Hi there!
Welcome back to the most exciting and most hectic part of the school year! Yes it is the build up to Christmas!!! Already I am singing away to myself the songs of our production. This half term is the best!!! Lots of singing, dancing, glitter, tinsel, more singing, more glitter etc. A half term to totally make sure you endear yourself to the cleaning staff!
I hope that your child is eager to get back to things this week. The week begins on TUESDAY with the children receiving yet another invitation to a baptism of Miss Polly's dolly. No...I haven't lost the plot! This sets the children up for an exciting week. The Golden Time treat for this week will be an Autumn parade.
So what will the children be learning this week?
Mathematical Development
As a school we are currently focusing on the development of the children’s rapid recall of number facts. OUR TARGETS are as follows:
By the end of the half term, the children:
MUST be able to FIND one more and one less than a number from 1 to 10.
SHOULD be able to KNOW one more and one less than a number from 1 to 10.
COULD be able to KNOW two numbers that make a total of 10.
In your child’s reading diary is a little rhyme that we hope all the children will know by the end of the half term to enable them to achieve the challenging COULD target. Hey…reach for the stars. That’s my moto! If for some reason the rhyme doesn’t quite make it to your child’s bag by Wednesday please let me know.
My experience and assessments show that the children pick up finding one more MUCH easier than finding one less. You never really ask the children do they want less but do they want more. Thus, their understanding of the term ‘more’ is understood better. Therefore, if you are to help your child in any way then I would suggest focusing on the term ‘less’.
We will begin our first week back by focusing on these targets. By the end of the week, the children:
MUST be able to identify the set of objects that has more or less and use the vocabulary correctly;
SHOULD be able to find one more and one less than a given number to 10;
COULD be able to know one more and one less than a given number to 10 – having mental recall.
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?
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 s, a, t and p. 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. The words used will be:
At, as, tap, sat, pat.
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to provide the sound for the letters a, p, t and s 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
We really step up the game with the high frequency words now that we are fully settled in. Your support is crucial in developing your child’s recognition of the words. The words are so important as they provide a scaffold for the children when they are reading. The high frequency words will also be a focus for us in school.
Our theme for this week will be AUTUMN. This is totally inspired by my visit to the Lake District over the holidays. The children will look at signs of Autumn and use this as a stimulus not only for their creative work but for their language activities also. I will be using this text with the children:
www.sebastianswan.org.uk/autumn/bkau3.html - this is a lovely text which is interactive and also has fabulous photographs of autumn scenes.
I hope that the children will learn about the difference between fiction and non-fiction books throughout this week.
And there’s more…
Topic work
We will also be looking at a poem called Leaf-birds by Joan Poulson. This will be our inspiration for a selection of art and craft activities.
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.
Leaf-bird pictures
The children will collect the leaves fallen from the trees and make leaf birds with them.
Autumn crowns
For our Autumn Parade for Golden Time, the children will create their very own autumn crown using leaves and tissue paper. With Mrs Latham, the bakers will be making pumpkin soup for us to enjoy. This is linked to the fabulous and endearing story Pumpkin Soup the children love.
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!
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.
A note to remember this week!
There will be a mass in school on Thursday at 9am for all Saint’s Day. You are most welcome to attend but please be aware that space is limited.
Tis’ the season to be jolly…
Ooohhh! I am SO excited about Christmas. The production is now written and ready for learning. This week you will receive a letter regarding your child’s part in the production. It will detail the costume your child will need. I know we are early but you will be surprised how quickly tights etc run out on Warrington market! It may be worth mentioning that we operate a TICKET ONLY system for the performances. Each family will get three tickets, a ticket for each performance. This is for health and safety purposes.
Parents’ evening
You will receive the time and date of your parent/teacher interview. I have done my very best to accommodate everyone’s wishes.
A plea from the heart!
Please could we ask for the children to come into the classroom on their own from now on. They all started to come in in the first few weeks on their own but this seems to have stopped. The children need to be as independent as possible. It is actually something that we have to observe for the Foundation Stage Profile. Your support in this will be much appreciated as the day gets off to a slow start which is time when the children could be starting their learning. For instance, if we waste five minutes getting settled in the morning then it is 25 minutes over a week,. What can be learned in that amount of time? It is the equivalent of two teaching input times so it's well worth the effort.
I think that is all for now!
Take care and have a GREAT week!
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
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
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Hi there!
Sorry this has only been posted on a Sunday rather than my usual Friday, but a visit to Beauty and the Beast and Disney on Ice was a must this weekend. I’m sure I can find a way of fitting a visit to the ice rink into our curriculum…Mmm.
Now onto business.
Firstly, thank you to all the parents who attended the Foundation Stage Induction Meeting last week. I hope you had lots of fun and found it informative about the way we teach your children. For those who were unable to attend, please do not fret for there will be opportunities to experience some of the activities again when I hold our reading workshop after half term. Details of this will be forwarded next week.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST have an understanding of rhyme
SHOULD be able to continue a rhyming string
COULD be able to identify the initial sounds in words and match words with the same sound.
This week we will be focusing on ALLITERATION. What is this you may ask? Put very simply, it is when words or phrases begin with the same sound, e.g Sammy snake sits on sausages. (Ooooh, you wouldn’t want to eat them after that!) This is often hilariously funny as we give the children alliterative names that we call them all week. For example, Brilliant Bethany and Jolly Jamie. We too have our alliterative names that the children can call us all week. Why not call each other by alliterative names at home?
In order for your child to be able to develop their understanding of letters and sounds, I have compiled a list of good websites but don’t forget that I spy is a great game to play to support his area of literacy.
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/phonemeFlop_v4.html - this is great and the sounds are said correctly too.
http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
We haven’t forgotten about rhyme though. The children who need to continue developing their understanding of rhyme will have some very funny activities to do. An example that you could try at home is ‘rhyming soup’.
Collect a large bowl, a spoon and selection of objects that rhyme e.g a toy cat, a hat, a table mat. Then sing this song to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel
I’m making silly soup
I’m making soup that’s silly
I’m going to put it in the fridge
To make it nice and chilly
In goes… a cat… a hat…a mat.
You sing the song each time an object is added. Go on have a go, I know you want to. This can also be applied to the alliteration as the objects going into the soup can all begin with the same sound.
Mathematical Development
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to copy a pattern in a variety of contexts
SHOULD be able to copy and continue a pattern in a variety of contexts
COULD be able to copy, continue and create a pattern in a variety of contexts.
This is the main class target for the week. Whenever your child is doing any pattern making please encourage them to verbalise the pattern as this helps incredibly with their ability to continue it. A good start may be to have a walk around the house, the garden and the local area and look for patterns all around them. Patterns can be seen on leaves, the patterns of brickwork on houses, pine cones etc. Patterns are everywhere!
Here are some great websites for you to try out too.
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.
The end of the week will see the children receiving a letter from Jack and Jill’s mother (as in the nursery rhyme). She is concerned that her poor darlings are getting cold whilst they are in hospital. Could we design them a blanket with lots of wonderful pattern on? The children will be given calico on which to make their patterns. This will be the first time that the children will have encountered having to work as a team to complete a project. I’m sure they will do a great job.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The children will be extending their ability to recognise the different features of the face by looking at their family photographs this week. Thank you for sending in a family photograph, as this is difficult to do without a reference for the children. They will have the opportunity to share the names of their family and talk about significant events in their lives. Myself, Mrs Higgins and Mrs Latham also share pictures of our family.
The children will have cut outs of houses with windows in which they can draw the people in their family. You may wish to support your child by talking about the colour of each family members hair and eyes so they have a starting point.
