Welcome to Reception!

Class teacher: Mrs Harriott        Teaching Assistants: Ms Green, Mrs Dunning & Mrs Carroll

Welcome to Reception’s page where you can find out about all the exciting things that happen on a daily basis and across the school year.

In Reception, we create a stimulating environment that allows the children to become nurturing, resilient, curious and independent learners. Personal, emotional and social development is at the heart of our learning and we strive to inspire a love of learning that will continue throughout their time at Moss Hey and beyond. The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework sets out the standards for learning, development and care for our Reception children:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c024cb8c6d992f23edd79c/Early_years_foundation_stage_statutory_framework_-_for_group_and_school-based_providers.pdf.pdf

We have a different theme each half term:

Autumn 1 – All about me!

Autumn 2 - Celebrations

Spring 1 – Once Upon a Time

Spring 2 - Let it Grow

Summer 1 - Let's Explore - the UK and Beyond!

Summer 2 - Our Wonderful World

Timetable

Here is an idea of a typical day in Reception

• 8.40 - 8.50am Funky Fingers
• Phonics - ELS
• Writing whole class input - Drawing Club 
• Snack and chat 
• Continuous Provision learning time and writing groups 
• Maths - White Rose 
• Lunch 
• Handwriting - Nelson 
• Carpet teach covering our half termly theme 
• Continuous Provision learning time 
• Daily class story
• 3.20pm End of day

Phonics

Early reading skills are taught through building up the children's understanding of phonics and harder to read words.  We use Essential Letters and Sounds as our phonics scheme to support children with learning to read ( see attached link).

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/essential-letters-and-sounds/ 

Reading

To give our children the best start on their reading journey, children will bring home a phonically decodable book which will be in-line with our phonics scheme each week. They need to read this every day with you for a short amount of time. Children will have the same book for a week so they have opportuntiy to re-read it across the week to build up their confidence in word reading,  fluency,  understanding and enjoyment. Please write a comment in their accompanying  reading record so we know you have heard your child read and get in touch if you have any questions or concerns . Please send in the reading books and  reading record in their book bags every day as we will read with the children throughout the week on a rotational basis.We will change all reading books on a Friday. 

Handwriting 

Fine motor skill development will start with  large movements and 'heavy work' games such as rolling tyres, writing whilst on our tummies , big painting and chalking on the playground. We will hone our pincer grip and muscle develpment  through 'funky fingers' activities such as threading, using tweezers to move pins, pin board games and play dough. When the children are ready, we will move to handwriting lessons where the children will learn to write each letter of the alphabet and each number using a tripod grip and using the correct formation. 

Mathematics

We will have a short , practical and fun whole class maths lesson four times a week to explore concepts such as counting, adding, subtraction, finding patterns, shapes and more. There is a strong focus on developing the language of maths and securing  early conceptual understanding.  

Buddies

Each Reception child will be buddied up with a Year 6 child to support them with their transition and to develop their confidence around the school. Year 6 will have lunch with their buddy and read with them each week. There will be many opportunities throughout the year for the children to play and work with their buddies.

Mystery Reader

Parents, relatives and carers are invited to surprise the children by being a Mystery Reader in our classroom. They are asked to send in three clues about themselves, but their true identity is not revealed until they arrive at school to read to the class. Readers are asked to bring a book to share with the children.

Interest time

Every Monday we will have Interest Time. Children can either bring something in or send a photo via Dojo to talk about to the rest of the class. The aim of the session is to develop the children’s self-confidence and listening skills as well as their speech and language.

Homework

Please read with your child every single day and write a comment in the reading record. There will also be a phonics sheet sent home weekly with the sounds taught that week. Please practise the letter formation and the words and sentences in the exercise book provided.

Class Dojo and communication 

Class Dojo is an app which will connect us and with you for daily communication .We will post regular photos on Class Dojo to show you what we have been up to during our school day and you can also use this app for messaging. Mrs Harriott also will be available for any queries, questions or just to touch base every day at drop off in the mornings and pick up in the afternoons. 

If you have any questions, please don't hestiate to get in touch.

Many thanks for your support.

Mrs Harriott