Foundation Stage

FS Newsletter – 11^th January 2019

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back and a Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you and your child this term. We hope that the following information will clarify for parents our expectations of the children in FS and will act as a useful reminder of rules and routines.

Our topic for the first half term will be Space. In Literacy we will learn, perform and write our own versions of a story called ‘The Boy and the Slimy Alien’. We will also be looking at non-fiction texts to gather information. In numeracy we will be focussing on numbers to 20, simple addition and subtraction and design and pattern. We will also be developing our understanding of 2D shapes.

The children will continue to have a phonics session every day where they will learn two sounds a week as well as practising sight words. Phonics sessions involve learning a sound, practicing writing and saying words using the sound through fun games.

After half-term we will be looking at Dinosaurs and People Who Help Us. In Literacy we will learn, perform and write our own versions of a story called ‘Dippy Got Stuck’. In numeracy we will be focussing on Mathematical language linked with measure and weight as well as number problems.

Reminders:

• It is vital that your child reads at home every week to ensure good progress in reading. Your child will be entered into a class raffle to win a prize if they have read at least three times a week at home. You can of course read other books at home however, this must be noted in their reading record.

• PE days will be on a Thursday and Friday. We will need earrings to be removed on these days, as staff are not permitted to take children’s earrings out. Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly named. It would also be fantastic if you could help your child practise how to turn their clothes from inside out to the correct way. This will enable children to have longer PE sessions and less time changing.
• We do go outside in all weathers, so please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing for this. You can bring in wellies/ old jumpers/ tops if you are worried about your child’s uniform getting too dirty!

Thank you for your support

Yours sincerely,

Miss Watson

th September 2018

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to FS! We hope that we will have a fun year working together to provide a happy and successful start to your child’s school life. The children have settled in well after their first week at school. We are spending lots of time learning the routines and getting to know each other. The first few weeks of this term will all be about settling in and completing a baseline assessment of the children, to work out where they are and to provide an accurate starting point. After the baseline is complete, we will begin planning a fun curriculum for the children to learn exciting new skills. Parents will be given a form to complete when their child is a ‘focus child’. This lets us know about anything going on at home, their children’s interests and accomplishments. It is important to have this information for the planning process, to build up an accurate picture of the child and so we can personalise the planning. Children are most engaged and willing to learn through ways that interest them, so in the moment planning allows this to happen. Please look at the video on the FS class page on the school’s website for more information on how this works.

Parents will be receiving an email shortly to join parent portal. This will allow you to receive updates and pictures about what the children have been up to at school.

Reminders: Reading records and reading books have now been given out. Your child will read at least three times at school and books will be sent home every day. Your child will be entered into a class raffle to win a prize if they have read at least three times a week at home. You can of course read other books at home however, this must be noted in their reading record.

We sent out a letter for ‘Fun Snack Friday’ however, we will not be taking part in this. Therefore, if you have paid any money for this, if you could let me or the office know and we will sort a refund. We may on occasions provide a special snack that will enhance the children’s learning which we may ask for a small contribution for example, hot cross buns at Easter.  

PE days will be on a Monday, Thursday and Friday. We will need earrings to be removed on these days, as staff are not permitted to take children’s earrings out.  FS has an ‘open door policy’ where children can choose to be in the classroom or in the garden. We do go outside in all weathers, so please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing for this. You can bring in wellies/ old jumpers/ tops if you are worried about your child’s uniform getting too dirty!  All P.E kits, coats, wellies and uniform need to be named in a place that the child will know where to find it e.g. on the label or under the collar. Thank you. Thank you for your support.

Yours Sincerely,

Miss Watson

In the moment planning and story scribing.

If you would like to see how the in the moment planning and story scribing works, please watch the video below.  Anna Ephgrave has been teaching for over 27 years. Her most recent post was Assistant Head Teacher responsible for the Early Years and Year One at Carterhatch Infant School, which was graded as Outstanding in its most recent inspection. Anna is an independent consultant, trainer and author, supporting practitioners both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Phonics pronunciation

Please watch the video for the accurate pronunciation of the sounds we teach in phonics to help with the children's reading skills at home

Phonics Games

Please see the videos below that will demonstrate how to play the phonics games at home.