Spanish
Your child may now beginning to come out with the odd phrase in Spanish. They are doing fantastically well saying the sign of the cross in Spanish and saying Buenas Dias to the register in the morning. As part of their Golden Time treat last week, I started to teach them the colours in Spanish and then a song which includes them. We will continue with it this week. For your reference here are the Spanish names for the colours with the phonetic pronunciation next to them in brackets.
Blue – azul (athul)
Black – Negro
Yellow – amarillo (Did you start to sing then? I did. Amareeyo)
White – blanco
Green – verde (berday)
Purple – violeta (bee-o-leta)
Grey – gris (grease)
Brown – marron
Orange – naranja (naranka)
Pink – rosa
Thanks to Dora the Explorer counting in Spanish will be a doddle!
Here I Am
This week we begin our new topic on Signs and Symbols.
They will:
Recognise what a sign is;
Reflect on other signs around them;
Respect the need for signs.
The children will learn about visual, auditory and kinaesthetic signs.
Reading diaries
Please could I ask that all parents write in their child’s diary when they have read with them. This helps us to monitor the effectiveness of reading outside of school. Many thanks in anticipation of your valued support.
I think that is all for this week. Phew! This week was a long one.
Have a great week.
Regards
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Sorry this has only been posted on a Sunday rather than my usual Friday, but a visit to Beauty and the Beast and Disney on Ice was a must this weekend. I’m sure I can find a way of fitting a visit to the ice rink into our curriculum…Mmm.
Now onto business.
Firstly, thank you to all the parents who attended the Foundation Stage Induction Meeting last week. I hope you had lots of fun and found it informative about the way we teach your children. For those who were unable to attend, please do not fret for there will be opportunities to experience some of the activities again when I hold our reading workshop after half term. Details of this will be forwarded next week.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST have an understanding of rhyme
SHOULD be able to continue a rhyming string
COULD be able to identify the initial sounds in words and match words with the same sound.
This week we will be focusing on ALLITERATION. What is this you may ask? Put very simply, it is when words or phrases begin with the same sound, e.g Sammy snake sits on sausages. (Ooooh, you wouldn’t want to eat them after that!) This is often hilariously funny as we give the children alliterative names that we call them all week. For example, Brilliant Bethany and Jolly Jamie. We too have our alliterative names that the children can call us all week. Why not call each other by alliterative names at home?
In order for your child to be able to develop their understanding of letters and sounds, I have compiled a list of good websites but don’t forget that I spy is a great game to play to support his area of literacy.
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/phonemeFlop_v4.html - this is great and the sounds are said correctly too.
http://www.ictgames.com/soundBingo.html
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
We haven’t forgotten about rhyme though. The children who need to continue developing their understanding of rhyme will have some very funny activities to do. An example that you could try at home is ‘rhyming soup’.
Collect a large bowl, a spoon and selection of objects that rhyme e.g a toy cat, a hat, a table mat. Then sing this song to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel
I’m making silly soup
I’m making soup that’s silly
I’m going to put it in the fridge
To make it nice and chilly
In goes… a cat… a hat…a mat.
You sing the song each time an object is added. Go on have a go, I know you want to. This can also be applied to the alliteration as the objects going into the soup can all begin with the same sound.
Mathematical Development
By the end of this week, the children:
MUST be able to copy a pattern in a variety of contexts
SHOULD be able to copy and continue a pattern in a variety of contexts
COULD be able to copy, continue and create a pattern in a variety of contexts.
This is the main class target for the week. Whenever your child is doing any pattern making please encourage them to verbalise the pattern as this helps incredibly with their ability to continue it. A good start may be to have a walk around the house, the garden and the local area and look for patterns all around them. Patterns can be seen on leaves, the patterns of brickwork on houses, pine cones etc. Patterns are everywhere!
Here are some great websites for you to try out too.
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.
The end of the week will see the children receiving a letter from Jack and Jill’s mother (as in the nursery rhyme). She is concerned that her poor darlings are getting cold whilst they are in hospital. Could we design them a blanket with lots of wonderful pattern on? The children will be given calico on which to make their patterns. This will be the first time that the children will have encountered having to work as a team to complete a project. I’m sure they will do a great job.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The children will be extending their ability to recognise the different features of the face by looking at their family photographs this week. Thank you for sending in a family photograph, as this is difficult to do without a reference for the children. They will have the opportunity to share the names of their family and talk about significant events in their lives. Myself, Mrs Higgins and Mrs Latham also share pictures of our family.
The children will have cut outs of houses with windows in which they can draw the people in their family. You may wish to support your child by talking about the colour of each family members hair and eyes so they have a starting point.
Spanish
Your child may now beginning to come out with the odd phrase in Spanish. They are doing fantastically well saying the sign of the cross in Spanish and saying Buenas Dias to the register in the morning. As part of their Golden Time treat last week, I started to teach them the colours in Spanish and then a song which includes them. We will continue with it this week. For your reference here are the Spanish names for the colours with the phonetic pronunciation next to them in brackets.
Blue – azul (athul)
Black – Negro
Yellow – amarillo (Did you start to sing then? I did. Amareeyo)
White – blanco
Green – verde (berday)
Purple – violeta (bee-o-leta)
Grey – gris (grease)
Brown – marron
Orange – naranja (naranka)
Pink – rosa
Thanks to Dora the Explorer counting in Spanish will be a doddle!
Here I Am
This week we begin our new topic on Signs and Symbols.
They will:
Recognise what a sign is;
Reflect on other signs around them;
Respect the need for signs.
The children will learn about visual, auditory and kinaesthetic signs.
Reading diaries
Please could I ask that all parents write in their child’s diary when they have read with them. This helps us to monitor the effectiveness of reading outside of school. Many thanks in anticipation of your valued support.
I think that is all for this week. Phew! This week was a long one.
Have a great week.
Regards
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Thursday, September 27, 2007
What an eventful week we have just had! Hey but what FUN!! I told you there’s fun in the FOUNDATION STAGE!
We have had a third reply from our balloon sending exercise. This time the balloon got as far as Taunton in Somerset. WOW!
We will be continuing with last week’s key question of the week which was:
What do I look like?
Faces
The children have drawn some amazing self portraits which we hope to have on display in the classroom some time this week. We also looked at the work of the artist Guiseppe Acrimboldo who created images out of fruits and vegetables. I hope to post some of the pictures on the school website which is www.stvincents.ik.org/ When I use the term ‘I’, I actually mean I need to ask Mrs Worrall to pop the pictures on for me.
The children will now go on to apply their learning to using different media and develop their creative skills. This week, the children will transform a white paper plate into a face. They will be able to use any materials they wish to do so. If you have any spare brown, black or yellow wool at home then we would be grateful recipients. Additionally, the children will be using seeds and pasta to create faces in play dough. You could easily do this with your child at home.
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm - This website can be used to enable your child to develop their computer skills whilst learning about the position of the parts of the face.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=13# - This website allows your child to create a face with the different features.
Communication, Language and Literacy
We will be continuing with our work on nursery rhymes this week.
By the end of this week the children:
COULD be able to continue a rhyming string;
SHOULD be able to identify the rhyming words in a poem, rhyme or story;
MUST be able to join in with a simple rhyme.
You may once again wish to check out these websites to support your child. Please remind them to join in with the actions too.
http://www.indianchild.com/nursery%20rhymes.htm
http://www.landofnurseryrhymes.co.uk/
http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/hpdnursery.html
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.
In addition to the work on rhymes we will also be developing the children’s letter recognition and ability to hear the sounds at the beginning of words. Here are some great websites that are well worth a 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!
www.starfall.com - The children love this. I had it on in class last week and they are so good at using it.
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.
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
Mathematical Development
LINE, TOUCH, COUNT
The children made a great start on their counting skills this week. We will be continuing with these learning objectives this week, but with a twist!
