Spring 2: Week 6
This week in Reception, we have been enjoying our focus story Rabbits Don’t Lay Eggs! The children found the book rather comical and loved the funny ideas in it. We read statements from the story and played a true or false game to check our understanding. 
Maths
We explored sorting and classifying! They sorted objects by colour, size, or function and talked about what they noticed. We started with adult-led games like How am I sorting? before the children chose their own ways to sort.
Later in the week, we used our sorting skills with Numberblocks to explore even and odd numbers. The children investigated doubles and used building and gestures to help them see how numbers are made.
Poetry basket
This week’s poem is called A Little Seed.
We’ve been focussing on the words sow (plant by scattering or putting soil in) and shower (a short period of rain).
Summer 1
Next half-term, we’ll be exploring bugs and animals! The children will go on bug hunts, learn about the life cycle of butterflies, and design mini-beast hotels.
In Geography, we’ll find out where our favourite animals come from and compare their habitats to the UK. As artists, we’ll mix colours for camouflage and create animal landscapes for our small world play.
Finally…
I can’t believe we only have one more term together! You’ve all made tremendous progress this half-term, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved. I hope you have a happy, healthy, and restful break with your family and friends. Don’t forget to send some photos of what you get up to! I look forward to seeing you all back at school on Monday 20th April for the summer term!
Poetry Basket: Hungry birdies
This week’s poem is called Hungry Birdies.
We’ve been focussing on the words beak (a bird’s mouth) and spread (to open out).
Spring 2: Week 5
Visitors
Yesterday, we were very excited about our Teddy Bear Hospital workshop. Their interactive session helped promote healthy living while gently easing any worries about hospitals and doctors. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in activities, learning basic first aid, and discovering ways to keep themselves healthy.
Literacy
We continued to use the story map to retell Jack and the Beanstalk. We enjoyed using actions and, of course, prosody when retelling.
Click here to watch us.
Art
In art, we used tracing paper and templates of transport-related objects to create our own designs, inspired by Michael Craig-Martin. Here are some of our fantastic pieces of artwork.
Maths
This week, we developed our visualising skills by looking at arrangements of dots and describing what we could “see” in our minds. We practised subitising (recognising amounts without counting), helping us to understand equal groups.
Using practical resources and pictures, we explored dice patterns, finger numbers, and doubling numbers up to 10. We also used mathematical language to describe how objects were arranged, deepening our understanding.
Help at Home: Practise subitising and doubling
- Show your child dice or domino patterns. Ask: “Is this a double or not? How do you know?”
- Encourage your child to use their fingers to show the double.
- Can they make the double using small objects, like buttons, grapes, or toys?
Choosing time
In the early years, independent learning is a special and important part of your child’s day at school. We call this time choosing. During this time, children have the opportunity to follow their interests, explore different activities, and learn in their own way. They can create, make connections, share their ideas, and build confidence as they try new things.
Here’s a little snapshot of some of the wonderful independent learning that has taken place this week.
Poetry Basket: Spring Wind
This week’s poem is called Spring Wind.
We’ve been focussing on the words gruff (harsh, rough) and growly (a low, rough sound).
Enjoy the Comic Relief pyjama performance!
Happy new year!
One of our classmates is celebrating Iranian New Year today and brought in a healthy treat for the class to eat together. Thank you and happy new year!
Spring 2: Week 4
It’s been another busy and exciting week in Reception, and we’ve made the most of the lovely sunny spring weather.
We’ve been reading the traditional tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The children have really enjoyed getting to know the story, learning new vocabulary, and exploring prosody—especially when performing the Giant’s famous line:
“Fee fi fo fum!”
To help us become confident storytellers, we’ve been using a story map to support us in retelling the story in our own words.
On Tuesday, we planted our very own (magic!) beans. We discussed what plants need in order to grow, including water, sunlight, and care. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be observing our beans closely and recording any changes in our bean diaries.
We’re excited to watch them grow!
Art
We’ve been learning about this half-term’s featured artist, Michael Craig-Martin. He’s an artist who likes to draw everyday objects such as cups, chairs and shoes. The children explored how he uses bright colours and clear, bold lines to make his artwork stand out and look fun. We looked at lots of examples of his work and talked about what we could see and what we liked.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be creating our own artwork inspired by Michael Craig-Martin, using tissue paper, tracing paper and black pens.
Learning journey drop ins
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for one of the learning journey drop-in sessions next week. We’re looking forward to welcoming you into the classroom to look through your child’s books and share the fantastic progress they’ve made during their second term at school.
Help at home:
Celebrating your child’s reading: eBooks
We hope that you’re enjoying listening to your child read their eBook at home and that your child is enjoying celebrating their super reading skills!
At school, your child reads a physical book four times a week – with a focus on teaching phonics skills. This is then sent home as an eBook. The purpose of the eBook at home is to celebrate your child’s success (in phonics skills). Your child should be able to read most of this book confidently and really feel like a reader.
We’ve chosen to use eBooks at home for many benefits. Allocating eBooks frees up about two hours of teacher or TA time changing books – now spent teaching reading!
Here’s some information on how to access eBooks but if you’re having any problems please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Happy reading!
Poetry Basket: Pat-a-cake
This week our poem is well-known nursery rhyme, Pat-a-cake.
Two of the words we’ve been focussing on are to prick and plenty.
Spring 2: Week 3
This week, we continued exploring our transport theme by reading The Hundred Decker Bus by Mike Smith. After enjoying the story, we let our imaginations run wild and designed our very own Moortown bus!
Our ideas were fantastic: one deck had a dessert and a brownie bakery, another featured a deep swimming pool, and we even created a calm deck in case you wanted some quiet time.
Click here to see our amazing bus! We look forward to showing you our bus when you attend the next Learning Journey drop-ins.
Maths
This week, we explored ordinality – learning the positions of numbers up to 8. We used key language like “more than,” “less than,” and “equal to” to describe relationships between numbers, focusing on each number’s place in the counting sequence.
Help at Home: Play a game of ‘More or Fewer?’
- Make a set of number cards from 1 to 8.
- Gather a collection of small objects (e.g., buttons, toy cars, coins) and arrange them so your child can see them clearly.
- Turn over a number card.
- Ask your child: “Do you have more or fewer [objects] than this number?”
This simple game helps children practise comparing quantities and using the language of more than, fewer than, and equal to in a fun, hands-on way!
Home learning challenge
Recycled materials needed!
If you have any clean recycled materials at home, please consider sending them in for the children to use in our creative area.
Items that would be great include: cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, kitchen roll tubes, yoghurt pots, egg boxes, and other small packaging materials.
Please ensure all items are clean and safe for children to use.
Reminder
- Learning Journey Drop In’s
Tuesday 24th & Thursday 26th March – 3.15pm – 3.45pm
Reminder: Reception parent/carer survey
If you haven’t already and you’re a parent of a child in Reception, please complete this short survey. Thank you to those of you who have already completed the survey.
At Moortown Primary, we’re always trying to keep getting better and better. Your views help us to do that. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and you’ve got until Wednesday 18 March to complete. (If you’d like us to follow-up any of your responses with you, we can only do this if you leave your name.)
We can’t guarantee to meet the needs and wants of every parent / carer, but we do assure you that we consider all the points raised and aim to act on specific points that are raised by many, or a useful idea raised by just a few.
Previously, based on your feedback, for example, we alternated the days Stay and Learns were held – to give all parents an opportunity to attend.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey. We’re looking forward to reading your views.