Welcome to Red Class
Mrs Bradbury, Mrs Searle and Miss Reynolds would like to welcome you all to the Red Class page.
In Red Class we aim to provide all children with a wealth of enjoyable, meaningful learning experiences that will allow every child to flourish and grow. We are very lucky to have a spacious classroom with access to an extensive outdoor area to explore.
Our class page has key sections for you to browse and you will find some useful documents at the bottom of the page to support your understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Our EYFS Curriculum
Intent
Our Curriculum in Early Years in built upon our knowledge of the children, information from parents, inspiration from our community and underpinned by the Educational Programmes set out in the EYFS Statutory Framework. Our Curriculum is broad and balanced so that children can reach their full potential by learning new skills and understanding the world around them. We understand the importance of the prime areas of learning and aim to unlock potential through providing a nurturing environment where children can thrive. We intend to equip our children with key life skills that will allow them to progress to the next stage of education as confidence, resilience and capable learners.
Implementation
Our Curriculum in EYFS is broad and balanced and we provide learning opportunities that encompass all seven educational programmes. Each term we have a specific theme which is planned to build on their prior knowledge and further their progress in a holistic learning environment. Linked to each theme are high quality texts which expose children to rich vocabulary and allow them to immerse themselves in different environments and situations.
We give children the chance to drive their own learning through a floor book approach style to the theme. Within this we capture what children already know and gain an understanding as to what they are curious about. We log this as progression in a floor book that is owned by the children which captures the children’s questions, learning and reflections.
We know that the home learning environment is extremely important and we try hard to engage parents in their child’s learning. Aside from reading, we set home learning tasks each week linked to our theme that are interactive and enjoyable. We give children time to talk about these experiences and use them as displays within the classroom so that children can talk about them with friends, ask questions about other children’s work and enjoy having their efforts valued.
Take a look at some our learning from our current theme 'Into the Woods'
We found mathematical opportunities within our own outdoor area woodland. Here we are measuring sticks
We found some tiny snails in our woodland area and talked about how we could keep them safe and comfortable
We thought that maybe the snails were lost. They had a race back to their home in the woods
We have enjoyed using the fallen leaves, mud and sticks to cook up meals in the mud kitchen
We had a trip to our school woodlands. Here we found and talk about tree trunks, moss, bark, spiders. We thought we saw the Owl Baby Bill :-)
We helped the Owl babies find their mum by making some 'Lost' posters
We brought in some in some pieces of nature that we found our outdoor woodland walk at home an enjoyed some observation drawing
We talked about the word 'stumble' in the bear hunt and that experienced it for real whilst balancing on the logs!
Finding a caterpillar outdoors and observing it to find out how it moves
Log rolls in our woodland area
Was it the underground house?
Woodland walks for home learning with a focus on a 'hunt'
Impact
Our Curriculum ensures that children have the very best early years education. By having excellent transition processes in place, the children make progress right from the very start. The experiences we provide enable children to make connections with the world around them and be ready to begin their school journey with confidence.
We are aspirational for all children and our Curriculum allows children to be ambitious. Children are eager to learn and are proud of their achievements.
Family Partnerships and Transition
We know that a successful transition allows children to feel safe and secure when they start school and that families will feel informed and part of our school family.
Our transition began in June 2021 and consisted of:
- Four sessions in our outdoor area (covid secure) so that children could meet each other and their new teachers.
- Mrs Bradbury visited the children in their feeder nursery to meet their key workers and find out what the children enjoyed doing at nursery.
- Home visits commenced at the beginning of July, we really enjoyed meeting the children and their families.
- Parents were invited to an online meeting to find out more about the school experience.
This smooth transition enabled the children to settle in straight away in September.
After visiting the children at home over summer, each family were signed up to Dojo and Tapestry to help keep in touch and showcase some of the learning that goes on in school and at home.
The children have engaged well in home learning activities and really enjoy the opportunity to share these experiences with their class friends...
Ezra decided to make a Snowy Owl's nest. He said they nest on the ground in the snow.
Jacob worked with this Dad and brothers to design and make a Tawny Owl nest.
Aria enjoyed her time in the Woods with her family :-) She found acorns, leaves and a swing!
Lucy enjoyed collecting some natural resources to help build her Owl's home
Holistic learning
In Red class we recognise children's interests, create an environment that will foster their love of learning and use a variety of approaches to ensure children make progress in all areas of learning. We are in tune with how each individual likes to learn and offer activities and areas of learning that support children's characteristics of learning. Here are some examples...
Using different tools to create our favourite Owl baby- using what we know
Trying out the whisk- having a go
Exploring how to make a Volcano- having their own ideas and making links
Asking each other what we are good at and putting on a show- Enjoying what they set out to do
Fun in the puddles exploring capacity and how many containers it will take to fill the pit- finding out and exploring
Finding inspiration from our displays
Wellbeing
Our children are at the very heart of everything that we do. Their wellbeing is paramount to their learning. We have been using different activities to support our wellbeing in class. Here are some examples...
Here is Paige practising her breathing during meditation
Jacob enjoying some time with nature
Noticing what is around us
We are on the road to writing!
We recognise the importance of our physical development skills in order to be competent writers. Here are some of the activities in class that we do to work on our gross and fine motor skills...
Making our own dough weekly provides us with opportunities to squash, squeeze and manipulate
Using large chalks outdoors
Using large tools outdoors to strengthen our muscles
We love to write
Building confidence with writing is what we love to do. We started this early on and the children are now keen to practice sounds they have learned so far...
Making marks for the dinosaur to stomp on!
Signing ourselves in each morning
Writing for purpose to order the bricks needed
Contributing to our floorbook
Making tickets for the show
Writing for purpose, a 'do not touch sign' for a caterpillar that we found
Signing ourselves in for a turn at being the shop keeper
Developing a love of reading
The new 'EYFS Statutory Curriculum' has a specific focus on developing children's communication and language skills. We understand the importance of these skills as strong foundations. In Red class we have have the following things in place to support children's learning:
- A treasury chest made up with high quality texts to share
- The Nutfield Early Language Intervention programme
- Quality interactions with children, building on language skills
- Show and tell sessions
- Visuals used consistently with all children
To support early reading
- Weekly texts linked to our theme
- Books in areas of provision and a dedicated area within the classroom
- Reading karate scheme to support and encourage reading at home
- Reading for enjoyment session weekly with Y6 buddies
- Consistent and effective phonics scheme- Read, write inc
Choosing to read with friends
Finding our comfort zone :-)
Reading for purpose- playdough recipe
Talking about our Autumn finds
Positive, quality interactions
We love Fred the frog in our phonics sessions
Celebrating Reading Karate bands each week
Marvellous Maths
Useful resources
Choosing shapes for a purpose to construct. Discussing length of the bricks and height as we play and build
Using our whiteboard to match number to quantity