Spring
Week 1 Word of the week: Hanukkah
Phonics: This week, the children have been exploring new phonics sounds, including the digraphs "ai" (as in "rain") and "ee" (as in "see"), and they were introduced to the trigraph "igh" (as in "light"). They have been practicing reading, spelling, and writing words and sentences using these sounds. We also focused on letter formation, ensuring the children are correctly forming their letters as they write.
Maths: In Maths, the children focused on the number 0. They participated in a fun "Number Hunt," where they searched for objects that represented zero, such as zero leaves on trees. The children practiced writing the numbers 0-5 and learned how to compose these numbers using objects and visuals. We also worked on subitising, which is the ability to recognise small quantities at a glance without counting.
Science: In Science this week, we explored the fascinating topic of light and colour. The children created their own colour wheels and investigated what happens when the wheel is spun. They observed that as the wheel spun, the colours blended together and appeared white. This was a great hands-on experiment that helped the children understand how different colours mix and how light can affect the way we see colour. It was a fun and engaging week of learning about how light works!
Religion and Worldviews:
This week in Religion and Worldviews, we learned about Hanukkah, the celebration of light in the Jewish tradition. The children listened to the story of the Maccabees and discovered why the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah by lighting a menorah, a special candle holder, for eight days. The story helped the children understand the significance of light during this festive time and the importance of the miracle that led to the eight days of light. It was a meaningful exploration of a key tradition and celebration in the Jewish faith.
Week 2 Word of the week: Nature
Foundation Class have been very busy this week! The children have been engaging in lots of play and different activities to support their learning.
In Phonics, the children have continued to learn new phase 3 digraphs, the short /oo/, long /oo/, /ar/ and /or/. They have been working hard to apply this to their writing. The children have been recently getting stuck into guided reading where they have been developing their use of expression and comprehension skills.
In Maths, we have been recapping on one more and one less within numbers up to 5. We have been exploring the composition of numbers from 0 - 5, practising our subitising skills and applying this to conceptual subitising where you can see sets of numbers within other sets.
In Religion and Worldviews, we have been discussing what special places are and where our special place is.
We have been learning all about ownership in ProjectEvolve, which supports children with online safety, and we have been focusing on naming my work I created, so others know it belongs to me.
To end the week, in Geography, we have been on a lovely nature walk wearing our leaf crowns and created our very own nature catchers! With our buddies, we used our senses to describe the things that we added to the nature catchers - it was lots of fun!
Week 3 Word of the week: Capacity
Phonics: This week in the Foundation class, we’ve had another exciting week of learning and exploration. Our main focus has been continuing to practice writing phrases and sentences, particularly with Phase 3 sounds. The children have been introduced to sounds such as /ur/, /er/, and /ow/, and we’ve been working hard on applying these sounds in both their reading and writing.
We have also made sure to recap previous sounds that the children have learned, helping to reinforce their understanding and retention. This ongoing review ensures the children feel confident when encountering new sounds, while also making connections between previously learned ones.
In the classroom, children have continued to explore both new and older sounds through engaging activities within our continuous provision. Whether they are playing in the writing area, using sound mats, or participating in phonics games, they are given opportunities to practice and refine their phonetic skills in a fun and meaningful way.
We’re incredibly proud of the children’s progress and their enthusiasm for learning! As always, please continue to encourage your child to practice at home. Their growing confidence with writing and phonics will be invaluable in supporting their overall literacy development.
Maths: This week in Maths, the children have been thoroughly enjoying exploring weight and capacity. We’ve been working on sorting and ordering objects by weight, and the children have had the opportunity to balance items on scales. They have also been using cubes and Numicon to help them balance objects and understand the concept of weight in a hands-on way. Additionally, the children have been actively exploring capacity in our learning environment. They’ve been filling different objects with sand, water, and cubes to help them understand how to order objects based on their capacity. This has allowed them to engage in practical activities that support their understanding of size and volume in a fun, interactive way. It has been wonderful to see the children actively engaged and developing their mathematical skills in such a creative and meaningful way. They are continuing to build a strong foundation for understanding key mathematical concepts, and their enthusiasm for learning is truly shining through.
