Dear parents,

What a busy week we have had. Even though we have had rain, the children have whole-heartedly thrown themselves into the activities and helped to lead their own learning. We have looked at the following books together: The Leaf Man, Tatty Bogle and The Gigantic Turnip. We have been using Helicopter stories to act out The Gigantic Turnip, talking about the seasons and creating our own little leaf characters. We have been looking at words like cooperation, orchard, meadows, perserverence and seasons.

Our focus skill this week has been using scissors safely and looking at the steps to cutting something out. The children have been snipping playdough worms, cardboard, paper, wool, feathers, straws and leaves in their creations. We have been creating collages from magazines; mini books about our favourite things; story maps by cutting out figures and retelling the story of the Gigantic Turnip.

In Phonics, the children have been learning the final single sounds of Set 1. Please do use the little poster to practise these over the holiday. We will also be sending home some CVC words for them to have a go at blending over the holidays. Rather than reading these just once, please help your child to segment (split up) and blend (put together) using the individual sounds; cover up the picture and see if they can sound out and blend; also see if they can play a game with you- you sound it out- they guess the word and “splat it” with their hand or a kitchen utensil. Alternatively, you could cut each word out and stick them around the house on doors, drawers, on the fridge etc. Every time your child needs to open the door or drawer, they need to sound out the word. Little and often will work wonders for their reading. Here are some tips from RWI

Over the holidays, please take some time to download the Evidence Me app and to sign in with the email link that has been sent to you (it may be in your ‘Junk’). Hopefully, this will give you the opportunity to see some of the lovely things your child has been doing this term. You are welcome to upload any exciting learning your child has been doing over the holidays in the ‘parent’ area of the app, simply press the + symbol and add your own photo and notes.

If you haven’t haven’t yet discovered the BBC’s ‘Tiny, Happy People’ website, it is well-worth a look. There are lots of ideas for how you can support your child with language development. The activities are fun and may be useful to entertain your children during any rainy days in the holidays https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/4-to-5-year-old-child-development-activities

Challenge: We have had a lot of rain this week which has highlighted some children who are unable to dress themselves, put coats on and some who still struggle with shoes or doing up their zips. Please, over the holidays could you help your child to be independent in welly to shoe swapping, changing socks and putting waterproofs on and off? Perhaps take a picture for Evidence Me- they can earn team points for all achieved independent activities.

Reminders: 

Christmas cards/ other items- a sample has been put in your child’s bag, please order using QR code. This is a charitable order and school PTA benefits from all orders placed. Thank you for your support.

School photos- order forms are in your child’s bag. Use the QR code to order your photos.

Sonning Common Scarecrow trail– this half term, keep a look out. Maps available from local shops & library.

Term 2 starts- Monday 2nd November

Volunteers– We need volunteers for the Christmas fair. Any help before, during or after would be very welcome.

We hope you have a lovely half term. The children deserve a well-deserved break.

We look forward to welcoming you all back on 2nd November.

The Kites Team.