F2 Newsletters
F2 Parent Workshop
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend the workshop on 9th June 2016.
This workshop was for parents/carers on ‘How children learn and how we can help them.’ The workshop aimed to help parents recognise that children have different learning styles and gave them a range of techniques and activities that they could use at home to support their child’s learning. After the workshop the parents came in to F2 for a stay and play session, which gave the children the opportunity to share their work with their parents and to make a certificate together, explaining why their parents were proud of them.
Lots of parents/carers attended and we had really lovely feedback.
“Really enjoyed the workshop, very helpful to know what to help my child with.”
“I am very impressed with today’s meeting. Thank you.”
“Very useful information today! We’ll try our best to help our child’s learning.”
“My daughter loves being part of St Mary’s. We are very happy with her progress.”
This workshop was for parents/carers on ‘How children learn and how we can help them.’ The workshop aimed to help parents recognise that children have different learning styles and gave them a range of techniques and activities that they could use at home to support their child’s learning. After the workshop the parents came in to F2 for a stay and play session, which gave the children the opportunity to share their work with their parents and to make a certificate together, explaining why their parents were proud of them.
Lots of parents/carers attended and we had really lovely feedback.
“Really enjoyed the workshop, very helpful to know what to help my child with.”
“I am very impressed with today’s meeting. Thank you.”
“Very useful information today! We’ll try our best to help our child’s learning.”
“My daughter loves being part of St Mary’s. We are very happy with her progress.”
Autumn Term in Foundation 2 (F2)
Welcome to the Autumn Term in Foundation 2 (F2)
Dear Families,
A very big welcome to the Foundation 2 children who have made a wonderful start to their first school year. We are looking forward to working together and enjoying lots of exciting learning opportunities. Here is an overview of the Early Years Foundation Curriculum.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning and development. These are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Physical Development
Communication and Language
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding of the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Here is an overview of the curriculum areas we plan to cover this term. We hope this will support you in encouraging your child to talk about the work they are doing in school.
Literacy
Throughout their first year in school, the children will be learning the basics of reading and writing. We have short daily phonics sessions with Pop the mouse. He is a bit mischievous and the children will enjoy finding out where he has been hiding.
As children learn their sounds, letter strips will be sent home to support you in helping your child to practise their sounds and build words.
We will also send home ‘Bear Words.’ The ‘Bear Words’ are for you and your child to read and practise making sentences. These words are high frequency words which children will encounter regularly in their reading and writing. Some of them will be easy to sound out and the others need to be learned by sight. The children look forward to moving on to the next coloured bear once they have learned the bear they are on.
Reading Books
The children have been very enthusiastic about receiving their first reading books. When sharing your child’s reading book at home, please encourage them to discuss what they see and ask them questions about what they have read. Please ensure your child‘s reading book is returned to school, in their book bag, every day. An adult will hear your child read their home reading book at least once a fortnight. Your child will have other reading opportunities in class including during the daily phonic sessions. Please write in your child‘s Reading Record when you have heard them read at home as we value your comments and support. Please also take some time to look through the reading records as it includes some useful school information.
When learning to read, little and often is best. Please make it a pleasant, special time for you and your child.
Mathematics
Puzzle the squirrel and Kenny the kangaroo have lots of mathematical problems for the children to solve every day. In our maths work children will be learning to count, recognise and order numbers to 20; understand addition and subtraction calculations; learn and describe shapes and explore patterns and measuring.
PE Sessions and PE Kit
We ask that your child‘s PE kit is brought into school at the beginning of term and kept in school for the whole half term. Pease continue to help your child become more independent when getting dressed and undressed by practising at home.
Outdoor Play
A big part of the F2 curriculum takes place outside and we will be going out in all weather conditions. We ask that your child wears appropriate clothing according to the weather.
· Wet days - A waterproof raincoat with a hood
· Cold days - A warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves
· Sunny days - A sun hat and sun cream (please apply in the morning before school)
Please ensure your child‘s name is on ALL items of clothing, both uniform and P.E. kit.
Behaviour Rewards
We always praise positive behaviour and congratulate children who try to follow our school rules. These are:
· Be kind and gentle
· Listen carefully
· Be honest
· Work hard
· Show respect
Every week our class pets will choose children who have followed the school rules to be Star of the Week. Star of the Week can take the class pet home for the weekend to spend time with them and their families.
Good News Stars
We are very keen to hear about your child‘s development at home. If they‘ve done something for the first time, or shown a real interest in an object/event/activity please share it with us on a ‘Good News’ star (these will be given out at the Stay and Play session). We can then add this information to your child‘s file as it will help us to build a rounded picture of their interests and achievements throughout the year both in and out of school. Please ask for more stars when you have used all the ones you’ve been given.
