Class 1: Blog items

This Week In Reception (WB 14.07.25)

Date: 17th Jul 2025 @ 10:42am

What an exciting week we’ve had in Reception!

This week, our learning has been inspired by the swashbuckling tale The Night Pirates by Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright. The children absolutely loved diving into the story and meeting the sneaky girl pirates who take on the rough, tough grown-up pirates! We’ve been busy using rich, descriptive language to talk about the characters—there were some fantastic ideas like “brave” and “clever”. We also worked together to retell the story in our own words. It’s been wonderful to see the children developing their storytelling confidence and using full sentences when speaking and acting out parts of the story.

In Maths, we’ve been solving number problems in lots of fun and practical ways, the children have been applying their number knowledge to real-life contexts. We’ve focused on using mathematical language like “more than,” “less than,” and “how many altogether?” and everyone has worked so hard to explain their thinking.

As always, we’re so proud of how curious, enthusiastic, and engaged the children have been. Well done, Reception!

This Week In Reception (WB 07.07.25)

Date: 10th Jul 2025 @ 3:49pm

This week in Reception, we’ve been diving deep into learning with lots of exciting activities across the curriculum!

In English, we explored the magical tale of The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson. The children loved learning about the kind and talented mermaid and the sneaky Sam Sly! We used our phonics knowledge brilliantly to describe both characters, carefully segmenting words and using our sounds to write labels and simple sentences. It was wonderful to see the children applying their Phase 3 and 4 sounds with growing confidence!

In Maths, we focused on odd and even numbers. The children used practical resources to group and sort numbers, learning how to tell if a number is odd or even by seeing if it can be paired. Lots of great number talk and teamwork helped us consolidate this new concept.

This week was also Curriculum Week, and our theme was Under the Sea! The children have been busy creating some truly beautiful artwork, from colourful jellyfish to textured ocean scenes. We can’t wait for you to sea it all on display at our upcoming class gallery – the children are so proud of their creations and can’t wait to share them with you.

Well done to all our little learners for another fantastic week!

This Week In Reception (WB 30.06.25)

Date: 3rd Jul 2025 @ 10:24am

What a fun and busy week we've had in Reception!

In English, we dived into the wonderful world of Commotion in the Ocean. The children loved listening to the rhyming words in the story and had great fun identifying the rhymes as we read together. We then used our phonics skills to write sentences more independently, describing the different sea creatures from the book. It was fantastic to see the children using their sounds so confidently and creatively in their writing.

In Maths, we explored grouping and sharing numbers equally. Using practical resources like counters and toys, the children worked together to make equal groups and started to understand the concept of sharing fairly. This hands-on learning really helped build their number sense and problem-solving skills.

In Understanding the World, we carried out a fun investigation into floating and sinking. The children made predictions about different objects and then tested them in water. There were lots of surprised faces and great discussions about why some objects float while others sink. It was a brilliant way to spark curiosity and develop early scientific thinking.

Well done to all our Reception learners for another fantastic week of exploring, learning, and growing!

This Week In Reception (WB 23.06.25)

Date: 26th Jun 2025 @ 9:23am

This week in Reception, we’ve had a fin-tastic time exploring the wonders of the sea and diving deeper into our learning across the curriculum!

🦀 English
In English, we explored the non-fiction book My First Book of Sea Creatures. The children were fascinated by the incredible facts about life under the sea – from gigantic whales to wobbly jellyfish! Using our growing phonics knowledge, we had a go at writing our own facts about different sea creatures. It was wonderful to see the children applying their sounds to segment and spell words independently.

âž– Maths
Our focus in maths was subtraction. We discovered that when we take away, our number gets smaller. The children enjoyed reading number sentences and using concrete resources (like toy dinosaurs!) to help them work out the answers. It was great to see the children physically taking objects away and counting what was left.

🌊 Understanding the World (UTW)
We continued our topic on the sea, learning even more about the amazing animals that live beneath the waves. The children enjoyed asking questions, sharing what they already knew, and building on their knowledge with new facts. Our classroom is quickly becoming a mini ocean full of curious learners!

Well done, Reception – another fantastic week of learning and discovery!

