Autumn Term 2011
Welcome to all.
Foundation Stage
Welcome all new children, parents and carers to Class 4 and Mawgan-in-Pydar School. Children in their Reception Year will follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum. We will be holding a meeting with all new parents very early in the Autumn Term to explain your child’s school day, their learning and answer any questions you may have.
Communication, Language and Literacy
During the first half of the Autumn Term, the children in Class 4 will be immersed in adventure stories. Two of our key texts will be ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen, and ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson. We will be reading and writing information texts and finally, studying poetry with a focus on the use of senses. Through reading, writing and drama, children will develop and build their reading and comprehension skills. Children will have plenty of opportunities to learn from and read a variety of texts. They will have daily teaching of phonics, learning of letter sounds and practice of their high frequency words.
During the second half of the term we will be reading and writing instructions for different purposes, then evaluating the success of our work. We will read popular stories and the children will work on their ability to recount sequences of events, then progress to write their own sequence of events. Finally the fun and joy of Christmas will involve plenty of singing, play scripts and drama!
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
The children will continue to follow the primary framework for teaching numeracy and problem solving, reasoning and number as a key element of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The first three weeks of the term will be focused on counting skills and understanding numbers through partitioning and calculating. We will then help to build the children’s knowledge of number by working on securing number facts. They will explore shape, both 2D and 3D through a variety of media, and begin to recognize an increasing number of shapes and some of their properties. Finally, they will have plenty of practical challenges when handling data and measuring. The children will be supported throughout their learning and challenged to work independently; regular assessment will ensure we monitor progress and help children.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World / Scientific Understanding
The children in Class 4 will start the term by investigating ‘light and dark’. Children will learn how there are different sources of light around us, light safety and an investigation into ‘brightness’. We will use ICT to find out information and record our work, using our wireless lap top computers in class. The children will have the opportunity to use both digital cameras and video cameras to capture images, and use animation software.
Physical development, health and wellbeing
The children in Class 4 will have regular PE lessons and learn about the importance of regular exercise alongside other aspects which contribute to being happy and healthy. They will have the opportunity to develop control and coordination skills, through games, sporting activities and dance. They will be learning about keeping safe, looking after themselves and others, and developing empathy and understanding skills.
Historical, geographical and social understanding
As part of our investigation into the area around our school we will use maps to visit our surroundings and ICT sources, such as digital photography, to record and present information. We will find out about homes long ago and compare these with modern ones. We will also be learning about roads, traffic and safety.
Creative Development
The children will have many opportunities to develop their enjoyment of the arts in a variety of different forms. Artistic experimentation and immersion is an essential part of everyday learning for young children; be it sculpting with clay, gluing and sequencing, 3D modeling or drawing and painting. Music and singing happens throughout the day in Class 4! Music is a wonderful way of helping young learners internalize and memorize. We will be learning about rhythm and interesting sounds using a variety of instruments such as synthesisers, computer software and percussion instruments. In DT, the children will be looking at different types of homes, particularly animal homes. We will collect and use our own materials to construct a shelter for a forest animal. Christmas time means plenty of music, art, dance and our class play!
Religious Education
The children will learn about other cultures, faiths and religions, developing their skills of empathy and understanding. This term we will have a particular focus on the Harvest Festival, Hinduism and Christmas.
