Spring Term Highlights from Reception

In Spring 1 our topic was “Everyday Superheroes”; focusing on all the occupations that we encounter in everyday life. Each week had a theme; from the police, to firemen, dentists and more. The children enjoyed dressing up as different roles, exploring small world play and many themed crafts. They learnt how to create their own fingerprints, look for clues, fire safety and the importance of a healthy diet to look after your teeth. We were also lucky enough to have a vet and dentist come into school and explain their job roles and duties.

In Literacy we then had weekly texts that linked to our job role of the week. We were able to write about what they wanted to be when they grow up, write facts about occupations and write their own reports on animals as if they were vets. This also led nicely into our PHSE topic of the term “Dreams and goals” where the children were discussing their personal dreams and how we could get their and achieve these goals.

In Phonics we finished Phase 3 sounds, and they can now read and write not only singular sounds but digraphs and trigraphs. Now most words can be phonetically plausible, and the children enjoy completing a range of writing objectives across our curriculum.

In Maths we learned numbers up to 8. Talking about not only composition but subitizing quantities and simple problem solving. We also explored mass and capacity, and the children were eager to test out these skills with sand and water in the outdoor provision.

RE was all about what people celebrate, and those that celebrated Christmas were able to share their recent experiences before the children learnt about Chinese New Year, Persian New Year and Holi. The children took part in acting out what happens during celebrations, making their own art linked to celebrations and comparing their previous knowledge to new celebrations.

PE we focused on Hockey during Spring term 1 and being able to not only control the ball but to pass and dribble the ball around the cones. It took a lot of balance, concentration and hand to eye coordination but as the term progressed, we were able to increase the distance that the ball was passed and work on our strength of passing.

We then finished our very busy term with two very popular “Stay and play” sessions with a Valentine’s Day theme. We were excited to share our progress with parents and careers, and complete activities to show off our new learning from the term.

For Spring 2 our topic was “We’re on the move”; looking at different modes of transport. We looked at transport that the children have previously experienced including buses and cars, but also at less familiar modes of transportation such as rockets and hot air balloons. Junk modelling to make these modes of transport was a particularly popular activity this term, as well as the addition of a train station within our garden provision.

In Literacy we explored a range of texts that help us to label vehicles, write about the adventures of a “Naughty Bus” and write our very own questions. The children’s independence in writing has grown greatly this term, and as has their ability to complete more written tasks linked to each rainbow challenge.

Phonics this term has included the introduction of group reading. The children are now able to read in partners and take turns to help support each other with that they are reading. We are discussing the texts that we have read through comprehension questions and in our writing, we are starting to build upon simple sentences. The children are enjoying this small group time to be able to build upon their skills answering questions and understanding key concepts.

In Maths, we have now built our number knowledge up to 10 and started to not only think of number problems but discuss number bonds up to 10 as well as doubling up to 10. At the end of the term, we also introduced 3D shapes and found the 3D shapes in the environment, while discussing which shapes are used the most in construction and why.

RE in Spring 2 has had an Easter focus. Looking at the Easter story but also Spring and life cycles. The children were very excited to have our very own frog spawn and tadpoles in the class, as well as looking at all the changes in the natural environment surrounding us.

The PE focus of this term has been basketball. We were able to experience both large and small balls, and learnt to pass, catch, bounce the ball and even bounce pass to each other. The children have then been keen to practice these skills in the EYFS garden as well as shooting hoops out on the MUGA. This has then linked into PHSE where we have then had a focus on “Healthy me” and discussing how we stay healthy through sports, physical activity and healthy eating.