Hello Puffins and Penguins!

All the teachers hope you are all well and we have given you some activities to do whilst you are at home.

On the table below, you will see when to do these activities and any links to sites that might be helpful for you and your parents. Remember, you don’t have to do them all at once and there may be some you can’t do, so try and ask an adult if you need help. For the phonics activities, parents might want to look at some information about speed sounds at: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/api/interactives/29318.html.  To help with reading at home, parents could also find information at: https://cdn.oxfordowl.co.uk/2017/09/20/10/19/37/449/rwi_RPhO_PIB1.pdf

We were also thinking about Nursery Rhymes last term so you could look at CBeebies https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/curations/nursery-rhymes .

Remember we have lots of stickers ready to give to you as soon as we get back, for trying so hard at home.

Keep safe, keep working and hopefully see you very soon!

Love from your teachers.

                                                                                                                               12 October 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

 We are delighted with the way the children have started school. It is lovely to see so many smiling faces as they come into school each day. Well Done Children!

The children all look so smart in their new school uniforms. Thank you for your support with this. Thank you also for taking the time to label all items of your child’s school uniform. May we take this opportunity to remind you, if you have not already done so, to:

Name all clothing, including coats!

It really does help things to be returned to the correct owner. Please label all school uniform.  As I am sure you can appreciate, with up to 60 children in Reception, unnamed clothing is difficult to return to the right child.

Sharing a book with your child is a valuable experience. Although we are unable to send a book home with your child at the moment, your son/daughter will shortly be provided with some ‘Reading Rocket’ words for them to learn at home. We do ask that you support your child with learning these as often as possible.  A “little and often” approach is usually the most effective so we suggest 10 minutes a day where you share a book at home with your son/daughter and enjoy the experience together. Children will have the opportunity to look at books at school and show that they have learnt the words sent home.

As a reminder, at the moment, children do not need a P.E. kit, but weather permitting, we will be able to take part in various physical activities outside and we request that you provide your child with a pair of trainers/plimsolls (named) that can be kept at school.

This term our theme in Puffin and Penguin class is

“Nursery Rhymes and Stories”

We will be using this theme as we introduce your child to the different areas of learning. There are some ideas below for activities you can do to support your child at home.

• Enjoy sharing and singing nursery rhymes together.

• Introduce learning to tell the time when singing “Hickory Dickory Dock”.

• Sing “Five Currant Buns in a Bakers Shop” and introduce the idea of subtraction.

• Look on CBeebies website for nursery rhyme activities.

• Choose a character from a nursery rhyme or story and make a puppet and retell/sing the rhyme together. You can use a paper bag and draw a face on it, or use a sock and stick eyes, nose, mouth etc on.

• Ask grandparents about nursery rhymes they sang or stories they were told as a child. Could they teach you any new ones?

We value the partnership between home and school and would like to remind parents that if ever you have any concerns or information you would like to discuss with us please do ring and make a telephone appointment.

We are all looking forward to the year ahead and hope that your children will very much enjoy their first experience of school.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs J Taylor - Team Leader

Mrs H Frew - Teacher

Hi Puffins and Penguins

All the teachers wanted to write to you to let you know that we are missing you and thinking about you.

How have you been?  Have you been having fun at home with your family, especially now the weather is getting a bit warmer?  Remember, if you go out in the sun, wear sun cream and a hat and drink plenty of water.  We have been in school to do some work since you have been off and it is really strange not seeing you in Puffin and Penguin class.  The classrooms are very quiet and we really miss you having fun with all the toys.

The teachers have been doing lots of things at their homes during lockdown.  Mrs Taylor and Mrs Frew have been baking and their families have been enjoying the cakes and cookies they have made.  Mrs Thushy has been growing vegetables in her garden and trying new recipes, which are very yummy!  Mrs Sohal has also been doing some cooking and Mrs Shiels has been safely exploring new places to go for walks with her family.  Mrs Gallen has been playing in her paddling pool, to keep cool and Mrs Harri has been enjoying her garden and has even tried some gardening. 

We would love to know what you have been doing.  We have seen some of the pictures and letters that some of you have sent us already, but we would love to see more!  Please write to us or draw a lovely picture to show us what fun you have been having.  We are really excited to see them.

Have you been having a go at ‘Bug Club’ and ‘Doodle Maths’?  Mrs Frew and Mrs Taylor are able to see who has been going on these sites to do some work, so well done and we will make sure you get stickers when we get back to school and maybe we will give some prizes from the prize box!

Remember there is also work for you to do on the Norton Road Website and if you can’t get on this, ask your parents to ring the school and we can print you a pack and your parents can collect it.

