We have very much enjoyed welcoming back the Reception children to Squirrels’ Corner for the start of the Spring Term. We have especially enjoyed the opportunity to hear about their magical Christmas experiences. The children have settled back into the routine of school with ease and are enjoying our new class topic about space.
Catkin’s theme for the Spring Term is ‘Invent, Explore Discover’
Blast Off
Our current class read is ‘Whatever Next!’ by Jill Murphy. The children have been exploring storytelling and structure through story mapping. They have researched and built their own junk model rockets, wrote shopping lists and will also be busy preparing ‘space’ rock cakes in preparation for a picnic on the moon with Baby Bear.
Later this half term, we will be focusing on the text ‘Astro Girl’ by Ken Wilson-Max. We will be using this text to think and talk confidently about responses to a book, using prediction, asking questions, and also by making connections with their own experience. We will be exploring meanings conveyed in the illustrations. We will also be writing for meaning and purpose in a variety of narrative and non-narrative forms, using critical thinking, storytelling and role play to deepen our understanding of the world through this fictional text.
Intrepid Explorers
In the second half of the Spring Term the children in Reception will be reading ‘Blue Penguin’ by Petr Horáček. They will use the text to explore themes of identity and belonging through story telling, art, drama and letter writing. They will also be learning about Captain Scott of the Antarctic and his famous expeditions.
Later in the term our class text will be 'Handa's Surprise' by Eileen Browne. The children will use this second text to compare and contrast the two continents of Africa and Antarctica. They will be comparing and contrasting climate, culture, animals, plant life and geography.
Read Write Inc
This term we will be continuing with our daily phonics sessions. We will be focusing on reviewing our set 1 speed sounds and the special friends [sh, ch, th, qu, ng and nk]. We will also be continuing with oral blending through daily Fred Talk games and activities. The home reading books sent home twice weekly will be linked to the sounds we are working on in class. This is a great opportunity for you to practice these sounds at home with your child.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to catch me on the playground at the end of the school day.
With best wishes, Mrs Merrett