Finally, we have some sunshine and we have been able to take some of our Gems learning outside. This has been well timed as we have begun work on Supertato and Somebody Swallowed Stanley. The latter of which focuses heavily on water, beaches, pollution and animals. This has given us lots of scope to teach outside and be as messy as we want to be. We have had lots of fun.

We have thoroughly enjoyed World Book Day and we have delighted in seeing Gems children dressed up as their favourite literary characters.

We are now regularly baking on Friday mornings, and we are enjoying seeing our pupils work with measurements, follow instructions and experiment with different ingredients. This is helping us with our maths as well!

We continue to work with all 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. 

Hannah Ling (SALT) and Lisa Harte have been working with Gems this week and we look forward to collaborating with them to ensure all our pupils' therapeutic needs are being met.

 

All the Gems team.

Please email jrigby@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

• If 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.