This Week In Reception (WB 16.06.25)

Date: 19th Jun 2025 @ 9:22am

In English, we have been reading the lovely story The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The children really enjoyed exploring the themes of kindness, sharing, and friendship. We used the story as inspiration to practise our descriptive writing. Using our phonics knowledge, we thought carefully about how to describe the Rainbow Fish, using words like shiny, sparkly, blue, kind, and brave. The children were brilliant at segmenting words to spell them, and many used their phonics mats to help with tricky sounds. Some even wrote full sentences using finger spaces and full stops – fantastic effort all round!

In Maths, our focus has been on addition. We introduced the idea that when we add numbers together, the total becomes bigger. The children used number sentences and selected matching Numicon pieces to build the sums practically. For example, when given “3 + 2”, they found the Numicon for 3 and 2, placed them together, and then worked out the total. This hands-on approach helped the children to see how numbers combine. 

In Understanding the World, we’ve been diving under the sea! Our topic this week was all about the ocean and the incredible creatures that live there. The children were fascinated to learn about animals such as dolphins, sea turtles, jellyfish, clownfish, and even anglerfish! We watched short clips and looked at real photographs to understand more about these creatures – where they live, how they move, and what they eat. 

It’s been wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic about their learning this week. Well done, Reception – you’re becoming such curious and confident learners!

Have a restful weekend and we look forward to more adventures next week.

This Week In Reception (WB 09.06.25)

Date: 12th Jun 2025 @ 9:16am

What a wonderful week we've had in Reception!

In English, we read the lovely story Fletcher and the Summer Show. The children really enjoyed learning about the characters—especially Fletcher the fox! We used our Phonics skills to describe Fletcher using some brilliant describing words. It was lovely to see the children sounding out and writing their ideas so confidently.

In Maths, we explored number bonds to 10. Using Numicon, we found lots of different ways to make 10 and then recorded our number sentences. The children were fantastic at working with their partners and explaining how they knew the numbers went together.

We also took some time this week to celebrate the special men in our lives as we prepared for Father’s Day. The children made beautiful, thoughtful cards and enjoyed sharing what makes their dads, grandads, and other family members so special.

As part of our Understanding the World, we began learning about the season of summer. We talked about how the weather changes, what we might wear, and the exciting activities we can enjoy during the sunny months.

Well done Reception – another brilliant week of learning, exploring, and growing together!

This Week in Reception (WB 2.06.25)

Date: 5th Jun 2025 @ 2:05pm

Reception Class Blog – Celebrating Eid Together!

This week in Reception, we’ve been learning all about the story “The Most Amazing Eid” as we prepare to celebrate this special occasion. The children have been so enthusiastic and curious, and it has sparked lots of wonderful conversations and activities in class.

Inspired by the story, each child created their own Eid card to take home and give to their family. They carefully designed the front and thoughtfully wrote a message inside — practising their writing skills and showing lots of care and creativity.

We also spent time talking about our own family traditions. The children were excited to share what they’ll be doing in preparation for Eid — from helping at home, to choosing outfits, cooking special meals, and spending time with loved ones. It was lovely to hear about all the different ways our families celebrate.

As part of our learning, we explored why people send cards and what occasions they are used for. The children had lots of brilliant ideas, from birthdays and holidays to saying thank you or cheering someone up. They even had a go at making their own cards independently in the writing area, using all the materials with great enthusiasm.

It has been a joyful and thoughtful week in Reception, filled with learning, creativity, and kindness. We wish all of our families celebrating a very happy and peaceful Eid!

This Week In Reception (WB 19.05.25)

Date: 22nd May 2025 @ 9:15am

What a blooming brilliant week we've had in Reception!

In English, we’ve been diving into the fascinating life cycle of a sunflower through our focus text, Sunflower Life Cycle. The children were captivated as we explored each stage — from tiny seeds all the way to beautiful, blooming buds. Along the way, we learned some exciting new vocabulary, including seedling, germination, roots, shoots, and buds. The children used their growing phonics knowledge to label different stages of the cycle, even writing fantastic sentences to describe what happens at each point. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence blossoming as writers!

Over in Maths, we’ve been sorting and spotting odd and even numbers. The children have become quite the number detectives — identifying numerals and using their counting skills to decide if a number is odd or even. There’s been lots of hands-on fun with sorting games and plenty of practical activities to help embed this key concept.

