Children arrive at 8:40am and access focused activities at the tables inside the classroom. These activities are carefully chosen to match children's needs and interests. We then have a short carpet time around 9am when we teach whole class phonics following 'Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised' programme.
After this, children can access activities of their choice inside and outside the classroom. These activities are carefully planned to enhance learning across all areas of the curriculum. During this time, children might work independently, one-to-one with an adult or in a small group. During activity time, adults will also play alongside children to model activities, share new vocabulary and extend children’s learning. We then have a story or song before going out to play with the rest of the school.
After playtime, we have snack time, when we sit down together and share a story while having a piece of fruit and a drink of water. We then have another short input on the carpet. This could be Maths, English or Understanding the World. After this, children have another opportunity to apply and develop their skills by accessing activities in our environment or joining in with group work.
Lunch is at 11.50am - the Pearl class children are served first. There are staff on hand to support the children if needed, and to help them to their seats. After they have eaten their lunch, the children go outside for playtime along with Ruby class.
We start the afternoon with a story and a short input on the carpet. This is followed by further child initiated activity time or group work. Depending on the day, children will often have a second short input in the afternoon. We may also take part in a PE session during the morning or afternoon sessions. In the afternoon, we also have daily handwriting sessions and weekly word aware sessions to develop our vocabulary. We finish our day with a song and a story ready for home time at 3.10pm.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH READING
Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their journey to becoming a fluent reader by continuing their practice at home.
There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home:
- A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
- A sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.
The expectation is that your child will read/share one or both of these books every day as little and often practice helps to develop their reading fluency and comprehension, and life long love of books and reading.
Reading practice book
This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.
At home, we would like you to read each practice book that your child is given at least three times. Each read has a different focus, as follows:
- ‘Read 1’ decoding
- ‘Read 2’ prosody
- ‘Read 3’ comprehension
When listening to your child read the book, remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.
Sharing book
In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. You are welcome to make comments about this sharing book in your child's reading record. The main thing is that you have fun!
You can find out more about how to support your child to learn to read at
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Each day, your child will bring home two reading books (one reading practice book and one sharing book) and their reading record. These need to be brought back to school every day.
Naming clothes
Please ensure all your child’s clothes and belongings are clearly labelled.
Please include water bottles, PE kit and lunch box.
PE kit should be in school every day.
Planning, preparation and assessment time
The weekly planning, preparation and assessment time takes place on Tuesday afternoons when the children will be taught by Mrs Young.
