Reception Newsletter

February 2015
Dear Parents/Carers,
The Reception team would like to share with you our main aspects of learning for this half
term, so that you can continue to support your child at home. We hope with your help, the
children will be able to achieve the objectives we plan for them.

Mathematics
We are practising counting forwards and
backwards from any given number and adding
and subtracting two numbers. Our calculating
learning will involve practical tasks, such as
adding a group of objects together or taking
away. We will also be learning the names and
properties of 2D (flat) and 3D (solid) shapes.
We will be looking for shapes in the indoor
and outdoor environment. We will be using
large bricks and blocks to build and
construct. We will be
supporting the children to use
their own methods to solve
practical problems with
shapes.

Personal, Social and Emotional

Development
We will be encouraging and supporting the
children to show a sense of self, both as a
member of their class and school community.
We will be having discussions about how we
are all different and all special. We will be
using a variety of stories and props to
support this special message.

Communication and Language and

Literacy
This half term we are encouraging the
children to become more independent
writers. We will be asking them to think
about what they want to write, before they
have a try. We will also be focusing on asking
questions, in the form of where, what, who
or why. We will be looking at different
non-fiction texts to find things out. We will
be encouraging children to make up their own
stories verbally with an adult,
before beginning to write them.

Physical Development
This half term we are focusing on using larger
equipment in the hall and the outdoor activity
area. We will be teaching the children how to
travel in different directions and using the
key vocabulary left, right, forwards and
backwards. The children will be learning to
hold different positions and body shapes on
large apparatus. We will be
teaching them how to carry
and transport large
equipment safely.

Expressive Arts and Design

Understanding the World

We will be supporting the children to

develop a repertoire of actions, by putting
together different sequences of movements.
We will be encouraging them to use their
imagination in different ways, through art,
design, music, dance, role play and stories.
Please talk to your childs
class teacher to find out
which context for learning
they are focusing on.

We are continuing to support children to

develop a respect for their own culture and
beliefs and for the culture and beliefs of
others. We will be focussing particularly on
the festival of Easter towards the end of
this half term. Our activities will include
making cards, learning about the Easter
story and talking about what happens at
church.

Reminders for this half term!

It would also be helpful if you ..

Please make sure that your child has their PE

kit in school. It is helpful to keep a spare

pair of knickers or pants in the bag. Please
ensure that all your childs clothing is named

continue to make time to share a book

with your child every day.

including any hats, scarves and gloves they

may be wearing at this time

help your child to learn her/his key

words by playing games such as pairs,
snap, looking for the words in books,
displaying them around your home etc.

of year.

Watch out for fundraising events later this term. These will be held in order to raise money
for trips later this year.

We hope some of these ideas will be helpful to you. If you have any questions, queries or
concerns we are always willing to talk them through with you. If we are unable to answer your
question immediately, we are always willing to make an appointment for a more suitable time.
Thank you for your support on behalf of the Reception Team
Mrs S. Burrows
Early Years Team Leader