Term - Summer 1

What a Wonderful World!

Splish Splosh

This topic teaches children about the global community to which they belong and explores how living things, communities and climates differ around the world.

We will also be teaching the children about water, including floating and sinking and why it is important for living things to stay hydrated.

Through our topic work this term we will be learning …….

• Maths - We are teaching the children how to use a 10's frame and the notion of '5 and a bit' making numbers up to 10. We are also exploring part part whole methods, understanding that 7 is made up of 5 and 2. 
• Phonics – We are starting our phase 4 phonics block. We still are revisiting phase 2 and 3 phonemes at the start of each lesson too. 
• Write Stuff – Our write stuff unit books are ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ and ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’. 
• PE – We are preparing for a sports day by developing our athletic skills in javelin, shot put, seated throw, hurdles, sack race and egg and spoon. 
• PSHE (Personal Social Health Emotional) - Growing up great; we are learning about ‘Money matters’ and ‘being me’
• History - Past and present; we are learning about figures from the past and focusing on Charles Darwin.
• Science and Geography - Understanding the world; we are learning about climates, maps, animals from around the world, floating and sinking and keeping plants alive.  
• RE - People and communities; special places for worshipers
• Art, Music and Design Technology - Expressive arts and design; in DT we are learning about sculptures through junk modelling and in music we are working our way through the Charanga block ‘Big Bear Funk!’

• Forest School - Plants

• what plants to grow
• preparing vegetable beds
• planting seeds
• looking after plants

Kind regards,

Foundation Team: Mrs Anderson, Mrs Whitelaw and Miss Moseley

Term - Spring 2

Land of the Dinosaurs

Over the Rainbow

This exciting topic teaches children about the different animals that roamed Earth millions of years ago and how they are related to animals that live on Earth today. We are teaching the children about the weather that happens during spring and allow them to explore natural phenomena, including rainbows. It supports them to explore colour in the natural world.

Through our topic work this term we will be learning …….

Maths – We are learning about composition, subitisng, counting, cardinality and ordinality. We are also learning about length and comparing objects and materials.

Phonics – We are finishing off the phase 3 mastery block to consolidate our knowledge before we learn phase 4 in the summer term.

Write Stuff – We finishing off our unit on ‘Lost and Found’ where we have been writing about the friendship between the boy and the penguin. We are also going to start learning about the book ‘Handa’s Surprise’ which will focus on different cultures from around the world.

Poetry – we will be learning a poem called ‘Dinosaur, Dinosaur’ and performing this in one of our assemblies.

PE – Agility, balance and coordination. We are using the PE cards ‘Underwater explorer’.

PSHE (Personal Social Health Emotional) - Growing up great; we are learning about drug education and diversity.

History - Past and present; we are learning about prehistoric dinosaurs and seasonal changes.

Science and Geography - Understanding the world; we are learning about carnivores and herbivores, volcanoes and waterproof materials.

RE - People and communities; which people are special to you and why?

Term - Spring 1

Twinkly Night

Winter Explorers 

This topic explores the differences in the world at night compared to during the day. It teaches children about the importance of a good night’s sleep, and helps them to discover what is happening in the world while they are sleeping, including finding out about nocturnal animals.

It also teaches children about the changes that happen during winter, including the types of weather associated with winter. It also explores places that have snow all year round and the types of animals that live there.

Through our topic work this term we will be learning …….

Maths – We are learning about composition, comparison, counting, cardinality and ordinality. We are also learning about repeating patterns.

Phonics – We are working in the phase 3 mastery block where we are revisiting phase 3 graphemes.

Write Stuff – We are learning about the non-fiction text ‘penguins’ and writing penguin facts. We are also going to be using the text ‘Lost and found’ to write about the feelings of the characters.

PE – Agility, balance and coordination. We are using the PE cards ‘If I went down to the woods today’.

PSHE (Personal Social Health Emotional) - Growing up great; we are learning about being healthy, safe and responsible.

History - Past and present; we are learning about the first voyage to the moon, space and changes in weather.

Science and Geography - Understanding the world; we are learning about Antarctic and Arctic animals, maps and globes, nocturnal animals, animal features, winter, freezing and melting.

RE - People and communities; what is special about our world?

Art, Music and Design Technology - Expressive arts and design; in art we are learning to draw, in DT we are learning about mechanisms and in music we are working our way through the Charanga block ‘Everyone!’’

Kind regards,

Foundation Team: Mrs Anderson, Mrs Whitelaw and Miss Moseley

Term - Autumn 2

Marvellous Me and My Community

Kings and Queens

This topic teaches children about being helpful, kind and thoughtful at home and at school. It also teaches children how they are unique and special, the importance of friendship and how people in their family, school and local community are important and can help them. Our topic also teaches children about the celebrations that take place during the autumn and winter seasons, and focus on the significance and symbolism of light at this time of year. We will also be learning about kings and queens from the past to the present and comparing fictional kings and queens and real ones.

Maths – We are learning about counting, ordinality cardinality. We are also learning about 2D shapes.

Phonics – We are finishing the phase 2 section (learning single letters) and starting new graphemes (such as ch, th, sh, ai)  and common exception words in phase 3.

Write Stuff – We are learning about the fiction text ‘Ruby’s Worry’ and ‘On Sudden Hill’. There will be lots of drama, talk about emotions, learning new vocabulary and we will begin to start writing simple sentences.

PE – Agility, balance and coordination. We are using the PE cards ‘Zoom to the Moon’.

PSHE (Personal Social Health Emotional) - Growing up great; we are learning about healthy relationships and bullying. We are also discussing different job roles and inviting parents in to talk about their job. In school we will be learning about the emergency services.

History - Past and present; we are learning about kings and queens.

Science and Geography - Understanding the world; we are learning about leaves, living and non-living things and wild and woodlands animals  

RE – What times are special and why – learning about Diwali and the Christmas story

Art, Music and Design Technology - Expressive arts and design; in art we are learning to paint, in DT we are learning about mechanisms making a sliding santa card and in music we are working our way through the Charanga block ‘My Stories!

A Big Warm Welcome To Portway!

Term - Autumn 1

Baseline

This half term we will be settling the children into their new class. We will be supporting the children to make new friends and feel safe and secure with us. It is so exciting learning new things about each other and observing the children play and interact with each other. Adults in class will prioritise speaking and listening, social skills, self-regulation and rules. We want our children and their families to build a safe and trusting relationship with us because working together supports the growth and development of our children.  

We will be conducting a Reception Baseline Assessment (please see further information about this below). Alongside this statutory assessment we will be observing play and interactions across the foundation stage curriculum which will form your child's starting points for our teaching. 

Phonics: We will begin teaching phonics in week 3 of the school year. We will begin with phase 2 of our phonics scheme Unlocking Letters and Sounds. We start with 4 phonemes s a t p. You will receive weekly videos from the teacher which will help you support your child at home. 

Maths: The children will engage with activities that will draw their attention to counting. To find out 'how many' there are. We will be subitising to find out how many there are in a set. The children will explore how all sorts of things can be counted, including sounds. Singing counting rhymes will give them the opportunity to hear, join in and learn about the counting sequence. 

We look forward to supporting you and your child as you start your new learning journey in foundation.