By the end of the week, the children:
COULD be able to count up to 20 objects reliably;
SHOULD be able to count 10 objects reliably;
MUST be able to count 6 objects reliably.
The children will learn to apply their counting to different problem solving activities and in particular to the counting out of 1p coins when playing in the shop. I have listed the websites from last week as they are still relevant but if you could get out the tins etc from your larder and sift through your spare change for 1p coins, you could really support your child’s learning.
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.
Spanish
This week, because the children have learned to do the sign of the cross so well in English, we are going to teach them it is Spanish. Oh…but that is not all! In addition to this, they will be learning to answer the register in Spanish, saying good afternoon and good morning. Estupendo!!!
And finally… the domestics of the week.
There is very little happening this week apart from the fact that there will be a supply teacher in class on Monday. I shall be out of school working with our other network schools on an exciting new project called The Mantle of the Expert…What? I hear you ask! Here is a taster of what it’s all about…
On Wednesday the children will come into school. There will be a letter waiting for them. Who is it from? It’s Incy Wincy Spider. He’s very sad because he wants to visit his friend Humpty Dumpty but he’s frightened of the rain washing him away again. Please can we help? MADNESS!!! You may think I have lost the plot but trust me! It gets worse! No...only joking! The children will be encouraged to solve the problem. How can this be done? They will have to draw maps from Incy’s web to Humpty’s house. What does he have to travel over, under etc? How can we stop him getting wet? What materials can we use to make sure he doesn’t get wet? The children make the decisions, take control of their learning and solve problems. Think about the skills needed in adulthood. This is our commitment to providing a curriculum for the 21st century.
We have had a third reply from our balloon sending exercise. This time the balloon got as far as Taunton in Somerset. WOW!
We will be continuing with last week’s key question of the week which was:
What do I look like?
Faces
The children have drawn some amazing self portraits which we hope to have on display in the classroom some time this week. We also looked at the work of the artist Guiseppe Acrimboldo who created images out of fruits and vegetables. I hope to post some of the pictures on the school website which is www.stvincents.ik.org/ When I use the term ‘I’, I actually mean I need to ask Mrs Worrall to pop the pictures on for me.
The children will now go on to apply their learning to using different media and develop their creative skills. This week, the children will transform a white paper plate into a face. They will be able to use any materials they wish to do so. If you have any spare brown, black or yellow wool at home then we would be grateful recipients. Additionally, the children will be using seeds and pasta to create faces in play dough. You could easily do this with your child at home.
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm - This website can be used to enable your child to develop their computer skills whilst learning about the position of the parts of the face.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=13# - This website allows your child to create a face with the different features.
Communication, Language and Literacy
We will be continuing with our work on nursery rhymes this week.
By the end of this week the children:
COULD be able to continue a rhyming string;
SHOULD be able to identify the rhyming words in a poem, rhyme or story;
MUST be able to join in with a simple rhyme.
You may once again wish to check out these websites to support your child. Please remind them to join in with the actions too.
http://www.indianchild.com/nursery%20rhymes.htm
http://www.landofnurseryrhymes.co.uk/
http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/hpdnursery.html
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.
In addition to the work on rhymes we will also be developing the children’s letter recognition and ability to hear the sounds at the beginning of words. Here are some great websites that are well worth a 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!
www.starfall.com - The children love this. I had it on in class last week and they are so good at using it.
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.
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
Mathematical Development
LINE, TOUCH, COUNT
The children made a great start on their counting skills this week. We will be continuing with these learning objectives this week, but with a twist!
By the end of the week, the children:
COULD be able to count up to 20 objects reliably;
SHOULD be able to count 10 objects reliably;
MUST be able to count 6 objects reliably.
The children will learn to apply their counting to different problem solving activities and in particular to the counting out of 1p coins when playing in the shop. I have listed the websites from last week as they are still relevant but if you could get out the tins etc from your larder and sift through your spare change for 1p coins, you could really support your child’s learning.
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.
Spanish
This week, because the children have learned to do the sign of the cross so well in English, we are going to teach them it is Spanish. Oh…but that is not all! In addition to this, they will be learning to answer the register in Spanish, saying good afternoon and good morning. Estupendo!!!
And finally… the domestics of the week.
There is very little happening this week apart from the fact that there will be a supply teacher in class on Monday. I shall be out of school working with our other network schools on an exciting new project called The Mantle of the Expert…What? I hear you ask! Here is a taster of what it’s all about…
On Wednesday the children will come into school. There will be a letter waiting for them. Who is it from? It’s Incy Wincy Spider. He’s very sad because he wants to visit his friend Humpty Dumpty but he’s frightened of the rain washing him away again. Please can we help? MADNESS!!! You may think I have lost the plot but trust me! It gets worse! No...only joking! The children will be encouraged to solve the problem. How can this be done? They will have to draw maps from Incy’s web to Humpty’s house. What does he have to travel over, under etc? How can we stop him getting wet? What materials can we use to make sure he doesn’t get wet? The children make the decisions, take control of their learning and solve problems. Think about the skills needed in adulthood. This is our commitment to providing a curriculum for the 21st century.
Back to reality! On Wednesday, your child will recieve their handwriting homework and
Have a fantastic week!!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Have a fantastic week!!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Hello and welcome to the start of our official curriculum in the Foundation Stage. How excited are we?
Before I start I’d just let you know that we have had two replies from our balloon sending exercise. One got as far as Great Sankey and landed in the back garden of a child in Year 4 at our school. The other got as far as Petworth in West Sussex. Let’s hope we have a few others.
This week we will continue with the theme of ‘Who am I?’ However, with the circusology workshop on Friday there has to be a clown theme to the week. Therefore the majority of activities will be based around a circus theme.
The children will learn how to balance on the mini stilts, throw and catch balls (juggling), create a simple clown puppet with moveable joints and have the opportunity to create their very own clown hat. As the year moves on, you will also notice that food plays a very important part in our week. Mrs Latham will be making clown themed cakes with the children. Yum Yum!
However, the key question of the week will be:
What do I look like?
This is how the children will discover the answer to the question.
Faces
The children will be looking very closely at their faces using safety mirrors. They will identify the different features of the face and what their purpose is. They will communicate their understanding of the different features of their faces by drawing self portraits using a range of media. For example, they will paint, draw, chalk and create collages of their faces on paper plates. The children will also be encouraged to create faces using the play dough. You may wish to do some of these activities with your child, as drawing is fundamental to writing.
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm - This website can be used to enable your child to develop their computer skills whilst learning about the position of the parts of the face.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=13 - This website allows your child to create a face with the different features.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week the children:
COULD be able to continue a rhyming string;
SHOULD be able to identify the rhyming words in a poem, rhyme or story;
MUST be able to join in with a simple rhyme.
The children will achieve these targets by looking at tradition nursery rhymes. You may wish to check out these websites to support your child. Please remind them to join in with the actions too.
http://www.indianchild.com/nursery%20rhymes.htm
http://www.landofnurseryrhymes.co.uk/
http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/hpdnursery.html
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.
In addition to the work on rhymes we will also be developing the children’s letter recognition and ability to hear the sounds at the beginning of words. Here are some great websites that are well worth a 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.starfall.com/ - The children love this. I had it on in class last week and they are so good at using it.
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.
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
Mathematical Development
By the end of the week, the children:
COULD be able to count up to 20 objects reliably;
SHOULD be able to count 10 objects reliably;
MUST be able to count 6 objects reliably.
Counting reliably is vital to all mathematical activities in the Foundation Stage. We teach the children a little phrase to help them remember the rules for counting.
LINE, TOUCH, COUNT
This means that the children LINE the objects up and TOUCH each one as they COUNT them. The children must remember to give each object a number. Here are some good websites to support counting and also help number recognition.
