Reception
WB 3.7.23
For the last two weeks we have been reading “The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch” and in this story Mrs Grinling makes lots of different lunches for Mr Grinling. This week, we learnt how to write instructions using time conjunctions and after writing our instructions, we used them to make our own sandwiches. Some of the children were rather creative with their sandwiches: ham salad, ham and cheese, cheese and salad and some even braved ham and jam!!!
Some of the children enjoyed them as an afternoon snack whilst others will be bringing them home.
WB 19.6.23
What a great week we have had celebrating Sports Week. Both reception classes had the opportunity to take part in a Karate lesson with Mr Moughton and an Archery lesson with Miss Barnard. We were so impressed with how far the children were able to shoot their arrows and so many children hit the target on their first go! Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended our Sports Day, I think you can agree that the children did an amazing job.
WB 22.5.23
What a fantastic two weeks we have had!
We have been fully immersed in our book: Tadpole's Promise. A love story where a caterpillar meets a tadpole and they promise to never change. We shared our thoughts on what it means to make a promise and the children wrote their own lifecycles.
On Thursday 25th May, we celebrated the school's 70th birthday. We dressed up in retro clothes and studied how things have changed from the year 2010-2023.
WB 9.5.23
What a busy, busy two weeks! The children have been learning all about The Royal Family and what it means to have a monarch. We spoke about how lucky we are to have a Royal Family and we looked at other countries who also have a monarch. In music, we have been learning the Coronation song. On Friday we all dressed up in Red, White and Blue and celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III.
WB 24.4.23
What a fantastic start to the summer term, filled with learning and lots of fun. The children have been fully immersed into their story: The enormous turnip. They have been adding actions to the story and this week, have innovated the story creating their own versions. We have had lots of different stories such as 'The big carrot' and 'The huge raspberry'.
To add to our exciting week, the children had a special visitor - Fatima Whitbread!!! Fatima spoke to the children about sports and how to follow your dreams. They were lucky enough to hold her medals and even hold her MBE.
WB 27.3.23
This week has been busy yet fantastic! On Tuesday we went to Barleylands Farm where the children were able to feed, pet and look after 3 day old Pygmy goats, lambs and sheep. They had a great time learning about different animals and even got to enjoy the Soft play area. On Wednesday the children took part in their Easter bonnet parade. They all looked fantastic but a huge congratulations to Bianca who won the Reception prize. To finish off a busy week, all children participated in an Easter Chick hunt and all received a yummy chocolate egg.
WB 20.3.23
This week the children have been learning all about rhyming words. We used our phonics to replace the starting sound to familiar words such as at and in. The children then created their own descriptions of dinosaurs using rhyming words.
In maths we were learning all about time and the children learnt that when the big hand is on the 12, then it is O'Clock.
WB 6.3.23
Despite the cold and wet weather, Reception have had a brilliant week, getting fully immersed in our new book 'The Gruffalo'. They have designed their own monsters, who could live in the woods with the Gruffalo and they have written a description about what the Gruffalo looks like.
In maths, the children have been learning all about 3D shapes and have explored the different properties of different shapes.
WB 27.2.23
Another superb week in Reception! This week in maths we have been looking at subtraction and using various resources to support our calculations. We explored how to subtract (add add) using Numicon pieces and we looked at how a number line can help us work out number sentences too. In English we worked hard to ignite our creative side! We spent time innovating the story "We're Going On A Bear Hunt" and what a super job we did - we added lots of different settings such as thunder storms and desserts.
To finish the week, we got to celebrate world book day and admire all of the wonderful costumes that our friends... and teachers wore!
WB 20.2.23
What a fantastic week back at school. We have started our new topic: explorers! The children have had great fun searching for minibeasts and using the magnifying glass to look closer at their findings.
In maths, we have been looking at addition. The children have been practising their number sentences and calculating their sums by holding the bigger number in the cloud and counting on.
WB 6.2.23
We have had a busy but excellent week in Reception. This week we have been learning all about kindness and in honour of Valentine's Day soon approaching, we have made Jam heart sandwiches and Heart handprint cards. We have been talking about what it means to be kind and by reading "Meesha Makes Friends" we have learnt about the importance of having people around us who love us for being us!
We are unique and we are proud of it!
WB 30.1.23
This week we have started a new story: Little Red Riding Hood. We have used actions to tell the story and compared how the same story can be told in different ways. Together we created a story map to help us when we are acting out different scenes. We had great fun exploring the different acting parts. In maths we have looking at shapes and how different shapes can create everyday objects. We learnt about more complicated shapes such as hexagons, octagons and even a rhombus! Our task this week was to create a picture using a variety of shapes and we were all so impressed with the exciting things that the children created.
