Reception Class
Communication, Language and Literacy
This term we will progressively start working on a variety of important skills. We will start by learning to recognize, read and write our own name. We will be naming, recognizing and sounding out each letter of the alphabet in lower and upper case and begin the process of reading simple words. We will also attempt at writing letters in response to letter names.
We will learn to use a comfortable and efficient pencil grip to do pre-handwriting exercises to eventually learn how to write the letters of the alphabet.
Reception class will listen to stories with increasing attention and recall and encourage conversation, questioning and explanations related to the stories. We will have many opportunities to talk about our own experiences during “news time”. Through these oral activities the children will naturally build up vocabulary and proper sentence structures. We will learn to handle books properly and take out a school library book once a week to enjoy at home.
Mathematical Development
We will start by recognizing groups with up to 5 objects and then up to 10 and understand that if we separate a group of objects (up to 10) in different ways we will see that the total is still the same.
Pupils will begin to represent numbers using fingers, pictures and marks on paper and eventually learn how to write numerals 1 to 10. We will estimate, count and recognize numerals 1 to 5, then 1 to 10. We will learn how to count an irregular arrangement of up to 10 objects and how to count out up to 10 objects from a larger group. We will find one more and one less than a number and the number in between two numbers up to 10. We will begin to recognize a written addition and subtraction.
Pupils will also learn to recognize different flat 2D and solid 3 D shapes and how to describe them; compare lengths, sizes and heights and recognize and recreate simple patterns. We will begin to represent our findings by making pictographs.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
This term we will first begin to focus on the topic of “healthy eating” and learn about the food groups and eating a well balanced diet. Children will prepare healthy snacks, find out about their favourite foods and investigate our eating habits at home.
We will identify the changes that occur during the autumn season. We will bring in “signs of autumn” and compare our findings by measuring, weighing and observation. We will find out about how the forest animals prepare for the winter season.
Our next topic will focus on “Ourselves”. By using everyday words and phrases to describe our own features we will learn that we are the same but that we have our very own unique features as well. We shall investigate these similarities and differences. We will discover and compare our own personalities by finding out about our likes and dislikes, our strengths and our feelings. We shall also find out about our own families.
In December we will celebrate and learn about the significant and cultural events for family and friends and the children will be able to talk about these events during group time and through various activities.
Physical Development
Pupils will begin by experimenting with different body movements to learn how to move freely with pleasure, imagination and confidence. We will then learn to control body movements by using equipment for climbing, scrambling, crawling and rolling… There will be many opportunities to play with a ball, to learn how to roll, throw, catch and kick it with increasing control and to use other small equipment such as rings and bean bags.
We will learn and understand that equipment and tools have to be used safely and how to respect other children’s space.
We will discuss a range of healthy practices with regard to eating, sleeping and hygiene.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
The children will learn to separate from the main care person with confidence and how to form stable relationships with teachers and other children in school. They will be encouraged to play purposefully with their peers, interacting and co-operating purposefully.
Children will show increasing independence and initiative in selecting and carrying out activities as well as demonstrate flexibility and learn how to adapt their behaviour to different events. They will learn how to follow instructions and routines and how to work more independently.
The children will show care and concern for others, for living things and the environment.
Creative Development
During this term we will experiment with paint using different colours and tools. We will learn initial brush skills by holding and controlling movement; learn to hold scissors properly and to cut with increasing control. Pupils will also continue to improve their colouring skills and learn how to hold colouring pencils with an efficient grip.
We will make a variety of crafts using different materials such as paper plates, paper bags, coloured card, different kinds of paper, fabrics…
We will also build a repertoire of songs and poems and learn to express needs and feelings in appropriate ways.
© 2011-2012, British Junior Academy of Brussels. Accredited member of the Council of British International Schools.
