Summer 2 - Under the Sea

Big - Question - How do we look after our World? 

In 'Under the Sea' children dive into the wonders of the ocean and discover the amazing animals and plants that live under the sea. Alongside learning about marine life, the topic focuses on environmental awareness — helping children understand how we can care for our oceans, reduce pollution, and protect sea creatures.

In phonics we will be looking at longer words using our Phase 2 and Phase 3 sounds. We will learn the chunking method for these longer words. In Maths we will be reviewing our mastery maths and consolidating our learning of number facts up to 5 and 10. 

We also have our trip to Leeds Art Gallery and Museum and Sports Day. 

Summer 1 - Spring and Growth 

Big Question - What Grows?

Throughout this half term we will be learning about farmyard animals and showing care and concern for living things and the environment. To enhance the children’s understanding of this topic we will be going on a trip to the farm, and we will observe ducklings growing in our classroom. Children will be encouraged to make observations of the natural world around them by drawing pictures of animals and plants.

In maths we will be exploring lots of different concepts and revising knowledge we have already covered this year:​

• Composition of numbers up to 10 ​(including addition and take away).​

• Comparing numbers. ​

• Recalling number bonds to 5.

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Spring 2 - On My Way 

Big Question - How will we get there? 

Throughout this half term, children will listen to stories about different vehicles: bus, bike, plane, hot air balloon and spaceship. 

Children will be encouraged to ask and answer ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions and think about where they live. They will draw and label maps and explore shapes within the environment. Children will design and make a vehicle, becoming confident at assembling and joining materials together.

In phonics we will: 

• be reviewing and learning new Phase 3 sounds.​

 

Spring 2 learning 

During this half term we have been busy inside and outside. This has included learning how to use our new water pump, investigating the properties of 2D shapes, using Purple Mash in computing and exploring the forest garden looking for minibeasts. 

• read and write longer words and those containing double letters.​

• be consolidating reading and spelling all the tricky words we have learnt so far.

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Spring 1 - Home and Away 

Big Question - What is it like in the Southern Hemisphere?

Throughout this half term, children will explore where polar bears live and how it is different to where penguins live. We will also be comparing where we live to places in the southern hemisphere and exploring the season of winter. We will focus on ice and water and investigate why some objects float and why some objects sink. Children will design and make a boat using a variety of materials and will be encouraged to talk about similarities, differences, patterns and change.

In phonics this half term the new sounds we will be learning are: ai, ee, igh, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ear, air and er.​

Tricky words we will be learning this half term: was, you, they, my, by, all, are, sure, pure.

Please continue to read your child's reading book with them at home. 

 

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Autumn 2 - Sparkle and Shine

Big Question - What do we celebrate? 

Our topic this half term is called Sparkle and Shine and we will be learning about many different festivals and celebrations including Bonfire Night, Diwali, Birthdays, Carnivals and Christmas.

We will be exploring these celebrations through the following key texts: 

English

In Phonics the graphemes that we will be learning in this half term are:

 ff l ll ss, j,v,w,x,y,z,qu,ch, sh,th,ng,nk

following the Little Wandle Phonics Scheme 

Please help your child consolidate these at home by reading the words in your reading record book and sharing their reading book. 
Thank you :)

Birthday Celebrations
We have been continuing our celebration theme and in week 3 in reception we have been reading Cake by Sue Hendra. We have looked at bossy words to write instructions and we even made our own cake and discussed our own birthday celebrations. In provision we have been attempting independent writing to write our own party list and made birthday cakes in the sand. We are gaining more and more confidence each day. 
We also have been doing pen disco to develop our fine motor and pencil control. 

Autumn 1 - Me and My World 

Big Question ~ Where do I belong? 

English 

In English we have been reading lots of books including You Choose and Shark in the Park. We have been experimenting with mark making and learning our new phonemes and graphemes. 

The graphemes we are learning in this first half term are:

s a t p i n d g o c k ck e u r h b

Please consolidate these at home along with sharing their reading books. 

Thank you. 

Maths

In maths we have been looking at numbers 1-5. We have been subitising (using our fast eyes) and that we can make a number in different ways e.g. 

1 and 1 and another 1 makes 3

3 and 1 makes 4. 

In Expressive Art and Design (EAD) we have been colour mixing and experimenting with different paintbrushes and medias. This all helps to support our fine motor skills. 

Outdoor Learning

Our outdoor learning supports children's development across all areas of learning. It encourages exploration, creativity, physical activity, and problem-solving. Outdoor play helps build the children’s confidence, communication skills, and a connection with nature, all while meeting the EYFS learning goals through hands-on and active experiences.