Our Understanding the World sessions have kept us green-fingered this week too! We've been exploring how sunflowers grow, what they need to thrive. The children were fascinated to learn how water, sunlight, and soil help little seeds sprout into tall, golden sunflowers. We also took a creative turn and looked at the famous painting Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh. The children were inspired by his bold colours and expressive brushstrokes and set to work creating their own sunflower masterpieces — each one as unique and vibrant as they are!

It’s been a week full of curiosity, creativity, and growing knowledge — in every sense!

This Week In Reception (WB 12.05.25)

Date: 15th May 2025 @ 9:10am

This week in Reception, we've had a wonderful time exploring the story Oliver's Vegetables as part of our English learning. The children enjoyed discovering the different vegetables Oliver tried throughout the week. We used this as a fantastic opportunity to learn and practise the days of the week, helping the children to sequence the story in the correct order.

Using their growing phonics knowledge, the children each chose their favourite vegetable from the story, drew a lovely picture of it, and had a go at labelling their drawing independently – we were so proud of their fantastic sounding out!

In Maths, our focus was on grouping and sharing. The children had fun using real-life experiences to support their learning, especially when they shared out snack equally among their friends. We even tackled some trickier problems together, thinking about what we could do if the number of snacks couldn’t be shared fairly – lots of brilliant ideas and reasoning were shared.

It’s been a busy, hands-on week full of thinking, talking, and teamwork. Well done, Reception – we’re so proud of you all!

This week in Reception (WB 5.05.25)

Date: 8th May 2025 @ 11:16am

This Week in Reception: Exploring Seeds, Doubles, and Phonics!

This week in Reception has been full of excitement and learning, with activities that sparked creativity and strengthened our understanding of key concepts!

English: "The Tiny Seed" Comes to Life
In English, we dove into the story of The Tiny Seed. The children loved exploring the journey of the tiny seed as it grows into a beautiful flower. To bring the story to life, we used our bodies to create different scenes from the story. This was a fantastic way for the children to express their understanding through movement and imagination.

After acting out the story, we used our phonics knowledge to label the pictures we had created. The children showed great confidence as they applied their letter sounds to the words, developing both their reading and writing skills in an engaging way. It's wonderful to see how far they’ve come with their phonics!

Maths: Exploring Doubles
In maths, we've been focusing on the concept of doubles. The children had a lot of fun recognising doubles through games and activities. Whether using objects or pictures, they were able to identify that doubles mean the same number added to itself. The hands-on approach helped them grasp the idea while having fun with their classmates!

Science: Exploring Seeds in Fruits
In science, we explored the different types of seeds found inside fruits. The children had the chance to identify and compare seeds in fruits such as apples, oranges, and cucumbers. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to learn about the life cycle of plants and how seeds grow into new plants. They were fascinated by how many different types of seeds they could find, and it sparked lots of curious questions!

This week has been full of learning, movement, and discovery, and we are so proud of how much the children have achieved! We look forward to even more fun and exploration next week!

This Week In Reception (WB 28.04.25)

Date: 1st May 2025 @ 9:24am

This week in Reception, we’ve had a giant-sized adventure as we explored the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk! The children enjoyed retelling the story using props and puppets and used their growing phonics knowledge to describe both Jack and the Giant. We were so impressed with the fantastic adjectives they came up with – from “scared” and “brave” for Jack to “big” and “angry” for the Giant!

In Maths, we’ve been busy with numbers up to 20. The children practised putting numbers in the correct order and spotting when numbers were either out of sequence or even upside down! They showed great perseverance and teamwork while helping each other to correct mistakes and build confidence with number recognition.

Linking beautifully with our story, we also began learning about how plants grow. The children talked about what seeds need to thrive, such as water, sunlight, and soil. We’ve all planted our own beans and are now eagerly waiting to see if they grow into beanstalks as tall as Jack’s!

It’s been a fun and engaging week full of storytelling, number fun, and hands-on learning. We can’t wait to see what grows next – in the garden and in our learning!

This Week In Reception (WB 21.04.25)

Date: 24th Apr 2025 @ 11:09am

This week in Reception, we’ve been embracing all things springtime as part of our learning journey!

