7.6.18 Sandymere Learning Update

Date: 7th Jun 2018 @ 10:28am

Another wonderful week is whizzing by and another hosts of exciting activities.

This week we have worked hard on preparing for the phonics screening. The phonics screening will take place nationally for all Year 1 children next week. They will be asked to read 20 real words and 20 alien words using their phonic knowledge. They have had plenty of practice and to be honest, probably won’t even be aware that they are doing the actual paper as we have practised so much! The screening takes no more than 10 minutes per child and is completed with myself in a very relaxed environment. We have sent home copies of the screening papers we have practised in school, complete with sound buttons. We have also sent copies of screening papers for you to practise with your child for homework. At the end of the week Mrs Worstencroft is sending home a list of fun phonics websites for your child to access over the weekend; if they wish to play some additional games using their/your devices. Remember your child has been learning phonics since Reception and throughout Year 1 and will continue to do so throughout KS1.

In other news –

Thank you so much for all the shoe boxes. We have kept them to one side for next week where we will be making aquariums! Obviously without the water as they would get a little soggy! If your child doesn’t have shoe box yet, don’t worry as you have until Monday to send one into school.

Our new focus text in English is Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle. It’s a stunning book by the same author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We have been collecting facts and creating TOP 5 FACTS about sea creatures and how they lay their eggs and look after their babies. DID YOU KNOW that Seahorse daddies, Tilapia daddies, Pipefish daddies and Stickleback daddies all look after the eggs until they hatch? SHOUT OUTs to Ava and Izzy for extending their learning and bringing into school their own seahorse creations inspired by the book. Thank you ladies!

In maths this week we have been looking at chronological order and considering the order of events throughout our day. We have also focussed on the days of the week using language such as yesterday, tomorrow and today. We answered questions such as 

If yesterday was Wednesday, what day is it tomorrow?

Perhaps you could ask your children some similar questions at home? SHOUT OUTs to Gracie and Jack for their excellent sequencing of the events throughout the day.

We had a fabulous visit from PCSO Hough this week and she spoke to children about ‘Stranger Danger’ and how to stay safe. The children were reminded to shout NO, RUN and TELL. 

Also on the theme of staying safe we talked about medicines and using them safely. We discussed different kinds of medicine such as inhalers, creams, liquid medicines, tablets and how they must only be administered by adults, they must be kept on a high shelf out of reach, that we must not share medicine. The children generated lots of interesting discussion.

Mrs Pile took the children for dance this week and they were inspired by the story Handa’s Surprise. Perhaps you have a copy of this book at home that you could share with your child at bedtime. It’s a beautiful story.

That's all for this week. See you on Monday.

Mrs Williamson on behalf of Team Sandymere