Phonics
We have begun Phase 4 of the ‘Letters and Sounds’ phonics programme. In this phase children will use the phonemes learnt in Phase 2 and Phase 3 to read and spell words with four phonemes.
Children will continue to practise previously learned graphemes and phonemes and learn how to read and write:
CVCC words: tent, damp, toast, chimp
For example, in the word ‘toast’, t = consonant, oa = vowel, s = consonant, t = consonant
CCVC words: swim, plum, sport, cream, spoon
For example, in the word ‘cream’, c = consonant, r = consonant, ea = vowel, m = consonant
They will be learning more tricky words and continuing to read and write sentences together.
Tricky words
said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, there, little, one, when, out, what
Don’t forget our Phonics Mornings this week.
Living and Learning: manners
Our manners focus this week, in Living and Learning, is all about covering our mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
You’re just about to sneeze or cough but, oh dear, you don’t have a tissue. What should you do? Cover your mouth and nose with your hands? Surely that’s what polite people do.
But hold it! If you sneeze or cough into your hands (and then fail to wash your hands straight away), you’ll only be spreading colds and flu germs on everything you touch.
And that’s because germs (as long as they stay moist) can live for HOURS on hard surfaces such as tables, phones and door handles. And not just on objects – everybody you touch will be contaminated, too.
And of course, vice versa – if somebody else has sneezed or coughed on their hands, they’re leaving a germ-trail for you to pick up.
So what’s it best to do?
Here it is in action.
World Book Day themed menu
Catering Agency, our school meal provider, will be running a special themed menu on Thursday 5th March. Please contact the office, in the next few days, if your child would like a school dinner on this day (no action needed if your child normally has a school meal on this day).
New school dinner menu
Our new spring/summer school meal menu, starting after February half term, is now available on our Meals page. It continues to follow a three week cycle.
The menu has been created in liaison with Catering Leeds to ensure it meets the School Food Standards. We have also incorporated feedback from our school cook, pupils and parents/carers. We will continue to offer a meat free day every week. This will be every Tuesday.
Pupils will continue to make their daily food choices at the start of the day to ensure they receive their first choice of main meal.
If you would like a paper copy of the menu, please ask at the office.
Remember, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 continue to receive free school meals and we encourage pupils to take up this offer. For families in other year groups, please check if you are eligible to receive free school meals for your child/children.
We welcome feedback on the school dinner menu from pupils and parents/carers.
Living and Learning: Children’s Mental Health Week
Set up by children’s mental health charity Place2Be, Children’s Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.
Young Minds is also a great source of information and support about young people’s mental health.
Mental health forms part of our Living and Learning long term plan and we encourage pupils to look after their mental health as well as their physical health. This maybe through the use of mindfulness and calming down techniques, recognising their own and others’ emotions and knowing how to seek help if needed. This guide shares some of the techniques we use.
In addition to Children’s Mental Health Week, Every Mind Matters is a national mental health campaign from Public Health England.
Love of Reading
Today, Year Three read with Reception class and shared their love of reading. See some pictures, below.
Well done, Reception and Year 3!
School Savings Club
The next School Savings Club paying in date is 03 February 2020 at 3.15-3.45pm.
The account is open to all children and it is free to set up. As there is not minimum deposit requirement, it is a great way for your child/children to begin to manage their own money and understand the importance of saving. We offer paying in sessions every half term where you can bring along any savings to be paid into your child’s account.
As an extra incentive, Year 3 pupils who open an account, or who currently have an account, will be credited with £10.
If you’re unable to attend in person, please hand in any money to be deposited to the office in a sealed envelope addressed to Mrs Tiffany.
Here are the remaining paying in dates for this year (the penultimate Monday of each half term).
- 23 March
- 11 May
- 06 July
To find out more about the accounts or if your child would like to open account, please enquire at the office.
Reading
We all know the importance of reading and sharing stories with children. Spending just ten minutes a day reading with your child builds special memories and can become a favourite time of the day.
It also helps children:
- understand the world around them
- develop social and emotional skills
- build confidence with communication
Storytime is a favourite time of the day in Reception and this term the children have been able to vote for the story they would like at the end of each day.
These are some of the books we have read:
Polar Bear Son-Lydia Dabcovich
Hush Little Polar Bear-Jeff Mack
The Bear-Raymond Briggs
Big Bear, Little Bear-David Bedford
And Tango Makes Three-Justin Richardson
Penguin Small-Mick Inkpen
Cuddly Dudley-Jez Alborough
In addition, the staff in Reception have been choosing their favourite books to share with the class.
This half term I have chosen the book Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers.
This is a sequel to Lost and Found and continues the adventures of the boy and his penguin.
Mrs Burgess has chosen Little Bear by Hans de Beer.
Why not ask your child about their favourite book?
Remember-if your child sees you reading, they will want to read too.
Stay and Play
Thank you for attending our recent Stay and Play session.
We hope you had fun!
Learning about the number 6
This week we have been learning about the number six. The children used Numicon, cubes and 10 frames to investigate.
