This half term we will be exploring historical figures and non-fiction characters through the unit of ‘Kings and Queens’.  

 Literacy 

We will read stories and non-fiction books linked to our theme ‘King and Queens’, looking at King Charles and fictional characters. We will have opportunities for children to engage to conversations, comparing the characters. We will discuss the books we read and learn new vocabulary.   

Some of our key texts are: 

In fine motor sessions, we will continue to develop motor muscle control needed for using scissors, pencils and paintbrushes etc. We will be focusing on practising the correct letter formation using the formation phrases. 

In our writing, we will be applying the previously learnt graphemes and continuing to work hard to use the correct pencil grip. There will also be lots of opportunities in our continuous provision for writing sentences using the known high frequency words. 

Phonics 

Through the ‘Little Wandle Phonics’ lessons we will continue to consolidate our phase 4 phonic knowledge to read longer words and continue to practise our letter formation. We are continuing to blend for reading, segment for spelling and will be practising our tricky words. Keep up your reading and writing at home! It really helps.  The content that we will be learning this term is:

Reception Reading Flyer

Maths

We will be continuing to use the Early Years Numbersense Maths Programme to continue build on the key skills of subitising, manipulating, and partitioning of numbers to 10.  We will be using a variety of resources such as tens frames, pebbles etc for organising counting to gain a deep understanding of number.   

We will be also exploring measures through comparing size, mass and capacity. Children will have opportunities to talk about measures and use a variety of vocabulary to describe objects, exploring how containers look when full and empty. Through our daily ‘Let’s Practise’ sessions, children will be able to apply their knowledge to discover ‘this holds the most’ and ‘this holds the least’ to explain what they notice about capacity. 

Other Areas of the Curriculum

Physical Development 

In PE sessions we will be continuing to develop fundamental movement skills.  We will be learning to develop and apply their ball skills with a partner whilst using racquets. Children will be working towards applying their skills in team games and relays.  

Personal, Social and Emotional Development 

Jigsaw 

In the Jigsaw sessions this half term, we will be working on the unit ‘Changing Me’, and how to cope positively with change. We will look at how everyone is unique and special and think about how we might feel when change happens. We will talk about who they could talk to if they are worried about change and look to the new exciting times ahead as they transition to Year 1. Children will have the opportunity to reflect on their favourite moments in Reception and share these.  

Expressive Arts and Design 

In Music this term, Reception will be learning about rhythm. Our basis for this will be the book ‘Tanka, Tanka Skunk’ by Steve Webb. We will be exploring body percussion and using untuned instruments to learn and create rhythms. How exciting! 

We will also be using tools and techniques to be creative with junk modelling, making exciting castles!  

Understanding the World 

In this unit we will be finding out about King Charles. We will be looking at some of the things he has done in his life and compare images of special events. Children will have opportunities to comment on images from the past and talk about what they notice.