Willow

Maths Games

Have a look at the addition and subtraction section of the website.  You can set the sliders to change the level of difficulty.  Have a go!

The Big Number Song

Although children are not expected to count beyond 20 at this stage, we are talking about numbers beyond 20 as they always love the idea of 'really big numbers'.  We have been enjoying the following song:

Active Planet

As we go into the last half-term of this academic year, we will continue to think about the world around us.  We have been thinking about seeds, plants and growing and our sunflowers are starting to grow.  After half-term, we will check and measure them to see how much they have grown.

We will also now start to think about 'mini beasts' and look at the insects and arachnids around us.  To get us started, Farmlink will be visiting us on Monday the 3rd June.  

As you will see from the photos below, we are enjoying learning outside and we are now able to use the school field more regularly for our PE.  We will soon start to prepare for sports day.

I hope that you all have a lovely relaxing break.  We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed on Monday 3rd June.

Apologies!

In Miss Amor's absence, Mrs Curry failed to get the Weekend Books into book bags.  The templates for the riddle competition and the maths are therefore attached below.  Books will come home on Monday.

                   Our last week before Easter

We have been busy, enjoying learning in the sunshine.  We also looked for and matched coins of different values (in the rice tray) and looked to see how our science experiment was progressing (the coloured water was gradually drawn up the celery stems).  The children were interested to see the brightly colour-dyed leaves

The SPACE

Just before the Easter break, we enjoyed a visit by students from 'The SPACE' (The Somerset Performing Arts Centre for Education).  The children thoroughly enjoyed a performance by the students and  they then took part in a series of fun activities.

         World Book Day and a visit from SASP

We had a very busy week, during which we enjoyed World Book Day.  Well done everyone for joining in so enthusiastically! There were so many wonderful costumes and the children enjoyed sharing books with older children during the day.  We also hosted Dan from SASP (Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership), who showed us lots of ways to keep active in fun ways.  We tried exercises to improve balance and strengthen core muscles.

Welcome back everyone!

I hope that everyone had a restful half-term.  The children have settled back into routines quickly and have been pleased to see friends after the break.  

To complete our work on Handa's Surprise, we have revisited the story and we are basing our guided writing around retelling the story. There is a link below if your child would like to look at Handa's Surprise again. Upon completion of this, we will be looking at seeds, bulbs and growing plants, linked to the Eric Carle story The Tiny Seed.

In maths, we have looked at measuring height and length.  We ordered  three people or objects and we used comparative language to explain the  relationship between people/ objects. I.e, tallest/ longest, taller than/ longer than, shortest/ shorter than.  We then used blocks or cubes as non-standard units to measure each of our three objects and record the height/ length as a number of bricks/ cubes.  This is a precursor to using centimetres.

We have used a website with an interactive 100 square to give context to the numbers which we are currently using.  The children like it as numbers can be 'splatted' in different colours. I have attached the link below if your child would like to access it at home.

Week Commencing 4th February

So far this week, we have been thinking about 3D shapes and learning the names of common, regular 3D shapes.  Below, you will find the link for the song which the children have enjoyed in class.  We have also been playing 'shape shop', which is where we have to try to describe 3D shapes using mathematical words like 'faces' and 'edges' (some photos below).

We have shared the story of Handa's surprise using a knitted story sack.  The children enjoyed this!

We have also been continuing to think about how Chinese New Year is celebrated.  Each child should be bringing how a good luck Chinese dragon very soon!

Whodunnit?

As part of this term's topic - Whodunnit?- Willow class have been sharing the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker.  We have shared several versions of this traditional tale and we have started to develop independent writing skills in respect of the text.  The children have enjoyed this story, therefore I attach a YouTube link to one of the versions which we have enjoyed in class.

To keep the learning fresh, we will now be thinking about Handa's Surprise and we will be thinking about which of the naughty animals took Handa's fruit.

You will see from the photos below that we have been exploring in class.  We have been looking at magnets (and building with them) and we are also starting to undertake winter related science investigations.  We have initially started by thinking about how animals stay warm.

Wanted!

If you have any old Christmas cards which you are throwing out, Mrs Curry would be grateful to receive them!

Many thanks!

Behavioural Expectations

For your information, I now attach an outline of the behaviour expected of our children as they move through Reception class and on into Key stage 1.  This should be read in conjunction with the school's behaviour policy.  

As the children progress through Willow class, they will be supported and guided towards meeting the level of behaviour expected.  This is a gradual and ongoing process.  Please speak to Mrs Curry if you have any questions.

Eggs In Willow Class!

Dani from Farmlink came in on Wednesday to candle our incubating eggs.  The children were very interested in the process and are looking forward to having chicks in the class.

Alongside the incubator, we have started a science experiment alongside the incubator and we are watching to see the effects of leaving raw eggs in vinegar.  We will check the progress of our submerged eggs this week!