This week in our "On the Move" topic, the children have embarked on an exciting journey around the world! We’ve explored two wonderful countries: Australia and Brazil. The children have been learning about the unique features of these areas, including their climates, animals, cultures, and landscapes. In our study of Australia, the children learned about the famous Ayers Rock (Uluru) and the significance of this landmark. They also explored the vast, diverse landscapes of the country, discussing its distinctive environment. In Brazil, the children delved into the fascinating layers of the rainforest, discovering the various plant and animal life that thrive in this rich ecosystem. In addition to our geographical exploration, we’ve been busy in Science and Art, where the children have been experimenting with primary colours. They’ve had the chance to mix different colours together, discovering how new colours are created through this hands-on activity.
Week 4 Words of the Week: Lunar New Year
This week, we welcomed parents into our classroom to take part in some of the activities the children have been taking part in. We want to thank all of those parents who joined us! The children loved showing parents how we make 6, 7 and 8 in different ways, using their phase two and three phonics to write simple sentences and explored Australia and the Rainforest in some creative art activities, following our "On the move topic".
The children also celebrated Chinese New Year, learning about its origin and how Chinese New Year is celebrated. In Geography the children observed natural objects and made paintings reflecting on findings. A vase of spring daffodils was presented to the children, they discussed vocabulary and created abstract pictures and art work.
Week 5 Word of the Week: Church
This week has been an exciting adventure for our Foundation students! In Religious Education, we journeyed to our local church for a thrilling scavenger hunt. The children searched high and low to discover the church's special treasures, from vibrant stained glass windows to the sacred font and Bible. The excitement didn't stop there—afterwards, we sang lively songs and shared inspiring stories about God! Meanwhile, in Geography, we "flew" to the icy wilderness of Antarctica! The children uncovered fascinating animals and explored the freezing climate, all while packing their suitcases with the perfect gear for an epic Antarctic adventure. Back in the classroom, we’re mastering longer words with double letters like /dd/, /gg/, and /mm/, as well as compound words like carpark, hairbrush, and sunset. The children have learned how to chunk these tricky words, helping them unlock the magic of reading and spelling. What a week full of discovery and fun!
Week 6 Word of the week: Size
This week in maths, the children had a blast exploring length and height! Through a variety of hands-on activities, they measured, compared, and ordered different objects, building their confidence to work independently. They had fun figuring out which items were the tallest, shortest, longest, or smallest, using everything from blocks to their own bodies as measuring tools.
In phonics, the children have been doing brilliantly as they independently write longer and more complex phrases. They're starting to confidently spell challenging words, really putting their phonics skills into action!
In science, the children became mini-experimenters as they explored the fascinating world of light! Using torches, they predicted whether light would pass through objects, discovering which ones were opaque and which were translucent. Sorting the objects into the correct groups, the children were amazed to see how light behaved in different ways, sparking plenty of curious questions and eager discussions!
Week 7 Word of the week: Spring
This week in Reception, we’ve had a wonderful time exploring new concepts across all areas of learning.
In Phonics, the children have been busy practicing their tricky words from Phase 2 and Phase 3, as well as recapping words with double letters like "butter" and "digger." Through hands-on activities and games, they’ve been building their confidence in spelling and writing longer words, and they’ve been showing off their new skills both with teacher support and independently in the classroom.
In Maths, we explored the exciting world of time! The children participated in a range of fun activities where they compared and measured different time scales—looking at minutes, days, months, and even years. They also got to know the numbers 9 and 10 a bit better, working on recognising and writing them in different ways.
In Science, we’ve been learning about animals from all around the world and how they adapt to their environments. The children had fun sorting animals and matching them to the places they live. We also began our exploration of Spring—from the fresh flowers to the new life popping up all around us. The children created beautiful artwork to celebrate Spring, with vibrant colours and lovely details showcasing the changes in our school gardens.
Lastly, in History, the children took a journey through time by creating their very own family trees. They’ve been thinking about their own families, both past and present, and learning about the generations that came before them. It was so exciting for them to discover how families grow and change over time.
It’s been a week full of learning, creativity, and fun!
Week 8 Word of the week: Shrove Tuesday
What a fantastic week we’ve had in Reception!
