Delphinus - Reflect and Review

Dear Parents

After a confidence-boosting class discussion about how to use one’s phonics knowledge to ‘have a go’ at reading, it has been a joy to see a step-change across the whole class.

We already have competent readers in class, but for most, looking at a book tended to mean enjoying the pictures and ignoring the text. Now, it’s a delight to see the children choosing books and working away at decoding some of the sentences, returning to them again and again to decode a little more. I hope you may be seeing this at home too.

Children are also reading to each other, or, in groups, chanting the poems that we have learnt in class. We have also started making our individual micro libraries (a collection of books put together based on the specific interests of that child). These are kept separate for them to access when they want so they become very familiar. The children are also increasing their independence as writers by using their ‘My Dictionary’ booklets in which they are noting down words they want to keep. 

This week, in maths, children have worked on their number sentences. They have needed to look to the symbol (+ or -) to know what they need to do and also work out increasingly complex missing number problems, for example in 10 - ? = 3 or 8 = ? – 1. Within our daily handwriting lesson we are now also slotting in daily number formation practice to iron out any ‘backwards numbers’ issues. We have also tried some sets of questions that the children have worked on independently. We have done this for Maths and English as it gives us a snapshot of the knowledge that is secure and the areas that need recapping. The children had a super time at the Pantomime. If they would like to do any follow up activities based on the show follow this link for the education pack and visual story.

Next week

After the Nativity performance we will be returning to some of the big, challenging questions children set for themselves about the human body including: what is blood made of and how does the heart work, and we’ll be doing printing and Christmas crafts.

You will have received a separate email about Outdoor Learning but just to say again there will not be an Outdoor Learning session this coming week but the children will be doing Indoor Crafting instead. Outdoor Learning will resume in January. Please can children continue to practise the songs and their lines for the Nativity.

Coming up

8^th December – Cygnus/Delphinus dress rehearsal for the other classes

9th December  – Cygnus/Delphinus Nativity, 2pm

11th December – Indoor Craft afternoon

12th December - HSA Christmas Bazaar, after school (details to follow)

15th December - Reading Passports to School

19th December - End of Term, 1pm

Spirit Week

We are excited to announce that our Christmas Spirit Week is coming up from 15th – 19th December. Throughout the week, students are invited to join in the festive fun by dressing up according to each day’s theme and helping us celebrate the holiday season. Participation is completely optional. If your child chooses not to take part in the themed dress-up days, they should come to school in their regular uniform as usual. We look forward to a joyful and spirited week together!

Monday – All Aboard the Polar Express!

Start the week by jumping on the festive train! Come dressed for a magical ride: PJs, conductor vibes, or any look that screams “hot chocolate at 3 AM.”

Tuesday – Sparkle and shine

Time to sleigh the runway! Wear your most shimmering, glimmering, twinkling outfits.

Wednesday – Head-to-Toe Christmas

Bring out your merry headgear and Christmas shoes and socks. If your toes are dashing and your head is dancing… you’re on the right track.

Thursday – Christmas Jumper Day 2.0

You snow the drill: pull out those festive jumpers for round two! The bolder, the brighter, the better.

Friday – Freestyle Christmas

It’s time to express your elf! Anything Christmasy goes: reindeer glam, gingerbread chic, full Santa realness...