Our Learning

Summer 1 – Week 4 – The Gingerbread Man

This week the children have continued reading the story 'The Gingerbread Man.' The children were able to talk about different parts of the story. What happens in the beginning, middle and end of the Gingerbread Man? We created a story map to help us recall different parts of the story.

For our Maths learning this week we have learning about complex patterns. Complex patterns would contain two different aspects, for example red, blue. The second aspect would be repeated twice, so the pattern would be red, blue, blue. AAB patterns would be, for example, red, red, blue. Can you complete this complex pattern?

rat     rat      hen     rat      rat     hen      rat      ?

This week we have performed in our very own talent show… ‘St Matthews Got Talent’ where the children have used the gingerbread man song to create their own dance performance!

Next week we are reading the story ‘Shhh!’ and for our maths learning we are looking at subitising. Don’t forget you can come dressed in white, blue or red to celebrate the Queens Jubilee on Thursday!

Summer 1 – Week 3 – The Gingerbread Man

This week the children have enjoyed reading the story 'The Gingerbread Man.' The children have talked about their favourite part of the story and created a wanted poster to help find where the Gingerbread Man could be! Have you seen the Gingerbread Man? 

For our Maths learning this week we have learning about repeating patterns. We have used different colour counters, teddy bears as well as loose parts to help us talk about what we can see? What comes next in the pattern? Can you complete my pattern? Read the word and think about what comes next?

dog     cat     dog     cat     dog     ?

We had lots of fun on our Wonderland Telford trip! The children were able to talk about the traditional homes and name the characters within the stories. We especially enjoyed the caterpillar ride that we went on it 3 times!

Next week we are continuing looking at the story 'The Gingerbread Man' and repeating patterns with a twist! 

Summer 1 – Week 2 – The Gruffalo

This week the children have continued reading the story ‘The Gruffalo.’ The children have talked about their favourite part of the story and worked collaboratively to create a story map.

For our Maths learning this week we have recapped the names of 3D shapes. We have been describing 3D shapes. Can you describe these shapes to an adult or sibling at home?

We have had lots of fun making Gruffalo cupcakes! The children have been writing their own set of instructions to follow to make a cake. We then used cake pens to decorate a cupcake and of course we ate them!

Next week we will be looking at repeating patterns and one of our favourite traditional tales....The gingerbread Man! 

Summer 1 – Week 1 – The Gruffalo

This week the children have enjoyed reading a new story ‘The Gruffalo.’ The children have enjoyed retelling this story! We have used our best acting skills to help us remember what happens in the deep dark wood.

For our Maths learning this week we have recapped the names of 2D shapes. We have talked about the properties of 2D shapes. We have also identified that some shapes can have other shapes within it such as two triangles can make a square and so on! Can you remember what shape we made when we placed two squares together?

This week the children have been learning about mini-beasts. We have explored our outdoor environment and created our very own mini-beast hunt!

Let’s play a game! I’m going to describe a mini-beast and see if you can guess what it is?

• I am long with 6 legs, I will turn into another mini-beast. I was born from an egg. What am I?
• I carry my home with me. I don’t have legs. I leave a slimy trail. What am I?
• I am very busy! I am stripey and I make honey. What am I?
• I have no legs. I like to burrow. I like to wriggle around. What am I?
• I lay eggs on plants. I have 4 wings. I came from a cocoon. What am I?

Spring 2 – Week 6 – On the Way Home

This week the children have ordered pictures from the story ‘On the Way Home.’ They have talked about what happens in the beginning, middle and end of the story. We have also been working super hard to write sentences about the story.

For our Maths learning we have been learning all about measuring. We have made predictions of how many cubes we think our object may weigh? We have been measuring the weight of different objects using cubes and weighing scales.

Children have been lucky enough to watch a fantastic performance from Key Stage 2. The children talked about the performance and what did they like about it. The children then enjoyed making up their own dance performance.

From all the staff in Reception we hope that you have a fantastic Easter holiday break and we look forward to seeing you all back on

Monday 25^th April.

