Week ending 13th December 2024
For Enrichment week, we participated in a music workshop where we listened to and played African drums. We sang, drummed and listened very carefully to instructions to create some fantastic music. Some children were very brave and stood at the front of the class to show their whistling skills!
Later this week, Gateshead class went on a trip to the library. We started the session with a story about Norman the Slug and then took part in a mini treasure hunt around the library - the children loved this and had very good eyes! We finished our visit looking at some books and taking photographs in the photo booth. Mrs Richter and I were very impressed with how sensible the children were, they represented our school very well!
Week ending 6th December 2024
This week in English, we have been writing our Christmas lists! On Friday, we decorated our envelopes with some fantastic illustrations. The children's letters will be posted over the weekend. Hopefully, we might get a reply from Santa.
In maths, the children have been working hard at using positional language such as - under, above, next to, in front of and on top of. Later this week, we looked at the features of a map and why maps are very important. Using positional language, we created our own maps of where we live, so that Santa can deliver our presents in one piece!
Week ending 29th November 2024
This week, we have been practising songs for our Nativity and on Friday, we read "A Christmas Story", where we learned about the different characters who appear in the story - Mary, Joseph, Jesus, The Shepherds, The Three Wise Men...
The children drew and coloured in their own pictures from the story. Some children drew angels, The Three Wise Men, baby Jesus in a manger, shepherds - there were so many lovely drawings and it was clear that the children had retained the key events!
Week ending 22nd November 2024
One of our rotation activities this week was to test out different materials and see which were suitable for the roof of a house.
Firstly, we read 'The Three Little Pigs' and then made a prediction on which materials, (foil, fabric, plastic, cardboard and paper) would be suitable for a roof.
We then split into our key worker groups and tested out the materials using papers cups, pipettes and water. Gateshead class were fantastic at remaining sensible during our investigation.
At the end of our activity, we came back together and discussed our findings.
Another excellent week in Gateshead class.
Week ending 15th November 2024
This week in maths, Gateshead class have learned to find 'one more' than a number. The children took part in various activities and were able to explain using objects, how to find one more.
In English, we have started our new Talk4Writing project, based on 'The Little Green Dinosaur'. The children were able to retell the story using story actions and a story map - they have blown both mine and Mrs Richter's socks off!
A brilliant effort from all of Gateshead class this week - well done superstars!
Week ending 8th November 2024
A busy week in Gateshead class, but what a great start to the new half term!
This week, we have learned about Remembrance Day and how people pay their respects for remembering those who served our country. We looked at the meanings behind poppies and watched a short, animated clip from Cbeebies. The video showed a rabbit running through fields during the war and after the war - eventually reuniting with its family. The children then painted their own poppies using different materials - Mrs Richter and I were incredibly proud of the paintings they created!
In English, we have been learning about a poem called 'Mice'. The children have learned actions alongside the poem and later this week, they all recited the poem as a whole class - well done!
Week ending 25th October 2024
Another excellent effort from all of Gateshead class this week!
In English, the children have learned about Nocturnal and Diurnal animals in relation to our focus text - Owl Babies. On Monday, we looked at different animals and grouped them based on whether they were Nocturnal or Diurnal - Mrs Jude and I had very little input, they all did a fantastic job!
Later this week, we thought about what we might look like if we were an owl. The children were incredible at describing their owl features and attempting to label their portraits.
Week ending 18th October 2024
This week in maths, we have been learning about triangles and circles. The children set off on a walk around the school with both Mrs Priestly and Mrs Richter, where they were all looking for different circles and triangles - they did an amazing job!
On Friday, we learned about the importance of washing our hands. The children engaged in a little experiment to illustrate how easily germs are spread. We rubbed our hands together with glitter and glue, then touched our friends hands - this reinforced the importance of needing to wash our hands with soap and water.
Week ending 11th October 2024
This week in Gateshead class, we have looked at the text, 'The Gruffalo'.
The children were fantastic at creating their own 'terrible creatures', sequencing the story into three parts and recalling the terminology that Julia Donaldson uses to describe the Gruffalo.
In groups, they were also able to retell the story using story props - some children performed this to the whole class!
Great job Gateshead.
Week ending 4th October 2024
We have had another great week in Gateshead class! The children have continued to be resilient and hardworking in all of their lessons, which has made myself, Mrs Richter and Mrs Jude very proud!
This week in English, we looked at a poem called 'A Basket of Apples'. The children learned to recite the poem using actions and a story map. Towards the end of the week, both the Squirrels and the Owls made up their own poems based on 'A Basket of Leaves' - we then performed our poems to each other. Mrs Richter and I were blown away!
In our maths sessions, we have been focusing on repeating patterns. The children have been able to spot different patterns and have shown using manipulatives, their own repeating patterns.
On Friday, we took the children around our school grounds for an Autumnal walk - they did an excellent job in walking sensibly and listened carefully to instructions. The children were very good at spotting different objects from their spotter sheets - they were like nature detectives! We spotted and talked about different coloured leaves, types of insects, acorns, conkers and berries. It was lovely to see the children work together as a team - they are all super stars!
Week ending 27th September 2024
This week in maths, we have learnt about 'more than' and 'fewer than'. The children were introduced to their first pieces of work in their math's books - they did an amazing job!
In English, we have been learning about a book called 'Holey Moley', both the Owls and Squirrels made up a very good poem with Mrs Richter and I. Another busy but fantastic week!
Week ending 20th September 2024
Wow! What another fantastic week in Gateshead class. The children during their phonics sessions have been introduced to magnetic boards and have blown Mrs Richter and I away with how they have been able to form simple words - excellent!
On Friday, we talked about the different Zones of Regulation, the children were able to recall the different emotions alongside their colours. We played a little game at the end of our session to test our knowledge and the children did this brilliantly.
We are amazed at how the children are continuing to settle in and we can't wait for another week in Gateshead class!
Week ending 13th September 2024
This week we have had a fantastic week in Gateshead class. One of our favourite activities was the Music Workshop! The children really enjoyed the band and loved the Disney songs - some children were also excited to be picked to join the band.
Mrs Richter and I are so proud of how the children have settled into Gateshead class in their first full week.
Week ending Friday 6th September 2024
What a fabulous first week we have had in Reception!
We have been amazed at how well the children have settled in and in particular, how inquisitive and engaged they have been in their play and with each other.
We can't wait for a busy, busy year.
Please keep checking the class website pages for your weekly update.