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.
PE
We did attempt PE last week and were really pleased with the children. They listened to instructions well and we had a fantastic time. Please continue to help your child to become independent with their buttons. This is a skill the children MUST achieve for the Foundation Stage profile.
Just a quick note also for parents of children who wear ear rings. We do discourage the wearing of jewellery but if your child has their ears pierced please ensure that they are taken out on Mondays and Wednesdays for Health and Safety reasons. Thanks.
Here I Am
The children will learn to:
RECOGNISE :
That the children recognise a home and a family
REFLECT:
That the children reflect on their homes and families and what they do together.
RESPECT:
That the children appreciate all that families do together.
As part of our topic please could you provide a family photograph for your child to talk about. Please do not send in a treasured one that cost a fortune. This will be for in their books so you will get it back at the end of the school year. Please inform us if there are any circumstances regarding your family which need to be dealt with sensitively. Thanks.
And finally… the domestics of the week.
On Wednesday we will be having our Harvest festival. Many thanks to you all for your generous contribution. This also coincides with the celebration of St Vincent’s Day.
Thursday and Friday we will be having our circusology days. Our class will be doing their workshop on Friday when they will be dressed as clowns! The competition is also on for the Harvest model making. These need to be brought in on Friday also. I have contacted the warrington Guardian who have said they will come and cover the event so watch out for any of our little stars.
Well, it’s great to finally be together at last. Here’s to a fantastic and successful year!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Before I start I’d just let you know that we have had two replies from our balloon sending exercise. One got as far as Great Sankey and landed in the back garden of a child in Year 4 at our school. The other got as far as Petworth in West Sussex. Let’s hope we have a few others.
This week we will continue with the theme of ‘Who am I?’ However, with the circusology workshop on Friday there has to be a clown theme to the week. Therefore the majority of activities will be based around a circus theme.
The children will learn how to balance on the mini stilts, throw and catch balls (juggling), create a simple clown puppet with moveable joints and have the opportunity to create their very own clown hat. As the year moves on, you will also notice that food plays a very important part in our week. Mrs Latham will be making clown themed cakes with the children. Yum Yum!
However, the key question of the week will be:
What do I look like?
This is how the children will discover the answer to the question.
Faces
The children will be looking very closely at their faces using safety mirrors. They will identify the different features of the face and what their purpose is. They will communicate their understanding of the different features of their faces by drawing self portraits using a range of media. For example, they will paint, draw, chalk and create collages of their faces on paper plates. The children will also be encouraged to create faces using the play dough. You may wish to do some of these activities with your child, as drawing is fundamental to writing.
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm - This website can be used to enable your child to develop their computer skills whilst learning about the position of the parts of the face.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=13 - This website allows your child to create a face with the different features.
Communication, Language and Literacy
By the end of this week the children:
COULD be able to continue a rhyming string;
SHOULD be able to identify the rhyming words in a poem, rhyme or story;
MUST be able to join in with a simple rhyme.
The children will achieve these targets by looking at tradition nursery rhymes. You may wish to check out these websites to support your child. Please remind them to join in with the actions too.
http://www.indianchild.com/nursery%20rhymes.htm
http://www.landofnurseryrhymes.co.uk/
http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/hpdnursery.html
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.
In addition to the work on rhymes we will also be developing the children’s letter recognition and ability to hear the sounds at the beginning of words. Here are some great websites that are well worth a 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.starfall.com/ - The children love this. I had it on in class last week and they are so good at using it.
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.
http://www.ictgames.com/letterlifter.html
Mathematical Development
By the end of the week, the children:
COULD be able to count up to 20 objects reliably;
SHOULD be able to count 10 objects reliably;
MUST be able to count 6 objects reliably.
Counting reliably is vital to all mathematical activities in the Foundation Stage. We teach the children a little phrase to help them remember the rules for counting.
LINE, TOUCH, COUNT
This means that the children LINE the objects up and TOUCH each one as they COUNT them. The children must remember to give each object a number. Here are some good websites to support counting and also help number recognition.
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.
PE
We did attempt PE last week and were really pleased with the children. They listened to instructions well and we had a fantastic time. Please continue to help your child to become independent with their buttons. This is a skill the children MUST achieve for the Foundation Stage profile.
Just a quick note also for parents of children who wear ear rings. We do discourage the wearing of jewellery but if your child has their ears pierced please ensure that they are taken out on Mondays and Wednesdays for Health and Safety reasons. Thanks.
Here I Am
The children will learn to:
RECOGNISE :
That the children recognise a home and a family
REFLECT:
That the children reflect on their homes and families and what they do together.
RESPECT:
That the children appreciate all that families do together.
As part of our topic please could you provide a family photograph for your child to talk about. Please do not send in a treasured one that cost a fortune. This will be for in their books so you will get it back at the end of the school year. Please inform us if there are any circumstances regarding your family which need to be dealt with sensitively. Thanks.
And finally… the domestics of the week.
On Wednesday we will be having our Harvest festival. Many thanks to you all for your generous contribution. This also coincides with the celebration of St Vincent’s Day.
Thursday and Friday we will be having our circusology days. Our class will be doing their workshop on Friday when they will be dressed as clowns! The competition is also on for the Harvest model making. These need to be brought in on Friday also. I have contacted the warrington Guardian who have said they will come and cover the event so watch out for any of our little stars.
Well, it’s great to finally be together at last. Here’s to a fantastic and successful year!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Friday, September 14, 2007
Welcome to any new parents logging on to our very own blogspot! If your child is new to school then please scroll down a little. Thanks.
This week sees the final group of children starting school and then things really start to get exciting. This week we introduce the children to our question of the week box. At St Vincent’s we are committed to developing the children’s thinking skills and therefore, we aim to develop enquiry-based learning. By providing the children with a question, or series of questions, at the beginning of the week they will strive to answer the question by the end of the week. This week the question will be:
Who am I?
So…what’s on for this week?
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you…
Can’t you tell I’m a fan of the musicals? Don’t you just love The King and I? This week the children will play lots of games which will encourage them to learn each others names. Thankfully, the staggered intake has logged your child’s name firmly in our minds.
When will we do PE?
Talk about starting the week off with a BANG!! On Monday we will attempt our very first PE lesson. This is an occasion that causes amusement amongst many of the staff. I can’t understand why. Perhaps trousers on back to front, shoes without socks and shoes on the wrong feet are a give away? On a more serious note, PE times are often the most unsettling of experiences for children when they start school so please be assured that anxiety about PE is common (even for me).
I therefore send an SOS out to you as parents. Please try to make your child as independent as possible when dressing and undressing. As a parent of a three year old I know how tempting it can be to fasten a few buttons, put on the odd sock or tuck in the shirt. As part of their learning and development, children in the Foundation Stage need to dress and undress themselves independently. Aaghh…TIES!! Don’t worry we do the children’s ties and top buttons for them.
Faces
The children will begin to learn about the different features of a face this week as a precursor to the work we will be starting next week. I have a song that they can learn to the tune of ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ which teaches them the parts of the face. We do have to be careful when pointing to the nostrils though!!
On Friday of next week, we would love to face paint the children just for FUN!! There will be a sticker in your child’s diary on Monday. Please sign below it to give consent. If your child has sensitive skin we will just do a small motif so they don’t miss out.
Click, click, clickety, click!
Not only are we doing PE this week, but we are venturing into ‘The Land of the Giants’ (the juniors) to work on the computers in the ICT suite. The children will be working on developing their mouse skills by clicking and dragging. Here are some great websites you can use to support your child. The use of these websites and the computer in general will help your child as we use the computers a lot in school.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm
Has your child sang the penguin song to you? If not ask them.
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Information for new starters (17th September 2006)
Hi there!
