Welcome to Class 1 – Our Early Years Unit for Reception and Nursery!

 We are Mrs Godman and Miss Vardy and have been the early years team at Aldbury for 6 years. We are lucky to have the support of Miss Shepherd and Mrs Janes this year.

 The Class 1 team aim to foster an inclusive classroom, enabling all members to flourish and make everyone feel happy and welcome.

We hope that this page will keep parents and carers up to date with all the exciting things that are happening in our class. We are very excited for the children to continue to discover all the wonderful things that make Nursery and Reception special.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to message Mrs Godman on Dojo or arrange to speak with her after school. 

Spring term Subjects/Topics

English/Literacy

Literacy Tree - learning through a text - is one of the approaches we take at Aldbury to teach our foundational writing skills. This term we will be learning about a range of literacy skills, all while exploring different stories and themes.

In the unit, based on the book Little Red, we will be exploring the themes of talents, powers, magic, and imagination. We will begin by making predictions about the story based on prior knowledge. We will be creating labels and writing notes of advice and adverts. We will also be using past, present and future tenses correctly when speaking about events, and we will learn to use phonics to write words. We will adapt the story to write our own versions.

In the unit, based on the book The Magic Paintbrush, we will be exploring the themes of talents, powers, magic and imagination. We will begin by discussing what we would paint with a magic paintbrush. We will be writing thought bubbles and thank you letters, and we will learn to use phonics to decode words. We will also be creating our own dragon-like monsters, and by the end of the unit, we will write our own 'overcoming' tales.

In the unit based on the book, I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato, we will be exploring the theme of fussy eating and writing our own stories about fussy eaters. We will begin by discussing our likes and dislikes of food, and will develop our ability to write statements and shopping lists. We will also learn to listen attentively to stories and respond with relevant comments and questions. We will be writing in role as the character Lola, and also, by the end of the unit, we will be reading simple sentences.

In the unit, based on the book The Tiny Seed, we will be exploring the themes of nature and the planet. We will begin by planting seeds and learning about their needs. We will be writing instructions for seed planting and learning to write in role as the tiny seed. We will also explore how something small can overcome adversity and grow big and strong. By the end of the unit, we will write an advice leaflet for seeds.

Throughout all four units, we will be developing our skills in phonics, comprehension, and writing, using a variety of strategies including shared writing, modelled writing, and independent writing.

Maths/Numeracy

In the Spring term, children will engage in a variety of mathematical learning experiences across six blocks, focusing on numbers, mass, capacity, and shapes.

Children are introduced to zero, learn to find and subitise numbers up to five, and represent these numbers in different ways. They also explore one more and one less, and the composition of numbers to five.

They will also focus on mass and capacity, where children compare mass, find a balance using scales, explore capacity and compare capacities of different containers.

Later in the term, the focus shifts to the numbers 6, 7 and 8. Children will find, represent, and explore one more and one less than these numbers, as well as their composition. They will also learn about making pairs, odd and even numbers, and doubles up to 8.

They will move on to the numbers 9 and 10, with similar activities as the previous block. Children will also compare numbers to 10, explore bonds to 10 using two and three parts, and explore doubles to 10, and even and odd numbers.

The final block concentrates on exploring 3D shapes, including recognising and naming them, finding 2D shapes within 3D shapes, and using them for tasks. Children will also identify, copy, and continue patterns in the environment.

Music 

Music is always happening in the Early Years. We will be exploring a variety of songs this term. One of our listening units is based on the theme of birdsong. We will be encouraging the children to explore their voices by imitating the sounds of birds. We will play a simple singing game based on the two-note ‘cuckoo call’. We will sharpen the children’s listening skills with a game of bird spotting: listening out for the ‘cuckoo call’ in Johann Strauss II’s lively Cuckoo polka. Then we will enjoy some expressive movement by encouraging the children to fly free to Vaughan Williams’s The lark ascending. 

Most children will be able to:

• Explore the range and capabilities of voices through vocal play. 
• Develop a sense of beat by performing actions to music. 
• Develop ‘active’ listening skills by recognising the ‘cuckoo call’ in a piece of music (so-mi).
• Enjoy moving freely and expressively to music.

We will also explore the song - Shake my sillies out. This is a catchy, alliterative ‘wake up, shake up’ song with actions, perfect for exploring pulse work. We will use it to explore tempo, timbre, and playing with sounds. We will go on to create a sound story with classroom percussion.

Most children will be able to:

• Listen to music and show the beat with actions.
• Sing an action song with changes in speed.
• Play along with percussion instruments.
• Create a sound story using instruments to represent different animal sounds/movements.
• Perform the story as a class.

Physical Education (PE)

Game On Sports Coaches come into school on Fridays. This term they are looking at ways to move and how to move with equipment.

Mrs Godman also leads a PE lesson on a Monday. This term is looking at cooperation, solving problems, manipulation and coordination.

PSHE - Personal, Social, Health Education

In the first half term our topic is called 'Dreams and Goals'. We will explore the importance of staying motivated when facing challenges. Together, we will persevere through difficult tasks, learning that determination leads to success. By reflecting on times we didn’t give up, we’ll build resilience and teamwork skills, working with partners or groups to achieve shared goals. We will practice setting goals, overcoming obstacles with positivity, and encouraging others with kind words. Through role play and activities, we’ll link our learning to future careers, understanding how hard work helps us achieve dreams. Finally, we’ll celebrate achievements, recognising the pride that comes from reaching our goals and striving for success.

After half term we will be exploring what it means to be healthy. We will discover how to lead a healthy lifestyle by creating the "Bedtime" section of our Healthy Me Recipe Book. Together, we will explore how exercise keeps us fit and why moving and resting balance our energy. We’ll identify healthy and unhealthy foods, making thoughtful eating choices. Through activities, we’ll learn the benefits of good sleep and practice bedtime routines. We’ll develop hygiene habits, like thorough handwashing, and understand their importance. Finally, we’ll reflect on healthy friendships and identify safe adults, ensuring we know how to stay safe and calm in challenging situations, building confidence in our well-being.

Religious Education

Over the Spring term children will explore the concept of helping others - salvation. Children learn about helping others through the story of the Good Samaritan, which teaches them to act as a 'neighbour' when someone is in need. They learn that Christians believe Jesus came to help and save people. They explore the concept of forgiveness and new starts through the Easter story and the symbolism of the cross. Children may make an Easter garden, which includes a cross, to remember the story. They also learn that Easter is a time of sorrow, reflection, joy and hope. Easter eggs and flowers represent new life, and the cross on hot cross buns is a 'Jesus cross' that reminds them of Jesus' death. 

We will also spend time looking at the Sikh story "How did Guru Har Gobin rescue the 52 princes?". Before the Easter break we will also hope to answer the question "What do Buddhists learn from the Monkey King?".