Spring 2 – Week 5 – On the Way Home

This week the children have enjoyed reading a new story ‘On the Way Home.’ In the story, Clare has a bad knee. She tells her friends and mom different stories about what happened to her knee. Can you tell your grown up what did Clare say she did to her bad knee?

For our Maths learning this week we have explored capacity. We have been learning new vocabulary such as full, empty, half full, half empty, nearly full, nearly empty to help us talk about how much water are in cups/containers/bowls and so on.

This week the children have been learning about how different countries say hello. We have used a song to help us remember this and the children love it! Can you sing the song at home?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbkoMBDvO3k

Next week we will be continue reading a story ‘On the Way Home.’ and for Maths we are comparing weight.

Spring 2 – Week 4 – The Tiger Who Came to Tea

This week the children have ordered pictures from the story ‘The Tiger who Came to Tea.’ They have talked about what happens in the beginning, middle and end of the story. We have also been working super hard to write captions for a picture.

For our Maths learning we have been learning all about measuring. We have been measuring the height of different objects using cubes and rulers. We have also been busy measuring the distance of our friends standing apart from each other using a meter stick and trundle wheel to help us.

Continuing with our topic for ‘Around the World’ the children have thoroughly enjoyed ‘show and tell’, a time spent to showcase the children’s fantastic houses they have made.

Next week we will be reading a new story ‘On the Way Home’ and for our Maths learning our focus is capacity.

Spring 2 – Week 3 – The Tiger Who Came to Tea

This week the children have enjoyed reading the story ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea.’ We have talked about what happens in the story. How we might feel if a tiger came to our home or school? We have been busy making lots of different tiger recipes so that the tiger doesn’t take our school dinners!

For our Maths learning we have continued learning about number bonds to 10. We have used a part whole model, tens frame and numicon to help us make 10. Can you think of two numbers that make 10?

Continuing with our topic for ‘Around the World’ the children have made different homes using junk modelling and paint. We have made caravans, flats, apartments and even tree houses!

Next week we will be continue reading a story ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ and for Maths we are comparing weight and length.

Spring 2 – Week 2 – Handa’s Surprise

This week the children have continued reading the story ‘Handa’s Surprise.’ We have ordered pictures from the story and talked about what happens in the beginning, middle and end.

Can you retell the story to your grown-ups or siblings?

For our Maths learning this week we have been looking at the number 10 and number bonds to 10. We have used a number bonds song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch7KzI3n2Zk to help us. 

Continuing with our topic for ‘Around the World’ the children have enjoyed looking at different pictures of the variety of homes. Can you recall different homes that you have live in? 

Next week we will be reading a new story ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ and for Maths we will continue with number bonds to 10. 

Spring 2 – Week 1 – Handa’s Surprise

This week the children have enjoyed reading a new story ‘Handa’s Surprise.’ In the story Handa carries seven delicious fruit in her basket. Can you name any of the fruits? GO!

For our Maths learning this week we have explored the composition of numbers to 10. We have been using cubes to make models and talked about the different coloured cubes we used and how many there are altogether.

This week the children have been learning about different food from around the world. We have been naming different foods and talking about where it comes from. Can you sort the following foods? Are they from China, France, Germany or India?

• Spring rolls
• Dumplings
• Crepes
• Vada
• Bratwurst
• Rogan Josh
• Schnitzel

Next week we will continue looking at the story ‘Handa’s Surprise’ and for Maths we will be exploring the number 10. How we can make 10? How we can show 10? Can we write the number 10?

Spring 1 – Week 7 – Old McDonald Had a Farm

This week the children have enjoyed reading ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm’ We used this story to help us identify the different animals we saw at the farm! We also talked about the environment at the farm. What we could see, hear, feel, smell and taste? 

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at adding. The children used several objects to represent 2 numbers. We then pushed the objects together to see how many they are altogether. Can you repeat this at home? Can you write a number sentence?

This week the children have been talking all about their farm trip. How we are safe whilst at a farm and did we see any animals with their young? Can you tell your grown ups or siblings what animals did you see? What are the names of their young?