In English, we explored the beautiful story Fletcher and the Springtime Blossom. The children were fascinated by the changes that spring brings, especially the blossoming trees. We talked about what blossom is, and how trees begin to change as the weather gets warmer. The children then used their phonics knowledge brilliantly to describe a picture of a blossom tree – they came up with some fantastic descriptive words and sounded them out with increasing confidence!

In Maths, we’ve been going beyond 10 as we dive deeper into numbers. The children have been learning to recognise numerals and match them to quantities, using a range of resources and objects. We've had lots of fun counting, comparing groups and talking about which has more or fewer. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow with these larger numbers!

As part of our Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design, we’ve been learning more about the season of spring. We observed the blossom tree in our EYFS garden and talked about the signs of spring we could see all around us – from blooming flowers to buzzing bees. The children created some beautiful observational drawings of the blossom tree, really focusing on the colours, shapes and details.

It’s been a wonderful week of learning and discovery. We’re so proud of how engaged and curious the children have been – spring has definitely sprung in Reception!

This Week In Reception (WB 31.03.25)

Date: 4th Apr 2025 @ 9:57am

This week in Reception, we’ve been having an exciting and fun filled week.

In English, we explored the delightful story, We’re Going on an Egg Hunt. The children have been practicing retelling the story using key propositional language, such as "under," "behind," and "next to." They then used their creativity to draw pictures related to the story and applied their phonics knowledge to label their pictures, reinforcing both reading and writing skills.

In Maths, our focus has been on spatial reasoning, where the children used different shapes to create and explore various images. This activity helped to strengthen their understanding of shapes, position, and symmetry while developing their problem-solving skills.

In Understanding the World, we turned our attention to the beautiful daffodils that are blooming around us. The children carefully observed the flowers and created some wonderful observational art based on what they saw. We also learned about Easter and discussed why it is an important celebration for Christians. The children made Easter baskets, and to finish off the week with some fun, we had an egg hunt to celebrate!

It’s been a week filled with creativity, learning, and celebration. Have a lovely two weeks off, and we will see you after the holidays!

This Week In Reception (WB 24.03.25)

Date: 27th Mar 2025 @ 9:58am

In Reception this week, we've been busy exploring a range of exciting topics across English, Maths, and even special celebrations!

In English, we had a delightful time reading the book Monkey Puzzle. The children were introduced to various jungle animals, and they used sentence stems like "It has..." and "It is..." to describe the different creatures. It was a wonderful way for them to practice describing features and expand their vocabulary!

In Maths, we focused on spatial reasoning and the composition and decomposition of shapes. The children explored how small and large shapes, such as triangles and rectangles, can be combined using lolly sticks to create new shapes and objects, like houses. It was a fantastic way to enhance their understanding of shape properties and build their problem-solving skills.

We've also been learning about the jungle and the diverse animals that live there. This included fun activities and discussions around jungle life, sparking lots of curiosity and excitement!

In celebration of Mother's Day, the children made beautiful handmade cards to express their love and appreciation. They worked hard to create something special, and it was heartwarming to see their creativity shine.

Lastly, we explored the significance of Eid and took part in a fun baking activity, making delicious biscuits to celebrate.

What a fantastic week of learning in Reception! We're looking forward to more adventures next week!

This week in Reception (WB 17.03.25)

Date: 19th Mar 2025 @ 2:56pm

 

This week in Reception, the children have been busy exploring new concepts and developing their skills across a variety of subjects. Here's a glimpse of the exciting things we've been up to!

English: Exploring ‘Hattie Peck’

In English, we’ve been enjoying the story of Hattie Peck, a heartwarming tale about a determined little bird who goes on an adventure to find lost eggs. The children have been retelling parts of the story, creating their own drawings to illustrate scenes, and using their phonics knowledge to write simple sentences that describe their pictures. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for them to practice their writing skills and show their creativity.

Maths: Missing Numbers in Sequences

In Maths, our focus has been on number sequences. The children have been exploring number patterns and learning how to find and fill in missing numbers. Using Numicon pieces, they’ve been adding the missing numbers to complete different sequences. It’s been wonderful to see their problem-solving skills develop as they worked through the challenges!

Knowledge and Understanding: Learning About Eggs

In our Knowledge and Understanding lessons, the children have been learning about the fascinating world of eggs. We’ve explored different types of eggs and their unique characteristics, with the highlight of the week being the chance to hold a real ostrich egg! The children were amazed by its size and texture, and they had many questions about how it compares to other eggs. This hands-on experience sparked lots of curiosity and led to some wonderful discussions.

