Settling Into School

Our Families

This half-term, our topic has been Our Families, helping us to get to know one another as we begin our journey together in Robin Class. Through stories, discussions and shared experiences, we have celebrated both the similarities and differences within our families and lives outside of school. Many of the children came to school from the same nursery setting, while others joined us having attended different settings, giving us a wonderful opportunity to share stories, make new connections and learn from one another. We have talked about how Robin Class and our school community can begin to feel like a family too; a place where we support each other, learn together and live out our school motto of Growing Together. To help create a sense of belonging, many children have brought in family photographs to display in our classroom, making our learning environment feel personal and welcoming. Throughout the term, we have recorded our experiences in our special Growing Together books. Organised like a diary, these books have allowed the children to mark-make, cut and stick photographs, add drawings and reflect on their learning journey, creating a treasured record of their first half-term in school.

Phonics and Reading

This half-term the children have made a fantastic start to their phonics journey. Each week we have learnt four new phonemes, focusing on how to pronounce them correctly, identify them within words, blend sounds together to read words and form the corresponding graphemes in our writing. Alongside daily phonics sessions, the children enjoyed sharing books with their Buzzard class buddies, talking about stories and pictures and making connections to their own experiences. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for reading continue at home as they share books with their families. The children have also taken home formation sheets for each phoneme, and this additional practice has made a noticeable difference to their confidence and progress.

Writing

In writing, we have focused on developing the foundations needed to become confident writers. The children have worked hard on sitting correctly, holding their pencils with increasing control and developing positive attitudes. They have practised letter formation through daily phonics and writing activities, persevering and taking pride in their achievements.

Mathematics

This half-term we have been developing our understanding of number through practical activities, including matching, sorting, comparing and recognising patterns. The children have explored different ways to represent numbers within five, practised counting and subitising, and compared size, mass and capacity. We have particularly enjoyed daily rhyme time and linking our learning to the season by using signs of autumn, such as conkers, to sort objects into groups and support our developing sense of number.

Understanding the World (Geography, Science, RE and Computing)

Our learning has focused on understanding ourselves, our community and the world around us. In Geography, we explored where we live, identified features of our local area and used maps to help us learn more about Chewton Mendip. The children then applied their knowledge by creating their own maps using symbols.

In Religious Education, we considered what makes us special and learnt about how Christians and Jewish people demonstrate the values they believe in. We reflected on how we can help our family and friends feel valued and cared for and created a kindness paper chain, drawing examples of times we have felt kindness, and offered kindness to others.

In Science, we investigated our senses, thinking about how sight, sound, touch and smell help us to explore our environment and settle into school life. The children enjoyed using their senses to observe and describe the world around them.

The children have had many thoughtful discussions about technology and its role in our everyday lives. We explored different types of technology that we use at home and school and considered how robots and machines can help us. The children also learnt about using technology responsibly and began developing their understanding of online safety and kindness when using digital devices.

Art and Music

In Art, we have developed our drawing and painting skills through creating self-portraits. Using mirrors to observe ourselves carefully, we learnt how to position facial features accurately and use appropriate colours to represent ourselves. The children practised using pencils and paintbrushes with increasing control, applying the pencil grip skills that we have been working hard to develop across the curriculum.

This half-term the children enjoyed learning and performing a variety of nursery rhymes and songs. They have developed their listening skills, joined in with call-and-response songs and explored how music can make us move and feel. The children have shown great enthusiasm when singing together and performing as a group.

PHSE

Settling into school has been our main focus this half-term. The children have explored different feelings, learnt strategies to help manage emotions and developed their understanding of how to communicate their feelings appropriately. Through discussions, stories and activities, they have begun building strong friendships and confidence within our classroom community while learning how to be kind, respectful and supportive of one another.

Physical Development

The children have become increasingly confident and independent in their daily school routines. They have developed skills such as dressing themselves, moving safely around the school environment and taking part in a variety of physical activities. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they navigate their new surroundings with increasing independence.