Year R - Butterfly Class

 Welcome to Butterfly Class

Class Teacher: Miss Finnis

EYFS Support Staff: Miss Oliver, Miss Sharp, Miss Esson, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Woods and Mrs Walsh

 

Term 1

                                🌟 Welcome to Reception at Pilgrims' Way! 🌟

 As we begin an exciting new year in Reception, we’re so pleased to welcome all our new children and families to Pilgrims’ Way. We are looking forward to getting to know your children over the next few weeks as we play and learn together as they become familiar with our school environment and daily routines.

 As we learn through play and exploration, we will be exploring the children’s interests and fascinations alongside focused learning opportunities guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the Characteristics of Effective Learning, which help us support every child to become a confident, curious and capable learner.

 

                        📚 Our Focus This Term: Colours and Emotions

Understanding our feelings and the world around us is a big step for young children and what better way to explore this than through stories, art, and play?

We will be reading:

• 🎨 The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas
  A wonderful story that helps children identify and talk about different emotions through colour. ​ ​
• 🟠 The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  A celebration of creativity, perseverance and self-expression, helping children find their own voice.
• 🐘 Elmer by David McKee
  A heartwarming tale about being different, accepting ourselves and celebrating diversity.

 These stories will inspire our learning across the curriculum from exploring their own emotions to exploring what happens when we mix colours. For more information about our learning journey this term, please see our knowledge organiser by following the link at the bottom of the page.

Below is key vocabulary from each story for you to explore with your child in both English and your home language.

​Twinkl Phonics at Pilgrims' Way

This term, we are excited to begin our phonics journey using the Twinkl Phonics programme.

We are going to start with a blend of Level 1 and Level 2, focusing initially on developing vital listening skills. This includes sound discrimination, rhythm and rhyme, and oral blending: all essential for building strong phonics foundations.

As the term progresses, we will move into Level 2, where children will begin learning individual letter sounds and blending them to read simple words. Children love sharing what they’ve learned, so expect to hear lots of exciting new sounds at home!

Forest School -Monday

 

 Your child will need to come to school in their Forest School kit for these sessions, with their school uniform in their bag to change into. Please provide them with old clothes, water proofs and some wellington boots or snow boots. With the weather changing, please ensure your child has clothes that are warm and waterproof, because the weather is always unpredictable. 

P.E. - Friday

 Please make sure that your child wears their P.E. kit to school Friday mornings. This should include shorts, a t-shirt and plimsolls/trainers. They are able to wear their P.E. kits for the rest of the day.

How you can help at home

• Read with your child at least three times a week. Every week on Friday, your child's books will be changed. Please sign the reading record so that you can let us know how they are getting on with their reading at home and so that we can keep track of what books have been read. 
• Practise the phonic sounds we have been learning in class.
• Talk to them about school routines, such as putting their things in their lockers, lunch times, eating, register and tidying up.
• Use the curriculum newsletter to discuss their current learning and encourage them to incorporate what they have been learning into their everyday routines. 
• Explore their interests through play.

Thank you for your support. If you ever have any concerns or questions then please don't hesitate to contact me. I am at the classroom door before and after school or alternatively, you can email me on ClassDojo.

The Term 1 knowledge organiser below provides information on our learning enquiry for this term. 

Please click here to access extra phonics, reading and spelling resources.

Please click here to access links to other useful home learning resources published online.

If you are unsure of any log in details please contact the teacher through Class Dojo or email office@pilgrims-way.kent.sch.uk