Welcome to the Foundation Stage blogspot. This is our very own mini website where you can find out what your child will be doing in school for the coming week. The blogspot is updated every weekend, so you can support your child in their learning as well as finding out other details regarding what is going on. Relevant websites to support your child's learning will be posted on here also. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the page you need. So...remember to save this address to your favourites.
So here goes. Our first blog spot of the year!
What to do after the first day at school
Today you will have come in the front entrance to bring your child to school. Tomorrow, we will open the double doors on the play ground at 8.40am. Once we have opened the doors the children are free to come in. Please feel free to bring your child in and help them put their belongings away. Please encourage them to be as independent as possible. Time spent on such things is valuable as it actually saves lots of learning time being wasted on simple domestics. Once your child has found an activity they would like to do then a speedy exit is often best. Please do not worry about your child if they are a little upset. This is perfectly normal and will soon stop.
At hometime your child will be let out of the classroom door by a member of staff. It does take us a little while to learn faces of the adults picking the children up so feel free to give us the name of the child you are collecting. Please could we ask that you do not come into the school before the children have been sent out. This can often be unsettling for the children and doesn't help them to learn the routine of hometime.
What do I need to bring each day?
Your child will need the following items every day.
A coat, a lunch box if they are stopping for packed lunches, a water bottle, a healthy snack for morning break (the children have fruit supplied by school in the afternoon) a school book bag (which can be purchased from the school office).
Needless to say, all your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled with their name. Remember to use their first name as this is the one they will recognise more readily and thus, enable them to be more independent.
TOP TIP!!
Why not print off some labels on the computer with your child's name on and a picture of their favourite animal. These can then quickly be peeled off and stuck on their snacks etc and your child will identify their belongings with more independence.
What will my child be doing for the first week?
The staggered intake allows us to work with each group of children equally. The induction of the children over the last few years has been very successful. This is an opportunity for us to assess your child on entry to school. There is no need to worry! They will not sit any test or even know they are being assessed. We are not concerned about how little or how much your child knows, or can do, in comparison to the next child. We simply want to find your child's starting point and establish their next steps. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to establish good relationships with each child on a one-to-one basis. Some nurseries have forwarded the records to us before the summer holidays. If you have any at home please send them into us, as they provide a detailed insight into your child's development. During our nursery visits we did ask them to be passed to you. Activities will be very hands on and needless to say we will have lots of FUN!!
What can I expect now?
There will be lots of information coming your way over the next few weeks. Please do not panic. If there is anything at all that you need to have clarified please call in at the end of the day and speak to any one of us in the Foundation Stage. Why not introduce your child to the blogspot by playing these games.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/Foundation/builderdragsimple.html http://www.starfall.com/ - click on the ABC link at the top and then off you go!
That's all for the first week!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
This week sees the final group of children starting school and then things really start to get exciting. This week we introduce the children to our question of the week box. At St Vincent’s we are committed to developing the children’s thinking skills and therefore, we aim to develop enquiry-based learning. By providing the children with a question, or series of questions, at the beginning of the week they will strive to answer the question by the end of the week. This week the question will be:
Who am I?
So…what’s on for this week?
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you…
Can’t you tell I’m a fan of the musicals? Don’t you just love The King and I? This week the children will play lots of games which will encourage them to learn each others names. Thankfully, the staggered intake has logged your child’s name firmly in our minds.
When will we do PE?
Talk about starting the week off with a BANG!! On Monday we will attempt our very first PE lesson. This is an occasion that causes amusement amongst many of the staff. I can’t understand why. Perhaps trousers on back to front, shoes without socks and shoes on the wrong feet are a give away? On a more serious note, PE times are often the most unsettling of experiences for children when they start school so please be assured that anxiety about PE is common (even for me).
I therefore send an SOS out to you as parents. Please try to make your child as independent as possible when dressing and undressing. As a parent of a three year old I know how tempting it can be to fasten a few buttons, put on the odd sock or tuck in the shirt. As part of their learning and development, children in the Foundation Stage need to dress and undress themselves independently. Aaghh…TIES!! Don’t worry we do the children’s ties and top buttons for them.
Faces
The children will begin to learn about the different features of a face this week as a precursor to the work we will be starting next week. I have a song that they can learn to the tune of ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ which teaches them the parts of the face. We do have to be careful when pointing to the nostrils though!!
On Friday of next week, we would love to face paint the children just for FUN!! There will be a sticker in your child’s diary on Monday. Please sign below it to give consent. If your child has sensitive skin we will just do a small motif so they don’t miss out.
Click, click, clickety, click!
Not only are we doing PE this week, but we are venturing into ‘The Land of the Giants’ (the juniors) to work on the computers in the ICT suite. The children will be working on developing their mouse skills by clicking and dragging. Here are some great websites you can use to support your child. The use of these websites and the computer in general will help your child as we use the computers a lot in school.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html
http://wgfl.digitalbrain.com/wgfl/web/foundation/face.htm
Has your child sang the penguin song to you? If not ask them.
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Information for new starters (17th September 2006)
Hi there!
Welcome to the Foundation Stage blogspot. This is our very own mini website where you can find out what your child will be doing in school for the coming week. The blogspot is updated every weekend, so you can support your child in their learning as well as finding out other details regarding what is going on. Relevant websites to support your child's learning will be posted on here also. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the page you need. So...remember to save this address to your favourites.
So here goes. Our first blog spot of the year!
What to do after the first day at school
Today you will have come in the front entrance to bring your child to school. Tomorrow, we will open the double doors on the play ground at 8.40am. Once we have opened the doors the children are free to come in. Please feel free to bring your child in and help them put their belongings away. Please encourage them to be as independent as possible. Time spent on such things is valuable as it actually saves lots of learning time being wasted on simple domestics. Once your child has found an activity they would like to do then a speedy exit is often best. Please do not worry about your child if they are a little upset. This is perfectly normal and will soon stop.
At hometime your child will be let out of the classroom door by a member of staff. It does take us a little while to learn faces of the adults picking the children up so feel free to give us the name of the child you are collecting. Please could we ask that you do not come into the school before the children have been sent out. This can often be unsettling for the children and doesn't help them to learn the routine of hometime.
What do I need to bring each day?
Your child will need the following items every day.
A coat, a lunch box if they are stopping for packed lunches, a water bottle, a healthy snack for morning break (the children have fruit supplied by school in the afternoon) a school book bag (which can be purchased from the school office).
Needless to say, all your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled with their name. Remember to use their first name as this is the one they will recognise more readily and thus, enable them to be more independent.
TOP TIP!!
Why not print off some labels on the computer with your child's name on and a picture of their favourite animal. These can then quickly be peeled off and stuck on their snacks etc and your child will identify their belongings with more independence.
What will my child be doing for the first week?
The staggered intake allows us to work with each group of children equally. The induction of the children over the last few years has been very successful. This is an opportunity for us to assess your child on entry to school. There is no need to worry! They will not sit any test or even know they are being assessed. We are not concerned about how little or how much your child knows, or can do, in comparison to the next child. We simply want to find your child's starting point and establish their next steps. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to establish good relationships with each child on a one-to-one basis. Some nurseries have forwarded the records to us before the summer holidays. If you have any at home please send them into us, as they provide a detailed insight into your child's development. During our nursery visits we did ask them to be passed to you. Activities will be very hands on and needless to say we will have lots of FUN!!
What can I expect now?
There will be lots of information coming your way over the next few weeks. Please do not panic. If there is anything at all that you need to have clarified please call in at the end of the day and speak to any one of us in the Foundation Stage. Why not introduce your child to the blogspot by playing these games.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/Foundation/builderdragsimple.html http://www.starfall.com/ - click on the ABC link at the top and then off you go!
