This half term Acorns explored two topics, Starry Night and Winter Wonderland. We continued to develop our phonics knowledge, consolidating the sounds we learnt in phase 2 whilst also learning new sounds in phase 3. We then used this new knowledge to help us in our literacy lessons as we began to write sentences and captions for a purpose. In our maths lessons, we looked at capacity, length and height and developing our understanding of numbers to 10, including 0. In our understanding of the world lessons we explored the night, from how we sleep best to what animals are active during the night-time, learning key words such as nocturnal. We also looked at space, finding out about planets, the solar system and understanding gravity. In our Expressive Art and Design lessons, we explored new media such as pastels to help us create our own space pictures and we found out about different ways to combine materials together as part of our Art showcase entry. In our Personal, Social and Emotional Development lessons we continued to develop our skills to help us be supportive friends, understanding the impact our words and actions have on others. We had lots of opportunities to work as a team whilst also finding out how to support each other. In music lessons we continued to develop our understanding of rhythm, learning to play instruments to music and giving our opinions of different music styles. We also spent lots of time exploring ice, both understanding how and when it occurs, what it looks like when painted on and how to melt it in the fastest way.

During this half term Acorns continued to develop their phonics knowledge recapping phase 2 sounds and recognising the key words linked to this phase before moving onto phase 3. They have begun to read in pairs or small groups too, tracking each other as they read. In literacy lessons the children have been sounding out cvc words and they shared lots of Christmas related stories towards the end of the half term. In maths lessons, they explored more and less in number, looking at time and developing spacial awareness. In the understanding of the world lessons the children explored different cultures noticing the similarities and differences. The children also thought about ways they can show respect and remember those who gave their lives for us during the war with a visit to our local war memorial. In music lessons the children learnt about rhythm and rhyme alongside learning the nativity songs. 

In December the children have been busy making festive crafts to decorate the classroom using different tools and techniques as well as making their own pieces of pottery. As part of on-going PSED work the children explored how other people’s feelings and actions affect their own emotions and looking at how they can help each other to maintain positive relationships. 

During this first half term we had a significant focus on settling the children into the school and the routines that run alongside this. The classroom and outdoor space is divided into different areas and the activities in these areas changed weekly to build on objectives across the curriculum. In literacy we focused on sharing stories, listening for initial sounds, rhyming and developing our mark making. In maths we looked at patterns, number recognition and counting objects. During our ‘Me and My Community’ topic we also explored families and looking at similarities and differences, knowing how we change as we age and identified what makes a good friend. In music we joined in with songs and explored how to make music using our bodies. In our Understanding the World lessons the children explored different people who help us, learning about different communities and learning about some seasonal changes. This first half term we also sent home library books and picture books with the children to enable them to share stories with you. In school we focused on getting the children to identify rhyme in stories and to make predictions to show they have listened to and understood the story so far. We encouraged them to listen out for sounds at the start or ends of words, perhaps for example that are the same as in their names. We also started phase 2 sounds in our phonics lessons and have begun to read simple cvc words. A great start to the new school year, well done Acorns!