A big welcome to Willow Class to parents we have met and those we have yet to meet. I look forward to seeing you all at parents’ evening shortly after half term.

The School Day in Willow

As with last year the  day begins with ‘Wake and Shake’ in the playground, so once children have dropped off their school bags they can join the rest of the school waking up their brains ready for learning!

I would like the children to bring in a named bottle of water to allow them to drink at any time they might feel thirsty. They can also bring in their own fruit if they wish, but there will be fruit available on a daily basis should they want it. Please do not send in fruit juices or squash, or fruit bars.

At the end of the school day children being collected will be sent to Acorn class where Mrs Gordon sees them safely to their parent or carer.

The Curriculum

This term our theme is based on Fire. We will be using this topic to develop all areas of the curriculum. Aspects of Science, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design Technology will all be based around Fire. In Science we will be looking at the effects that heat and changes in temperature have on a variety of materials. Much of our learning will take place through practical activities. We will be undertaking a great many cooking activities. Many of you have sent in your one pound contributions towards this, but if you haven’t can I ask you to pop it in an envelope for your child to bring in as soon as possible. We will be investigating the effects of heat on wax and will be making candles and undertaking some batiking activities through art. The children will learn about significant people and events in History through our revisit to the events that lead up to the Gunpowder Plot and The Great Fire of London. Through literacy we will be writing information leaflets which will warn of the dangers of fire in fictional situations and also in their homes. We will be visited by a fire officer to help improve our awareness of danger and responsibilities when it comes to domestic fires. The children will be devising escape plans for their own homes.

We will be looking at the History and Geography of fire itself, from the sun as the centre of our universe to equatorial regions on the globe. We will be looking at myths and stories and poems and songs involving fire and developing our own dances based on the movement of fire and dragons. Phew! That’s just a taster of the exciting things we have lined up this term.

Reading continues to be undertaken in guided reading groups and as a whole class focussed activity. We will also be undertaking activities to help the children improve their comprehension skills. Children will be bringing home a book to read with you on a daily basis. They will need to bring it back to school each day even if they aren’t finished. It is really helpful to get into the habit of reading with your child every day, rather than being too busy with other activities. A little and often should now be a mantra for all of us. Children at this stage of development forget very quickly if they are not regularly practising and applying their skills. Please remember if your child is too tired or doesn’t want to read they can benefit from listening to a story or sharing a book and a cuddle with you. On Fridays they will also bring home a maths home activity to share with you. This lets you begin to understand the maths we do in school each day. Please be positive and offer encouragement when helping them. The folder should be returned by the following Thursday.

Spelling words and patterns will be sent home weekly for you to play games with. You will not need to test your child on these, but help them to become word detectives by finding them in printed matter you may see or read. I will send some game ideas home later in the term.

    P.E. at present is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; the children can wear their house colour or a plain red t-shirt. Please make sure clothes and daps are named as the children do get upset when they cannot find their jumper or socks!

For most of this term we will be swimming at Wincanton on a Thursday. It is helpful to have a kit, goggles if your child likes to wear them and verruca socks if they have any sort of foot affliction.

Please try to get into the habit of undertaking nit checks with your child. When they are visible and moving you could say you will have a six week Bug Busting programme ahead of you to successfully eradicate them. Twice weekly with conditioner and a nit comb doesn’t seem too daunting.

If you would like to know more, come and help in the class or want to have a chat I am usually available in the morning; or in the afternoon by appointment.

We are looking forward to a happy successful year with your child. 

Libi Patterson and Alison Norris