Exploring the World with David Attenborough

Finally, the children have been learning about the incredible work of Sir David Attenborough. They’ve been inspired by his passion for animals and his efforts to film them in their natural habitats for the world to see. The children were fascinated by the idea of animals living in the wild, and they enjoyed discussing their favorite animals and what makes them unique.

It’s been another fantastic week of learning in Reception, and we can’t wait to see what the next week brings!

This Week In Reception (WB 10.03.25)

Date: 13th Mar 2025 @ 10:44am

What an exciting week we’ve had in Reception! From storytelling to number games, and celebrating British Science Week, there’s been so much learning and fun to be had. Here's a little peek into what we've been up to:

In English, we explored the delightful story What The Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson. The children loved hearing the tale of the clever ladybird and her farmyard friends. They particularly enjoyed retelling their favourite parts of the story. Afterward, the children used their phonics knowledge to write simple sentences about their favourite moments. It was amazing to see how they applied their growing understanding of sounds and letters to create their own sentences. Their enthusiasm for storytelling continues to grow, and we can’t wait to see their confidence develop even further.

In Maths, we focused on ordering numbers to 10. The children had lots of fun during an activity where the cheeky kangaroo made some sneaky changes to the number line while they weren't looking! It created a fun challenge for the children to work together to put the number line back in the right order. Once the number line was restored, the children had a go at cutting out numbers from 1 to 10 and carefully sticking them in the correct order. It was a great way to practice number recognition and sequencing, and they all did brilliantly!

This week also coincided with British Science Week, and our Reception scientists had a wonderful time exploring how things can change and adapt. We learnt about the fascinating adaptations of sea creatures, discovering how different animals have special features that help them survive in their environments. The children were particularly excited to learn about how caterpillars change into butterflies, and we had some creative fun by making our own caterpillar chains to represent this amazing transformation.

To bring science to life, we also took part in some fun and active learning experiences. We did sea creature yoga, stretching and moving like various sea animals—what a fantastic way to get our bodies moving while learning! The children also had the chance to plant potatoes, which sparked plenty of excitement and curiosity about how things grow.

It’s been a week filled with imagination, teamwork, and exploration, and we’ve loved every minute of it. From writing stories to planting seeds, the children have shown such enthusiasm and curiosity, and we’re so proud of all their efforts.

We can’t wait for next week’s adventures!

 
 
 

This Week In Reception (WB 03.03.25)

Date: 6th Mar 2025 @ 10:20am

This week in Reception, we've had another exciting adventure as we continue to explore the theme of the farm! We started the week by reading the delightful book A Day at Greenhill Farm, which helped bring our recent trip to the farm to life. The children absolutely loved talking about their experiences, sharing all the wonderful sights, sounds, and animals they saw.

Each child picked their favourite part of the trip and expressed their thoughts through drawings and writing. It was fantastic to see how they used their imaginations, drawing their favourite moments and writing simple sentences to describe them.

In Maths, we continued to explore subtraction through hands-on activities. The children enjoyed using objects to help them understand that when we take away, the number gets smaller. These practical lessons really help bring maths concepts to life!

This week, we also explored the wonderful world of farm animals and their babies. The children learned about the different names of baby animals and had fun matching adult animals to their young ones.

On Wednesday, we celebrated World Book Day in style! The children came to school in their cosy pyjamas and shared their favourite books during Storytime. It was a lovely way to encourage a love of reading and storytelling in a fun and relaxed setting.

It’s been another busy and exciting week in Reception! We look forward to more learning and fun next week!

This week in Reception (WB 24.02.25)

Date: 27th Feb 2025 @ 4:38pm

As part of our exciting new topic, "Amazing Animals," our class recently embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Cockfield Farm. This trip served as the perfect WOW starter to launch our learning and offer the children hands-on experiences with a variety of animals. From riding on a tractor to meeting adorable baby animals, it was a day filled with discovery, fun, and learning.

Our journey began with a smooth ride on the coach, with everyone buzzing with excitement about the day ahead. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the friendly staff at Cockfield Farm, who guided us through a fun-packed itinerary, giving the children a chance to interact with the animals up close.

