Literacy

This half term in Literacy we focused on recognising, saying and writing each sound and letter of the alphabet. We have progressed through phase 2 phonics and have been trying hard with our handwriting and letter formations. we looked at letter formation of both upper and lower case letters. We have practiced our handwriting using the lines in our phonics books and beginning to write letters next to each other to form short CVC words.We are also encouraged to recognise and write our names at varying points throughout the day. Our Gruffalo Family tree helps us to recognise the letters in our names and every morning we sign in by finding our names and putting them on the tree.  Our name badges help us to write our names on pieces of work so that they do not get lost.

In English have been exploring the book ‘We’re going to find a monster’ in a lot of depth. Our lessons will have been heavily focused around the children’s experiences and discussions. Allowing the children to explore their own thoughts and ideas as well as make informed predictions about the text. The use of our working wall has been very effective in allowing the children to independently prompt their own learning. In provision children are given the opportunity to create and achieve in their own space at their own pace, the environment which is immersive and promotes the natural use of language and communication.

Maths

In Maths we have been using manipulatives such as cubes, counters, dice, number, cards, simple objects and base 10 to explore numbers from 1-10 in depth. Every session incorporates different counting and number songs to encourage fluency in counting. We have been working hard to recognise numbers, count using objects and our fingers, chunk and split numbers through the use of part-part whole models and learning to subitise using dice arrangements and dot cards. We have also had a go at writing our numbers using the squares in our maths books.

In provision, we are set daily challenges that encourage us to apply the skills that are linked to our maths lessons. These help us to further our knowledge and independently solve problems.

 

Understanding of the world/ Expressive art and design

(R.E, Geography, History, Science, Art, DT)

 

This half term in Gruffalos we have tried to adopt a holistic approach to learning. We have used the book that we have been learning about in English to prompt our leaning. The book we explored was  ‘We’re going to find a Monster’. We developed our social skills through superhero mask making. We made monsters using playdough, pencils, paint, paper and junk modelling. We explored animal habitats through art and music we have created tissue paper jelly fish, underwater scenery, angel fish, tigers, jungle vines. We have explored the concept of floating and sinking, drawn and unmodeled our own boats with flags, discovered the history of boats and how transport has transformed over time. All while tying in discussions linking our own experiences to the events in the story.

In our afternoon topic sessions we have explored Chinese New year where we looked at culture, religion, clothing, flags, tradition and the differences in celebration. As part of this we have created and designed Chinese lanterns, painted fireworks, Chinese dragons.

 

Physical Development

This half term our children have been participating in daily gross motor sessions, each session has been adapted and built upon to fit the children’s progression level of independence. In our outdoor area children have been using tires, crates and planks to mirror and create their own obstacle courses this has helped engage the pupils and promote independence as well as fine and gross motor skills. We have also enjoyed our weekly PE sessions where we have been using a multitude of game based activities to encourage participation, group co-ordination and physical development. The children have really enjoyed their weekly Forest school sessions where they have been.

Personal Social and Emotional Development

Our daily emotional literacy sessions have been really helpful in allowing us to explore our feelings and emotions and identify which feeling is which. Expressing our thoughts and feelings through the storys that we hear has promoted ourown self-awareness and recognition of feelings and most importantly knowing how to manage them. In Gruffalo’s we often experience problems and have been working on our ability stay calm when we feel angry or to reassure ourselves and others when in doubt. Our calm area allows us to regulate our own feelings it is a safe space for us to enter when we feel overwhelmed.

In group sessions we are encouraged to share all our resources and reminded of the feeling that sharing and caring gives us. we talk about the sensitivity around the feelings of others and talk through our issues collectively as a class to see if we can solve them.