Another super week in Reception!
WB 23.1.23
This week the children have been adapting the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. They have changed the animals and the setting and have created actions to go with their ideas. In maths the children have been exploring numbers beyond 10. They have looked at how many ones and tens are needed to compose numbers.
We also had our first Stay and Play session this week. It was so lovely to welcome all of our Dilkes family into our learning space and the children loved showing their loved ones their favourite things to do.
WB 16.1.23
This week the children have been learning all about The Three Billy Goats Gruff. They have learnt the actions to tell the story and have enjoyed recreating this in the outside area with their very own bridge. The children have also been creating bridges in the arts and crafts area. In maths, the children have been looking at number bonds to ten. They have used different resources to support their learning and we are thrilled with their progress.
WB 9.1.23
This week we have been fully immersed into the concept of ‘one less’. The children have been exploring this through the use of counters, blocks and numicon. In English we have continued our story of The Little Red Hen. Just like in the story, the children have worked together to bake some bread. They carefully watched the scales to measure out 1KG of Flour, they added the salt and the yeast and then they took turns to knead the bread. Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread and melted butter?
Next week we will be starting our new topic: Three Billy Goats Gruff!
WB 3.1.23
Happy New Year! It was great to welcome all of our children into school this week for the start of another busy term.
This week, the children have started a new module: Traditional Tales. The children have been looking at the story “The Little Red Hen” and have been using Pie Corbett actions to retell the story – they have done a super job. In maths, we have been looking at one more and using abstract ways of identifying what one more means. Next week we move on to one less.
WB 12.12.22
This week in Reception we have busy showcasing our Christmas play: Ralph the Reindeer.
The children did a super job performing and we are very proud of their efforts. On Wednesday we had our Christmas Jumper day along with Christmas dinner and a Christmas Party. The children enjoyed dancing under the snow machine. In English, the children have been writing letters to Father Christmas and in maths, we have been learning all about weight. The children have helped to weigh out the ingredients to make salt dough and have made a Christmas decoration for their tree. A huge thank you to all of the children who took part in the Christmas decoration competition but a massive congratulations to Mya in RS, who won the competition. Her decoration was chosen by the mayor to go on his Christmas tree.
WB 5.12.22
This week in English, the children have been writing thank you letters. After their party last week, the children wrote a letter to their guests, thanking them for coming and for the delicious treats that they bought. In maths, the children have been learning all about different lengths and completed a task where they ordered different stockings.
Jingle Bell and Chippy, the class elves, have been moving around the room each day and the children have loved finding their friend in new places.
WB 28.11.22
What a great week we have had! The children have been learning all about The Jolly Postman and his Christmas deliveries and have focused on patterns in maths. We have started our festive decorations and the classes are looking great. We have had two special visitors this week: Jingle Bell and Chippy the elves. The children have loved coming in to class each morning and looking for their new friend.
WB 21.11.22
This week the children have been learning all about adjectives. We spoke about why adjectives (describing words) are used and then we practised using these in our sentences. The children created a “wanted poster” for Burglar Bill and used adjectives to describe what he was wearing. In maths we have been learning all about positional language. We have spoken about how different objects and people can move in different directions. The children used the Beebots to code how they wanted their bot to move and enjoyed watching it follow their commands. In the outside area the children have enjoyed our new music area and have had lots of fun creating some lovely (very loud) music.
WB 14.11.22
This week the children have started their new book: Burglar Bill. In this classic, the children have looked at all of the wrong things Bill has done and how he managed to change his behaviour for the better. The children have followed the story and have written captions to match the images. In maths, the children have been looking at days of the week, months of the year and seasons. We have enjoyed singing songs and ordering these events.
Despite it being November, the children have been rehearsing for their Christmas play: Ralph the Reindeer. They have been enjoying every moment – singing songs, dancing and acting. We can’t wait to share the performance with everyone in December.
WB 7.11.22
This week the children in Reception have been learning all about numbers. We have been comparing which numbers are greater using the phrases ‘more than’ and ‘less than’. In English, the children were surprised to see that Supertato had visited Dilkes and left a letter asking for help. Happily, the children wrote letters to Supertato explaining how they could trap the Evil Pea.
To mark Remembrance day, the children all created their own wreaths which they will take home ready to mark Remembrance Sunday.
WB 31.10.22
What a fantastic week back at school. The children have enjoyed sharing their half term news with the class and it was lovely to see all of the things that they did on Tapestry.
