LADYBUGS - Miss Long
End of Term 4
We have come to the end of another fantastic term here in Ladybugs. The children have finished consolidating phase 3 phonics and have started phase 4, learning all about adjacent consonants. We have focused on developing our sentence writing this term, with children developing excellent descriptive sentences in Drawing Club and using challenging vocabulary to extend their sentences. We had a fantastic time reading The Pirates Are Coming and creating our treasure maps and messages in bottles. The children had lots of fun creating pirate-themed small words inside and out. In maths, the children have taken on new challenges in their stride. They have now looked at the part-part-whole method up to 9 and have started adding and subtracting amounts up to 8. We have had lots of fun this term learning all about spring and how to spot changes in the environment, as well as looking at which plants we can grow and what they need. We have had lots of fun exploring school life in the past, looking at the Luckwell archives, comparing similarities and differences and exploring timelines.
Additionally, a big thank you to everyone who came to talk about their jobs and how they help people. We used sewing machines and hammers, went on a bus, learnt about apps, made signs, learnt about marine life and diving, and spoke to a church community worker. We have had lots of fun exploring and role-playing the jobs of people in our community.
Overview for Term 4
This term, our theme is ‘People who help us.’ We will focus on exploring different jobs in our community and why they are essential. We will explore various roles and even have some very special guests come in to discuss what they do. Thank you so much to those who have volunteered your time to come in. In addition, we will continue our learning on past and present and explore what a timeline is and how we can use it to show events in our lives and history. We will also be exploring life and Luckwell throughout history and will even get a chance to go through the Luckwell archives. Finally, there will be lots of spring fun celebrating easter and looking at the signs of spring and exploring how to keep our bodies healthy
Literacy (including Phonics and Reading)
Our key literacy texts this term will be ‘The Pirates are Coming ’ by John Condon. In Drawing Club this term we will be reading little Red Hen and Edgar and The Dragon Inspector. In addition, we will be watching Popeye. Drawing club promotes a real love for writing and mark-making and supports children in acquiring challenging and exciting vocabulary. These are rich texts we will know inside out by the end of the term! We will answer questions about these books, learn new vocabulary and make marks inspired by what we have read. These core books have been carefully selected to engage, inspire and provide plentiful opportunities to follow the interests of the pupils.
We will continue to develop our speaking and listening this term and have almost finished phase 3 mastery and will begin our phase 4 phonics later this term. Please read with your child three times a week. Your child is working through their phonics books, which will be changed as and when they are ready, so please make sure these are being read as it is vital for good progress. Picture books will be changed on a Friday, ready for the weekend and the following week.
Maths
We will continue looking at numbers' composition, moving onto 7, 8, 9 and 10. We continue to look at and build a strong understanding of how we can make numbers using other numbers and recognise the different ways we can make them. We will also explore the part, part, whole model using a range of manipulatives and play-based learning.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In school we use the jigsaw scheme of learning to support our PSHE work. This term our theme is ‘healthy me’. Each week we will explore a different aspect if this theme. We will look at:
Week 1 – Everybody’s body
Week 2 – Moving our bodies
Week 3 – Food
Week 4 – Sleeping
Week 5 – Homes
Week 6 – Keeping Clean
Week 7 – Safe Adults
Physical Development
Our P.E. days will be on Wednesday. We will develop our fine and gross motor skills through play inside and outside. We are very lucky to have the Robins Foundation working with us this term, focusing on game skills and gymnastics.
End of Term 3
We have come to the end of another fantastic term here in Ladybugs. The children have almost finished consolidating phase 3 phonics and will begin learning phase 4 when we’re back. We have focused on developing our sentence writing this term, with children developing excellent descriptive sentences in Drawing Club and using challenging vocabulary to extend their sentences. We had a fantastic time reading The Naughty Bus and getting to role-play in the large London Bus. In maths, the children have taken on new challenges in their stride. They have now looked at the part-part-whole method and explored the composition of numbers up to 5, 3D shapes and more complex repeating patterns. We will continue to explore number bonds to 10, along with addition and subtraction, as we move into term 4.
