This has been a busy, productive week in Gems as we have started on two different English books for our respective YR and Y1 pupils.

Carnival and Little Seed are being explored through language, sensory exploration, music and phonics. Pupils have been enthusiastic towards this text, and both are available to listen to on YouTube should you wish to reinforce this work at home.  We have been creating some wonderful English work, sequencing the story, and creating our own drama role play which pupils have really enjoyed.

YR 1 pupils took part in some challenging PE lessons this week where we explored characters in Aladdin and thought about how certain animals move. Gems pupils followed the instructions and worked well with their peers.

Regular movement breaks and fine motor activities have been successfully implemented in Gems and we are seeing the benefits in terms of pupils' focus and attention.

We continue to work with all Y1 mainstream classes to prepare for phonics screening. There is no pressure with any of this and pupils work at the level that is appropriate for them. 

 We are also increasing the amount of practical maths skills that pupils can work with and focusing on pupils' understanding of “one more” and “one less”. 

Our new OT has now met the pupils and is devising her timetable to work with everyone on Fridays, so we hope to have this up and running imminently. Thank you for your patience on this front.

We are particularly excited about our trip to Little Bears café next week and look forward to providing you with photos of our day out.

 

Enjoy the weekend.

All the Gems team.

Please email srp@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk with any queries and the Gems team will be happy to help.

  

                   

 

Attention bucket makes up a large part of our timetable. Pupils have progressed and responded positively to the many stages of this process. It is a fairly easy process and something you could do at home should you be interested. 

https://www.kidztz.com/attention-bucket/

 

Please continue Phonics work at home if you can. There is no expectation to know all phonics. All pupils are on a journey, and we want them to work at the pace that suits them. 

We also recommend “reading for pleasure” as much as possible. If stories are too difficult, even just looking at the pictures and seeing what their attention is drawn to, is great for developing concentration and awareness.

We will continue to send home differentiated reading packs. Again, this is just for confidence building.

We find that LittleBig Foxes, Number Blocks and RWI songs on their websites are a great source of fun and education. 

 

Key messages

• International Day is Friday 31st January. Children are encouraged to wear clothes that represent their family’s country. (No football kits)

• If you are late in the morning and we have gone to OT, please bring your child to the main office and someone will help you from there.

• Reading Records will be sent home weekly. Please read with your child even if the text is too difficult. Looking at the pictures and exposing them to language will always be beneficial.

• Please practise writing and saying the Set 1 sounds at home, using the phonics website by Ruth Miskin to help you. 

        Y1 pupils will move on to set 2 and 3 sounds but at a pace that works for them.

• Would families please be so kind as to donate some general cooking supplies to help with our Thursday sessions. e.g., flour, oil, eggs, butter, lifelong milk, cupcake cases. This is not compulsory. Donations welcome.

• Drop off time is 8.40. Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3.05. Please try to be prompt so we can maximise the time we have to set up for the next day’s learning.

• Please ensure that you have notified the school if you are going to be late. Gems registers MUST be completed by 8.50.