Welcome to the Autumn term in Reception!

Our topic this term is ‘What makes me happy’. The children have spent time exploring their new learning environment and we have discussed our classroom expectations, rules and routines. We will continue to learn about friendships, family and caring for others. The children will develop their social skills by playing co-operatively and responding appropriately to both adults and peers. They will be encouraged to look after their belongings.

This term the children are continuing to develop their reading and writing skills through our Read, Write Inc programme. Through class based and small group activities, children will show they can listen and respond appropriately and effectively with growing attention and concentration.

They will be encouraged to respond to more complex instructions and ask / answer a variety of questions. A love of reading will be developed through our book corners, daily stories and later in the term with home / school reading books. The children will use a variety of instruments to develop their letter formation with a range of materials. Emergent writing will be developed through role play activities and topic based work.

This term in maths the children will use the number names accurately, matching the symbol to the sound. They will count, read, write, compare and order numbers to 10 and above. They will explore number and concepts through day to day activities and play. They will listen and begin to use and respond to mathematical language and key vocabulary. The children will be encouraged to count forwards and backwards from a given number and be introduced to number bonds to 10.

They will use Numicon shapes and explore and investigate these in their play and structured activities. Children will recognise and name 2D shapes in their environment and play with shapes by making models and pictures. They will collect data and record their findings in a variety of ways. Through daily routines and activities they will become aware of the days of the week and positional language.

In other areas of the curriculum the children will develop their enquiry skills by exploring the inside and outside learning environment. They will get creative through art, craft, music and movement activities. They will celebrate festivals and traditions including Diwali and Christmas.

Children will begin to use incidental Welsh through our daily activities and Helpwr Heddiw sessions. Throughout this term we will be using incidental Welsh and will be encouraging children to use certain phrases and general greetings in Welsh eg diolch, croeso, bore da, prynhawn da, hwyl etc. We will introduce Welsh in a variety of ways through songs rhymes and stories.

Please ensure children’s water bottles have water in them and not squash. Bottles need to be clearly labelled with their names. PE will be on a Friday afternoon, children will need to wear their PE kit to school.