Reception Class 2011/2012

Our topic for the first half term was Mr Men and Ourselves. The children have enjoyed listening to the fantastic stories written by Roger Hargreaves and learning all about "ourselves". This is always a good topic to start with in Reception because it gives the chance for everybody to learn all about each other and our families. The children have all settled in fantastic and were excited for the year ahead!!!

Here are some photos from our first term in "Big School"

Class photo, 2011

Puzzle Club - children choose a child in the class they do not normally work with to make a puzzle.

The children working in the outdoor classroom building a Star Wars ship using the construction.

The children clear and tidy the garden ready for next years planting. Diane our school gardener teaches the children about seeds, composting and how to use the garden equipment correctly.

Mollie and Livi make necklaces to improve and practise their fine motor skills.

Leo makes a colour repeated pattern using the cars.

Alex makes a hand paint repeated pattern.

Oliver and Erin practise writing new letter sounds 's' and 'a'

The children use decorating brushes to write letter sounds 'p' and 'f'

The children were learning about 'healthy eating' and made healthy plates of food using paper plates and tissue paper.

Children practise writing new letter sounds with their fingers in shaving foam!!! 

Children listen to the story of Noahs Ark.

They made their own ark out of the construction.

The children mixed different colours to make shades of green to paint grass for the R.E display.

Children learn a variety of key words which they then use in their Literacy writing.

Number formation being practised with water paints.

Erin uses the flash cards to build words.

Children listened to a Paddington Bear story where he was trying to find things around him beginning with the letter 'b'. In small groups the children made marmalade sandwiches.

Wheels day! Children brought in their scooters, bikes, remote control cars and small toys. Reception had there chance to whizz around in the playground and luckly there wasn't to many bumps!

The last day of term we had a special day for Mrs B; she retired from working in the Reception class as a TA and it was her birthday. The children in Reception did a fantastic performance on stage and we were all sad to say our goodbyes but we wish her all the best! Mrs B I am sure will be popping in for a hug and a hello from time to time and our arms will always be open wide.

Goodbye!

Wow, I cannot believe you have all completed your first year at school! You have all grown so much in the past year and you are now ready to go into Year 1. I have had a wonderful year and have enjoyed teaching you all very much! I wish you all the best in Year 1.

Miss Houlihan x

Sandfield Farm

We had such a wonderful time at Sandfield Farm last week with the lovely Emma, baby Bluebell and Nellie the dog! We started off by walking through the farm and met some cows on the way. We then split up into 2 groups and some of us went pond dipping and the others went on a mini-beast hunt. After doing both activities we were feeling really hungry so we went back to the terrapin and had some snacks. Next we made some mini-beasts using toilet rolls and different things we had collected when we were on our mini-beast hunt. After lunch we spent the afternoon in the forest area doing different activities. It was such a busy but fun day, hopefully we can visit again soon!

Cows

Mini-beast hunt

Can you see what Eddie has found?

Pond dipping

Making mini-beasts

Pigs

James

Pretending to milk a cow

30th May - 3rd June

We have started our new topic 'Mini-beasts' and have been busy turning the role-play area into a mini-beast garden. We have also made our own investigation area full of mini-beasts! Take a look below to see what mini-beasts you can spot!

Amelia the Butterfly

Can you guess what Harry E has dressed up as?

Grace and Charlotte

What mini-beasts can you see?

News alert!

In reception class we have had 5 tiny visitors (caterpillars) and we've been eagerly awaiting them to form into butterflies. The caterpillars have been getting bigger and bigger and last week they formed into a pupa, also known as a chrysalis. I'm very happy to now tell you that the caterpillars have done all of their forming and changing inside the pupa and have emerged as beautiful butterflies!!!

Next term we will be learning more about the life-cycle of a butterfly as we will be starting our new topic 'Mini-beasts'.

I hope you have a lovely half term,

Miss Houlihan x

23rd - 27th May

This week in our numeracy lessons we have been learning all about shapes! We have learnt that 2D shapes are flat and 3D shapes are solid. We have also been learning to name and describe 2D and 3D shapes. We have been doing lots of fun shape activities in class, have a look below to see us being 'shape detectives'.

Eddie has noticed some rectangles!

Olivia and Charlotte has seen some rectangles and squares on the white board

Harry L and James have found some shapes in the sand tray, do you know what they are?

Charlie L has found a cube

The children have each made a 3D shape using clay

Charlie H has made a sphere using play dough

Welcome back!

Wow, we have only been back in class for just over a week and already we have been up to so much! Last week we had so much fun enjoying the celebrations for the Royal Wedding. The street party was a royal success. We ate lots of yummy food and had a fantastic time! I would like to say a big thank you to all the parents for bringing in the food for our buffet!

This week we have started our new topic 'The Garden Centre'. The children have been busy preparing for the opening of 'Sedgeberrow Garden Centre' by making beautiful flowers to sell at the garden centre. We are pleased to inform you that our garden centre is now open and we sell a wide range of plants, tools and garden accessories. The children have also begun planting a range of flowers and vegetables. Take a look below at the photos of our garden centre.

Sedgeberrow Garden Centre

Macy and Molly planting seeds

This week in Literacy we learnt the story of 'Jack and The Beanstalk' and have used actions to help us retell the story. The children have also been designing their own magic beans and have thought of some imaginative ideas for what their beans would grow into.

In Numeracy lessons the children have been involved in practical activities weighing and comparing the weight of different objects in the class. They have been using language such as 'heavier' and 'lighter' when comparing the weight of the objects.

On Monday it will be Reception class' first swimming lesson, so please remember to pack swimming costume/trunks, towel and goggles for your child to take with them.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you to encourage your child to practise their sounds, high frequency and tricky words with you on a regular basis.

Have a lovely weekend,

Miss Houlihan x