I take the opportunity to wish you and all your family a very special, happy, safe and Holy Christmas. Here’s to 2008!!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and The Foundation Stage Team xxx
PS If your little angel gets a little bored of the expensive presents you have trawled the internet and shops for, then you could always occupy them with these Christmas websites. http://www.merry-christmas.com/games/games.htmhttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/ Christmas resources from Northumberland Grid for Learning.
http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/xmas/xmastlinks.htmhttp://members.tripod.com/~newyearseve/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.htmlhttp://www.star28.net/snow.html hilarious!! the penguin will write your message in the snow - perhaps you could write the high frequency words.
http://dingo.care2.com/cards/new/0422/Do-a-rain-deer.swf play the reindeer noses!!http://www.icq.com/friendship/pages/browse_page_7944.html reindeer band
http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag75.html a to z of Christmas book
http://www.northpole.com/ - this is a lovely website with lots of festive activities to enjoy.
http://www.funranch.com/games/tree/index.htm -get those creative juices flowing with a little decorating of the tree.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/snowman_v4.html - a great website for supporting your child’s understanding of size. The children can make a family of snowmen. Encourage them to use the language, taller, shorter and some shape names also.
Have a good one!
Navidad felix
Weekly update for week beginning 17th December 2007
Can you believe it? We have completed a third of the school year already, and what a term it has been! We are truly amazed at the level the children are working at and are well on their way to achieving great success. This is not only due to the hard work they are doing in school, but to your commitment to supporting your child and the every child’s enthusiasm for learning. So…it’s a pat on the back all round I think.We had a fabulous time at the cathedral and Mr Barker was full of praise and admiration for the children. We even got to have our photograph took infront of the nativity scene. I have placed the photograph on the desktop of the Interactive Whiteboard if you want to have a look at it. The Year 6 looked after them very well.
This week is full of fun and frolics. Mmmm…so what’s different from any other week?
This week is goes very quickly but nevertheless action packed with seasonal activities. On Monday, the children will have a some-what normal morning (if it is at all possible to call the foundation Stage 'normal) but then…It’s time to PARTY!!! Yes, the children can come in their frilly dresses, glittery shoes and lip gloss…and that’s just the boys. Seriously, the children can come ready dressed to party. Many thanks for your contributions. Santa has emailed us to say he will be making a very special appearance too. No expense spared for our little treasures! We would like to thank all the parents who acted as santa’s elves last week.
Wednesday – remember those PE kits? Yes, they will come home for a good wash and iron ready for the Spring Term.
Thursday – with the last day being so action packed the children are treated to a toy afternoon. The children are allowed to bring in a toy to play with. We do encourage the children to bring in a toy that the can share with a friend e.g a card game, Buckaroo, Hungry Hippos, etc (I love those!!)Friday is the carol service and the children have a lovely day. The Christmas Carol Concert will be held in St Joseph’s Church. We will be walking to church so if you are available to escort us then please let one of us know. Thanks. They are finally treated to a pantomime performed in the school hall by our parents. We all have a great laugh! One year I had to do a 'bush-tucker trial' involving jelly and creepy-crawlies. The children love it (and secretly so do the staff). All in all, the children go out on a high and are ready to drive you mental over the Christmas holidays. Ha ha ha!!! Please don't worry for I too have a four year old excited to the point of explosion to contend with over the Christmas break.
Also… clear space in your house for all the spectacular Christmas nick-nacks the children have made for you.
