Independent learning

The children have been developing a wide range of skills through independent learning opportunities in class. Here is a selection of photographs of what they have been doing this week ( and some from last week).

This week we have introduced the letter sounds d and o as well as the ‘tricky’ words to and he.

Tricky words are words which we cannot sound out phonetically so we need to learn them by heart. We would like the children to learn to write these words from memory as well as being able to recognise and read them by sight. Use the” Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check” strategy ( this should be self explanatory, but if you have any questions about this approach, please ask)

Our writing/storytelling prompt this week was all about our walk in the woods.

Numeracy and Maths

Along with the SEAL core numeracy skills, we have been investigating, identifying and categorising single digit numbers, teen numbers and tens numbers. We have looked at the patterns they make on a 100 square. Vocabulary used includes –

• digits
• teens
• tens
• columns
• rows

Our Core numeracy skills this week were

• writing the numerals 0 – 5 correctly
• counting backwards from 10 (or 20 for some pupils).
• naming the next number in an isolated short backwards number sequence. ie. I say, 10, 9, 8 (they say 7)
• establishing a collection (give me 9 counters/raisins/etc)
• counting a collecting with accurate 1-1 correspondence
• recognising numerals
• sequencing a short selection of numerals ( e.g. 5,6,7,8)
• making instant finger patterns (show me 6 fingers without counting them)
• recognising dice patterns and clapping the amount of dots on the dice

Our challenge numeracy skills were.

• adding two collections with the second one screened ( e.g. here are 8 counters, there are 5 more hiding under this pot, how many altogether?)
• sequencing numerals within the range 0-100
• naming the number after a given number (0-30)
• counting backwards from 30, starting and stopping at different points
• investigating which equal groups can be made from a given number ( e.g. can I make 2 equal groups/3 equal groups/4 equal groups/5 equal groups from 12 counters? What about if I have 16 counters, or 18 etc)

Looking ahead to next week.

As part of our RHSP programme in school, we would like to celebrate the breadth of languages and cultures represented within our class community.

As part of this, we would like to give every child an opportunity to share with the class something about the languages they speak or the country or countries that members of the family come from ( including Scotland) . For example – they may wish to draw or print a flag from a country that is represented in their home; teach the class how to say a phrase in a language that is spoken at home; bring/wear an item of traditional dress or souvenir; or simply talk to the class with no ‘props’

If your child would like to bring or share something, please send it in to school any day over the next fortnight and we will use these to enhance our discussions.

There is no obligation to share anything, only if your child would like to do so.

Other areas of the curriculum

• As part of Black History month we learned about Rosa Parks and how she helped to make things fairer
• We found out facts about dragonflies.
• We had a great walk to the woods, and were lucky to be back in school before the really stormy afternoon.
• Lots of technology and scientific discoveries at loose parts.
• We have been learning to use the camera on the ipad to make a record our own learning.
• In music we sang songs and played games designed to develop skills of keeping a steady beat. We also explored using our voices in different ways.
• A block building prompted discussion about towers. We found out about the Scott Monument, Nelson’s column and the Eiffel Tower. We compared the heights of the towers. Which one is tallest ?
• In Outdoor and Indoor PE we have been focusing on jumping in a hopscotch pattern , and also developing our skills using an underarm throw, throwing to a target, and throwing and catching a quoit.

This week’s homework and other information

• learn to read and write this week’s tricky words.
• write the numerals 1 – 5 using correct number formation ( refer to this video if you wish
• use the blue letter cards to practice building and blending words

A reminder to please name all items of clothing and shoes, and to check names on items brought home in case your child accidentally acquires a jumper belonging to someone else.