In Writing, the children were challenged to add more detail to their sentences by using conjunctions like “and” and “because.” With some support and encouragement, they took on the challenge brilliantly, and we are already seeing the beginnings of small paragraphs! It’s amazing to see their writing expanding and their confidence growing.
In Maths, we built on last week’s learning and continued exploring the numbers 9 and 10. The children completed a variety of activities, such as subitising (recognising numbers without counting), and finding one more and one less up to 10. It was wonderful to see how well they are grasping these concepts in both practical and written forms.
As part of our New Life topic, the children went on a Spring-themed scavenger hunt around the school grounds. They identified exciting signs of the season, like bright yellow daffodils, budding trees, and even spotted new life such as baby robins and fresh flowers growing in the garden. It was a beautiful way to observe nature and reflect on the changes that Spring brings.
In RE, the children learned about Shrove Tuesday and why some Christians give up something for Lent. We discussed pancakes and the significance of the day, helping the children connect the traditions of Shrove Tuesday to the wider themes of Lent. Of course we ended the day with making and eating our own pancakes!
Week 9 Word of the week: Habitat
Reception Weekly Round-Up!
What a fun and educational week we’ve had in Reception! The children have been learning new concepts, exploring their creativity, and developing their skills across different areas. Here’s a look at the highlights of our week:
📝 Phonics & Writing
This week, the children continued to develop their writing skills, adding newly learnt spellings and vocabulary to their sentences. They have been working hard on making their sentences longer and more detailed, using words they’ve learned to express their ideas clearly. From creating simple phrases to more complex sentences, the children have been gaining confidence in using new words and phonic patterns independently!
🔢 Math Explorers
In Maths, we’ve been exploring shapes, odd and even numbers, and number bonds to 10! The children have been actively engaged in activities to help them identify and name different shapes, and they’ve explored number bonds in a variety of hands-on ways. Through games, manipulatives, and practical activities, they’ve been discovering patterns in numbers and exploring how odd and even numbers work. The children had fun using different objects and resources to create their own number bonds to 10 and practice recognizing shapes and numbers in the world around them.
🌍 Science - Habitats & Adaptations
In Science, the children delved into the fascinating world of habitats. We discussed why animals live in particular places and how they adapt to their environment. The children were intrigued to learn that different animals have specific needs and that their habitats provide them with what they need to survive — from food to shelter. To put their learning into practice, the children matched different animals to their appropriate habitats, considering factors like climate, shelter, and food sources. It was amazing to see how they linked their newfound knowledge to the real world, asking thoughtful questions about how animals live and thrive.
This week’s highlights included:
📝 Writing detailed sentences using newly learned vocabulary and spellings
🔢 Exploring shapes, odd and even numbers, and number bonds to 10 through fun activities
🦁 Investigating animal habitats and why animals adapt to their environment
🌍 Matching animals to their habitats and learning about how they survive in different places
It’s been an exciting week full of learning, creativity, and discovery! We are so proud of the progress the children are making and can’t wait to see where their curiosity takes them next.
Week 10 Word of the week: Hibernation
Reception Weekly Round-Up!
What a fantastic week we’ve had in Reception — full of discovery, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world around us!
🌟 Phonics Focus
This week, we continued with Week 4 of the Spring 2 Little Wandle phonics programme. The children have really impressed us with their growing confidence in writing independently. They have been writing phrases and full sentences using new vocabulary and even connectives such as ‘and,’ ‘because,’ and ‘also’. It’s been amazing to see how they’re beginning to extend their ideas in writing and apply what they've learned in their phonics lessons across the environment — from writing messages in the role-play area to labeling their junk model creations!
🔷 Marvellous Maths
In Maths, we’ve been exploring 3D shapes. The children have been busy naming and identifying shapes such as cubes, cones, spheres, and cylinders. Using both classroom resources and our outdoor environment, they investigated the features of these shapes — how many faces, edges, and corners they have — and applied this knowledge in their play. From building with blocks to sorting and spotting shapes around us, they’ve become confident shape detectives!
🌱 Seasonal Science & RE
Our science focus this week was all about seasonal change and how it affects the natural world. We read the wonderful story Don’t Hog the Hedge which sparked some brilliant discussions about hibernation and the animals that settle down to sleep during the colder months.