In addition to this, we will be completing our assessments of the children. WOW!!! is the word that comes to mind so far as we collate our information. Please remember to check out your child's diary for information on the letter names, sounds and numbers they need to work on as well as any other additional information we may need to pass on.After lulling you into a false sense of security, I have found a series of websites which you can use to give your child a 'taster' of what is in store for the New Year. These should keep them busy over the holidays.www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html - develops letter recognition and keyboard awarenesswww.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - love it!!www.ictgames.com/plankgameR.html - remember to keep those high frequency words going.www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html - type in your own spellings to learnwww.ictgames.com/machine.html - look at the picture then blend the sounds together to read the words and click on the matching one. Remember to use pure sounds.www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - find the number that matches the one under Bill's featherswww.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/snakes.shtml - snakes and ladders for one and two playerswww.primaryresources.co.uk/online/numorder.swf - ordering random numberswww.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - ordering random numbershttp://pbskids.org/lions/games/ears2.html - hearing the initial and final sounds in words and matching the letter symbolwww.ictgames.com/postletter.html - number recognition gamehttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa%20count.html - a little festive countinghttp://pbskids.org/lions/games/pounce2.html - using the initial letter to identify words
You may have been aware of Mrs Latham’s absence from the team for the last four weeks. She has been with her family in Ireland and sadly, her father passed away Monday. We are sure you join us in our prayers for Mrs Latham and her family at this very sad time.
Finally….
May I take the opportunity to wish you and all your family a very special, happy, safe and Holy Christmas. Here’s to 2008!!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and The Foundation Stage Team xxx
PS If your little angel gets a little bored of the expensive presents you have trawled the internet and shops for, then you could always occupy them with these Christmas websites. http://www.merry-christmas.com/games/games.htmhttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/ Christmas resources from Northumberland Grid for Learning.http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/xmas/xmastlinks.htmhttp://members.tripod.com/~newyearseve/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.htmlhttp://www.star28.net/snow.html hilarious!! the penguin will write your message in the snow - perhaps you could write the high frequency words.http://dingo.care2.com/cards/new/0422/Do-a-rain-deer.swf play the reindeer noses!!http://www.icq.com/friendship/pages/browse_page_7944.html reindeer bandhttp://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag75.html a to z of Christmas book
http://www.northpole.com/ - this is a lovely website with lots of festive activities to enjoy.http://www.funranch.com/games/tree/index.htm -get those creative juices flowing with a little decorating of the tree.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/snowman_v4.html - a great website for supporting your child’s understanding of size. The children can make a family of snowmen. Encourage them to use the language, taller, shorter and some shape names also. Have a good one!
Can you believe it? We have completed a third of the school year already, and what a term it has been! We are truly amazed at the level the children are working at and are well on their way to achieving great success. This is not only due to the hard work they are doing in school, but to your commitment to supporting your child and the every child’s enthusiasm for learning. So…it’s a pat on the back all round I think.We had a fabulous time at the cathedral and Mr Barker was full of praise and admiration for the children. We even got to have our photograph took infront of the nativity scene. I have placed the photograph on the desktop of the Interactive Whiteboard if you want to have a look at it. The Year 6 looked after them very well.
This week is full of fun and frolics. Mmmm…so what’s different from any other week?
This week is goes very quickly but nevertheless action packed with seasonal activities. On Monday, the children will have a some-what normal morning (if it is at all possible to call the foundation Stage 'normal) but then…It’s time to PARTY!!! Yes, the children can come in their frilly dresses, glittery shoes and lip gloss…and that’s just the boys. Seriously, the children can come ready dressed to party. Many thanks for your contributions. Santa has emailed us to say he will be making a very special appearance too. No expense spared for our little treasures! We would like to thank all the parents who acted as santa’s elves last week.
Wednesday – remember those PE kits? Yes, they will come home for a good wash and iron ready for the Spring Term.
Thursday – with the last day being so action packed the children are treated to a toy afternoon. The children are allowed to bring in a toy to play with. We do encourage the children to bring in a toy that the can share with a friend e.g a card game, Buckaroo, Hungry Hippos, etc (I love those!!)Friday is the carol service and the children have a lovely day. The Christmas Carol Concert will be held in St Joseph’s Church. We will be walking to church so if you are available to escort us then please let one of us know. Thanks. They are finally treated to a pantomime performed in the school hall by our parents. We all have a great laugh! One year I had to do a 'bush-tucker trial' involving jelly and creepy-crawlies. The children love it (and secretly so do the staff). All in all, the children go out on a high and are ready to drive you mental over the Christmas holidays. Ha ha ha!!! Please don't worry for I too have a four year old excited to the point of explosion to contend with over the Christmas break.
Also… clear space in your house for all the spectacular Christmas nick-nacks the children have made for you.