This week in English the children have started their new book ‘Supertato’ they have been writing sentences and have even enjoyed creating some veggie superheroes.
In maths, the children have been learning about shapes. They have been on shape hunt in their learning environment and they have also enjoyed painting using potato shapes.
Next week we will be writing letters to Supertato telling him that we can help capture the Evil Pea.
WB 17.10.22
Reception have had a very busy week but what a fantastic end to the first half term. On Tuesday the children went to Belhus Woods and enjoyed a fun filled day in the sun: they fed the ducks (with their luxurious home-made food), they went on a woodland walk and enjoyed the play area. All of the children were exceptionally well-behaved and members of the public commented on their superb behaviour. On Friday, the children had their first Enrichment day - they came into school dressed as something that they want to be in the future. It was lovely to see all of their ideas and hearing their aspirations was wonderful.
Alongside all of these exciting things, the children have been busy learning all about the number 6 and how to subitise this number. They have explored Numicon and using this, have created number sentences to 6. In English, we have continued to read Funny bones and the children have learnt all about hygiene and keeping fit. They enjoyed doing a Joe Wicks workout to support this.
WB 10.10.22
This week the children have delved deep into the book “Funny bones”. They have spoken about body parts and labelled a life size drawing. The children were able to label their own skeleton using initial sounds too. In maths, the children have been learning all about the number 5 and have been creating number bonds. They have looked at what number 5 can be represented as and have completed number sentences in their maths book.
This week we also received a visit from Nurse Kerry. The children were spoken to about the importance of brushing their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. They were even given a little toothbrush and toothpaste to take home.
WB 3.10.22
This week the children in reception have been talking about their family. They have been counting how many people live in their home and discussing how many more people are in their family. The children then drew pictures of their family in their English books and wrote down the initial sounds next to their pictures. We have also started our new book this week: I’m special, I’m me! The children have been on a learning journey with Milo and learnt all about the different things they can be. This has been super fun for when playing outside. The children have been enjoying the creative play set ups. We have had lots of pirates invading the playground but luckily, with the help of a map, the treasure was found! We have also had lots of fire fighters out and about. The children have had lots of fun driving their truck and using the water to put out the fires.
In maths, we have been learning all about the number 3. The children have been subitising the number and counting on from 3. They have been looking at one more and one less and have started to create number sentences.
WB 26.9.22
This week the children in reception have been talking about their family. They have been counting how many people live in their home and discussing how many more people are in their family. The children then drew pictures of their family in their English books and wrote down the initial sounds next to their pictures. We have also started our new book this week: I’m special, I’m me! The children have been on a learning journey with Milo and learnt all about the different things they can be. This has been super fun for when playing outside. The children have been enjoying the creative play set ups. We have had lots of pirates invading the playground but luckily, with the help of a map, the treasure was found! We have also had lots of fire fighters out and about. The children have had lots of fun driving their truck and using the water to put out the fires.
In maths, we have been learning all about the number 3. The children have been subitising the number and counting on from 3. They have been looking at one more and one less and have started to create number sentences.
WB 23.9.22
This week we have finished reading our first English book: Starting school. The children did a super job at creating a morning routine timeline and they had discussions about the order they do things in the morning. Did you know that some children put on their shoes before they get dressed? We have also been looking at recognising numbers and have been grouping objects to help us subitise. We are super impressed with how well all of the children have worked this week.
WB 12.9.22
This week in Reception the children have started their phonics sessions. We have learnt the sounds: m, a, s, d and t and the children had brilliant fun showing the adults what they remembered. In our outside area the children have been creating all types of appetising soups in the mud kitchen. Using the left-over fruit and vegetables we have had some delicious ‘Tomato sand soup’ and their personal favourite ‘Papaya mud soup’.
The children are really excited to take home their first book this weekend and are looking forward to telling their grown ups their very own story.
WB 5.9.22
This week the children in Reception have been working very hard to learn all of the new routines at Dilkes. They have listened very carefully to the new rules and have all been superstars at settling into their new school.
Our topic for the week has been ‘All about me’. The children have drawn pictures of themselves using mirrors and have spoken about their morning routines. They have listened to the story ‘Starting School’ and have made comparisons between the book and their own school. In maths, we have been familiarising the children with the number 0 and have been singing nursery rhymes linked to the numbers 1-5. The children have really enjoyed exploring their new environments this week. They have enjoyed using the construction area, the mud kitchen, the bikes and the playframe as well as playing with the areas in their classroom.
We are extremely proud of the children. They have settled into school very well and we are looking forward to the year ahead.
Next week are going to explore the number 1 and continue learning all about ourselves and our families.