Stay and Play Sessions and Parent/Carer Workshops
Throughout the year we will hold Stay and Play Sessions. This is an opportunity where you can come to school and work alongside your child in F2. At the beginning of each session we will hold a Parent/Carer Workshop on aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and how you can support your child’s learning. Parents and carers have found these to be very useful sessions in previous years and they have thoroughly enjoyed working with their child in class.
Our first Stay and Play and Parent/Carer Workshop will be held on the 13th and 14th of October at 9am. You will only need to come to one of these sessions as it is repeated. We will ask you to sign up for your preferred day nearer the time.
We look forward to getting to know you and your children and working together to help your child to be their very best.
The F2 Team
Dear Families,
A very big welcome to the Foundation 2 children who have made a wonderful start to their first school year. We are looking forward to working together and enjoying lots of exciting learning opportunities. Here is an overview of the Early Years Foundation Curriculum.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning and development. These are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Physical Development
Communication and Language
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding of the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Here is an overview of the curriculum areas we plan to cover this term. We hope this will support you in encouraging your child to talk about the work they are doing in school.
Literacy
Throughout their first year in school, the children will be learning the basics of reading and writing. We have short daily phonics sessions with Pop the mouse. He is a bit mischievous and the children will enjoy finding out where he has been hiding.
As children learn their sounds, letter strips will be sent home to support you in helping your child to practise their sounds and build words.
We will also send home ‘Bear Words.’ The ‘Bear Words’ are for you and your child to read and practise making sentences. These words are high frequency words which children will encounter regularly in their reading and writing. Some of them will be easy to sound out and the others need to be learned by sight. The children look forward to moving on to the next coloured bear once they have learned the bear they are on.
Reading Books
The children have been very enthusiastic about receiving their first reading books. When sharing your child’s reading book at home, please encourage them to discuss what they see and ask them questions about what they have read. Please ensure your child‘s reading book is returned to school, in their book bag, every day. An adult will hear your child read their home reading book at least once a fortnight. Your child will have other reading opportunities in class including during the daily phonic sessions. Please write in your child‘s Reading Record when you have heard them read at home as we value your comments and support. Please also take some time to look through the reading records as it includes some useful school information.
When learning to read, little and often is best. Please make it a pleasant, special time for you and your child.
Mathematics
Puzzle the squirrel and Kenny the kangaroo have lots of mathematical problems for the children to solve every day. In our maths work children will be learning to count, recognise and order numbers to 20; understand addition and subtraction calculations; learn and describe shapes and explore patterns and measuring.
PE Sessions and PE Kit
We ask that your child‘s PE kit is brought into school at the beginning of term and kept in school for the whole half term. Pease continue to help your child become more independent when getting dressed and undressed by practising at home.
Outdoor Play
A big part of the F2 curriculum takes place outside and we will be going out in all weather conditions. We ask that your child wears appropriate clothing according to the weather.
· Wet days - A waterproof raincoat with a hood
· Cold days - A warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves
· Sunny days - A sun hat and sun cream (please apply in the morning before school)
Please ensure your child‘s name is on ALL items of clothing, both uniform and P.E. kit.
Behaviour Rewards
We always praise positive behaviour and congratulate children who try to follow our school rules. These are:
· Be kind and gentle
· Listen carefully
· Be honest
· Work hard
· Show respect
Every week our class pets will choose children who have followed the school rules to be Star of the Week. Star of the Week can take the class pet home for the weekend to spend time with them and their families.
Good News Stars
We are very keen to hear about your child‘s development at home. If they‘ve done something for the first time, or shown a real interest in an object/event/activity please share it with us on a ‘Good News’ star (these will be given out at the Stay and Play session). We can then add this information to your child‘s file as it will help us to build a rounded picture of their interests and achievements throughout the year both in and out of school. Please ask for more stars when you have used all the ones you’ve been given.
Stay and Play Sessions and Parent/Carer Workshops
Throughout the year we will hold Stay and Play Sessions. This is an opportunity where you can come to school and work alongside your child in F2. At the beginning of each session we will hold a Parent/Carer Workshop on aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and how you can support your child’s learning. Parents and carers have found these to be very useful sessions in previous years and they have thoroughly enjoyed working with their child in class.
Our first Stay and Play and Parent/Carer Workshop will be held on the 13th and 14th of October at 9am. You will only need to come to one of these sessions as it is repeated. We will ask you to sign up for your preferred day nearer the time.
We look forward to getting to know you and your children and working together to help your child to be their very best.
The F2 Team