One of the highlights was riding on the back of a tractor! The children were thrilled as they climbed aboard and enjoyed a bumpy ride through the farm's scenic fields. It was a fantastic way to kickstart the adventure and get a closer look at the farm's layout.

Next, the children had the opportunity to meet and stroke some of the farm’s tiniest residents. The baby rabbits and chicks were an instant hit. With their soft fur and tiny, fluttering wings, the children couldn’t wait to gently hold them, learning about the care and needs of these young animals.

The excitement didn’t stop there. The children also had the chance to feed larger animals, such as goats, which were eager to munch on fresh vegetables. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to see the difference between smaller and larger animals, as well as learn about their different diets and habits.

As a sweet treat to round off the day, the children had the chance to enjoy a ride on a charming carousel. It was the perfect way to end our visit, with smiles all around as the children enjoyed the gentle spin.

Our trip to Cockfield Farm not only offered the children a fantastic opportunity to learn about different animals, but it also helped them to make real-world connections to our classroom learning. The experiences of the day will inspire and enrich our "Amazing Animals" topic, bringing the children’s learning to life.

We are incredibly grateful to the staff at Cockfield Farm for making our trip so enjoyable and educational. The memories of this exciting adventure will stay with the children for years to come, and we can’t wait to continue exploring the fascinating world of animals back in the classroom!

Stay tuned for more updates on our "Amazing Animals" topic!

This Week In Reception (WB 10.02.25)

Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 3:51pm

This week in Reception, we had so much fun reading My Granny Went to Market! We explored all the amazing places Granny visited and the wonderful things she bought. The children used their phonics skills to label pictures of the different items Granny bought along the way. In Maths, we continued practising practical addition, using objects to help us solve problems. We also learned about special places. The children discovered how the church is a special place for Christians and how the mosque is a special place for Muslims. It was a week full of exciting learning and new discoveries!

This Week In Reception (WB 03.02.25)

Date: 6th Feb 2025 @ 10:57am

This week in Reception, we embarked on a fascinating journey around the world! Our non-fiction book, Homes Around the World, introduced us to all sorts of exciting houses, from tree houses high up in the branches to icy igloos built from snow. The children were amazed by how different homes can be and used their creativity to imagine and draw their dream homes. Using their Little Wandle phonics knowledge, they also wrote a sentence about their dream home, showcasing their growing writing skills.

In Maths, we had hands-on fun with practical addition. Using classroom items like rubber dinosaurs and buttons, the children added different amounts together and then wrote their own number sentences. It was wonderful to see them use real objects to make sense of numbers!

In RE, we reflected on the places that are special to us. The children shared stories about the places they love and why they are important, helping them connect their own experiences to the world around them.

It’s been a week filled with learning, creativity, and fun—what a fantastic start to February!

This Week In Reception (WB 27.01.25)

Date: 29th Jan 2025 @ 3:48pm

This week in Reception, we had a fantastic time exploring the story The Great Race. The children loved learning about the animals that took part in the race and the reasons behind it. After listening to the story, the children chose their favourite animal to draw and write about, showing great creativity and enthusiasm! It was a wonderful opportunity to practice their fine motor skills while also thinking about the different characteristics of each animal.

In maths, we continued our work on number bonds to 10. The children have been using 10 frames to represent numbers and have been writing simple number sentences. They are making great progress in understanding the relationship between numbers and are becoming more confident with their addition skills.

We also celebrated Chinese New Year this week, diving into how it is celebrated around the world. The children loved exploring different aspects of the celebration, from learning about the Chinese zodiac animals to investigating the concept of area through play. They had so much fun using chopsticks to move pretend noodles, and it was a great way to develop their hand-eye coordination.

It's been a busy week full of learning and fun! The children are growing in confidence with their writing, maths skills, and understanding of different cultures. We can't wait to see what next week brings!

 
 
 
 

This Week In Reception (WB 20.01)

Date: 23rd Jan 2025 @ 9:36am

This week in Reception, we've had a fantastic time diving into a variety of fun learning activities! Our main story was Handa’s Hen—a beautiful tale set in Africa. We’ve been working hard to retell parts of the story, using our imagination and memory. Each child had the opportunity to draw their favourite part of the story, and we’ve loved seeing how everyone has interpreted the tale through their artwork!

