Ooohh!! Aaahh!! BANG!

Hi!

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

Deep breath! Here goes...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I think that is all for now!

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