In addition to this, we will be completing our assessments of the children. WOW!!! is the word that comes to mind so far as we collate our information. Please remember to check out your child's diary for information on the letter names, sounds and numbers they need to work on as well as any other additional information we may need to pass on.After lulling you into a false sense of security, I have found a series of websites which you can use to give your child a 'taster' of what is in store for the New Year. These should keep them busy over the holidays.www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html - develops letter recognition and keyboard awarenesswww.ictgames.com/phonic_fighter4.html - love it!!www.ictgames.com/plankgameR.html - remember to keep those high frequency words going.www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html - type in your own spellings to learnwww.ictgames.com/machine.html - look at the picture then blend the sounds together to read the words and click on the matching one. Remember to use pure sounds.www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - find the number that matches the one under Bill's featherswww.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/snakes.shtml - snakes and ladders for one and two playerswww.primaryresources.co.uk/online/numorder.swf - ordering random numberswww.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - ordering random numbershttp://pbskids.org/lions/games/ears2.html - hearing the initial and final sounds in words and matching the letter symbolwww.ictgames.com/postletter.html - number recognition gamehttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa%20count.html - a little festive countinghttp://pbskids.org/lions/games/pounce2.html - using the initial letter to identify words
You may have been aware of Mrs Latham’s absence from the team for the last four weeks. She has been with her family in Ireland and sadly, her father passed away Monday. We are sure you join us in our prayers for Mrs Latham and her family at this very sad time.
Finally….
May I take the opportunity to wish you and all your family a very special, happy, safe and Holy Christmas. Here’s to 2008!!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and The Foundation Stage Team xxx
PS If your little angel gets a little bored of the expensive presents you have trawled the internet and shops for, then you could always occupy them with these Christmas websites. http://www.merry-christmas.com/games/games.htmhttp://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/ Christmas resources from Northumberland Grid for Learning.http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/xmas/xmastlinks.htmhttp://members.tripod.com/~newyearseve/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.htmlhttp://www.star28.net/snow.html hilarious!! the penguin will write your message in the snow - perhaps you could write the high frequency words.http://dingo.care2.com/cards/new/0422/Do-a-rain-deer.swf play the reindeer noses!!http://www.icq.com/friendship/pages/browse_page_7944.html reindeer bandhttp://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag75.html a to z of Christmas book
http://www.northpole.com/ - this is a lovely website with lots of festive activities to enjoy.http://www.funranch.com/games/tree/index.htm -get those creative juices flowing with a little decorating of the tree.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/snowman_v4.html - a great website for supporting your child’s understanding of size. The children can make a family of snowmen. Encourage them to use the language, taller, shorter and some shape names also. Have a good one!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Ooooh! Didn't they do well?
Hi there!
What a fantastic week we had last week! The performances went without a hitch and weren't the children just amazing considering they have only been in school a mere 11 weeks? We feel a reasl sense of achievement in having boosted the children's confidence so much that they will get up on the stage and have a go. Believe me, I didn't realise how scary it was myself until the mum's panto added a little extra to their performance!
Many thanks to you all for your kind comments and fantastic costumes. A HUGH thanks also goes to all the parents (and Grandparents) who helped to get the children changed. We couldn't have managed without you!
I think it is probably best to go through the diary of events for this week. Here goes...
WEDNESDAY - In the afternoon, the children will be treated to Jack and the Beanstalk. Many thanks for your contribution to this.
THURSDAY - the children will be visiting the Cathedral. The organisers have asked that we do not wrap our gifts this year. Please could any outstanding permission slips be returned as soon as possible. Thanks. We will return back to school by 4pm. You may wait in the school hall. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend the Carol Service myself as I have my own daughter's nativity to attend that afternoon. However, Mrs Higgins and Mr Barker will be chaperoning our little angels.
Lateness
I am just a little concerned that some children are often late arriving into school in the morning. The school doors open at 8.40am for Foundation Stage and school starts at 8.45am. Ideally ALL the children need to be sat on the carpet for registration by 8.50am so we can start our learning promptly. Your support in this would be greatly appreciated.
Now let's get on with what's going to be going on in class this week.
