Cygnus - Reflect and Review

Dear Reception families

We looked at endangered animals this week and talked about how animals are becoming endangered through hunting, deforestation and pollution. The children designed posters to remind people how to help the animals. We read ‘The Emerald forest’ by Catherine Ward in Drawing Club to explore the plight of endangered animals. The children came up with some great ideas to help the orangutans. Vocabulary this week: forest, swing, teach, destroy, escape, safe, grow

The children have been learning about number bonds to ten this week. 

Big 3 and Me this week focused on caring for nature. The children learned the British sign language signs for still, upset and relaxed. The Big 3 and Me challenge this week was to stand up for something you think is right. The children were telling me that many of them have already been litter picking and one of our class has done a hedgehog walk to raise funds for wildlife protection, so they are all already doing a great job!

Our caterpillars have turned into chrysalis’ now so we await the big transformation. We looked again at life cycles this week to support the children's understanding of the changes happening in the caterpillar's life.

On Friday we had fun exploring instructional language. The children listened to ‘The Giant Jam Sandwich’ by John Vernon Lord and then had to instruct Mrs P on how to make a jam sandwich with some hilarious results! After they had worked out how to instruct someone how to make a jam sandwich they did get to make one of their own to eat for an extra snack. 

Next week at a glance

We will be learning about zoos and thinking about whether we should have them. 

Zoolab will be visiting the school (please see separate email about contributions to the cost).

Our personal, social and emotional health focus will be ‘Caring about difference’.

We will be making some bug hotels. Could you please collect 2L milk containers and large drinks bottles to use for this activity and bring them in by Monday 11th May. If we do not get enough containers for one  for each child we will not be able to do the activity. Thank you!

Dates for your diary: 

In May we will be logging active miles/km in the HSA’s ‘Strideathon’. Look out for information from the HSA and use your record sheets to record Miles/Km walked, scooted or cycled. 

16th May - Spring Sprint - Family Walk/Run. Meet 9:45 at Oatlands Park Car Park. See poster on School News tab for details. Parents are responsible for their children. 

Outdoor learning dates this term: 17th April, 1st May, 15th May

14th May Cygnus class visit to St Lawrence church, Parents Welcome, starts at 10.15am

14th May Zoolab visit to the school (please see separate email from the school)

25th-29th May Half term

Notices:

The children are now all reading books in phonics and will be bringing new books home every week. Please make sure they always have their reading books in their books bags and bring the bags to school every day. The day we change books will change depending on the timetable. 

Children need a pair of indoor shoes/plimsoles to change into to come into the classroom and a spare set of clothes, including pants and socks, for any accidents. These should be brought to school every day please. 

Please make sure the children have a waterproof coat every day. We have outdoor play as often as possible and we need to be ready for changes in the weather. Please make sure the children have a sunhat/cap at school to wear if it is a sunny day and their own sunscreen to use at school. 

If your child is going home with someone else, please make sure you email the school office to advise us of the change: office@nhps.org.uk 

Best wishes

The Reception Team