Hi there

Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun?

Well, I haven’t quite got the hang of planning for what is actually humanly possible to achieve in one week. Therefore, this week we will continue with some of the activities planned last week. We can’t have Jack and Jill without a blanket can we? This is great because this week is ASSESSMENT and REVIEW week for the whole school.

How much the children learn in such a short space of time is remarkable, and this week is a time not only to celebrate their achievements but to gain an understanding of what exciting learning experiences we need to offer the children after the half term break.

As this is an assessment week we will be reviewing the teaching and learning of:
Letters and numbers
The children’s understanding of rhyme and alliteration
Their high frequency words
Their ability to count reliably
Their understanding of pattern making

Some children will also be assessed for the next level in their reading.

Here are some websites (previously posted on the blog) for your child to play on as a reminder of the learning they have encountered this half term.

Rhyming
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/music/fdi.shtml - a good website for listening to rhymes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/words/dg3.shtml - this site helps the children to match rhyming words but you will need to sit with them to read them out.


Letter recognition
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

Counting
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.


Pattern making
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.

Here I Am
Last week we began our new topic on Signs and Symbols.

The children:
Recognised what a sign is;
Reflected on other signs around them;
Respected the need for signs.

This week the children will learn about baptism. If you have any videos or photographs of your child’s baptism then please share them with your child. This will prepare them for the work in class.

The Domestics
Please could you take the opportunity to check your child’s uniform during the half term. Some mix ups have occurred resulting in uniforms missing. Please check that your child’s name is clearly labelled on their clothing. Ideally it should be recognisable by your child to foster independence. If you find that you have someone else’s belongings please pass them back to me in school. Thanks.

Talking of clothing…as part of their curriculum the children learn outside the classroom environment. Please ensure your child has a warm coat and labelled hats and gloves when the weather starts to get really cold.

A letter regarding our parents’ evening will go out this week. Please return it as soon as possible to allow for your time to be communicated back to you. The parents’ evenings last over a series of evenings after school. Please be as flexible as possible. If you are able to make early appointments please do so to allow the later times to be available for working parents. You can make as many preferences for the day and time as you like. The parents’ evenings will be held in the classroom.

Finally…
This has been a great start to the school year and I thank yourselves and the children for a fantastic and successful induction period. Now that the children are fully settled please could I ask that you encourage your children to come in on their own now. Lots of adults in the classroom in the morning can often unsettle the children and means they are not doing things for themselves. Many thanks in anticipation of your support.

Have a great break and remember we are only back on TUESDAY 30TH OCTOBER as the staff have an INSET day on the Monday.

Take care
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x