That's all for the first week!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Friday, September 07, 2007
Week beginning 10th September 2007
Weekly update
Information for parents of the first intake (second intake parents please scroll down)
The first two days of the school year went very well and the children amazed us with their eagerness to get going and how confident they were. Many thanks for supporting your child on entering school, selecting their names and placing their belongings in the correct spot. The children have now started to understand the routines of the day and things are running very efficiently.
Last week we concentrated on getting to know where the resources are, tidying up after a session as well as assessing your child on some basic skills in preparation for their exciting learning journey. All the assessments for your child will be completed by Wednesday to enable the next intake to start theirs.
You will have received a reading book for your child and a hard back reading/communication diary. This is our way of providing you with information regarding your child's reading and other targets. This week, your child will be provided with a set of six high frequency words for them to learn. These will be common words used frequently. We would also appreciate it if you could make a comment in your child's diary when you have read with them, looked at the high frequency words, etc.
Your child will also become a 'buddy' to the next intake of children. As they have had the benefit of a large adult-child ratio, they now take on the role of supporting the other children. This is an excellent way of providing the children with responsibility, a skill needed throughout life.
If you would like to start doing any ativities with your child, I would suggest visiting: www.starfall.com - this is a great website that can be used to support letter recognition.
The sooner we start the better!
Once again, thank you for your support.
Best wishes Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Information for new starters (11th September 2006)
Information for parents of the first intake (second intake parents please scroll down)
The first two days of the school year went very well and the children amazed us with their eagerness to get going and how confident they were. Many thanks for supporting your child on entering school, selecting their names and placing their belongings in the correct spot. The children have now started to understand the routines of the day and things are running very efficiently.
Last week we concentrated on getting to know where the resources are, tidying up after a session as well as assessing your child on some basic skills in preparation for their exciting learning journey. All the assessments for your child will be completed by Wednesday to enable the next intake to start theirs.
You will have received a reading book for your child and a hard back reading/communication diary. This is our way of providing you with information regarding your child's reading and other targets. This week, your child will be provided with a set of six high frequency words for them to learn. These will be common words used frequently. We would also appreciate it if you could make a comment in your child's diary when you have read with them, looked at the high frequency words, etc.
Your child will also become a 'buddy' to the next intake of children. As they have had the benefit of a large adult-child ratio, they now take on the role of supporting the other children. This is an excellent way of providing the children with responsibility, a skill needed throughout life.
If you would like to start doing any ativities with your child, I would suggest visiting: www.starfall.com - this is a great website that can be used to support letter recognition.
The sooner we start the better!
Once again, thank you for your support.
Best wishes Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team x
Information for new starters (11th September 2006)
Hi there!
Welcome to the Foundation Stage blogspot. This is our very own mini website where you can find out what your child will be doing in school for the coming week. The blogspot is updated every weekend, so you can support your child in their learning as well as finding out other details regarding what is going on. Relevant websites to support your child's learning will be posted on here also. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the page you need. So...remember to save this address to your favourites.
So here goes. Our first blog spot of the year!
What to do after the first day at school
Today you will have come in the front entrance to bring your child to school. Tomorrow, we will open the double doors on the play ground at 8.40am. Once we have opened the doors the children are free to come in. Please feel free to bring your child in and help them put their belongings away. Please encourage them to be as independent as possible. Time spent on such things is valuable as it actually saves lots of learning time being wasted on simple domestics. Once your child has found an activity they would like to do then a speedy exit is often best. Please do not worry about your child if they are a little upset. This is perfectly normal and will soon stop.
At hometime your child will be let out of the classroom door by a member of staff. It does take us a little while to learn faces of the adults picking the children up so feel free to give us the name of the child you are collecting. Please could we ask that you do not come into the school before the children have been sent out. This can often be unsettling for the children and doesn't help them to learn the routine of hometime.
What do I need to bring each day?
Your child will need the following items every day.
A coat, a lunch box if they are stopping for packed lunches, a water bottle, a healthy snack for morning break (the children have fruit supplied by school in the afternoon) a school book bag (which can be purchased from the school office).
Needless to say, all your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled with their name. Remember to use their first name as this is the one they will recognise more readily and thus, enable them to be more independent.
TOP TIP!!
Why not print off some labels on the computer with your child's name on and a picture of their favourite animal. These can then quickly be peeled off and stuck on their snacks etc and your child will identify their belongings with more independence.
What will my child be doing for the first week?
The staggered intake allows us to work with each group of children equally. The induction of the children over the last few years has been very successful. This is an opportunity for us to assess your child on entry to school. There is no need to worry! They will not sit any test or even know they are being assessed. We are not concerned about how little or how much your child knows, or can do, in comparison to the next child. We simply want to find your child's starting point and establish their next steps. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to establish good relationships with each child on a one-to-one basis. Some nurseries have forwarded the records to us before the summer holidays. If you have any at home please send them into us, as they provide a detailed insight into your child's development. During our nursery visits we did ask them to be passed to you. Activities will be very hands on and needless to say we will have lots of FUN!!
What can I expect now?
There will be lots of information coming your way over the next few weeks. Please do not panic. If there is anything at all that you need to have clarified please call in at the end of the day and speak to any one of us in the Foundation Stage. Why not introduce your child to the blogspot by playing these games.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/Foundation/builderdragsimple.html http://www.starfall.com/ - click on the ABC link at the top and then off you go!
That's all for the first week!
Take care
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Welcome to St Vincent's
Hi there!
Welcome to the Foundation Stage blogspot. This is our very own mini website where you can find out what your child will be doing in school for the coming week. The blogspot is updated every weekend, so you can support your child in their learning as well as finding out other details regarding what is going on.
Relevant websites to support your child's learning will be posted on here also. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the page you need. So...remember to save this address to your favourites.
So here goes. Our first blog spot of the year!
What to do after the first day at school
Today you will have come in the front entrance to bring your child to school. Tomorrow, we will open the double doors on the play ground at 8.40am. Once we have opened the doors the children are free to come in. Please feel free to bring your child in and help them put their belongings away. Please encourage them to be as independent as possible. Time spent on such things is valuable as it actually saves lots of learning time being wasted on simple domestics.
Once your child has found an activity they would like to do then a speedy exit is often best. Please do not worry about your child if they are a little upset. This is perfectly normal and will soon stop.
At hometime your child will be let out of the classroom door by a member of staff. It does take us a little while to learn faces of the adults picking the children up so feel free to give us the name of the child you are collecting. Please could we ask that you do not come into the school before the children have been sent out. This can often be unsettling for the children and doesn't help them to learn the routine of hometime.
What do I need to bring each day?
Your child will need the following items every day.
A coat
A lunch box if they are stopping for packed lunches
A water bottle
A healthy snack for morning break (the children have fruit supplied by school in the afternoon)
A school book bag (which can be purchased from the school office)
Needless to say, all your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled with their name. Remember to use their first name as this is the one they will recognise more readily and thus, enable them to be more independent.
TOP TIP!!
Why not print off some labels on the computer with your child's name on and a picture of their favourite animal. These can then quickly be peeled off and stuck on their snacks etc and your child will identify their belongings with more independence.
What will my child be doing for the first week?
The staggered intake allows us to work with each group of children equally. The induction of the children over the last few years has been very successful. This is an opportunity for us to assess your child on entry to school. There is no need to worry! They will not sit any test or even know they are being assessed. We are not concerned about how little or how much your child knows, or can do, in comparison to the next child. We simply want to find your child's starting point and establish their next steps. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to establish good relationships with each child on a one-to-one basis.
Some nurseries have forwarded the records to us before the summer holidays. If you have any at home please send them into us, as they provide a detailed insight into your child's development. During our nursery visits we did ask them to be passed to you.
Activities will be very hands on and needless to say we will have lots of FUN!!
