A productive and busy few weeks in Gems! The sun is shining and we are making the most of some outdoor learning. We have been very productive in forest school, joining our mainstream classes and enjoying our own Gems forest school time with Mrs Balaram. This is a brilliant space that has many useful purposes. We can count, write our names in the mud, explore the pond, look for tadpoles, learn about fire and so much more. We feel really lucky to have access to such a space.

In YR, the topic of minibeasts is keeping our pupils captivated. They are learning so much about this important area of our curriculum and also improving their labelling and sequencing.  Y1 is working on Meerkat Mail. Feel free to reinforce this work at home by watching the story on YouTube.

I wanted to highlight how well all our Gems pupils have been doing in PSHE. They are really focused and hardworking and we are so impressed with how they are following instructions and communicating their thoughts.

We continue to work with all mainstream classes to prepare for phonics screening. There is no pressure with any of this and pupils work at the level that is appropriate for them. 

We are pleased to introduce some new additions to Gems. We have welcomed four little fish (still to be named) and a sparkling new tank. We hope all pupils will help with feeding and cleaning and acquire a sense of responsibility for them.

Pop in and have a look at them whenever you wish.

Please email jrigby@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk with any queries and the Gems team will be happy to help.

            

     

                            

Attention bucket makes up a large part of our timetable. Pupils have progressed and responded positively to the many stages of this process. It is a fairly easy process and something you could do at home should you be interested. 

https://www.kidztz.com/attention-bucket/

Please continue Phonics work at home if you can. 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 also recommend “reading for pleasure” as much as possible. If stories are too difficult, even just looking at the pictures and seeing what their attention is drawn to, is great for developing concentration and awareness.

We will continue to send home differentiated reading packs. Again, this is just for confidence building.

We find that LittleBig Foxes, Number Blocks and RWI songs on their websites are a great source of fun and education. 

 

Key messages

• If are late in the morning and we have gone to OT, please bring your child to the main office and someone will help you from there.

• Reading Records will be sent home weekly. Please read with your child even if the text is too difficult. Looking at the pictures and exposing them to language will always be beneficial.

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

• Would families please be so kind as to donate some general cooking supplies to help with our Thursday sessions. e.g., flour, oil, eggs, butter, lifelong milk, cupcake cases. This is not compulsory. Donations welcome.

• Drop off time is 8.40. Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3.05. Please try to be prompt so we can maximise the time we have to set up for the next day’s learning.

• Please ensure that you have notified the school if you are going to be late. Gems registers MUST be completed by 8.50.

 

Key Dates:

• Wednesday 7th May - Open classrooms 8.45-9.15
• Wednesday 7th May - Celebrating Diversity workshop for all families 9.15