In maths, we focused on number bonds to 10. We used Numicon to explore the different number partners that add up to 10, helping us visualize the connections between numbers. We also used an egg carton as a ten-frame to make learning even more hands-on and fun. The children enjoyed filling the spaces and figuring out which numbers make 10, improving both their counting and number recognition skills.

As part of our exploration of Handa’s Hen, we also took a journey to Africa! We talked about the different animals that live there, such as elephants, lions, and giraffes. We also discussed what we might need to wear and take to stay comfortable in such a hot country. To bring this theme to life, the children made beautiful African-inspired bracelets and necklaces, which they were very proud of.

It’s been another wonderful week of learning and creativity, and we can't wait to see what next week brings!

This Week In Reception (WB 13.01.25)

Date: 13th Jan 2025 @ 10:33am

What an exciting week we’ve had in Reception! Our learning was full of fun and creativity.

In English, we explored the story of Handa’s Hen. The children enjoyed reading the story and then worked together to create a story map. This helped us practice retelling the story with more detail and lbeing able to sequence a story in the right order. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged with the characters and events in the story.

In Maths, we focused on number bonds to 5. The children played a hands-on game where we put counters into a cup, tipped them out, and looked at how many different combinations could make 5. The children then wrote number sentences to match their findings—lots of great mathematical thinking!

In our topic work, we’ve been learning about cold countries. The children had a fantastic time imagining what it would be like to live in a cold country. We discussed the animals we might see there and what they might need to survive. To finish off our week, the children got creative and tried to make their own igloos using sugar cubes and ice cubes! It was a little messy, but such a fun way to learn about life in the Arctic.

It’s been another wonderful week of learning in Reception. We can’t wait to see what next week brings!

This Week In Reception (WB 06.01.25)

Date: 9th Jan 2025 @ 9:14am

A Snowy Week in Reception!

This week in Reception, we had a magical time exploring winter, learning through stories, and having fun with numbers!

We started the week with the enchanting story One Snowy Night, where we described Percy, the kind-hearted park keeper, and his snowy adventure. The children used their imagination to bring Percy to life through their words, sharing what they thought he might be feeling and doing and describing his apperance. 

In Maths, we focused on the composition of numbers to 5. The children had a blast playing games like the bean bag toss, where they counted how many bean bags they scored into the target. It was a fun way to practice counting and understand how numbers can be made up in different ways.

As the week progressed, we also looked at winter and the changes it brings. The children enjoyed learning about how animals adapt to the cold and what happens to nature during the winter months. It was a perfect opportunity to talk about snow and observe its magical transformation. We even got to experience the snow ourselves! The children were fascinated by what happens to snow when it warms up, and they enjoyed discussing it.

To keep warm after our snowy fun, we all enjoyed some hot chocolate or hot vimto – the perfect treat for a chilly winter's day!

What a wonderful week of learning and fun we’ve had!

This Week In Reception (WB 16.12.24)

Date: 17th Dec 2024 @ 4:40pm

Reception Class Christmas Fun!

What a festive and exciting time we've had in Reception this December! We've been busy learning and celebrating the season in so many wonderful ways.

In English, we used our creative skills to draw characters from the nativity story and even labelled them. It was a great way to explore the traditional Christmas tale and learn about the people and animals who were part of it.

In Maths, we focused on weight. The children explored and used balance scales to weigh various items in the class room like snowflakes. It was a fun way to apply our mathematical skills.

We also performed our Nativity play for family and friends! The children did an amazing job and everyone was so proud of their performances. It was a special moment that made us all feel the true spirit of Christmas.

Our festive activities didn't stop there – we made beautiful Christmas cards for our loved ones, sharing the joy of the season. And after all our hard work, we got to relax and enjoy a Christmas movie together, making it the perfect end to a wonderful term.

As we approach the holidays, we would like to take a moment to wish all our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope you all have a restful break and look forward to seeing the children refreshed and ready for the new year when school resumes.

See you in 2025!

Harmony Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL4 1RR

Mrs C Glynn - Principal

0161 260 0621

info@greenhill.theharmonytrust.org

Harmony Trust

Alderson Street, Oldham, Lancashire, OL9 6AQ

CEO: Antony Hughes

Chair of Trustees: Andrew McCully

0161 260 0482 (ext 15)

info@theharmonytrust.org

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