Week Ending Friday 15th November 2024
This week was World Kindness Week and it was World Kindness Day on Wednesday. The whole school thought about kindness this week. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
On Friday, we spent some time finding out about the charity called Children in Need and how this charity can help us to be kind to others. The children really enjoyed wearing non-uniform on Friday and taking part in some Pudsey related activities such as decorating spotty biscuits for snack!
Thank you for helping us to raise some money for Children in Need.
Week Ending Friday 8th November 2024
Newcastle have had a great start to the new half term. Well done everyone!
We have had a week of learning about different special days:- Diwali, Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day!
In English we have been learning a poem about Mice. Some of the children were able to stand up and recite the poem to the whole class - amazing!
Week Ending Friday 25th October 2024
This morning we covered a PSHE activity from the NSPCC called 'PANTS'.
During these discussions, we taught the children important safety skills without giving explicit information or telling scary stories.
We looked at the NSPCC’s Underwear Rule, using the ‘PANTS’ acrostic, like a green cross code. PANTS stands for:
• Privates are private
• Always remember your body belongs to you
• No means no
• Talk about secrets that upset you
• Speak up, someone can help
The session introduced a range of ideas, all delivered in a fully age-appropriate way.
If you would like to know more about the NSPCC’s campaign and see how you can help keep your children safe in partnership with school, more information can be found at:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/
Week Ending Friday 18th October 2024
This week in PE we have continued with ball skills. The children worked with a partner to practice accurate rolling, throwing, and catching.
In maths, following on from our study of the numbers 1,2 and 3; we have looked at shapes with sides of 1 and 3. The children learned the names and basic properties of circles and triangles. We paid particular attention to how triangles can look different depending on their type and orientation, but they are all still triangles.
To gain a greater understanding of shapes in the environment, the children went on a shape-spotting walk all around the school.
Week Ending Friday 11th October 2024
In English this week our text was The Gruffalo.
We introduced describing words (adjectives) to complete a character description of The Gruffalo.
We also talked about story structures; a beginning, middle, and end.
We used images from the story to order & verbally retell the story.
Finally, on Friday, the children worked in small groups to retell the story with puppets.
What an amazing job they did. See if your child can remember & re-tell you any parts of the story this weekend.
Week Ending Friday 5th October 2024
This week we have explored 'Autumn'.
For a couple of weeks, we have been talking about the change in season in our morning Information Station Sessions. The children are beginning to learn the days of the week, months of the year and notice changes in the weather each day.
On Friday, we read the lovely book 'The Leaf Thief' by Alice Hemming. In the story, Squirrel is very puzzled that 'his' leaves keep disappearing. His friend Bird explains that it is Autumn and the leaves are falling out of the trees. It is the wind that keeps making them look like they are disappearing.
We then used a spotter sheet to look for signs of Autumn in our school grounds and set off for a lovely sunny, cold walk. The children loved exploring and found lots of lovely yellow, brown, red, and orange leaves, red berries, blackberries, and conkers.
Week Ending Friday 27th September 2024
This week Newcastle class blew me away with their maturity and teamwork during PE. We played games to practice moving in a space and stopping and starting safely. In the games, there were times when the children had to be 'on' or were tagged 'out'. The children were mature, cheering on their teammates and taking turns throughout.
We have also loved our English text 'Holey Moley' by Bethan Clarke. This was one of the lovely new books that we got from our Seven Stories 'Hooks into Books' pack. The book was hilarious and formed an excellent base on which to explore rhyme with the children. By the end of the week, the children were able to produce their class rhyming poems.
In maths, we looked at the vocabulary of 'more', 'fewer', and 'the same as' when comparing groups of objects. Specifically, using the language of 'fewer' for comparing countable sets of objects. For example, I have fewer bears than you. 'Less than' should be used when comparing numbers or measures, for example 'this jug holds less than that bucket.' or 'one is less than 3'.
Week Ending 20th September 2024
Another busy week with lots of 'firsts' for our Reception classes.
Week two of phonics and the children are already blowing us away. We have introduced magnetic letters in our phonics lessons for the children to begin to make, blend, and read words. Their hard work is paying off and lots of the children are beginning to be able to hear the sounds in simple words.
The children have also enjoyed finding all of the activities in the provision that link with that day's sound...o o o octopus, g g g g glitter, p p p pirate paper plate anyone?!
Keep up the good work Newcastle class.
Week Ending Friday 13th September 2024
Welcome to Newcastle class!
What a fabulous first week we have had in our new Reception classes!
In the children's first full week, they have managed to pack in so much; they have begun daily phonics and maths lessons, getting to know each other circle games, PE lessons, and lots and lots of time to play and explore their new classrooms.
Please keep an eye on our class website page for a weekly update of what we get up to in Newcastle class.
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.