To all Moonbeams (big and little people)
Week beginning 30.3.20
Thank you for all your support over the past week. Please see in the downloads section of the page a letter and two documents that will be of use to you over Easter. Take care of each other.
Parents you know your children better than anyone else and I encourage you to make the most of this time, explain to your children in the simplest of terms the situation we currently find ourselves in, then set about enjoying the experiences as a family that are ahead of us all.
Remind your little people that I am still here to help them and I shall miss them all but let’s look forward to the fabulous re-union party we will have when we are all back together again!
If you want to keep to a familiar school routine whilst at home then you could follow our Reception pattern of the day. But this is just a guide to give you an idea of what we do in class each day it is NOT a timetable for you to follow at home. Please understand that I share it only to support – I am not suggesting you turn your lounge into Moonbeams classroom! I am very aware of how many of your little people say “nothing” or “can’t remember” when you ask them about their busy school day so maybe it will be of a help to you:
9 – 9.30 Handwriting and Fab 5 sentence writing (for Fab 5 we give the children a picture then they talk with a partner about what they see before writing their own sentence – ask your child the Fab 5 rules: Capital letter, sound talk, finger spaces, neatest handwriting, full stop.)
9.30 – 10.30 Literacy focus – read a story/non-fiction text then write: draw and label a character, make a story map of the events using toys or drawing, retell the story in sentences, write a shopping list, write a letter to someone special…
10.30 – 11 Physical activity – have a run around the garden, ride your bike, bounce on a trampoline, hunt for bugs, follow an online PE session
11.00 Phonics – practise using your keyring or use online resources and activities on Twinkl, Phonics Play, Busy Things. Write some of your key and tricky words – segment and blend the sounds and letters.
11.30 – 12.30 Lunchtime
12.35 – 12.55 Practise fine motor skills by drawing – follow instructions using online sites such as Squiggler, How to draw a … (on YouTube) or just draw things you see around your home.
12.55 – 1.20 Maths focus – count in 2s, 10s and 5s, can you recognise coin amounts? – role play being a shop keeper and customer, label some of your toys with prices and find the right coins to pay, sort some toys by size or things around the home by their shape, length, weight. Have you got a big clock or watch that you can use to learn how to tell the time? Busy Things website has lots of interactive games for Maths.
1.20 -3.00 Explore a variety of activities for:
Physical Development – throwing/catching a ball, balancing, skipping, complete a jigsaw, make a den.
Creativity – paint a picture, do an observational drawing, build a model, cooking, sing, dance.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World – find out about people, places, things that interest you, use Facetime or Whatsapp to catch up with grandparents, explore your favourite animal and where it lives.
3.00 Storytime – read anything and everything to your little people, as often as possible!
I have included some links to the interactive online resources mentioned but there are many more available to you – most sites are offering free use during this period – just google Early Years or Foundation Stage home learning.
I gave every child in school on Friday a workbook and pencil (there is a box in the school reception/office area for children who were absent) – this is all you need to record the adventures from your learning journey at home – there are blank pages for art, maths, photos and lined pages for writing.
Parents there is no need for you to do any printing out and above all please be kind to yourselves and do not feel any pressure to keep up the work that a teacher would do each day in school! There are 7 areas of learning within the Foundation Stage curriculum – choose the activities your little person enjoys the most and focus on those, make this family time count and have fun!
We are all in unchartered waters and we will learn with each other, along the way, how things work best.
My parting message to you is a quote I read the other day “After all this is over, all that will have really mattered is how we treated each other” so please take care of yourselves and each other. I look forward to seeing you all again and in the meantime you can email me at moonbeams@oldfield-brow.com.
Mrs Hardman
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
https://wwwtwinkl.co.uk