Right, time to go now, but remember we miss you so much and can’t wait to see you when we finally come back to school.

Take care and we will all hopefully see you soon.

Love from

Mrs Taylor, Mrs Frew, Mrs Thushy, Mrs Gallen, Mrs Harri, Mrs Sohal, Mrs Shiels

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Puffins and Penguins

How are you?  We hope you are enjoying some of the work we have set for you.  All the teachers really miss you and hope you are keeping safe and well at home.

We have given you some more activities to do (learning pack 6) and an idea of when to do these activities.  Remember, you don’t have to do them all at once and there may be some you can’t do.  Try and ask an adult if you need help.  We are also adding new books to Bug Club every Monday until the Summer holidays for you and there is Doodle to help with Maths.

Keep safe, keep working and hopefully see you very soon!

Love from your teachers. x

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

Hello again Puffins and Penguins!

All the teachers are still missing you and hope you enjoyed the work from the last pack.  We are going to give you some more work now, but only if you have managed to finish the work from before. 

On the table below, we have given you some more activities to do (learning pack 5) and an idea of when to do these activities.  Remember, you don’t have to do them all at once and there may be some you can’t do.  Try and ask an adult if you need help.  We are also adding new books to Bug Club every Monday for you to work on as well as Doodle to help with Maths.

Remember we have lots of stickers ready to give to you for trying so hard at home whilst school is closed as well as giving out ‘Star of the Day’ and ‘Star of the Week’ as soon as we get back.

Keep safe, keep working and hopefully see you very soon!

Love from your teachers.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities, 5 ‘How many can you do’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities, 5 ‘How many can you do’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

Hello again Puffins and Penguins!

All the teachers hope you are all well and you are still working hard with some of the activities we have given you.

We miss you so much and can’t wait until we see you all again.

On the table below, we have given you some more activities to do and an idea of when to do these activities.  Remember, you don’t have to do them all at once and there may be some you can’t do.  Try and ask an adult if you need help.

Remember we have lots of stickers ready to give to you for trying so hard at home whilst school is closed as well as giving out ‘Star of the Day’ and ‘Star of the Week’ as soon as we get back.

Keep safe, keep working and hopefully see you very soon!

Love from your teachers.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities, 5 ‘How many can you do’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities, 5 ‘How many can you do’ activities and a sentence in your diary.

During this week, also try to fill in 5 of the ‘Bingo Board’ activities and 5 ‘How many can you do’ activities.

Hi Puffins and Penguins!

All the teachers just wanted to let you know that we miss you very much and hope you are enjoying some of the activities we have set for you.

We are all really looking forward to seeing you again and looking at the work you have been doing at home with your family.  We have lots of stickers ready to give to you for trying so hard at home whilst school is closed!

Keep learning and remember, we are excited to see your work and we will be giving ‘Star of the Day’ and ‘Star of the Week’ prizes as soon as we get back to school.

Keep safe, keep working and hopefully see you very soon!

Love from your teachers.

       Ourselves           

Curriculum Information for Parents

Spring Term 2020

Foundation Stage

This term we are looking at the topic of ‘Ourselves’ and we have planned lots of fun ways of learning about it.

Literacy (Communication and Language/Literacy)

We will be reading books such as ‘Funnybones’ and ‘The Bad Tempered Ladybird’.  We will also be listening to stories on CD.  We will be retelling these stories to each other and making our own class books too.  During the term our role play areas will be a Doctor’s surgery and an Opticians.  We will be visiting Leagrave Library later this term.  We will also continue with......

• Writing for different purposes e.g. writing own name, lists, labels, captions, stories and instructions.
• Learning letter sounds and names.
• Hearing and saying sounds in words.
• Writing simple words and beginning to write sentences.
   
  Mathematics
   
  We will be recording our favourite tastes and smells.  We will also be measuring and comparing our heights.  We will be using graphs to find out which is the most common eye and hair colour in Foundation.  We will also continue with.............
• Counting activities to 10, 20 and beyond.
• Recognising numbers and what they represent.
• Adding and subtracting.
• Solving practical problems.
• Using language such as more, less, heavier, lighter, greater and smaller to compare.
  
   
  Physical Development
   
  We will be learning about the importance of keeping healthy, moving with control and coordination and practising throwing and catching skills.
   
  Personal, Social and Emotional Development
   
  We will be discussing and learning about how we keep healthy and clean and how we care for each other.  We will also be developing our confidence, concentration, motivation and esteem.
   