We hope that you all have a great half term break and we look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 28^th February.

Spring 1 – Week 6 – Farmer Duck

This week the children have continued reading ‘Farmer Duck.’ We have been talking the different animals you can find at the farm and the names of their young.

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at the number 9, to be able to: 

- recognise the number 9, we used the numberblock 9 to help us!

- write the number 9.

- recognise the value of 9 using numicon, our fingers and much more!

This week the children have been learning all about minibeasts. The children were able to name different minibeast and talk about what they look like, where might you find them and what they eat.

Next week we will look at a new story ‘Old McDonald had a Farm’ and for Maths we will be adding. We are super excited for our farm trip on Tuesday!

Spring 1 – Week 5 – Farmer Duck

This week the children have reading ‘Farmer Duck.’ We have talked about all the jobs that the lazy farmer gives the duck whilst working on the farm. Can you remember one of the duck’s jobs?

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at the number 8, to be able to: 

- recognise the number 8, we used the numberblock 8 to help us!

- write the number 8.

- recognise the value of 8 using numicon, our fingers and much more!

This week the children have particularly enjoyed planting cress seeds. We have talked about what cress needs in order for it to grow. The children have learnt how to make a cress sandwich and although not all of us enjoyed the taste, we gave it a try!

Next week we will look continue looking at the story ‘Farmer Duck’ and for Maths we will be exploring the number 9. How we can make 9? How we can show 9? Can we write the number 9?

Spring 1 – Week 4 – Oliver’s Vegetables

This week the children have continued reading ‘Oliver’s Vegetables.’ We have talked about how vegetables are good for our health and why it is important to eat them. Can you explain to your grown up or sibling why vegetables are good for you?

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at the number 7, to be able to: 

- recognise the number 7, we used the numberblock 7 to help us!

- write the number 7.

- recognise the value of 7 using numicon, our fingers and much more!

The children have thoroughly enjoyed watching the chicks grow. Sadly, we have said goodbye to our chicks although we are very excited to see them again at the farm! We sang the chicks a song to say goodbye. Can you remember the chick song?

Next week we will look at a new story ‘Farmer Duck’ and for Maths we will be exploring the number 8. How we can make 8? How we can show 8? Can we write the number 8?

Spring 1 – Week 3 – Oliver’s Vegetables

This week the children have been reading ‘Oliver’s Vegetables’. A story about a grandpa who likes to grow his own vegetable patch and a stubborn Oliver who only likes to eat chips! But then soon changes his mind and eats lots of different vegetables. Can you remember what vegetables Oliver likes to eat in the story? Can you remember what Grandma and Grandpa make with the vegetables?

For our Maths learning, we have been focusing on combining groups. We have been representing numbers to 10 using numcion and a part whole model. We have also used loose parts such as lollipop sticks and stones to make groups of 5 and 10. We have them put them together to see how many we have in total. 

We have continued looking at maps and the children have been learning to recognise different symbols on a map and drawing their own map from home to school.

We have had some very exciting visitors this week! The chicks have hatched and the children have enjoyed observing them. Can you remember where the chicks have come from? 

Next week we will continue looking at the story ‘Oliver’s Vegetables’ and for Maths we will be exploring the number 7. How we can make 7? How we can show 7? Can we write the number 7?

Spring 1 - Week 2 - Rosie's Walk

This week the children have continued reading ‘Rosie’s Walk’. The children have worked really hard to recall key vocabulary from the story and know the meaning behind new words such as a haycock and yard. Can you remember any other key words that are in the story?

For our Maths learning, we have focused on 3D shapes…cube, cone, cylinder, sphere, pyramid, cuboid. The children have worked very hard to not only name the 3D shapes but to talk about if they have any faces and edges. Can you describe one of the 3D shapes to a grown up or sibling?

The children have also enjoyed looking at maps. We have used google maps to find any more information about our community! The children were amazed to find their house/apartment on there too! We had so much fun looking at maps we have decided to learn more about maps next week!

Also, next week we will be reading a new story ‘Oliver’s Vegetables’. For Maths, we are going to be focusing on number and using different methods to make a number such as part whole model and numicon.