What can I expect now?
There will be lots of information coming your way over the next few weeks. Please do not panic. If there is anything at all that you need to have clarified please call in at the end of the day and speak to any one of us in the Foundation Stage.
Why not introduce your child to the blogspot by playing these games.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/Foundation/builderdragsimple.html
www.starfall.com - click on the ABC link at the top and then off you go!
Welcome to the Foundation Stage blogspot. This is our very own mini website where you can find out what your child will be doing in school for the coming week. The blogspot is updated every weekend, so you can support your child in their learning as well as finding out other details regarding what is going on.
Relevant websites to support your child's learning will be posted on here also. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the page you need. So...remember to save this address to your favourites.
So here goes. Our first blog spot of the year!
What to do after the first day at school
Today you will have come in the front entrance to bring your child to school. Tomorrow, we will open the double doors on the play ground at 8.40am. Once we have opened the doors the children are free to come in. Please feel free to bring your child in and help them put their belongings away. Please encourage them to be as independent as possible. Time spent on such things is valuable as it actually saves lots of learning time being wasted on simple domestics.
Once your child has found an activity they would like to do then a speedy exit is often best. Please do not worry about your child if they are a little upset. This is perfectly normal and will soon stop.
At hometime your child will be let out of the classroom door by a member of staff. It does take us a little while to learn faces of the adults picking the children up so feel free to give us the name of the child you are collecting. Please could we ask that you do not come into the school before the children have been sent out. This can often be unsettling for the children and doesn't help them to learn the routine of hometime.
What do I need to bring each day?
Your child will need the following items every day.
A coat
A lunch box if they are stopping for packed lunches
A water bottle
A healthy snack for morning break (the children have fruit supplied by school in the afternoon)
A school book bag (which can be purchased from the school office)
Needless to say, all your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled with their name. Remember to use their first name as this is the one they will recognise more readily and thus, enable them to be more independent.
TOP TIP!!
Why not print off some labels on the computer with your child's name on and a picture of their favourite animal. These can then quickly be peeled off and stuck on their snacks etc and your child will identify their belongings with more independence.
What will my child be doing for the first week?
The staggered intake allows us to work with each group of children equally. The induction of the children over the last few years has been very successful. This is an opportunity for us to assess your child on entry to school. There is no need to worry! They will not sit any test or even know they are being assessed. We are not concerned about how little or how much your child knows, or can do, in comparison to the next child. We simply want to find your child's starting point and establish their next steps. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to establish good relationships with each child on a one-to-one basis.
Some nurseries have forwarded the records to us before the summer holidays. If you have any at home please send them into us, as they provide a detailed insight into your child's development. During our nursery visits we did ask them to be passed to you.
Activities will be very hands on and needless to say we will have lots of FUN!!
What can I expect now?
There will be lots of information coming your way over the next few weeks. Please do not panic. If there is anything at all that you need to have clarified please call in at the end of the day and speak to any one of us in the Foundation Stage.
Why not introduce your child to the blogspot by playing these games.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/ted.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/mouseskills/joiner.html
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/Foundation/builderdragsimple.html
www.starfall.com - click on the ABC link at the top and then off you go!
That's all for the first week but rest assured that there will be lots of exciting activities and for your child, and information for you, in next weeks blog.
Take care
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Finale!
Hello there!
Welcome to our very final week of this school year and what an amazing year it has been too! There is lots going on in school this week and so curriculum will not be as intense as usual. Here is a ‘brief’ (if I am able to do it!) outline of the week’s events.
Monday
We will be completing our final writing assessments to pass on up to your child’s next teacher. We will also be updating any spellings of high frequency words and checking the children’s letter and number recognition.
Tuesday
The morning is normal but we have a lovely treat for us in the afternoon! The Year 5/6 children will be presenting their musical medley for all the children in the school. A little foot tapping may go on then!
Wednesday
WE’RE OFF TO GULLIVER’S WORLD!!! Many thanks to all the parents who have offered to help on the day. If you have not been contacted regarding helping out by myself then may I thank you for offering this time and I will pass your name on to the Y1/2 team as a willing volunteer for next year. Details of the day will be sent out this week.
Thursday
VIVA ESPANA!! We decided that we wouldn’t have enough time to do this on the very last day so we have brought it a day forward. We are going to finish off this remarkable year with a TAPAS party for the children (and teacher). The children will get to sample some real Spanish food and have a good old sing and dance. It would be useful if you could send in a labelled carrier bag on this day as the children's books will be coming home.
Friday
BOO HOO! Our last day together. This is often an emotional day for us all but with lots of FUN!
Holiday activities
This week I will be providing you with a little pack for the children to work on over the holidays to make sure they continue to keep those amazing brains active. Please continue to just spend a little time every day to work with your child, as it is surprising how a 6 week break can clear the memory (for us also!) I have posted some websites below for you to use over the holidays with some details of the Y1/2 blog spot.
The Y1/2 blogspot is: www.mrsmalone.blogspot.com
The following websites should support you in reviewing the children’s knowledge:
http://www.letsdiscover.org.uk/letters.html - this is a great website which demonstrates how we form our letters of the alphabet in the cursive style. The children’s handwriting is coming on well but more practice will enable their physical skills to match their writing skills to improve even more.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=12 - this is a good activity for developing the children’s reading skills. The children must drag the initial letter and the word ending onto the remote control and then press the button. This will create an image to match the word. Can they sound the word out before they press the button and use the picture to check if they are right?
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html - another good game to support the reading of three letter words. The children read the words in the boxes by sounding them out and blending the sounds together. They then match the illustration from the bank at the top.
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/toftwood/machine.html - yet another great game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/index.shtml - Jimmy’s crankphone asks the children to identify the middle sounds in words whilst the Whirlyword Machine helps them to generate new words for themselves.
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/fairytale2/fairytale.htm - if your child wants to continue with our fairy tale theme why not try this great website? You can write letters to the characters and many other fantastic activities.
Here are some great websites to review this half term’s learning:
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - an old chestnut which is good for developing the children’s recognition of numbers beyond 10.
http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/WashLine/washindex.html - helps the children to order numbers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/numbers/ch1.shtml - this is a lovely website for developing those skills of addition. Remember the phrase: COUNT, COUNT, TOGETHER, COUNT.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/count_on_me/eng/Introduction/default.htm - although this is aimed at Year1/2 I still think some of the children will be able to access it. Why not give it a try?
http://www.ictgames.com/10pipe.html
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/toftwood/beaver.html
www.rainforestmaths.com - by far my most favourite website for developing mathematical development. Check out the shape activities, the weight and capacity ones as well as the addition games.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - the children must identify the medial sounds in words.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/whirl/game/shtml - the children must make rhyming words but sound it out to see if it is a real word or not (level1), spinning the initial or the final letter to make real words (level 2) and the children could cope with level 3 also.
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html - sounding out words and matching pictures to the cvc words;
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - spelling and reading cvc words;
http://www.e-gfl.org/e-gfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/teacher/english/cvc_words/default.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/clusters/blender/game.shtml - blending game.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/num%20machine/take1.html the children must put in a number and then find one less before the machine works the answer out.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/num%20machine/take2.html - for those children who can subtract one mentally than this a real challenge for them.
http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/c1a/playground.htm - this is a great website for the children to learn how to apply their understanding of subtraction to word problems.