Santa's getting old
Did your child tell you that we received a letter from Eric the Elf? Yes! He asked the children to make some decorations for Timmy Tree who was very sad that all the other trees he knows have decorations. Of course the children obliged and what a 'splendiferous' job they did too! This week we reeive another letter from an elf. This time it is the chief elf 'Doc'. Santa has lost his memory and can't remember where the children live and so they may not get any presents on Christmas morning. Can you imagine their faces? Sounds cruel but it is a way into the children developing their geographical understanding of the local area. It would be helpful if you could help your child to remember their address as we will be locating your street on a map of the area.
Angels and Kings
The children will be creating angel broaches to wear at the cathedral as well as finishing off their fantastic Christmas cards.
The Christmas Story
We have been amazed at how brilliantly the children have picked up the story of the Nativity. This week, we take some children a little out of their comfort zone whilst some will be in their element. We have props and masks galore for the children to act out the story of the First Christmas. I can't wait to see them do it as the collages they have created depicting the events of the story are amazing.
The collages the children have created will be scanned this weekend and used to create a version of the Christmas story by the children. You may wish to keep your child busy by doing this at home if you have a scanner and powerpoint. Alternatively a few pictures and you as a scribe can make a lovely book. Perhaps if you make one you could pop it into school and we could share it too.
ASSESSMENT and REVIEW WEEK
This week is also assessment and review week. This is an opportunity to check the reading and spelling of the high frequency words, and assess the children for the next level in their reading. I will also be checking:
What a fantastic week we had last week! The performances went without a hitch and weren't the children just amazing considering they have only been in school a mere 11 weeks? We feel a reasl sense of achievement in having boosted the children's confidence so much that they will get up on the stage and have a go. Believe me, I didn't realise how scary it was myself until the mum's panto added a little extra to their performance!
Many thanks to you all for your kind comments and fantastic costumes. A HUGH thanks also goes to all the parents (and Grandparents) who helped to get the children changed. We couldn't have managed without you!
I think it is probably best to go through the diary of events for this week. Here goes...
WEDNESDAY - In the afternoon, the children will be treated to Jack and the Beanstalk. Many thanks for your contribution to this.
THURSDAY - the children will be visiting the Cathedral. The organisers have asked that we do not wrap our gifts this year. Please could any outstanding permission slips be returned as soon as possible. Thanks. We will return back to school by 4pm. You may wait in the school hall. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend the Carol Service myself as I have my own daughter's nativity to attend that afternoon. However, Mrs Higgins and Mr Barker will be chaperoning our little angels.
Lateness
I am just a little concerned that some children are often late arriving into school in the morning. The school doors open at 8.40am for Foundation Stage and school starts at 8.45am. Ideally ALL the children need to be sat on the carpet for registration by 8.50am so we can start our learning promptly. Your support in this would be greatly appreciated.
Now let's get on with what's going to be going on in class this week.
Santa's getting old
Did your child tell you that we received a letter from Eric the Elf? Yes! He asked the children to make some decorations for Timmy Tree who was very sad that all the other trees he knows have decorations. Of course the children obliged and what a 'splendiferous' job they did too! This week we reeive another letter from an elf. This time it is the chief elf 'Doc'. Santa has lost his memory and can't remember where the children live and so they may not get any presents on Christmas morning. Can you imagine their faces? Sounds cruel but it is a way into the children developing their geographical understanding of the local area. It would be helpful if you could help your child to remember their address as we will be locating your street on a map of the area.
Angels and Kings
The children will be creating angel broaches to wear at the cathedral as well as finishing off their fantastic Christmas cards.
The Christmas Story
We have been amazed at how brilliantly the children have picked up the story of the Nativity. This week, we take some children a little out of their comfort zone whilst some will be in their element. We have props and masks galore for the children to act out the story of the First Christmas. I can't wait to see them do it as the collages they have created depicting the events of the story are amazing.
The collages the children have created will be scanned this weekend and used to create a version of the Christmas story by the children. You may wish to keep your child busy by doing this at home if you have a scanner and powerpoint. Alternatively a few pictures and you as a scribe can make a lovely book. Perhaps if you make one you could pop it into school and we could share it too.
