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Last term was filled with exciting achievements and wonderful memories for Reception! The children particularly enjoyed exploring traditional tales, which sparked their imagination and creativity in many different ways. They listened to a range of well-loved traditional stories and took part in activities that brought these tales to life.

After learning about The Gingerbread Man, the children were very excited to make their own gingerbread biscuits, carefully following instructions and enjoying the process from start to finish. A highlight of the term was a special visit from a theatre group, who performed and re-enacted the story, capturing the children’s attention and making the experience even more memorable. The children also loved retelling stories, acting them out, and discussing their favourite characters, helping to build their confidence and language skills.

This term has been busy and full of exciting experiences as the children have been learning about and celebrating a variety of important religious festivals, including Easter, Holi, and Eid. The children have enjoyed learning about different cultures and traditions, and it has been wonderful to see them take pride in their own backgrounds. They had the opportunity to wear their cultural clothing, have henna designs applied to their hands, and take part in meaningful discussions about these special celebrations.

We also had a lovely Mother Language Day, where parents were invited into the classroom to share stories in their home languages or teach the children new words and phrases. This was a truly special experience that helped the children appreciate the diversity within our school community.

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Throughout this term, the children will be focusing on developing their understanding of both 2D and 3D shapes, exploring their properties and learning to recognise them in different contexts. They will also be working on missing numbers, as well as practising counting forwards and backwards with increasing confidence.

The children will begin to recognise and identify coins, including 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2, helping them to build early understanding of money and its value.

Alongside this, they will be learning about number bonds to 5 before progressing onto number bonds to 10. These activities will help the children develop a strong foundation in number sense and support their overall confidence in maths.

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Throughout the first half of the new term, the children will be exploring the story 'The Little Red Hen.' During this term, we will be reading stories surrounding our topic 'Farm'. We will be learning new vocabulary, identifying key events and characters within stories. We will be learning about all the different animals that can be found in the farm and the role of farm.

In the second half of the term, the children will be focusing on The Farmer Duck. As part of their learning, they will be exploring farm animals in the story, and retell a story using vocabulary. Read them a range of stories surrounding the farm and animals, non-fiction books and watching videos. It would be a great opportunity to expand their knowledge.

Nurturing your child's imagination and foster a love of reading, be sure to read a variety of stories together and discuss what you've read. Talk about the characters and key events in the story. Each week, your child will continue to bring home library books for you to read to them. This is a great opportunity to talk about the characters and key events in the story.

Each week, your child will continue to bring home library books for you to read to them. This is a great opportunity to engage with your child, ask questions about the story, and explore different themes and ideas together.

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Throughout this term, the children will continue building their reading skills by focusing on CVC words and starting to read more fluently. By now, the children should be confident in recognising and reading their Set 1 sounds, including special friends.

As they grow in confidence, they will also begin learning Set 2 sounds. The children will practise orally blending, as well as reading and writing words that include these new sounds, helping them to become more confident and independent readers

To support your child at home please can you:

- watch the videos sent home daily by your class teacher and weekly from their phonics' teacher each week via teams.

- Read with your child everyday for 20 minutes. This link shows you how to support your child when reading at home. https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/6snIXuLO/0spiTZeQ

- Practice speed reading the green words sheet sent home (this is a sheet with a variety of words on). This could be made into a game ' how many words can you read in 1 minute'

- Encourage children to 'fred talk' and orally blend words for example... c   a   t - cat. These are the sounds they are learning:

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/JqgbttmG/UYyoOrML

- Regularly use the speed sounds chart at the front of the phonics book to rehearse the sounds. See image attached.

- Practice reading 'alien words' with your child at home. These are made up words that support you child in learning to blend sounds.

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This term in Reception PE, the children have been focusing on developing their coordination, working collaboratively, and taking part in a variety of ball games. They have been learning and practising key PE techniques such as throwing and catching with increasing accuracy, as well as kicking balls with control and confidence. They have PE lesson every Friday once a week.

The children have also been working on their gross motor and physical development skills, which are essential for building strength, balance, and overall body control. They have been given opportunities to climb, balance, and move in different ways, helping them to develop confidence in their physical abilities and awareness of space.

Through these activities, the children are learning how to work together, follow simple rules, and develop important physical skills that support their overall development.

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Teams is our main form communication between class teachers and parents/guardians. Please check this daily for updates and key information.

The parent newsletter is sent out, via email, on Mondays. Please read this every week for the most recent updates on events.

Key dates:

May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May 2026

Friday 15th May - The Farm trip

Monday 25th May 2026

May Half Term Holiday: Monday 25th May 2026 to Friday 29th May 2026