This week we are exploring these shapes; circle, square, rectangle, semi-circle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon and their properties.

Thank you to all parents who joined us for our phonic workshops. We demonstrated to parents one element of our phonics lesson – using phonic sounds to blend and read a word. Children used magnetic boards to make the words and then pointed to each letter (left to right) to read the words; b-a-g bag, l-e-t let etc.  We would ask that parents support their children on phonics every night – using their phonics to read a word, without support. Remember that if your child can simply say the word, without blending the sound first, that is fantastic and they can simply say the word, instead of sounding it out.

Every week in Reception, we do “Write Dance.” This is a program that supports our gross motor skills, but also helps us practise our fine motor skills (which is something we need to help us write). It starts with a story, which we put big movements to. We then use these movements to make marks on paper. We work hard, but also have lots of fun. 

As part of our “People Who Help Us” week we had a visit from Mark, the police man. He came and spoke to us all about how the police help us. He also showed us the different parts of his uniform, and allowed the children to try on his different hats. He also arrested Mrs Matharu, but don’t worry we assured him she was lovely and did not need to go to prison!

The children then worked really hard, making their own police hats and badges, and also looking at/taking their own fingerprints. 

This week we are learning all about ‘People Who Help Us’. Today we had a visit from John, the Lollipop Man. He spoke to us about how he helps us to cross the road safely. We also looked at his uniform and discussed the fact it has reflectors on it, so that the cars can still see him when it is dark outside. Then we looked at his lollipop. We used our phonics to read what it said; “STOP”. We then made our own lollipops and role played crossing the road safely. John told us that you must always walk across the road, and never run. Thank you John!

This week in maths we are finding one less. We start off with objects then move on to pictorial prompts to support our learning.
  

We went on an Autumn walk, over to the forest. We spoke about all the things we could see, and discussed how the season was changing. We looked at the leaves, and spoke about how they looked/felt. We then created a piece of natural art work-using the leaves. 

Next week we shall be learning all about Autumn. We shall be going on an Autumn walk, looking for signs of the season. We shall also be investigating leaves, conkers and twigs. 

Working in our family groups, we created nests for the owls. We spoke about where birds live, and what natural objects they were made of. We love learning outdoors!

The children spent a lovely afternoon in the forest, making owl babies from natural materials. We spoke about the colour, shape and size of the leaves we used to create our artwork. We then read the story together, encouraging the children to join in with repeated refrain: ” I want my mommy!”