We have had a fabulous time using the Naughty Bus to support our Geographical knowledge of London and to compare it with our City of Bristol. The class have loved reading and learning all about Beefeater Guards, as well as the physical and human features in and around Bristol. Additionally, we have had lots of fun learning all about Winter and different types of weather. A highlight had to be learning about how things freeze and putting it to good use by making ice cream!
Overview for Term 3
This term, our theme is ‘Winter.’ We will focus on exploring the four seasons and the different types of weather we might expect to see, with a focus on our current season, winter. We will look at the various activities we can do in seasons, such as planting seeds, winter sports and the types of animals we might expect to see in cold places. In addition, we will make comparisons between the seasons and be able to recognise the environmental changes that happen over time, such as the falling of leaves and hibernation. In addition, we look at why we have different types of weather and have a go replicating them in our classroom. We will read Perfectly Norman to support our growing understanding of self-esteem and accepting our differences.
Literacy (including Phonics and Reading)
Our key literacy texts this term will be ‘The Naughty Bus ’ by Jan and Jerry Oke. In Drawing Club this term we will be reading Lost and Found, Where to Hide a Star and Big Bad Dragon Club. In addition, we will be watching Trap Door. Drawing club promotes a real love for writing and mark-making and supports children in acquiring challenging and exciting vocabulary. These are rich texts we will know inside out by the end of the term! We will answer questions about these books, learn new vocabulary and make marks inspired by what we have read. These core books have been carefully selected to engage, inspire and provide plentiful opportunities to follow the interests of the pupils.
We will continue to develop our speaking and listening this term and have now finished phase 3 phonics and will begin our phase 3 mastery to deepen and secure our knowledge. Please read with your child four times a week. Your child is working through their phonics books, which will be changed as and when they are ready, so please make sure these are being read as it is vital for good progress. Picture books will be changed on a Friday, ready for the weekend and the following week.
Maths
We will begin a new topic in maths this term as we explore the composition of numbers 2, 3, and 4. We will start to look at and build a strong understanding of how we can make numbers using other numbers and recognise the different ways we can make them. We will also explore the part, part, whole model using a range of manipulatives and play-based learning. We will also strengthen our knowledge of shapes this term by comparing squares and triangles and introducing 3D shapes.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In school we use the jigsaw scheme of learning to support our PSHE work. This term our theme is ‘Dream and Goals’. Each week we will explore a different aspect if this theme. We will look at:
Week 1 – Challenge
Week 2 – Never Giving Up
Week 3 – Setting a Goal
Week 4 – Obstacles and Support
Week 5 – Homes
Week 6 – Flight to the Future
Week 7 – Our Footprint
Physical Development
Our P.E. days this term will be Monday. We will develop our fine and gross motor skills through play inside and outside. We will continue to focus on coordination and balance and start two new units, one of them being dance.
Understanding The World
This term, we are returning to our geographical knowledge and will deepen our understanding of Bristol by exploring some of its physical and human features. We will construct our suspension bridges and test their strength; we will create stained glass windows inspired by St Mary Redcliff Church and go on a journey to London (in class) to compare Bristol to London and other cities in the UK. These units will be hands-on and creative to promote critical thinking and curiosity. Lessons will follow the class's lines of development and will be shaped around their questions and curiosities about the world and people around us. In addition, we will look at the shared values of helping others across different religions, such a Sikhism and Christianity.
End of Term 2
We have come to the end of another fantastic term here in Ladybugs. The children have worked incredibly hard this term with their phonics and are now almost at the end of phase 3 phonics and powering through their phonics books. We had a fantastic time reading The Three Little Pigs by being detectives to solve the crimes, creating inventions to trap the wolf and retelling our story through roleplay . The children have loved Drawing Club in English again this term; seeing them be so excited to have a go and use their new vocabulary, such as rascal, blazing and fearsome, has been amazing, as well as seeing them design and write their ideas and passwords! In maths, the children have been securing the knowledge of counting, focusing on 1:1 correspondence, recognising numerals and how we represent numbers. We have now made it up to 9 and will begin looking at the numbers' composition after the Christmas break. In addition, we have had so much fun exploring special days such as Hanukkah, Diwali, and Christmas, explaining why they are important to different people and what traditions they follow. The class have also become confident and started to explore the concepts of past and present, and we have loved comparing how we celebrate Christmas now to Christmas in the past. I am excited to continue our geographical knowledge by exploring Bristol next term.