ASSESSMENT and REVIEW WEEK
This week is also assessment and review week. This is an opportunity to check the reading and spelling of the high frequency words, and assess the children for the next level in their reading. I will also be checking:
Shape recognition
Finding one more and one less than a given number
Number recognition
Pattern Making
Phonic knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the language of length, weight and capacity in preparation for after Christmas.
Any of the websites from previous blogs are useful as a review exercise. Please find some of them listed below.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - select the more counting picture with the jar of frogs. http://www.wmnet.org.uk/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/846/Teddynumbersv2.swf - This is such a cute website. The children can select the numbers they wish to work with and then select the number of sweets to feed the teddy as identified by the number given. http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/counting/bugz.htm - This is one of my personal favourites! I remember the first time I ever saw it and couldn’t stop laughing. http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ftank2 - I really like this one as it helps to develop mouse skills as well as counting skills. http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/cyc/index.asp - A simple but effective website. http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/colorcount.html - Click on the pictures to make them colour. http://www.wmnet.org.uk/wmnet/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/850/Count&Order.swf - On this website the children must identify the numbers on the leaves and then drag the ladybirds with matching number of spots. They can count the number of leaves on a stem and match the number to it or, order numbered snails and ladybirds. http://www.ictgames.com/caterpillar_slider.html - this game works on ordering the numbers. http://www.ictgames.com/nutty_v3.html - collect the acorns in number order. http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/english/fruits/level2/l2/activity2.html - The children must count the number of pieces of fruit and then click on the matching number. http://www.e-gfl.org/e-gfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/teacher/other/spark/downonfarm/downonfarm.html - Click on the link Down on the Farm and follow the instructions. http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game5.htm - This one is good. Count the items on the peacocks feathers and drag them to the number. http://www.ictgames.com/duckshoot.html - All the fun of the fair with this one! http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/kidsonly/findout/farm/sounds/howmany2.wav http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/jungle.html http://www.learningplanet.com/act/rats/rats1.htm?rats_numbers - This websites needs the children to use the arrow keys on the keyboard. You can select the numbers the children are unsure of and work on them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/find_the.shtml - another great game for developing the children’s number recognition. http://www.ictgames.com/piratenumbers2.html - For those children with number recognition beyond 10. This is a great game for them! Count the barrels in the water and then type in the number. Let’s see if you can sink the ship.
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.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=7# - select the animals sound one and see if you can make a musical pattern with the animal noises.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/simple_patterns/eng/Introduction/default.htm - the children have the opportunity to continue a repeating pattern using colours, shapes and pictures.
http://crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=beads - a string of beads at two levels, one with 6 beads and a second with 10 beads. The children must make repeating patterns using the colour palette provided.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/building_game/eng/Introduction/default.htm - in part two or three of this game the children have the opportunity to make a pattern for themselves.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/numeracy-explorer/powerpoint/patter.ppt - a great powerpoint to support the children’s learning of how to continue a repeating pattern.http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - click on the pattern label to enter the correct game. Remember to start on the reception level.
Hope your Christmas shopping is coming along nicely too.
Have a great week!
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Sunday, December 02, 2007
It's Christmas Time December is Here!!!
Hi there!
How fantastic is it now that we are in December? Already I am humming the Christmas tunes whilst doing my weekly shop and dusting off the Christmas tree. Now that it is officially Christmas time, it is without doubt time to get out the glitter, sequins and baubles and start preparing for the festivities.
As a treat for the children, during the time they are performing their much rehearsed and awaited Christmas Production, the whole week will be dedicated to those little keepsakes to adorn your mantelpiece and Christmas tree. No…there will be no glittered egg boxes which my mum still hangs up every year (much to my dismay). Please be very aware that the children will be very tired this week due to the performances. Tears may happen and reading time may be a challenge. For this reason there will be no homework this week. One thing to look forward to though is an early night to bed on Friday! Mr barker also allows the children to come in by 10.30 on Friday following the evening performance on Thursday. Unfortunately, this does not apply to staff so if you wish to drop your child off at the normal time then that is fine.
