Reception
Welcome to Reception!
In Reception, the teacher is Mrs Guest and the teaching assistants are Mrs Harker and Miss Pilcher. Please find below a brief outline of the topics to be covered this year and our daily/weekly routines. We follow a two-year rolling programme of topics in the Foundation Stage and we plan our adult led learning around our current topics. We also respond to the interests of the children which means we may divert from our planned topics. The provision of activities in the areas of our Reception classroom aim to support the development of all areas of the Early Years curriculum and the specific needs of the children. We access learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors throughout the school year. Here is an overview of the topics to be covered over the coming year in Reception:
| Term | Topics Covered | Brief Outline |
| Autumn 1 | It’s Good to be Me! | We start the year by settling our children into Reception, making friends, learning about routines and establishing our Reception rules. In our first topic, “It’s Good to be Me!”, we focus on ourselves and our families. We learn about our bodies, naming the parts and their uses. We make a collage of our body and look closely at our features. We also look at the five senses and investigate how these are used. We talk about our different families and who lives in our homes. We learn about where we live and look at different styles of homes. We sequence the different stages of life as we think about how people change. The change of season is observed and we talk about, and celebrate, Harvest. Our children make music, dance and move to express their ideas and feelings. |
| Autumn 2 | Celebrations | In Autumn 2, we learn about different celebrations, their meaning and what people do to celebrate. Through creative activities and role play, we will learn about the special times of Diwali, Bonfire Night, Remembrance, Eid and Christmas. We talk about and experience, the significance of lights, food, clothing, gifts and ceremony in celebrations. Children are given opportunities to discuss the similarities and differences. We also learn, and use, new vocabulary linked to our topic and role-play our own celebrations. Our mark making and writing is based on recounts, cards, lists, invitations and letters. |
| Spring 1 | Yummy Scrummy in my Tummy | Our topic in Spring 1, is “Yummy Scrummy in my Tummy”. We will observe and record the seasonal changes and work on scientific experiments linked to these changes. Healthy living will be the focus and we will look at how we can have a healthy lifestyle. A range of artists will be explored and how they use food in their art work. We will learn about different fruits and vegetables and how these are produced. A range of stories will be shared around the topic. We will also look at food from other countries, including, India, China and France. |
| Spring 2 | Space | In Spring 2, Our Space topic is based around’ Knowledge and Understanding of the World’. We will look at our world, focusing on sea, land and sky. Comparisons will be made between a town and the countryside. A range of habitats will be looked at and which animals live there. We will look at the different planets and learn some simple space facts. There will think about daytime and night time and make comparisons. Art work will be completed with a focus on 3-D creations. We will also think about the ‘Easter’ celebration and reflect on the significant events. |
| Summer 1 | Traditional Tales | Our topic for summer 1 is “Traditional Tales”. This literacy based topic has a particular focus on creativity and personal development. A selection of classic stories including; The Enormous Turnip, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Princess and the Pea will be enjoyed. We read the stories and retell them through role-play, dance, songs and rhymes. Story structure, characters, settings and language are looked at. We learn a variety of traditional songs and rhymes. |
| Summer 2 | Minibeasts | In Summer 2, we learn about minibeasts. We will be looking at common mini-beasts, focusing on their features, habitats and diet. We will be creating a ‘Bug’s Hotel’ and make observations in the outdoor area. There will be opportunities for a bug hunt and children will be able to explore and make observations. A range of fiction and non-fiction books will be used and we will also create our own topic books. Opportunities will be given to experience working with clay and making mini-beast models. |
Home Learning:
Children will receive new home learning tasks on Friday and they will have until the following Thursday to complete them. Home learning tasks are often literacy or numeracy based, but will be gauged on children’s needs and next steps.
Phonics:
The children will be taught phonics and early reading using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme.
Reading:
Children will have the opportunity to select four, ‘Read With Me’ books to take home weekly and share with parents. They will also take a ‘Guided Reading’ book which will be matched to their phonic ability. These books will be sent home on a Friday and need to be returned the following Thursday. Please read with your child as often as possible at home and log onto ‘Boom Reader’ to record the books you have read together. Encourage your child to talk about the main events in the story, its setting and the main characters.
PE:
Our PE sessions are on a Monday. Children will need a school PE kit including trainers/plimsolls.
Water bottles and snack:
We encourage all children to bring in a water bottle to use throughout the day to ensure they have enough to drink and stay hydrated. School provide a piece of fresh fruit and milk, however children are welcome to bring in their own fruit in a labelled container if they wish.
Our current Reception cohort photo gallery
