The children have been very excited about learning about Ladybirds and have been keen to learn about the mini beast that their class is named after.
We have also had a few changes this week especially for Year One. The Year One children no longer have to be dropped off in the classroom. Their parent/carer drops them off in the playground so that they get an extra playtime and another chance to see their Year One and Two friends. We understand that this is a bit different and I am pleased to say that our Year One children have behaved so sensibly with this change. Of course we know that this is a bit of a change so if you feel that your child is feeling a bit unsure about joining us on the playground then please remember that they are welcome to go into class as normal and meet up with their reception classmates.
We have also seen a change in the afternoons with our Year One children. The Year One children are involved in the Year One Topic of 'growing and food' and are doing a weekly visit to the other classes either on a Tuesday afternoon or a Thursday afternoon. This is to help with their transition to Year Two and last week was very successful. The children are given the opportunity to carry out lots of practical activities alongside the other Year One's and then experience an afternoon playtime. If this continues to prove successful then this time may increase to two afternoons a week, which would mean that all topic would be carried out with their fellow Year One peers. If you have any worries or would like any information about this transition then please speak to Miss Brind. This opportunity is being provided as a positive for your child and we would like to make this as pleasurable as possible. The transition will be tailored to your child so therefore please discuss any concerns with Miss Brind.
This week we started our topic by asking the children to think of questions that they would like to know the answers to.
Here are a few of the questions that the children wanted to know the answers to:
Do Ladybirds eat leaves?
How do Ladybirds see things?
Why do Ladybirds have spots?
Can Ladybirds fly?
Do all Ladybirds have spots?
Have Ladybirds got red wings?
The children have looked at information books, used our ICT tools such as 'Espresso' and 'Young Explorer' and also investigated Ladybirds in the sensory garden.
The children have made split-pin Ladybirds, painted, used their cutting skills to decorate spots on their ladybirds and written information packs.
We have used Ladybirds to help with 2 Mathematics topics this week. We have used ladybird spots to make number sentences and added the spots together. We have also used Ladybird spots to help with our understanding of 'Doubles'. The children are getting very good at doubles to 10 and some to 12. Ask your child over this bank holiday weekend to double the amount of grapes/skittles/Chocolate Buttons they have in a bowl.
In PE this week we have been thinking about throwing and catching. We have started with beanbags and have learnt to balance them before we think about how we catch them from the air. We have also had a think about where we need to be looking.
Over the Bank holiday (depending on the weather) take a trip to the park with a larger ball and practise catching with your child. Focus on what their hands and eyes are doing.
Here are a few of the things that we caught on camera this week:
Andrejs used cubes to make a repeating pattern.
Klaudia was able to write CVCC words in our Phonics session.
Beth was able to write CVCC words in our Phonics session.
Alicia used colours from our Ladybird topic in her pattern this week
Saksha used magnetic letters to form words independently
We hope that you have a good bank holiday weekend and we look forward to exploring our next topic next week.
Please don't forget that you are still welcome to visit on a Monday for a look in your child's celebration or magical moments book.
Ladybirds