Christmas Tree Decoration
The week begins with the children receiving a letter from Timmy Tree. This is actually our class Christmas Tree. He is really sad because all his other Christmas tree friends have decorations and BOO HOO he is bare. Can we solve his problem? Oh yes we can…Oh no you can’t…oh yes we can (sorry couldn’t resist with the panto season and all that!) The children will therefore extend their creative skills and mathematical skills by decorating their very own bauble. This is an opportunity for the children to talk about the properties of the sphere shape of their bauble and reinforce their understanding of pattern making when they stick on the sequins etc.
Christmas Party Hats
On Thursday of this week, the children will have their Christmas dinner in the hall. Not one to miss out on an opportunity to make an occasion out of eating food, an especially Christmas dinner. The children will make their own Christmas party hat. Again, the children will use 3d shapes to print a pattern on their hat. This will give us the opportunity to develop the children’s language associated with 3d and 3d shapes. Please note that due to the demands on the kitchen on Thursday there will be no toast on sale at break time.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas cards the children will be making this year will incorporate the children’s learning in mathematical development and RE. The children will use 2d shapes to create a card depicting the Three Wise Men visiting Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Whilst making the cards the children will be encouraged to talk about their understanding of the visitors to the stable in Bethlehem. The cards will also provide the children with the opportunity to write their names and those of their family.
A class list will also be sent out via the diaries to help you with any cards your child may which to send.
Nativity Story
The children will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the events of the First Christmas through a range of activities. The aim is that the children become aware of the preparations for the birth of Jesus. Props will be provided for the children to role-play the story and take on one of the characters. The small world table now has the stable scene on it to encourage language and story telling. We will also be opening our interactive Advent calendar and our class one which has little tasks to complete each day. Here are some great websites you can look at with the children to help them remember the story.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/nativity/ - this is a e-version of the story for the children to enjoy.
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/christmas/christmas1.html - find out about the history behind the customs surrounding Christmas.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/re/b-dag/ngfl-container/re-unit1-en.html- this is a wonderful website where the children can learn how to sequence the parts of the story for themselves. The children can create a nativity scene for themselves.
http://www.refuel.org.uk/curric/infant_topics/christmas/christmas.html - another lovely book. Perhaps we can make an electronic book as a class.
Christmas Fayre
Whilst we are busily trying to clean the cupboards, get to the bottom of the ironing basket and check on those last minute purchases, this is a great opportunity to get the children out of the house! Our annual Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 8th December. There are gifts that can be bought, face painting and even a Santa’s Grotto. Please come along as our Friends of St Vincent’s work tirelessly to raise funds for our school.
In addition to our Christmas activities the children will still continue with the ‘bread and butter’ of their learning.
Communication, Language and Literacy
This week will be introducing the use of more sound/phonemes. These are: ‘o’, ‘g’, ‘c’ and ‘k’.
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.
You should have received an update on the letters your child is currently working on. I am thrilled with the progress the children are making. Thanks for your support.
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 continue our 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 hope you found the sheet I sent home in your child’s diary. A good idea is to take a shape walk around your house our local area and see how the world is made up of their shapes.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to name and describe all the 2d shapes;
SHOULD be able to name the 3d shapes and describe some of their properties;
COULD be able to recognise a 2d or 3d shape from its description.
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.
Finally...
Please can you ensure that you have returned the permission slip to take your child to the cathedral. There are a few outstanding slips.
We have a student teaching assistant starting with us this week who will be working on Mondays and Tuesdays. her name is Mrs Hibbits.
REMEMBER to bring your ticket to the performance as entrance is ticket only.
Ho Ho Ho Have a great week and enjoy the performances.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
How fantastic is it now that we are in December? Already I am humming the Christmas tunes whilst doing my weekly shop and dusting off the Christmas tree. Now that it is officially Christmas time, it is without doubt time to get out the glitter, sequins and baubles and start preparing for the festivities.