Overview for Term 2
Special Days
This term, our theme is ‘Special Days’ We will focus on celebrations from around the world and how different cultures choose to celebrate. We will explore a range of celebrations such as bonfire night, Christmas, and Hanukkah and learn why they are important to different people. Later into the term, we will begin to practice our Nativity Songs and prepare for our performance at the school, as well as lots of festive activities as we get closer to December. We will read The Squirrels Who Squabbled to support our growing knowledge of sharing and cooperation.
Literacy (including Phonics and Reading)
Our key literacy texts this term will be the classic tale ‘The Three Little Pigs ’ by Mara Alperin. In addition, as of the end of the last term, we started Drawing Club in English, so we will be reading Big Bad Dragon Club, The Hairy Toe and Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burgler. Drawing club promotes a real love for writing and mark-making and supports children in acquiring challenging and exciting vocabulary. These are rich texts we will know inside out by the end of the term! We will answer questions about these books, learn new vocabulary and make marks inspired by what we have read. These core books have been carefully selected to engage, inspire and provide plentiful opportunities to follow the interests of the pupils.
We will be developing our speaking and listening this term and have already reached the end of Phase 2 Phonics! We will recap our knowledge after half term before starting Phase 3. This term, we will look at the following:
Week 1 – Phase 2 set 6(l ll ss, go)
Week 2 – Phase 3, set 7 (j v w x)
Week 3 – Phase 3, set 8(y z zz qu)
Week 4 – Phase 3, set 9 (ch sh th ng)
Week 5 – Phase 3, set 10 (ai ee igh oa)
Week 6 – Phase 3, set 11 (o oar or ur)
Week 7 – Phase 3, set 12 (ing endings)
Please read with your child every day. You can share your favourite bedtime story and encourage your child to join in with bits they know, talk about pictures, and copy your words. You can look for print in the environment, such as road signs, shopping lists and shop names – ask your child if they recognise any symbols, letters, or words. Your child is working through their phonics books, which will be changed as and when they are ready, so please make sure these are in every day. Picture books will be changed on a Friday, ready for the weekend and the following week.
Maths
We will continue our maths learning this term by focusing on building confidence surrounding the five counting principles. We will start to look at and build a strong understanding of numbers 6-10, as well as begin to explore length, weight, capacity, and volume in more detail. We will continue to use a hands-on approach for maths using a range of different manipulatives and begin to start writing and ordering numerals when writing.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In school we use the jigsaw scheme of learning to support our PSHE work. This term our theme is ‘Celebrating Difference. Each week we will explore a different aspect if this theme. We will look at:
Week 1 – Our Rights Our and Responsibilities
Week 2 – What Am I Good At?
Week 3 – I’m Special, I’m Me!
Week 4 – Families
Week 5 – Homes
Week 6 – Making Friends
Week 7 – Standing Up For Yourself
Physical Development
We will develop our fine and gross motor skills through play inside and outside as well as continue to focus on coordination and balance. We are focusing on developing ball skills in
P.E this term which will be taught by me. Our P.E. day is Monday. In addition, we will be starting Squiggle Whilst We Wiggle, a quick gross motor activity done each day to develop our range of gross motor movements to support our fine motor writing skills.
Understanding The World
This term, we will learn about past and present, celebrations and why some Christians perform in Nativities. Within our past and present topics, we will look at memories and explore images, stories, and artefacts from the past so the class has a clear understanding of what past and present mean. These units will be hands-on and creative to promote critical thinking and curiosity. Lessons will follow the class's lines of development and will be shaped around their questions and curiosities about the world and people around us.
End of Term 1
We have come to the end of a fantastic term here in Ladybugs.
The children have worked incredibly hard this term with their phonics and are now reading and writing words independently using their new segmenting and blending skills! We have almost finished phase 2 phonics and will start phase 3 when we return from break.
