Acorn
Welcome to Acorn Class
Teacher – Mrs Bland
Teaching Assistant – Mrs Kenna
Reception starts the children on their exciting learning journey with all its adventures, discoveries, challenges, achievements and advantages for life. The Early Years follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum.
The children’s learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Play is essential for children’s early development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults; this makes play ‘purposeful’.
A message from Mrs Bland…
Throughout the year we hope to encourage a real love of reading both at school and at home, reading daily at home with your children can really support this goal.
We use ClassDoJo to celebrate the children’s daily learning and keep in touch with parents/carers. It is a fantastic record of children’s learning when they are at school. We welcome you to upload photos and comments that you would like to share with us too!
Remember to read our termly letters and topic webs outlining our learning focus, details of stay and play sessions and educational visits.
Please do not hesitate to talk to me or Mrs Kenna if you have any questions or concerns. The communication we have between school and home is vital in giving your children the best possible start to their school life.
Our planned topics this year to support the children’s learning are as follows:
Term 1 – Let’s Explore
This project teaches children about the environments that they share with others, including their homes, school and places in the local community.
Companion Project – Build it up!
This project teaches children about structures and materials and gives them the opportunity to work in groups to create collaborative structures
Term 2 – Marvellous Machines
This interest-led project teaches children about the technology that is part of their daily lives and how machines help us. The project gives children the opportunity to build and create marvellous machines.
Companion Project – Puppets and Pop ups!
This creative project explores puppets and pop up books and gives children the opportunity to make puppets and use them to tell exciting stories.
Term 3 – Long ago
This project teaches children about how they have grown and changed since they were babies and how life in the past was different from today.
Companion Project – Stories and Rhymes
This project teaches children about traditional stories and rhymes and gives them the opportunity to play with words and learn new vocabulary.
Term 4 – Ready, Steady, Grow!
This project teaches children about food and farming and explores themes, including where food comes from, what plants and animals need to grow and survive and what constitutes a healthy lifestyle.
Companion Project – Signs of Spring
This project teaches children about the changes that happen during the spring, including weather and the festivals that are celebrated at this time of year.
Term 5 – Animal Safari
This project teaches children about the animals that live around the world, how to look after animals and the importance of caring for our local and global environments.
Companion Project – Creep, Crawl and Wiggle!
This mini project teaches children about invertebrates that live in their gardens and local environment.
Term 6 – On the beach
This project teaches children about the plants and animals that live at the seaside. It also explores holidays in the past and the importance of keeping safe in the Sun.
Companion – Move it!
This mini project teaches children about the importance of exercise, sleep and a balanced diet, and explores outdoor, summer games and activities.
Companion – Moving on!
This Reception-only project celebrates the children’s successes throughout their Reception year. It explores how they have grown and changed and supports them with the changes to come as they move into Year 1.