Linking our RE learning to this, we explored the idea that all of God’s creatures are special, and why it is important to care for our world and the animals that live here. The children reflected thoughtfully on how we can be kind to nature, showing so much care and compassion.
To put our learning into action, the children used junk modelling to design and build their very own minibeast habitats! Using recyclable materials and lots of imagination, they created bug hotels, burrows, and cosy hideaways. These were carefully placed in our forest school area, and we can’t wait to observe which creatures might choose to call them home!
📸 History – Adventures Through Time
In our History learning, we launched our exciting new topic: Adventures Through Time! The children became enthusiastic Picture Detectives, looking closely at photographs and images from the past and comparing them to the present day. They explored how the environment and the world around us change as time passes, noticing differences in buildings, transport, toys, and even clothing. This sparked lots of rich conversation and questions about the past — a wonderful way to begin developing their understanding of history.
This week’s highlights included:
📚 Reading Don’t Hog the Hedge
🎨 Creating hibernation crafts and animal homes
❓ Investigating “Where do animals hibernate?”
🏗️ Junk modelling to design minibeast habitats
🕵️♀️ Identifying 3D shapes around our classroom and outdoor space
🖼️ Becoming Picture Detectives and exploring changes over time
Week 11 Word of the week: Number Bonds
Foundation Stage Weekly Update – What a Week of Wonder!
This week in Foundation has been full of hands-on learning, brilliant thinking, and lots of exciting discoveries!
In maths, the children have been diving into number bonds to 10! They explored this concept through a variety of natural materials and resources, both inside and out. From building combinations using sticks and stones in our outdoor area to matching number cards to conkers and pinecones, the children were fully immersed in meaningful, practical learning. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow as they began to recognise different number pairs that make 10 – and all while having fun!
Over in phonics, we have been revisiting all of the sounds we’ve learnt so far, including those tricky digraphs and trigraphs. The children have been using their growing phonics knowledge to write independently, creating their own simple sentences and captions. We’ve been blown away by their enthusiasm and creativity – some children are even beginning to use connectives such as "and" or "because" in their writing! It's wonderful to see their confidence blossom as they put their phonics skills into practice.
In science, our young explorers became animal experts! We created fact files all about farmyard animals, looking at what makes each animal special. What do they eat? Where do they live? How do they help us? We even linked this to our RE learning by thinking about why certain animals might be important or special to different people and communities. The children were so engaged, identifying key features of each animal and proudly presenting their fact files to the class.
What a brilliant week of exploring, thinking, and growing – well done, Foundation!
Week 12 Word of the week: Easter
Foundation Stage Weekly Round-Up – Hoppy Easter and an Exciting New Start!
What a fabulous final week of the Spring Term we've had in Foundation!
To end the term with a sprinkle of magic, we had a very special visit from the Easter Bunny! The children were full of excitement as they followed the bunny’s trail and discovered some delightful surprises. As part of our RE learning, we explored the Easter Story, discovering why Easter is such an important celebration for Christians. We discussed the symbolism of Easter eggs – how they represent new life and hope – and the children asked some fantastic questions.
Throughout the week, the classroom was buzzing with creativity as the children took part in a range of Easter-themed arts and crafts. From designing Easter cards to crafting beautiful baskets and colourful egg patterns, it was lovely to see their imaginations in full bloom!
One of the biggest highlights of the week was launching our brand-new Drawing Club!
Drawing Club is a magical approach to storytelling that blends creativity, imagination, and writing. Each week, we explore a different high-quality text, video, or short story and dive into the world of adventure through drawing, vocabulary, and writing. It’s all about unlocking the children’s imaginations and developing their narrative skills in a fun and engaging way. This week’s Drawing Club sparked some spectacular writing, and we can already see the children brimming with ideas and confidence. We can’t wait to watch their storytelling and writing continue to flourish in the Summer Term!
And finally, in Design and Technology, we had a deliciously fun time as the children learned how to melt chocolate safely and make their very own rice crispy cakes. They followed instructions carefully, talked about changes in materials when heated and cooled, and—of course—thoroughly enjoyed tasting their creations. Yum!
It’s been a jam-packed, joyful end to the term and we are so proud of everything the children have achieved. We hope you all have a restful break and we look forward to more adventures in the Summer Term!