Derwent Class Curriculum Letter Summer Term 2024

Dear Parents,

I hope you had a wonderful Easter. We are now heading into our final term in Reception, how quickly it’s flown! It’s so wonderful to see just how much progress the children in Derwent Class have made so far this year. This term will see us explore the world of animals, sail the seven seas and begin to prepare for the transition to Year One!

Topics

The topic for this half term is Animal Safari. In the Animal Safari project, your child will learn about incredible animals that live worldwide. They will explore various animal habitats and compare the animals that live there with animals in their locality. They will learn how to care for pets and what all animals need to grow, survive and stay happy and healthy. They will explore animal features and find out how they survive in the wild. They will compare the ways that animals are similar and different. In our companion project, Creep, Crawl and Wriggle project, your child will learn about minibeasts. They will observe minibeasts in their natural habitats and create shelters for them to live in. They will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and explore what minibeasts, such as snails and worms, need to survive. They will compare the features of minibeasts and learn the names of their body parts.

You can support your child at home by:

· Go on a local safari to find out about the animals that live in your garden or local park.

· Look at animals from around the world, discuss your favourite animals and find out some fantastic facts.

· Go on safari to look for minibeasts that live in your garden or park.

· Make a bug hotel from plant pots, small rocks, stones, bark and leaves and see if minibeasts visit.

· Research some fantastic facts about minibeasts from around the world.

Next half term we will be looking at the topic On the Beach. In this project, your child will learn about animals that live in rock pools and on the seashore. They will explore days out at the beach and compare their experiences with beach holidays in the past. They will learn about the animals that live in the sea and find out about worldwide seas and oceans. They will explore the importance of looking after the environment to keep living things safe. They will learn about staying safe at the beach and find out about people who help us. Alongside this we will also be exploring the Moving On project, your child

will explore how they have grown and changed through the year. They will celebrate their successes and reflect on what they have learned and how they have developed. The project prepares your child for the next step of their learning as they move into Year 1.

You can support your child at home by:

· Go for a day out at the beach and investigate a rock pool.

· Look at pictures of family days out at the beach and talk about the activities you enjoy.

· Use Google Earth to look at images of seas and oceans around the world.

· Look at photographs from the year and talk about how they have changed and grown.

· Encourage your child to talk about their favourite learning experiences from the year and their successes and achievements.

· Talk about change and encourage your child to explain what they are looking forward to when they move into Year 1.

English

In Drawing Club this term, we will delving into some wonderful books including Rainbow Fish, I Am A Tiger and Supertato. We will continue to focus on writing phrases and simple sentences using our Phonics knowledge. Alongside this we will continue to take part in daily phonics and guided reading sessions. I will be sending home information about what we are covering the Little Wandle program each week on Tapestry. For more information about our phonics program please visit the parent page on the Little Wandle website.

Maths

This term will start with exploring the link between 2D and 3D shapes. We will then move into continuing our counting pattern beyond 10, engaging in a practical exploration of addition and subtraction using stories and loose parts, as well as sharing and grouping. Towards the end of the term we will be investigating positional language, giving directions and how to read a simple map. Throughout the term we will continue to identify number bonds to 5 and 10.

P.E. P.E. will be on Thursday afternoon with Mr Cairns. In these sessions Mr Cairns will be teaching games-based P.E. sessions as well as preparing the children for sport day. These sessions will generally take place outdoors due to the warm weather. Please make sure to send you child to school with a sunhat and once-a-day suncream on in the morning to help protect them from the sun.

As always, I am always happy to help with any questions you may have or matters you need to discuss. You can send me an email (derwentclass@langton.n-yorks.sch.uk) or catch me before or after school for a quick conversation.

Warmest regards,

Mrs Abigail Burbridge