The children were interested to see what had happened to our eggs which had been submerged in vinegar for about 10 days.  They had become rubbery to touch and if careful, we were able to make them bounce! (Photos below!)

As you will see from the photos below, the children have been busy in a range of other activities as well.  I have added links below for the 2D shape songs which we have been enjoying.

Welcome back!

I hope that everyone had a wonderfully relaxing break.  The children have settled back into routines very sensibly, despite the weather!  

Farmlink have brought in an incubator and eggs and Dani will come back to 'candle' the eggs (check that the eggs will hatch into chicks) next week.  Some of the children are already excited about the prospect of having chicks in the class!

We have also been learning about Diwali and using our road safety knowledge in using the balance bikes. 

The end of a busy half-term!

The children are now familiar and comfortable with the routines of Willow class and are in need of a rest.

 In the final days of the half-term, we have been thinking about melting and we have experimented with where ice melts more quickly/ slowly.  We have been careful to use the word 'melt' and the children knew that ice was still water (in a different state).  They were interested to observe changes and they watched the bowls carefully.

Two special visitors to Willow Class

On Monday, we welcomed Dani from Farmlink to Willow class.  She talked to the children about where animals live and they learned a new word - 'habitat'.  We thought about the conditions which animals live in order to survive and hopefully thrive.  They also thought about things which we could all do to ensure that animal habitats are preserved.

On Tuesday, Paul from Somerset Road Safety talked to the children about being safe when we cross the road.  The children listened brilliantly and I expect that you have all been told that there are 4 things to think about when you cross the road!  Stop, Look, Listen and Think!

I hope that your child enjoyed the 'freebies', but please keep them at home.  I am sure that you can appreciate that one ruler/snap band looks very much like another, so it may be difficult to return these items to the correct child if they are brought into school and they become muddled with other children's belongings or misplaced.  Thank you!

PE: to speed up our changing times (half an hour to change 29 children on Thursday!), please encourage your child to become as independent as possible when they are changing.  We will of course help if they are very stuck, but with 29 children, it takes 3 adults quite some time!  Thank you!

PE - Moving to music

To improve movement skills (and for fun), we have been using assorted materials (e.g. pompoms and scarves) and moving creatively in different ways to music.  We have been thinking about preparing our body for exercise and cooling down after completing PE.  The children had lots of fun!

You will also see that we have started to set them some reading, writing and number challenges in class.

Our first week staying for lunches!

Everyone has settled well into the additional element of school life.  The adults have all been very impressed with how sensibly everyone has eaten their lunch and with the good manners on display.  Well done everyone!

We have continued to learn and start to blend sounds this week and in maths we have been matching numerals to Numicon tiles.  Each coloured tile has a set number of holes, which we have carefully counted and then matched to the correct number.  You will see from the photos below that the children are also enjoying their Friday music session with Mrs Amos.

Welcome to Willow Class!

Our new class of 29 children have all settled well into Willow class and they are starting to become familiar and comfortable with the classroom and class routines.  New friendships are also starting to develop!

In line with our school policy, we aim to communicate and share as much information as possible with you electronically.  I will add photos showing what we have been doing in class, alongside a (short) narrative outlining activities and possible learning activities for you to try at home.

To support and engage learning, we often use short songs/ clips which we have found that the children enjoy.  These will be added to the webpage and I will tell children that parents/ carers can access them at home.  For example, for finger strength (and fun) we have a short dough gym activity which we will be using regularly to get children ready for writing.  You will find the YouTube link below if you would like to try it at home.

Phonics

On Monday, we will start to teach the children the first 5 sounds from the Read Write Inc phonics programme and each child will start to bring home sound sheets to practice at home.  Any additional minutes which can be spent practising sounds and correct letter formation is very helpful to consolidate what is done in class.

Permission Slips

It is essential that we have ALL slips returned as soon as possible please.  In particular, we need to know about allergies and any care issues (e.g inhalers).  

I am unable to add ANY photos to our class page until I am certain that all of the children pictured are permitted to appear.

Your prompt response would be much appreciated!

Week ending 14th September

This week, we have been learning our first 5 sounds: m, a, s, d and t.  

Every child has a practise sheet for these, so that they can become more familiar with writing them.  We have also been practising counting to 10 and becoming familiar with writing these numbers.

Below, you will find some photos of what your children have been doing during free-flow activities.

PRIME

To develop a lifelong love of learning and valuable life skills, we aim to support every child to develop a positive learning and life approach.  As part of this, you will increasingly become aware of the characteristics of PRIME. 

Nelson (our school mascot) accompanies and illustrates each strand of this.  

I attach a 'poster' to identify each of the characteristics of PRIME which we will be aiming to develop in every child during their time at Ruishton school.  Please see below.