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game8.htm - this is a great website too with the actual subtraction sum written out for the children. They must type in the answer and then press enter to bowl the bowling ball towards the skittles. Fabulous fun but try it with real skittles!!! If you haven’t got any real skittles at home try filling plastic pop bottles with a bit of sand. As long as the ball is heavy enough to knock them over then it will work.
http://www.deltamicro.co.uk/primary_online/planetstaken.html - WOW! Once I actually worked out how to use this game I was mesmerised for ages. You have to count how many aliens and then click on the number. Then you work out how many were taken away.
http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/subtractiontest.html - great for generating subtraction sums but remember to select level 1.
http://www.ictgames.com/soccer_subtraction.html - for all those budding footballers out there. This is a great site for helping the children that when zero is taken away from a number then the same number remains. For those footie fans out there it may be the only chance England have of beating Brazil!!!
http://www.ictgames.com/mucky.html - always a good start to review the language of ‘less’ which is a precursor to subtraction.
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - good for those children developing their number recognition to 20.
http://www.ictgames.com/piratenumbers2.html - great for developing the recognition and writing of numbers to 20.
http://www.ictgames.com/newduckshoot10s.html - naughty that we are…or should we say that we are pure genius!?! The children are working on counting in tens to 100. This is a great game for those children learning numbers beyond 20 but with an adult, all the children can access this if they count in tens.
www.rainforestmaths.com - as always this websites provides really good activities for the children to do. Start with the Reception/Foundation Stage link and then as your child progresses move onto the Year 1 activities. We do have many children who will be able to access it.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/index.shtml
http://www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html
http://www.ictgames.com/plankgame.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/magickey/adventures/patch.shtml
www.starfall.com
http://www.e-gfl.org/e-gfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/teacher/other/spark/itsagoal/itsagoal.html
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=12
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=16
And finally… can I take the opportunity to thank you and your children for such an exciting and memorable year. You will all be missed!
Take care and have a great holiday!
Love
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
Welcome to our very final week of this school year and what an amazing year it has been too! There is lots going on in school this week and so curriculum will not be as intense as usual. Here is a ‘brief’ (if I am able to do it!) outline of the week’s events.
Monday
We will be completing our final writing assessments to pass on up to your child’s next teacher. We will also be updating any spellings of high frequency words and checking the children’s letter and number recognition.
Tuesday
The morning is normal but we have a lovely treat for us in the afternoon! The Year 5/6 children will be presenting their musical medley for all the children in the school. A little foot tapping may go on then!
Wednesday
WE’RE OFF TO GULLIVER’S WORLD!!! Many thanks to all the parents who have offered to help on the day. If you have not been contacted regarding helping out by myself then may I thank you for offering this time and I will pass your name on to the Y1/2 team as a willing volunteer for next year. Details of the day will be sent out this week.
Thursday
VIVA ESPANA!! We decided that we wouldn’t have enough time to do this on the very last day so we have brought it a day forward. We are going to finish off this remarkable year with a TAPAS party for the children (and teacher). The children will get to sample some real Spanish food and have a good old sing and dance. It would be useful if you could send in a labelled carrier bag on this day as the children's books will be coming home.
Friday
BOO HOO! Our last day together. This is often an emotional day for us all but with lots of FUN!
Holiday activities
This week I will be providing you with a little pack for the children to work on over the holidays to make sure they continue to keep those amazing brains active. Please continue to just spend a little time every day to work with your child, as it is surprising how a 6 week break can clear the memory (for us also!) I have posted some websites below for you to use over the holidays with some details of the Y1/2 blog spot.
The Y1/2 blogspot is: www.mrsmalone.blogspot.com
The following websites should support you in reviewing the children’s knowledge:
http://www.letsdiscover.org.uk/letters.html - this is a great website which demonstrates how we form our letters of the alphabet in the cursive style. The children’s handwriting is coming on well but more practice will enable their physical skills to match their writing skills to improve even more.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=12 - this is a good activity for developing the children’s reading skills. The children must drag the initial letter and the word ending onto the remote control and then press the button. This will create an image to match the word. Can they sound the word out before they press the button and use the picture to check if they are right?
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html - another good game to support the reading of three letter words. The children read the words in the boxes by sounding them out and blending the sounds together. They then match the illustration from the bank at the top.
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/toftwood/machine.html - yet another great game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/index.shtml - Jimmy’s crankphone asks the children to identify the middle sounds in words whilst the Whirlyword Machine helps them to generate new words for themselves.
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/fairytale2/fairytale.htm - if your child wants to continue with our fairy tale theme why not try this great website? You can write letters to the characters and many other fantastic activities.
Here are some great websites to review this half term’s learning:
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - an old chestnut which is good for developing the children’s recognition of numbers beyond 10.
http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/WashLine/washindex.html - helps the children to order numbers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/numbers/ch1.shtml - this is a lovely website for developing those skills of addition. Remember the phrase: COUNT, COUNT, TOGETHER, COUNT.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/count_on_me/eng/Introduction/default.htm - although this is aimed at Year1/2 I still think some of the children will be able to access it. Why not give it a try?
http://www.ictgames.com/10pipe.html
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/toftwood/beaver.html
www.rainforestmaths.com - by far my most favourite website for developing mathematical development. Check out the shape activities, the weight and capacity ones as well as the addition games.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/crank/game.shtml - the children must identify the medial sounds in words.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/whirl/game/shtml - the children must make rhyming words but sound it out to see if it is a real word or not (level1), spinning the initial or the final letter to make real words (level 2) and the children could cope with level 3 also.
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html - sounding out words and matching pictures to the cvc words;
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html - spelling and reading cvc words;
http://www.e-gfl.org/e-gfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/teacher/english/cvc_words/default.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/clusters/blender/game.shtml - blending game.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/num%20machine/take1.html the children must put in a number and then find one less before the machine works the answer out.
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/maths/num%20machine/take2.html - for those children who can subtract one mentally than this a real challenge for them.
http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/c1a/playground.htm - this is a great website for the children to learn how to apply their understanding of subtraction to word problems.
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game8.htm - this is a great website too with the actual subtraction sum written out for the children. They must type in the answer and then press enter to bowl the bowling ball towards the skittles. Fabulous fun but try it with real skittles!!! If you haven’t got any real skittles at home try filling plastic pop bottles with a bit of sand. As long as the ball is heavy enough to knock them over then it will work.
http://www.deltamicro.co.uk/primary_online/planetstaken.html - WOW! Once I actually worked out how to use this game I was mesmerised for ages. You have to count how many aliens and then click on the number. Then you work out how many were taken away.
http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/subtractiontest.html - great for generating subtraction sums but remember to select level 1.
http://www.ictgames.com/soccer_subtraction.html - for all those budding footballers out there. This is a great site for helping the children that when zero is taken away from a number then the same number remains. For those footie fans out there it may be the only chance England have of beating Brazil!!!
http://www.ictgames.com/mucky.html - always a good start to review the language of ‘less’ which is a precursor to subtraction.
http://www.ictgames.com/postletter.html - good for those children developing their number recognition to 20.
http://www.ictgames.com/piratenumbers2.html - great for developing the recognition and writing of numbers to 20.
http://www.ictgames.com/newduckshoot10s.html - naughty that we are…or should we say that we are pure genius!?! The children are working on counting in tens to 100. This is a great game for those children learning numbers beyond 20 but with an adult, all the children can access this if they count in tens.
www.rainforestmaths.com - as always this websites provides really good activities for the children to do. Start with the Reception/Foundation Stage link and then as your child progresses move onto the Year 1 activities. We do have many children who will be able to access it.
http://www.ictgames.com/cvc_machine.html
http://www.prongo.com/drag/game.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/cvc/index.shtml
http://www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html
http://www.ictgames.com/plankgame.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/magickey/adventures/patch.shtml
www.starfall.com
http://www.e-gfl.org/e-gfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/teacher/other/spark/itsagoal/itsagoal.html
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=12
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=16
And finally… can I take the opportunity to thank you and your children for such an exciting and memorable year. You will all be missed!
Take care and have a great holiday!
Love
Jayne Narraway and the Foundation Stage Team xxx
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