Independent learning

The children have been developing a wide range of skills through independent learning opportunities in class.

here are a few photos, including some from last week.

Literacy.

This week we have introduced the letter sounds l and c as well as the ‘tricky’ words was and want.

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 our friends and our learning.

Numeracy and Maths

Our maths focus this week has been on copying, continuing and creating repeating patterns

You may with to play this game at home to reinforce our learning.

Our Core numeracy skills this week were

• writing the numerals 1 – 10 ( and beyond) 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 collection beyond 10 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

Loose parts play outside on Friday morning

Other areas of the curriculum

We have continued to find our about the story of the Nativity and have been practising our songs to help us tell the story.

We helped to decorate a huge Christmas tree for the hall wall.

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.

In PE we have been focusing on working on stamina and following a circuit of activities.

This week’s homework and other information

• Learn your nativity line off by heart . Speak slowly, clearly and loud!
• Learn to read and write this week’s tricky words.
• Use the blue letter cards to practice building and blending words
• Please see the purple folder for information re nativity costuumes

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.