Welcome to Term 1 in Year R

We hope you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. We are really looking forward to working with you this year!

 

This term we will be…

This term's topic is ‘All About Me!’ – an opportunity for the children to discover what makes them special and unique. We will explore our families, interests, likes and dislikes, and begin to develop a strong sense of self and belonging. In the classroom, your child will be supported by Miss Harding, our full-time teacher, and Mrs Walls, our dedicated Teaching Assistant. On Tuesday mornings, we welcome Mr Cross from PH ActiveEd, who will lead the children in engaging PE sessions.

 

Home Learning in Year R

Home learning will be set on Tapestry each week. Children will receive a reading book to enjoy for the week, along with a ‘word of the week’ to investigate and either a phonic or number activity. Home learning will be set on Thursdays and should be handed in the following Wednesday. There is no need to return paper copies as photographs of your child’s home learning can be uploaded directly to Tapestry. If you are unable to access Tapestry, please let us know so that we can provide your child with a paper copy.

 

Phonics – early reading and writing

We use Unlocking Letters and Sounds to support children as they begin their journey into reading. We will start teaching Phase 2 Phonics on Monday 15th September, with a new sound introduced on most days. In the first few weeks, the scheme reading books sent home will contain no words and this is purposeful! These books are designed to encourage storytelling and develop early comprehension by exploring the pictures together. Reading books will be changed every Monday, but we ask that children bring their book to school each day so we can enjoy hearing them read throughout the week. Please remember to sign the reading record whenever you read together at home. With regards to writing, children build fine motor skills through fun activities like threading, drawing and cutting. As phonics begins, they start forming letters and use these skills to write simple words. As name recognition and writing are such important milestones, children are encouraged to identify their own name on their locker and take part in morning name-writing. Families can help by encouraging their child to write their name at home. Remember, you don't have to just use pen and paper... Get creative! 

 

Maths

This term, we begin building a deep understanding of numbers to five. Children will explore these numbers in meaningful ways – recognising them in different contexts, writing them, representing them using objects and pictures, and exploring their composition. We also sing number songs and practise one-to-one correspondence when counting, helping children link each number to a single item. Families can support by counting everything, everywhere! Spot numbers on walks, press buttons on appliances, use coins during play etc.

Snack / Lunch / Water Bottles

Please ensure your child brings a named bottle to school every day, filled with water. The children are allowed to fill their water bottles up during the day if they run out. Please ensure water bottles are taken home regularly and washed. Every day at 10am, children are offered a fruit or vegetable for snack time. Since we don’t always know in advance what will be delivered, some children choose to bring their own fruit or vegetable to school with them. At lunch time, the children eat in the school hall. Please ensure your child is either registered for school meals or provided with a well-balanced and healthy lunch box.

 

Timetable of things to remember!

 

Day	I need to remember...
Monday	Wear school uniform
Tuesday	Wear PE uniform
Wednesday	Wear school uniform Home Learning handed in
Thursday	Wear school uniform Home Learning given out
Friday	Wear school uniform

 

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office to arrange to speak with Miss Harding.

Kind regards, 

The Year R Team