This half term our theme is Celebrations. We will have a focus on ourselves and our families as well as being part of our new class. We will be learning about different celebrations around the world and experiencing different activities.

As part of our topic we will think about our own family celebrations and events that are happening at this time of the year. We will think about Bonfire night, Remembrance day, Diwali, Christmas and birthdays amongst other things. We will look at how people celebrate in similar and different ways and look at how Christmas celebrations have changed over time. 

Some of our expressive arts and design activities this half term will be making poppies, cards and calendars for Christmas, having a go at rangoli patterns using different media (rice etc.), making clay Diva lamps, Mendhi patterns and creating our own nativity scenes.

We will continue to explore basic time lines - our day, our week and changing seasons around us as well as starting to look at the past in more detail. 

 

Our texts this half term are 'The Gingerbread Man' and 'Stickman'.

Children will be learning to listen, respond and join in with actions to retell the story. They will answer questions about the text and characters, take part in role play and learning how to use a story map.

Children will be writing about the story using simple phonics to spell words. They will label pictures and make meaningful marks and word attempts. Children will be learning to form recognisable letters using the letter rhymes we have learnt in phonics.

   

In maths we will be focussing on early counting skills, being able to count by rote and then count objects accurately with one object for each number name. We will be learning about numbers that are one more than another number and starting to see how smaller numbers can be made into other numbers.

We will also be looking at naming and sorting objects by size and colour. We will explore 2D shape and identifying a simple patterns around us.

In PE this half term children will be starting multi skills activities twice each week. They will also get more focussed physical development sessions with Mr Davies, focussing on gross motor skills.

They will still be learning to get dressed with increasing independence and to organise their belongings. They will be learning to listen to instructions and basic skills needed to play games and use equipment.

In Music the children will be learning to listen and identify sounds, sing rhymes and songs. They will begin to keep the beat and hear different instruments as well as being able to play some instruments too.

In RE children we follow the RE scheme for Catholic Primary Schools - Discerning Disciples. Our topic is 'Prophecy and Promise'.

In Reception class, this branch focuses on God's promises, how He communicates through messengers/prophets, and the anticipation and arrival of Jesus. 

Key Learning & Focus in Reception

• The Annunciation: Children explore the story of the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary. Rather than just learning the event, Reception-age pupils focus on Mary’s choice and trust (her fiat or "yes" to God).

• The Identity of Jesus: The teaching moves beyond simply learning about a baby in a manger; children begin to grasp the foundational Christian belief that Jesus is the Son of God.

• The Shepherds and the Nativity: Pupils look at the shepherds' visit as a joyful response to the angels' message, introducing ideas of welcome, wonder, and reverence.

• Trusting God: Through simple Bible stories and discussion, children learn what it means to trust in God's promises and care.