Spring 1 - Week 1 - Rosie's Walk

The children have amazed us with how fantastic they have settled back into routine. This week the children have enjoyed reading ‘Rosie’s Walk’. A story about Rosie the Hen going for a walk around a farm bypassing several farm animals. We have used the story to help us remember names of animals you may find on the farm. Can you name 3 farm animals? Can you talk about where they live? What noises they make?

For our Maths learning, we have focused on 2D shapes. The children have worked very hard to not only name the 2D shapes but to talk about if they have any corners and curved or straight sides. 

The children have also enjoyed sharing with their friends and teachers what they have been up to at home during their holidays. It has been great to hear all of the exciting things they have been up to!

Next week we will continue looking at the story ‘Rosie’s Walk' and for Maths we will be exploring 3D shapes.

Autumn 2 - Week 4 - We're Going on a Leaf Hunt 

This week we have continued learning about the story 'We're going on a leaf hunt'. The children have enjoyed looking at the different settings such as mountains, waterfalls, lakes and forests within the story and talking about how we could travel through them. We talked about what we could see? hear? smell? taste?

The children have worked very hard to show the actions for positional language. Can you encourage the children to show each action for: in, on, under, behind, next to, in front. 

Can the children use the correct language within a sentence. For example, my mom is sitting on a chair. 

We have had lots of fun looking at the story 'We're going on a bear hunt' and enjoyed applying our positional language actions to retell the story. 

Next week we will be learning about the story 'The Very Helpful Hedgehog'. Can you find out any interesting facts about hedgehogs? What do you think the story is going to be all about? 

Autumn 2 - Week 3 - We're Going on a Leaf Hunt 

This week the children have enjoyed reading 'We're Going on a Leaf Hunt'. The children have been learning to retell the story by talking about the different places the children in the story have visited on their leaf hunt such as mountains, a forest, waterfall and even a lake! Also, the children have began to recognise different trees in the story such as a maple and birch tree. Can you remember the names of the other trees in the story? 

For our Maths learning, we have focused on positional language. The children have worked very hard to remember each of the actions for on, in, under, beside/next to, behind. We used the story to help us with our Maths learning, the children in the story did not go under or over the different places but went through them!

We have had a very exciting week being able to come to school in odd socks to promote Anti Bullying Week. The children had lots of fun showing off their odd socks and we enjoyed reading the story 'Simon Socks'.

But the fun didn't stop there! The children have enjoyed coming to school in their own clothes to support 'Children In Need'. Not only have the children talked about Pudsey Bear but most importantly, discussed what is Children In Need? 

Thank you parents and carers at home for donating to 'Children in Need'. 

Next week we will continue looking at the story 'We're Going on a Leaf Hunt' and positional language. Can you practise the actions for in, under, on, beside/next to, behind at home? 

Autumn 2 - Week 2 - Owl Babies

For Literacy we enjoyed continue reading the story 'Owl Babies'. The children could use the pictures to retell the story and answer and how and why questions about the story such as: 

Why is the owl in the tree?

How do you think the owls are feeling in the story?

Why are the owl's sad? 

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at the number 5, to: 

- recognise the number 5, we used the numberblock 5 to help us!

- write the number 5.

- recognise the value of 5 using numicon, our fingers and much more!

This week we enjoyed drawing pictures of owls and talked about the marks we have made! The children enjoyed finding out different facts about owls such as being able to turn their heads the whole way round! 

Autumn 2 - Week 1 - Owl Babies

For Literacy we looked at the front cover of the story 'Owl Babies'.  We made predictions of what we thought the story could be all about? We then read the story and talked about different parts of the story. 

For our Maths learning this week we have looked at the number 4, to: 

- recognise the number 4, we used the numberblock 4 to help us!

- write the number 4.

- recognise the value of 4 using numicon, our fingers and much more!

This week we enjoyed exploring our outdoor environment, looking for different coloured leaves and talking about where the leaves may have come from? The children shared their fantastic ideas and could recognise that leaves falling from the tress are a sign of Autumn.