Foundation

Important Information- Please read  03.01.21

Dear Parents and Carers,

We trust you all had a good break over the Christmas holidays - we are very much looking forward to seeing the children and hearing about all that they’ve been up to over the festive period.

Outdoor Learning

In light of the recent events surrounding the new COVID variant,  we are looking to provide as safe as possible an environment for your children to learn in. To this end, where practicable , we shall be providing the children’s learning  outside as much as possible (whether permitting). We ask you, therefore, to please send your children to school wearing warm and waterproof clothing, (and also wellies- school have spares), including a change of clothes in a clearly labelled bag. Extra socks and gloves are also useful, as puddle jumping can be very tempting!

Weekly reading Books (eBooks)

In addition, we will not be changing your child’s home reading book within class, but please click on the link below and  register with Oxford Owls and find the right levelled book for you child by going though the simple registration steps. Try reading a pink-banded book with your child initially, if you feel that they would benefit from a slightly harder text then choose a red-banded book (or read a combination of both).

 https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page/   

Thank you for your continued support during these  challenging times. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries regarding the above information

Kind Regards,

The Foundation Team

Run, run as fast as you can...

We have been baking gingerbread people today. We hope they don't jump out of the oven and run away!

School Dinner Choices

 The children have settled really well into school routines. To encourage independence we have started to ask the children for their dinner choices at register time each day. They are really good at remembering this and so we have decided to continue without the weekly choices form for parents to fill in. For your information we will put up the dinner choices each week.

Thank you

If you have any concerns about your child - please contact your class teacher in the first instance on the following email addresses-

hmorris@nortonfree.sheffield.sch.uk (Monday to Wednesday)

lwakes@nortonfree.sheffield.sch.uk (Wednesday to Friday)

lhunter@nortonfree.sheffield.sch.uk

We will respond to you as soon as practicable.

Reading Books

Your child has been sent home with a reading book this week.

Please bring your child's reading book back on Monday 28th of September - it will be changed every Monday thereafter.

We will also be reading a levelled book with your child in school, and will be keeping a record of your child's progress. Due to current circumstances reading records will no longer be sent home.

Online Learning Journals

Please read the attached information and return the digital consent form as soon as possible.

PE Notice

PE is on Wednesdays and Fridays so children should come to school in their PE kit.. Please could you ensure your child comes to school in trainers on these days (plimsols to be left in school) and now that the weather is turning colder, either long leggings or tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie. Many thanks. 

Welcome to Foundation!

Your Foundation Stage Team is made up of Mrs Wakes, Mrs Morris and Mrs Hunter (who will also be covering PPA on Wednesday afternoons with Mrs Lawton)

In Foundation Stage we love learning through our children's interests and play. Children influence what we learn in our topics through 'Floor Book Planning', which ignites their curiosity and intrinsic motivation to learn.   

Autumn 1-Traditional Tales

In the first term our learning is themed around Traditional Tales such as The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Billy Goats Gruff. We learn through role play and repetition in stories. We also have fun baking our own Gingerbread men. 

Autumn 2- Let's Celebrate!

In this term we learn all about different types of celebrations such as Bonfire Night, Diwali and Christmas. We have fun making our firework pictures, Rangoli patterns using coloured rice and Diva lamps. We also look at birthdays and have fun counting candles on the cakes and writing invitations. We celebrate the seasons by going on an Autumn walk and visiting the church to learn about the story of the first Christmas. 

Spring Term 1- Amazing Adventures!

In this topic we compare different environments from the Polar Regions to Outer Space. We learn about how polar bears keep warm and learn about how water changes state when cooled or heated. We also fly off to the moon and go in search of Aliens who love underpants! Additionally, we learn about Chinese New Year and hold a crafts afternoon for parents. 

Spring Term 2- Real Life Superheroes 

In this topic we learn about the people in our community that help us including the Police, Firefighters and many more. We also have visitors from different professions to come and speak to the children about their job. Would you like to come and speak to the children?

We also become superheroes and complete superheros challenges in our continuous provision. 

We learn about Easter and new life around us. 

Summer Term 1- I'm Alive!!!!!

In this topic we learn about living things all around us including the life cycle of a butterfly, frog and plants. We make frequent visits to our pond and notice the changes of the tadpoles as they turn into frogs. The children enjoy planting their own seeds and watching them grow. We conclude this topic with a visit to the Tropical Butterfly House.  

Summer Term 2- Our Wonderful World

In this topic we learn about the similarities and differences between our country and others. We particularly enjoy having a French breakfast where we enjoy croissants and baguettes - don't worry you are all invited too! 

We also compare a Sikh Wedding with a Christian wedding and hold our own little wedding up at the church.  

Religious Education

As we are a Christian school we also teach a weekly RE lesson as a stand alone subject. The children learn about the Christian Faith and how it is similar and different to other religions. 

Autumn 1- Christianity

Autumn 2- Hinduism and Christmas 

Spring 1- Islam 

Spring 2- Judaism and Easter

Summer 1- Buddhism 

Summer 2- Sikhism and weddings