This has been an exciting few weeks as we prepare to take part in the Reception class carnival! We have been experimenting with lots of paint, colour, music and costumes. It has been great fun to look at different countries and the way they celebrate their cultures. Below are the photos of us preparing our head dresses.

We also had lots of fun joining in with music and PE this week and interacting with our friends from Reception class. Some pupils are now accessing these lessons without Gems staff support which is hugely significant and we are proud of this achievement.

In phonics we have been learning/ recapping the sound ‘C’. Pupils were really pushed in phonics this week and we were pleased with their efforts to improve their writing skills. We are also seeing them recognise more letters around the building and make links to other work we have been doing. We have continued reading Clean up by Nathan Byron. Pupils have followed the story with focus and attention. Please continue phonics work at home if you can. But please rest assured, there is no expectation to know all phonics. All pupils are on a journey, and we want them to work at the pace that suits them. We find that LittleBig Foxes, Number Blocks and RWI songs on their websites are a great source of fun and education. 

                     

 

Key messages

• Please dress pupils in winter coat, hat and gloves. We still take part in a lot of outdoor learning and it is vital to be dressed appropriately.

 

• Please practise writing and saying the set 1 sounds at home, using the phonics website by Ruth Miskin to help you. 

website: https://sites.google.com/thevineyardschool.org/phonicsthevineyard/reception 

• Reading books: please note we don’t expect children to be able to read the story books that they have chosen to bring home. They are for you to read to them. 

• Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3pm. Please try to be prompt so we can maximise the time we have to set up for the next day’s learning.