We had a fantastic time reading The Gingerbread Man; we even had a few sweet surprises left in our classroom and entered a cake design competition for Mr and Mrs Baker.
A highlight has been starting Drawing Club in English and seeing them be so excited to have a go and use their new vocabulary, such as discombobulated and menacing!
In maths, the children have been securing the knowledge of counting, focusing on 1:1 correspondence and how we represent numbers. We are beginning to recognise numerals up to 6 and have had lots of fun exploring the properties of circles and squares.
In addition, we have had mountains of fun learning all about sound maps, cities, colouring mixing and Halloween!
I am excited to start our new topic of special days and celebrations next term. In addition, we look forward to learning all about ball skills in P.E. Our P.E. day will be on Monday.
Overview for Term 1
This term, our theme is ‘All about me!’ We will focus on welcoming children into their new school routine, caring for others’ feelings, and working together. We will focus on what makes us unique and celebrating our differences. We will focus on the wonderful story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen as our key text to support the link between school and home and how we can map journey routes around our school. We will also focus on ‘The Colour Monster’ to support our understanding of emotions and self-regulation.
Literacy (including Phonics and Reading)
Our key literacy texts this term will be the classic tales ‘The Gingerbread Man’ and ‘The Three Little Pigs’ by Mara Alperin. These are rich texts we will know inside out by the end of the term! We will answer questions about these books, learn new vocabulary and make marks inspired by what we have read. These core books have been carefully selected to engage, inspire and provide plentiful opportunities to follow the interests of the pupils.
We will be developing our speaking and listening this term and have already begun our Unlocking Letters and Sounds Phonics sessions! First, we will recap Phase 1 and then when the children are in school full time, we will move onto learning Phase 2 sounds. This term we will look at:
Week 1 – n/a
Week 2 (Part time) – Phase 1 Aspects 1-7
Week 3 (full time) – Phase 2, set 1 (s a t p)
Week 4 – Phase 2, set 2 (i n m d)
Week 5 – Phase 2, set 3 (g o c k)
Week 6 – Phase 2, set 4 (ck e u r)
Week 7 – Phase 2, set 5 (h b f ff)
Week 8 – Phase 2, set 6 (l ll ss)
Please read with your child every day. You can share your favourite bedtime storey and encourage your child to join in with bits they know, talk about pictures, and copy your words. You can look for print in the environment, such as road signs, shopping lists and shop names – ask your child if they recognise any symbols, letters, or words. Your child will receive a school reading book and reading record later this term. I will be in touch with more information about that nearer the time.
Maths
We will begin our Maths learning this term by focusing on matching and sorting, exploring patterns and comparing amounts. We will start to look at and build a strong understanding of numbers 0-3, followed by 4-6 as we progress through the term using Can Do Maths as a guide. We will begin our maths journey with a focus on the five counting principles, ensuring each child understands what and how we count. Our sessions will be hands-on, using a range of manipulatives and resources to ensure pupils are actively learning.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In school we use the jigsaw scheme of learning to support our PSHE work. This term our theme is ‘Being Me in My World’. Each week we will explore a different aspect if this theme. We will look at:
Week 3 (full time) – Who…Me?!
Week 4 – How am I Feeling Today?
Week 5 – Being at School
Week 6 – Gentle Hands
Week 7 – Our Rights and Responsibilities
Physical Development
We will be developing our fine and gross motor skills through play inside and outside. Once the children are in school full time, we will begin our Real PE lessons twice a week – focusing on coordination and static balance. We will also be focusing on health and self-care, learning about the importance of washing our hands, how to use the toilets independently and using a knife and fork to eat our school lunches. We are also very lucky to have the Robins Foundation working with us once a week to provide a focused P.E session.
Understanding The World
Understanding the world comprises many subjects you would typically see in KS1 and KS2, such as Geography, Science and History. Rather than having separate subjects, Understanding the World aims to guide pupils to make sense of their physical world and community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology, and the environment. This term, we will be learning about our bodies, colour and celebrations, as well as understanding what maps are and how we can use and create them. These units will be hands-on and creative to promote critical thinking and curiosity. Lessons will follow the class's lines of development and will be shaped around their questions and curiosities about the world and people around us.