Spring Term

Our Spring Topics -

Superheroes

In Spring 1, our topic is 'Superheroes'. This term the Evil Pea causes havoc in the Reception classes. It turns out that peas are frozen for a very good reason!!

Marvelous Books

In Spring 2, our topic is 'Marvelous Books'. Using a variety of carefully chosen and beautifully illustrated books we explore 'Growth Mindset'.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) -

In PSED this term we are focusing on the children continuing to gain confidence when talking to others about their own interests and ideas.

We encourage the children to form their own opinions and to attend to and take account of the opinions of their peers.

Through our key texts we develop the children's ability to describe themselves and their abilities in positive terms. We place great emphasis on learning the 'magic' of mistakes and how being a 'have a go' hero helps us to grow.

The children develop an understanding of how their own actions affect others and how all behaviour has consequences.

Physical Development -

In PD this term we are focusing on travelling with confidence and skill. Our array of climbing equipment and large outdoor area helps teach the children to negotiate space and travel round obstacles successfully.

Our fine motor skills are just as important, so we are continuing to focus on the children's pencil grips and their ability to handle tools such as scissors, tweezers and paintbrushes. To remind the children how to hold their pencils correctly using a tripod grip, we use the nip-flip-grip method.

Communication and Language -

This term we are continuing to enjoy listening to both our favourite books and new texts. We enjoy talking together about the features of each story, anticipating key events and developing an understanding of the main characters and story plot.

We will also be working on developing the children's ability to question using the key questioning language of who, what, where, when and why.

Literacy -

Phonics is the basis of reading and writing in the Early Years. In line with the whole school, we follow the Read Write Inc scheme.

In the Spring term, we recap our Set 1 sounds and begin to explore Set 2 sounds. We read and write simple words by blending and segmenting and work towards reading and writing simple sentences.

The children are provided with a wide range of opportunities to motivate them to read and write independently in both the classrooms and outdoor area.

Maths -

In number, we continue to be detectives with 1-10. We explore each number consolidating our knowledge so far e.g. one more/one less, number bonds, odds evens etc. We begin to estimate how many objects are in a group and compare amounts using the language of 'fewer' and 'more'.

In line with the whole school, we follow the approach of concrete - pictorial - abstract.

Concrete -

We always begin our number detective work using physical resources. These range from numicon and multilink to beads and conkers.

Pictorial -

Once we have mastered number using manipulatives, we move onto representing our findings by mark making. The children use drawings to explain their findings.

Abstract -

Finally, when the children are able to record in a way they can interpret and explain, we move onto the abstract. This is where we begin to write calculations e.g. 5+4=9.

In our numerical patterns and shape work we are exploring 2d and 3d shapes and using correct (very rather grown up) mathematical language when describing them! We are also beginning to explore measurement through length, weight and capacity. We are enjoying using shapes and objects to create and recreate patterns and build models.

RE

In RE we follow the Come and See Scheme of work. Our topics for this term are:

Celebrating - We learn how the churches' celebrations are community occasions. On Sundays our parish families gather together. This is a time where we remember how much there is to celebrate in our lives. We enjoy role playing the story of when Mary and Joseph visited the temple with Jesus.

Gathering - Here we explore how the Eucharist is a sign of God's love in our lives. We share memories, love and thanks as we celebrate the life of Jesus.

Growing - In this topic we look at how we can grow more like Jesus. We discover how Lent is a time when we prepare for the celebration of Easter.

Understanding the World -

In Understanding the World this term we will be discussing past and present events in both our own lives and the lives of family and friends. We will be exploring Chinese New Year and enjoying talking about how different festivals are celebrated around the world.

Throughout the term, we will continue to discuss our individual talents and how we are all enjoy different interests.

We will be using our senses to explore the world around us, comparing our immediate environment with those further away.

Expressive Arts and Design -

Children continue to use a wide range of media to plan and create. They construct with a purpose in mind and begin to adapt their ideas, changing their designs where necessary. With increasing confidence they select the correct tools and techniques needed to shape, assemble and join the materials they are using.

Through story telling, music, dance and drama the children enjoy role playing together and begin to develop and act out a narrative in their play.

Music with Mrs Kolendo

Through a variety of songs and listening material, the children will be exploring how both the weather and animals can be described in music.

They will discover how their voices can create contrasting dynamics (loud /quiet) when singing songs to create an effect in music.

The children will also explore how to create these contrasting dynamics through control of how instruments are played.

Listening material such as ‘Carnival of the Animals’ by Camille Saint Saens will help the children to develop their imagination into identifying fast /slow tempo, contrasting dynamics and how different sounds can conjure up pictures.

Report abuse