Another busy and productive week in Gems.

We have continued our work on The Gigantic Turnip by Levin Kipnis. Pupils have focused well on the story and are becoming more familiar with each reading. If you don’t have the book, you will be able to find a recording on YouTube.

This week we carried out our first official Vineyard Adventurers session in the forest with Mrs Balaram. Pupils enjoyed exploring plants and learning how to look after the forest habitat.

We are also excited to have some caterpillars in Gems class. We are watching them daily and enjoying the process of them slowly transforming into butterflies.

Speedy sounds and phonics work have been good this week and we are very pleased with the effort that all pupils are putting in. 

We also had a change to our timetable on Monday as we took part in our first music assembly. Mr Oliver led a brilliant session and Gems pupils took part with Reception and Year one. We were so impressed with everyone’s attention, singing and actions and we look forward to many more.

In phonics we have been learning/ recapping the sound ‘Sh’. 

Please continue Phonics work at home if you can. But rest assured, 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

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

• 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.

• Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3pm. 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 9am.