  Understanding the World
   
  We will be finding out about ourselves, identifying similarities and differences, recognising the parts of our body and understanding a little about how it works.  We hope to have lots of fun exploring our senses and enjoying tasting, smelling, touching, looking and listening!  We will talk about things we like and dislike.  We will begin to learn about our own cultures and beliefs and those of other people.  We hope to be visited by a dentist and will learn about how important it is to brush our teeth regularly.
   
  Expressive Arts and Design
   
  We will be exploring texture and shape in two and three dimensions and will be using our imagination in art and music.  We will be busy making our skeleton pictures, painting a self- portrait, making pictures with hand and foot prints and making collages of healthy and unhealthy foods.

January 2020

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to a new term!  The children have worked very hard since they joined Puffin and Penguin Class and have settled really well. 

The topic of this term will be “Ourselves”.  There will be lots of exciting activities throughout this topic, including food tasting, bread making and a visit to the local library!  More details will follow shortly.

Please find an overview of our topic attached to this letter, a copy of which is also outside on our notice board.

Also on the notice board you will find some suggestions for fun activities that will support your child’s learning at home. If you have any questions please do speak to your child’s class teacher.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs J Taylor

Foundation Manager

Welcome to Puffin and Penguin Class!

Staff in Puffin Class: Mrs Taylor, Mrs Thushy and Mrs Harri.

Staff in Penguin Class: Mrs Frew, Mrs Gallen,  Mrs Sohal and Mrs Shiels.

Our topic this term is ‘Nursery Rhymes and Stories’.  This includes learning lots of nursery rhymes and talking about stories like The Gruffalo, Handa’s Surprise and many more.

Reminders:

• Learning Logs are sent home on Friday each week and need to be returned by the next Wednesday.
• P.E. days:  Penguins P.E. is on Thursday and Puffins P.E. is on Friday.  Please make sure children have the correct P.E. kit (white t-shirt, black shorts and black plimsolls).
• Reading: Children are allocated a ‘reading day’ where they will be given an opportunity to talk about the book they have been reading with a member of staff and choose a new book for the following week.  We will also check the ‘Reading Rocket’ words given the previous week.
   
   

Parents, please take time to look at our information boards outside the classrooms.  They explain the Foundation Curriculum and how children learn as well as introducing the ‘Characteristics of Learning’.  There are also ideas on how you can support your child at home.

Welcome to Puffin and Penguin Class!

Staff in Puffin Class: Mrs Taylor, Mrs Thushy, Miss Cawley and Mrs Harri.

Staff in Penguin Class: Mrs Frew, Mrs Gallen, Mrs Sohal and Mrs Begum.

Our topic this term is ‘Minibeasts and Animals’.  This includes learning lots about insects and other animals, using non-fiction books to find out information and fiction books like ‘Rainbow Fish’ and ‘The Bad Tempered Ladybird’.

Reminders:

• Learning Logs are sent home on Friday each week and need to be returned by the next Wednesday.
• P.E. days:  Penguins P.E. is on Thursday and Puffins P.E. is on Friday.  Please make sure children have the correct P.E. kit (white t-shirt, black shorts and black plimsolls).
• Sharing achievements from home: We regularly send home the green ‘Sharing Achievements from Home’ book for parents to fill in, to let us know what children do out of school.  So far this year we have found out what technology skills the children have as well as whether they are regular visitors to the library.  It also gives opportunities to find out about achievements outside of school, like swimming challenges, different groups the children are involved in and even about new additions to the family.
   
   

Parents, please take time to look at our information boards outside the classrooms.  They explain the Foundation Curriculum and how children learn as well as introducing the ‘Characteristics of Learning’.  There are also ideas on how you can support your child at home.

Animals and Minibeasts

Curriculum Information for Parents

Summer Term 2019

Foundation Stage

As your child may have already told you, we are having a great adventure this term!  Everywhere we go we are looking at animals and minibeasts and we have lots more fun ways of learning planned.

Literacy (Communication and Language/Literacy)

We will enjoy reading lots of fiction and non-fiction books about animals and minibeasts.  We will be retelling stories to each other and making books too.  During the term our role play area will be transformed into a minibeast garden.  We will also continue with our writing, including our names, lists, labels, captions, stories and instructions.  We will continue to learn letter sounds and names, along with hearing and saying initial, medial and final sounds in words.  We have been learning to blend sounds together and we are now starting to read some words and sentences as well as writing them.

Numeracy (Mathematics)

We will be exploring animal and minibeast patterns, sorting animals and minibeasts, exploring symmetry and collecting information in a survey about animals and minibeasts.  We will also continue with….