As a treat for the children, during the time they are performing their much rehearsed and awaited Christmas Production, the whole week will be dedicated to those little keepsakes to adorn your mantelpiece and Christmas tree. No…there will be no glittered egg boxes which my mum still hangs up every year (much to my dismay). Please be very aware that the children will be very tired this week due to the performances. Tears may happen and reading time may be a challenge. For this reason there will be no homework this week. One thing to look forward to though is an early night to bed on Friday! Mr barker also allows the children to come in by 10.30 on Friday following the evening performance on Thursday. Unfortunately, this does not apply to staff so if you wish to drop your child off at the normal time then that is fine.
Christmas Tree Decoration
The week begins with the children receiving a letter from Timmy Tree. This is actually our class Christmas Tree. He is really sad because all his other Christmas tree friends have decorations and BOO HOO he is bare. Can we solve his problem? Oh yes we can…Oh no you can’t…oh yes we can (sorry couldn’t resist with the panto season and all that!) The children will therefore extend their creative skills and mathematical skills by decorating their very own bauble. This is an opportunity for the children to talk about the properties of the sphere shape of their bauble and reinforce their understanding of pattern making when they stick on the sequins etc.
Christmas Party Hats
On Thursday of this week, the children will have their Christmas dinner in the hall. Not one to miss out on an opportunity to make an occasion out of eating food, an especially Christmas dinner. The children will make their own Christmas party hat. Again, the children will use 3d shapes to print a pattern on their hat. This will give us the opportunity to develop the children’s language associated with 3d and 3d shapes. Please note that due to the demands on the kitchen on Thursday there will be no toast on sale at break time.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas cards the children will be making this year will incorporate the children’s learning in mathematical development and RE. The children will use 2d shapes to create a card depicting the Three Wise Men visiting Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Whilst making the cards the children will be encouraged to talk about their understanding of the visitors to the stable in Bethlehem. The cards will also provide the children with the opportunity to write their names and those of their family.
A class list will also be sent out via the diaries to help you with any cards your child may which to send.
Nativity Story
The children will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the events of the First Christmas through a range of activities. The aim is that the children become aware of the preparations for the birth of Jesus. Props will be provided for the children to role-play the story and take on one of the characters. The small world table now has the stable scene on it to encourage language and story telling. We will also be opening our interactive Advent calendar and our class one which has little tasks to complete each day. Here are some great websites you can look at with the children to help them remember the story.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/nativity/ - this is a e-version of the story for the children to enjoy.
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/christmas/christmas1.html - find out about the history behind the customs surrounding Christmas.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/re/b-dag/ngfl-container/re-unit1-en.html- this is a wonderful website where the children can learn how to sequence the parts of the story for themselves. The children can create a nativity scene for themselves.
http://www.refuel.org.uk/curric/infant_topics/christmas/christmas.html - another lovely book. Perhaps we can make an electronic book as a class.
Christmas Fayre
Whilst we are busily trying to clean the cupboards, get to the bottom of the ironing basket and check on those last minute purchases, this is a great opportunity to get the children out of the house! Our annual Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 8th December. There are gifts that can be bought, face painting and even a Santa’s Grotto. Please come along as our Friends of St Vincent’s work tirelessly to raise funds for our school.
In addition to our Christmas activities the children will still continue with the ‘bread and butter’ of their learning.
Communication, Language and Literacy
This week will be introducing the use of more sound/phonemes. These are: ‘o’, ‘g’, ‘c’ and ‘k’.
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.
You should have received an update on the letters your child is currently working on. I am thrilled with the progress the children are making. Thanks for your support.
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 continue our 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 hope you found the sheet I sent home in your child’s diary. A good idea is to take a shape walk around your house our local area and see how the world is made up of their shapes.
By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to name and describe all the 2d shapes;
SHOULD be able to name the 3d shapes and describe some of their properties;
COULD be able to recognise a 2d or 3d shape from its description.
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.
Finally...
Please can you ensure that you have returned the permission slip to take your child to the cathedral. There are a few outstanding slips.
We have a student teaching assistant starting with us this week who will be working on Mondays and Tuesdays. her name is Mrs Hibbits.
REMEMBER to bring your ticket to the performance as entrance is ticket only.
Ho Ho Ho Have a great week and enjoy the performances.
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Sunday, November 25, 2007
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.
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
Sunday, November 18, 2007
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
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
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