Rackheath Starting in Reception 2013

1. RackheathStarting in Reception2013

2. Introductions Mrs Shelley Paul Reception Teacher Mrs Sharon Bird Teaching Assistant Miss Abigail Bartram Teaching Assistant Nanny Gill our craft expert and Friday helper!

3. What does Reception mean? Reception is the first year of education in our Primary School. At this stage the children are still part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, from birth to 60months. We follow the EYFS curriculum, which has Areas of Learning. PRIME AREAS of LEARNING Communication and Language Physical development Personal, social, emotional development SPECIFIC AREAS of LEARNING Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the world, Expressive arts and Design

4. EYFS Activities Child-initiated learning means lots of playful learning in all class areas!

5. A GOOD CHOICE leads to good Learning Behaviours We believe in positive reinforcement of good behaviour. We believe that in showing children what is acceptable they are usually very keen to follow, especially when they are praised and can earn a House point for their own ‘PROUD CLOUD’. We try to spot even small signs of making a good choice and make sure that everyone knows about it. By saying to one child, ‘good sitting!’, most children follow the example. We try to work and play in a calm atmosphere, where teachers and children do not need to raise their voices to be heard, especially in the classroom. We encourage the children to be busy, to try out new things and play with everything, to be imaginative and inventive, to work until they find the solution. That is what child-initiated learning is all about! The playful learning is supported by our experienced staff. Listening and thinking, asking and answering questions, are the good learning behaviours which we model, encourage and expect. Helping children begin to be aware of making connections as they learn about the world around them is the responsibility of every one of us at home and school. Parents are encouraged to spot good behaviours and learning at home and we give you ‘Proud Cloud’ sheets to be filled in at home. Bring the Cloud in to school and together you can attach it to the large ‘cloud’ on the window. Proud Clouds are special and we would ask you only to reward special effort please, so that they are really valued!

6. More EYFS activities It’s never too soon to come to school. Rosie joined the Wednesday walk with Grandad as soon as she could walk!

7. A Typical Day in Reception Mrs Paul is the Reception teacher. Mrs Bird is a teaching assistant. We work as a team and Mrs Bird brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. In September we look forward to welcoming Miss Abigail Bartram to our team. She is also a teaching assistant and we look forward to including her in our playful learning! Please note that all staff occasionally undertake professional development out of the classroom. We have ‘supply teachers’, usually known to us, who come to take the class and they are supported by our TA’s. 8.45am registration 9.00am literacy – phonics on the carpet phonics practise in our books 9.20am child initiated play inside/outside – cooking on Friday 10.00am school breaktime 10.15am fruit snack/water 10.30am numeracy on the carpet numeracy related activities / child initiated play inside/outside 11.00am child initiated play inside/outside 11.45am singing 12.00 noon lunch/playtime 1.00pm registration 1.10pm child initiated play inside/outside and special daily features like the Monday Moment of reflection which is a Circle Time Tuesday Time to Talk – further opportunities for developing speech and language Wednesday Walk – when we will need lots of parent helpers for about 1 hour in the afternoon Thursday Thrill –maybe a new book or a song Friday Food when children take it in weekly turns to cook tasty, healthy dishes which everyone eats! 2.45pm story or assembly 3.0 pm HOME TIME We go outside in all weathers. We have good, waterproof dungarees for all children but we ask you to provide wellington boots which stay at school, at least during the week and a suitable jacket which you don’t mind getting dirty. Cagoules are fine.

8. Learning Our first goal is for every child to know the alphabet and be able to articulate the PURE sound for each letter. Every child will have a Home-School Phonics book. It is important to return it in the book bag every day please. There is a letter in the book to explain the system and you will be invited, in groups during school hours, to come and share some learning about how we teach reading. Your child will learn to read and write using this system at school and with your help to practise at home. At a later date, we again invite you in groups to come to reading workshops. We also hold reading cafes and maths cafes in school. The children enjoy sharing their learning with you – and younger siblings are welcome! Maths is fun and every child enjoys their practically based learning and the fun we have when counting. They will be teaching you! You will be sent a booklet with lots of fun activities to try at home. Perhaps you will be inspired to think of your own. Do share good ideas with us so that all the children can benefit! I send ‘Look what we are Learning in Class’ letters throughout the year. They will be posted on the website. They inform you about what we have been learning with suggestions for follow-up at home.

9. Food in School We have achieved Healthy School status. Diet really does affect the well-being of our children. We grow a variety of vegetables in our garden. We do lots of cooking and tasting in the class. We make bread and everyone eats brown bread with chewy crusts and they enjoy it because it tastes good. We make lots of vegetable bakes, based on mashed potatoes and full of the flavour of celeriac, swede, leeks, squash and any vegetables in season. These are usually topped with cheese which is melted and browned in the oven. We make soups and sauces to pour over pasta in most colours of the rainbow! We make tasting a special occasion and have bought small, china tasting bowls and teaspoons. Children take it in turns to help prepare, cook and serve. We use fruit and vegetables in season and try lots of raw fruit and vegetables. Packed lunches are an ideal way to encourage healthy eating. Please be aware that we ask you not to put crisps, chocolate and sweets into the lunch box. Every opportunity for learning is taken in school and the lunch is about giving the children enough energy to keep them learning through the afternoon! Food cut into small pieces so that it is easily eaten is best, at least in the first few weeks. Quantities can be increased as children get used to eating in the 20 min time slot. Your child will be given a free fresh fruit snack every day. Every child needs a name labelled water bottle to keep in the class. They can re-fill it from the tap. We all drink water at snack time. It is school policy not to bring sweets and cakes to school for birthdays.

10. Clothes Outdoor clothing Please send you child with a coat every day. The weather often changes quickly. Please make sure that your child can put their coat on and take it off again. They must know how to take it off so that it is ready to put on again and not inside out! We have to expect that all children will be able to do this independently, so please practise lots at home. If zips are stiff we do help in the first term! As autumn and then winter approach, please remember that children go out onto the playground, which is often wet and windy. Children really need jackets which are wind and water proof or big enough to take a fleece under. Hats and scarves and gloves are also a necessity as the weather deteriorates. Little people need warmer clothes! Little girls are warmer in trousers when the weather is bad.

11. Getting ready for September Self-Help • nose-blowing (not wiping!) • going to the toilet independently • washing their own hands • dressing and undressing • Please show your child how to take things off so that they are not inside out and how to turn things the right way out!

12. Names Please name ALL your child’s uniform and belongings and show them the labels for them to recognise. Don’t forget that you can make things easier by sewing on bits of ribbon or stitching simple, coloured shapes xxx for example if they cannot read their name. Ermm… This one’s mine!

13. And finally… • Be positive, your child will pick up the message from you how exciting school is! • PLEASE REMEMBER We are here to help the whole family, as well as the child, get used to the school system. It is a whole new world with a wealth of opportunities and experiences to be learned and enjoyed. Learning should be a good and positive experience. Please talk to us, share concerns and let us help!