W/C: 3rd November

Welcome back everyone!  It's been a lovely start back to our new half term and we have kick started our new topic, Light and Colour' with the story, Wow, Said the Owl! There are plenty of opportunities to talk about and explore different colours within this story, as the owl goes on a daytime adventure for the first time and sees colours in natures that she has never seen before!  We are going to continue with this as our main book for next week too, so that we can explore colour in more depth and become really familiar with the story.

Holly class had a great time up at Forest School with the Elm children and  Mr Williamson, who in fact described his session with them as 'magical'.  There were all certainly all full of beans when they can back and were keen to talk about the adventures they had up there.

We talked lots about Bonfire night this week and why we celebrate this each year (in an age-appropriate way).  Lots of the children chose to create some really lovely artwork based around this - sparkly, colourful fireworks using glitter and chalks, crackling bonfires using wooden matchsticks and tissue paper and dazzling sparklers using colourful ribbons and even more glitter!  We also talked about keeping safe around fireworks and bonfires, to which they all listened and contributed to really sensibly.

On the subject of staying safe - as part of our PSHE teaching and learning, we had a short lesson this week about how what is under our pants is private and shouldn't be seen or touched by anyone else (of course in the exceptions with parents helping to dress/wash etc or if a doctor/nurse need s to help them.  Further guidance around this can be found on the NSPCC website, including the song we listened to in class.  Here is the link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/pants-underwear-rule/

In R.E. we have been learning about celebrations, including the celebration of marriage and why some couples might choose to do this.  It was lovely to see some of the children choosing to role play 'weddings' afterwards.  Thank you very much to the photos that some of you sent in for this, it really did help to make the lesson much more meaningful to children.

In maths, we have been learning about one more and one lesson and how to use a 5 frame and counters to help us to this.  In 'choosing time', we have been playing different maths games, which have required us to use our counting skills.

In phonics, we have been learning some new sounds, most of which are 'digraphs', which means that they have two letters, but only make one sound.  The digraphs we have learnt this week, children know that are never used at the start of a word (in the English language).  The sounds we have learnt are:

ff, ss, ll and j

We have also learnt the tricky words, put, pull, full, as.

Very soon, we will begin rehearsing for our nativity performance.  Children have been told a little bit about this (and are very excited) and parts will be allocated soon.  Our nativity performance takes place on Wednesday 10th December at 1:30pm.  More information will follow in due course.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all next week for parents' evening on Wednesday and Thursday.  Appointments will take place in the hall - more information will follow about this from Mrs Docker on Monday.

Finally, you may have already seen that your child has come home with their  new red 'Home Learning' book this week.   The home learning that will be set each week is to help consolidate learning that we are doing in class together.  It is encouraged, but certainly not compulsory to children in Holly Class.  In my experience, most children enjoying doing it, but if they really don't want to do it, please don't force them as I really don't want it to be seen as a 'chore' in the precious time they have outside of school with their families.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!