Counting activities to 10, 20 and beyond

Finding one more or one less than a number from 1-10

Recognising numbers and what they represent

Adding and subtracting

Solving practical problems

Using words to describe position

Using language such as more, less, heavier, lighter, greater and smaller to compare.

Understanding the World

We hope to find out about many different animals and minibeasts and identify similarities and differences, where they live and how they move.  We will be learning about the life cycle of a butterfly when we have our class caterpillars and watch as they change into beautiful butterflies!  We are going to continue learning about our own cultures and beliefs and those of other people.

Expressive Arts and Design

We will be exploring texture and shape in two and three dimensions and be using our imagination in art and music.  We will be singing simple songs from memory, recognising repeated sounds and patterns and matching movements to music.  We will be busy making minibeasts from a variety of different materials, dressing up as explorers and enjoying creating music for different animals and minibeasts.

Physical Development

We will be learning about the importance of keeping healthy and how we can do this.  We hope to have lots of fun using a range of small and large equipment, practising moving with control and coordination.  We are looking forward to creating dances to match animal and minibeast movements.  We will become running cheetahs, slow elephants, scurrying ants and fluttering butterflies!

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We shall be working towards understanding what is right and what is wrong and why. 

We will be considering the consequences of our words and actions for ourselves and others.  We hope to develop our understanding of people with different needs, views, cultures and beliefs.

Ourselves

Curriculum Information for Parents

Spring Term 2019

Foundation Stage

This term we are looking at the topic of ‘Ourselves’ and we have planned lots of fun ways of learning about it.

Literacy (Communication and Language/Literacy)

We will be reading books such as ‘Funnybones’ and ‘The Bad Tempered Ladybird’. We will also be listening to stories on CD. We will be retelling these stories to each other and making our own class books too. During the term our role play areas will be a Doctor’s surgery and an Opticians. We will be visiting Leagrave Library later this term. We will also continue with......

• Writing for different purposes e.g. writing own name, lists, labels, captions, stories and instructions.

• Learning letter sounds and names.

• Hearing and saying sounds in words.

• Writing simple words and beginning to write sentences.

   

  Mathematics

   

  We will be recording our favourite tastes and smells. We will also be measuring and comparing our heights. We will be using graphs to find out which is the most common eye and hair colour in Foundation. We will also continue with.............

• Counting activities to 10, 20 and beyond.

• Recognising numbers and what they represent.

• Adding and subtracting.

• Solving practical problems.

• Using language such as more, less, heavier, lighter, greater and smaller to compare.

  Physical Development

   

  We will be learning about the importance of keeping healthy, moving with control and coordination and practising throwing and catching skills.

   

  Personal, Social and Emotional Development

   

  We will be discussing and learning about how we keep healthy and clean and how we care for each other. We will also be developing our confidence, concentration, motivation and esteem.

   

  Understanding the World

   

  We will be finding out about ourselves, identifying similarities and differences, recognising the parts of our body and understanding a little about how it works. We hope to have lots of fun exploring our senses and enjoying tasting, smelling, touching, looking and listening! We will talk about things we like and dislike. We will begin to learn about our own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. We hope to be visited by a dentist and will learn about how important it is to brush our teeth regularly.

   

  Expressive Arts and Design

   

  We will be exploring texture and shape in two and three dimensions and will be using our imagination in art and music. We will be busy making our skeleton pictures, painting a self- portrait, making pictures with hand and foot prints and making collages of healthy and unhealthy foods.

Welcome to Puffin and Penguin Class!

Staff in Puffin Class: Mrs Taylor, Mrs Thushy and Miss Cawley.

Staff in Penguin Class: Mrs Frew, Mrs Gallen, Mrs Sohal and Mrs Harri.

Our topic this term is ‘Nursery Rhymes and Stories’. This includes learning lots of nursery rhymes and talking about stories like The Gruffalo, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Handa’s Surprise and many more. Children will also soon have access to the school library where they can choose a book to read in class.

Reminders:

• Learning Logs are sent home on Friday each week and need to be returned by the next Wednesday.

• P.E. days: Penguins P.E. is on Thursday and Puffins P.E. is on Friday. Please make sure children have the correct P.E. kit (white t-shirt, black shorts and black plimsolls).

• Reading: Children are allocated a ‘reading day’ where they will be given an opportunity to talk about the book they have been reading with a member of staff and choose a new book for the following week. We will also check the ‘Reading Rocket’ words given the previous week.

   

   

Parents, please take time to look at our information boards outside the classrooms. They explain the Foundation Curriculum and how children learn as well as introducing the ‘Characteristics of Learning’. There are also ideas on how you can support your child at home.