This half term, our classroom was filled with curiosity, creativity, and lively learning experiences as children explored stories, science, movement, and staying safe. Through a rich mix of storytelling, hands-on investigation, music, art, and practical maths, children were encouraged to question, explore, and make sense of the world around them. Special themed days and visitors brought learning to life, while daily routines and play-based activities supported children’s development across all areas of learning, helping them grow in confidence, independence, and enthusiasm for learning. 

Communication and Language 

This half term, children developed their communication and language skills through engaging stories, discussions, and imaginative play. Using key texts such as What the Ladybird Heard and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, children listened attentively, joined in with repeated phrases, and confidently shared ideas, predictions, and opinions. Storytelling activities encouraged children to ask questions, describe events, and explain their thinking using increasingly rich vocabulary.

Through role play, small-world activities, and collaborative tasks, children practised turn-taking, listening to others, and expressing themselves clearly. Discussions linked to real-life experiences, special visitors, and safety themes helped children make meaningful connections and develop confidence when speaking in both small groups and whole-class situations. 

Literacy

Key Texts

This half term, children explored What the Ladybird Heard and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which provided exciting opportunities to develop early reading and writing skills. Children retold stories, sequenced events, created story maps, and discussed characters, settings, and problems. They produced simple writing linked to the texts, including captions, labels, lists, and short sentences, using their own ideas and illustrations to support meaning.

Children also explored how stories can carry important messages, linking literacy learning to our work on special stories and values. These activities supported comprehension, imagination, and a growing love of books.

Phonics Focus

Children consolidated their phonics learning through Step 12 Consolidation (Test 4) before moving on to new sounds: ai, ee, igh, oa, oo

They practised blending and segmenting, reading and writing words containing these sounds, and applying their phonics knowledge within meaningful reading and writing activities.

Maths

This half term in Maths, children explored a wide range of number and reasoning skills. They focused on counting and comparing, confidently ordering quantities and using mathematical language such as more, fewer, and equal. Children investigated partitioning, learning how numbers can be broken into smaller parts and recombined.

They also explored addition and subtraction through practical activities, stories, and games, using objects, number lines, and real-life problem-solving scenarios. Learning extended into comparing measures, where children compared length, weight, and capacity using everyday resources. Through sorting and patterning, children identified similarities, differences, and repeating patterns, developing logical thinking and early reasoning skills.

Understanding the World

This half term, children explored Physics – Powers, with a focus on magnets. Through hands-on investigations, they asked questions such as What can magnets do? and explored how magnets attract and repel different materials. These activities encouraged curiosity, observation, and early scientific enquiry skills.

Children also learned about significant people, focusing on Winston Churchill and discussing who he was and why he is remembered. Learning was supported through stories, images, and age-appropriate discussions that helped children understand the past and its importance.

Special experiences enriched this learning, including Animal Day with Emma’s Crazy Critters, where children learned about different animals and how to care for living things.

Expressive Arts and Design

Painting and Mixed Media – Paint My World

Children explored colour, texture, and technique through painting and mixed-media activities. They experimented with tools and materials, expressing their ideas creatively and independently. Learning focused on representing their own experiences and the world around them through art.

Music – Rhythm

Through music sessions, children explored rhythm using instruments, movement, and clapping patterns. They learned to listen carefully, copy rhythms, and create their own, developing coordination, timing, and enjoyment of music-making.

Physical Development

This half term, children developed their Fundamental Movement Skills through a range of physical activities. They practised running, jumping, balancing, throwing, and catching, building strength, coordination, and control. Structured games and outdoor play helped children move confidently and safely while developing spatial awareness and teamwork.

Fine motor skills were also strengthened through cutting, mark-making, construction, and creative tasks, supporting early writing and independence.

Prime Area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children focused on keeping safe and learned how to look after themselves both in school and beyond. Through discussions and activities linked to NSPCC Maths Day and Safer Internet Day, children explored how to stay safe, ask for help, and make sensible choices.

As part of Special Stories, children discussed why some stories are special and what important messages we can learn from them, linking to kindness, honesty, and caring for others. These experiences supported emotional understanding, empathy, and respect for others while encouraging children to talk about their own feelings and experiences.