Reception Summer Term Summary
The following summary is provided as a general guide to what the Reception children will
be studying this term. The main theme is “Minibeasts”.
Subject
Personal, Social
and Emotional
Development
Communication
and Language
Physical
Development
Literacy
Mathematics
Main Topics of Study
Throughout the term the children are encouraged to continue to develop their
personal independence. Both Reception classrooms are designed to develop
independence and all resources are labelled so that the children can select their
own materials and make decisions about their learning. Good relationships are
built through discussion, assemblies and daily routines where children are
encouraged to work as part of a team and develop the skills for life. We
celebrate a wide variety of cultures and festivals. We follow the SEAL
programme of study focusing on “Relationships” and “Changes”- Both themes
focus on understanding and managing feelings, and making choices.
The children will be encouraged to listen attentively in a range of situations
responding to what they hear with relevant comments, questions and actions.
They will follow instructions involving several actions or ideas. They will have
opportunities to recount experiences showing how they can express themselves
effectively using past, present and future forms accuarately.
The children have the opportunity for physical development each day at
playtimes and in the outdoor classroom. The children have a timetabled PE
lesson each week, which during the first half of term focuses on developing ball
skills and working as part of a team. During the second half of term we will be
focusing on preparing for Sports Day. Swimming lessons are also carried out
once a week and are taught by specialist teacher Mrs Garner. The children will
continue to find out about why we exercise and what a healthy lifestyle involves
as well as the effects of exercise on their bodies. Physical Development is also
continued within the classroom where the children develop their fine motor
control through the use of small equipment, construction materials and writing.
We endeavour to give the children individual reading time four times a week and
a guided reading activity once a week. Adult led activities will be based on; the
stories of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Bad Tempered Ladybird and the nonfiction text; The Snail. The main focus will be on developing the children’s
independent writing skills; correct sentence construction will be our main aim,
with the inclusion of capital letters and full stops whilst ensuring that the high
frequency words are being spelt and used correctly. The children will look at
stories having a beginning, middle and an end. A handwriting homework activity
is sent home fortnightly.
During child initiated activities the children will have full access to mathematics
resources in order for them to carry out activities of their own choosing
Understanding
the World
Expressive Arts
and Design
independently. We will review and consolidate known number facts; counting
from 0-20, counting from a given number to a given number and back,
recognising number symbols 0-20 and beyond, ordering numbers, using the
vocabulary of addition and subtraction, use of money, 2D and 3D shape,
position, and measures including weight, length and capacity. A main focus will
be on using and applying Mathematics in real-life situations and problem solving.
They will solve problems involving doubling, halving and sharing. Many of our
Mathematics activities are practical and are linked to our topic theme. A
Mathematics homework activity is sent home fortnightly.
During child initiated activities the children will have full access to a wide range
of materials including ICT equipment, in order for them to carry out activities of
their own choosing independently. Adult led activities will include designing and
making a minibeast mask; investigating what happens when a snail moves along
different surfaces; investigating natural habitats within the school grounds and
the changes that occur when an egg hatches into a butterfly and then evolves
into a caterpillar. The children will use iPads, computers, digital cameras,
camcorders, remote control vehicles and Bee Bots. An offsite visit will be made
to carry out a minibeast hunt. The children have a fifteen minute oral and
practical French lesson each week with Madame Lowe or Mrs Stott.
There are many opportunities during the week for the children to work
independently through Child Initiated sessions; here the children explore
different media and respond to different sensory experiences. It is during these
sessions that the children often recreate roles and experiences that they have
had in their own lives. There are weekly Art lessons which are often linked to
our topics and give the children opportunities to explore colour, texture, shape,
form and space in both two and three dimensions. This term the children will
explore the works of the artist Claude Monet and will attempt to recreate his
painting of “Water Lillies”, and create their own paintings in his style. Music
sessions also take place weekly with Daisy Chain Fledgelings during the first half
of term. In these sessions the children build up a repertoire of songs, match
movements to music and begin to learn about how sounds can be changed.
During the second half of term they will be learning songs and preparing for the
summer play.