Lion Cubs 

       Autumn Term 

Welcome back to Autumn term 2 !

This is naturally such an exciting term for the children, as they will be eager for the 'big man in the big red coat' to come, plus all the other inspiring activities and topics to learn about. 

Below is an overview of what we will be doing for the half-term:

Topic/English 

This half-term our topic theme will be 'Time for Change!' using the topic books of 'The Little Red Hen’ and 'The Leaf Thief' by Alice Hemming. Through these texts and others, we will look at the season of autumn going into winter, hibernation, traditions and Christmas 

                                                        

Writing  

Children will continue to explore letter writing and experimenting and now write words and short captions using their phonic sounds.  Please encourage your child to write at home. A simple shopping list with CVC/CCVC/CVCC words, or a birthday/Christmas card to practise spelling their name, tec, will support their application of phonics, spelling and letter formation.  

                                                                 

 Read Write Inc  R.W.I

The children will continue on the phonics programme R.W.I. Daily lessons will teach the children to apply the sounds, to read  'Fred Talk' (blend them together to make words) and spell simple words. Please continue to watch the R.W.I videos each week (set on Google classroom). This will consolidate and practise the children's learning. 

                                                

Reading

Soon, your child will be bringing home levelled R.W.I reading books which, again, will support the level they are at with their phonics. 'Little as often' is the key. It is important that children practise their reading/sounds, and continue to share books with an adult and listen to an adult read to them. This not only strengthens their vocabulary but also develops their inference and prediction skills—all of which play a key role in fostering a lifelong love of reading.

 Speaking and Listening 

We will continue to build on the children’s confidence to speak and to join in discussions. We will encourage them to expand on their answers, giving reason from what they can see or hear, and connect one idea or action to another using a range of connectives, e.g. because, but, etc.

As adults, we play an important role in encouraging and modelling these skills. By being good role models for listening and speaking, we can help children grow in confidence, develop their vocabulary, and become active participants in conversations.

Maths

The children will continue to count forwards and back to 10, finding one more and one less up to 5, looking at  and understanding the composition of each number up to 5. For example, 3 and 2 make 5, 4 and 1 make 5 etc. 

In addition, the children will begin learning about 2D shapes and their properties.

                                                               

Homework

Each week, the children will be given short activities to complete at home. This will include a ‘Talking Homework’ task, a maths, English, or topic activity and phonics videos for you to watch together.

All homework is designed to either consolidate the learning taught that week or provide pre-topic research to prepare your child for upcoming lessons.

Homework will be posted every Friday on Google Classroom, and completed tasks can be uploaded to your child’s account for the Lion Cub team to see.

Physical Development

 The children will continue to develop both their gross and fine motor skills this term.

We will be practising 'movement' skills, e.g. skipping, hopping, balancing etc, and using apparatus to aid with this. 

We will continue to practise fine motor skills through activities such as threading, Dough Disco, bead work, drawing, painting, and handwriting activities. 

This term, P.E. will take place on Monday afternoons. Children will need to bring their P. E kit in a P. E bag. As part of their physical development, children will also be practising getting changed for P.E. independently as part of the lesson.

                                              

                                                           

Understanding of the World

As part of our 'Time to change' topic this term, we will be exploring autumn, hibernation and migration, observational drawings, collage, listening to Vivaldi's Four seasons: Autumn, and how different people celebrate Christmas 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

RE, SMSC & PSHE

Through stories and artefacts, the children will learn about 'special times', specifically looking at why people perform Nativity plays at Christmas and why they give and receive presents. In P.S.H.E, we will be looking at being grateful and how we can show someone this through our actions and words.                                        

                                                        

Expressive Arts and Design

Through the topic ‘Time to change!’, the children will be observational drawings, printing and collaging. We also like to act out stories through drama and using puppets. 

 The Curriculum

For more information about what we have planned for this academic year, please visit the Curriculum section on the school’s webpage, click on Reception, and have a look at our exciting and busy curriculum.

In Reception, we also value and follow the children’s own ideas and interests. This means that sometimes activities may not appear on our topic web, but grow from the children’s curiosity and enthusiasm. For example, we might explore themes such as sharks, Bluey, or Minecraft if these capture their interest.

   

                               

Tapestry 

We look forward to sharing our observations with you on our electronic learning journal, Tapestry. This will give you a window into the wonderful learning and progress your child is making in school.

Equally, we encourage you to upload your own special moments from home—such as a family day out, a celebration, or a “wow” achievement. We love seeing what the children have been doing outside school, and they really enjoy sharing their photos and videos with us and talking about their experiences.

                                                                      

Water Bottles

Please ensure that they take it home every day to be cleaned and refilled. 

                                                                           

We have an open-door policy, so if you have any questions or queries at the end of the day, please feel free to ask. You can also contact us via email at lioncubs@parkgate.cheshire.sch.uk.

No question is too small—please never feel uncomfortable approaching us.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mrs Foster, Mrs Barralet & Miss Whiteway xxx