Printing allows us to practise a different skill and see a different end result. The children have loved lifting their leaves to see the pattern underneath.
Measuring
We have been learning to understand what heavier and lighter means by comparing objects in a balance.
“It’s gone down, it’s heavier.”
“Mine went up and up because hers had more and more water.”
“They are both the same, they are balancing.”
We have also been using the language of size to problem solve – 5 Different boxes, 5 Different animals – which animal should go in each box? And what happens when another animal appears… which box should it go in?
”It’s too long, you’ve got to curl it up.”
”It’s too big for this one, it rattles around.”
”It won’t shut, I need a bigger box.”
”It won’t fit because the box is too small.”
Look how much our handwriting is improving!
We practise handwriting in three different groups and it’s a real delight to see how much everyone is improving.
We are readers!
Look at us learning to blend sounds together to read words. In Read Write Inc we have a frog called Fred and he can only speak in sounds, so we say ‘Fred talk, read the word.’
Measuring
We have been learning vocabulary associated with height and on Wednesday we learnt how to use cubes to measure the height of objects. I was really impressed with the children’s mathematical language, counting and comparing and reasoning skills whilst they were exploring.
“Its ears are sticking up so it’s taller, it’s three – not two! (Cubes).”
“I think it’s going to be fewer because it’s shorter.”
“Giraffe is taller because it’s got more cubes.”
“It’s the same! Look they’re both the same – that’s three and that’s three! I bet the dinosaur will be two though cos it’s not as big.”
Watercolour painting
This morning the children have been learning to use watercolour paints. They have been exploring the range of colours and learning how to stroke the tablets of paint to get a good colour.
Watch out for wolves!!!!!!
We have been learning how to make a wolf using different resources and shapes. I think the finished ones look brilliant!
In group time we have been learning about healthy food and today we were making choices about the food we would take to grandma to help her feel better. We chose lots of healthy food, but we also chose ‘treat foods’ because we all know how these foods can brighten our spirits! Independently, we then carried out the activity and made good choices about what to take in the basket.
Little Red Riding Hood maps
We’ve talked about the path and forest in Little Red Riding Hood so today we’ve learnt about maps – why we use maps and different kinds of maps. This group of children are drawing picture maps to show Red Riding Hood’s journey. The drawing prompted lots of geographical vocabulary, such as, path, cottage, house, chimney, forest.
Group Time
Twice a week we split into three groups for ‘group time.’ This is where we practise some important skills, such as, sitting still, listening to others, developing the confidence to speak in a group and taking turns. Each group time follows a familiar structure but the main activity changes. Today we were playing a game to build memory, but other times we may learn rhythm or create a song, or develop our understanding of kindness, or sharing. We use the time to develop all skills whilst having fun!
Blending to read
Learning to blend sounds together to read is one of the trickiest skills to grasp in Reception class. We practise every day. Children learn individual sounds then learn to put sounds together to read and write eg, s-a-t then we blend the sounds to read ‘sat’. Children needs lots of practise at blending sounds together so when you are driving, walking, in the bath etc. practise this skill by saying short segmented words and see if your child can say the word. Try these:
c-a-t
m-u-m
p-a-n
f-u-n
l-e-g
There are many short words like these you can practise. Good luck!
