Learning Challenges in Reception The following focussed activities are taken from the children’s interests but led by adults. Spring Term 1 UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD Stories Jesus Heard We will be: Introducing the children to the concept that Jesus would have heard and be very familiar with Old Testament stories. For example Moses smites the rock, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Joseph and his brothers, David and Goliath Using props, internet stories and the Bible to bring the stories to life. Thinking about the feelings of the characters. MATHEMATICS Numbers The children will: Say number names in order, Count back from 20 confidently. Find 1 more/1 less than any number within 20 Number recognition 1-20 Begin to add 1 digit numbers PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEAL/Christian Values- Compassion and Going for Goals. COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE Storytelling The children will: Over learn the story- Whatever Next Other Stories to use- Alien School, Bob the Man on the Moon, Aliens in Underpants, Non Fiction. Create a whole class story map. Order pictures and be encouraged to write about each picture. Consider character thoughts and feelings and begin to write down ideas. (speech bubbles) Innovate the story (whole class) Produce their own innovation of Whatever Next. Be introduced to boxing up as whole class- higher ability children to use this during guided writing. Produce fact sheet about a chosen planet to make a book. Compare fiction and non fiction Label planets. Speaking and Listening Continue with talk groups to build confidence and skills. Take part in Talkability sessions- what did you do last night? What are you looking forward to doing this weekend? Where are you taking your learning today? (Plan, Do, Review) UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD The children will: Learn about Chinese New Year Discover how people from different cultures celebrate important festivals and what preparations are made for Chinese New Year. Compare and contrast Chinese New Year Celebrations to the way they celebrated New Year Make Ang Pows, watch child eye witness- Chinese New Year Celebrations and answer questions from the quiz. Make a Chinese wishing tree linked to Christian value of hope. Taste Chinese food and talk about their likes and dislikes. Make dragons, Chinese decorations and take part in a dragon / lion dance. Look at Chinese writing- set up in painting area. Read the story about the animals and why they have a different animal each year. Know that information can be retrieved from the internet. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The children will: Show increasing control over throwing/catching various sized objects- beanbags, small balls, large ball. Observe the effect of exercise on the body- compare before/after.Begin to carry equipment safely. EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN The children will: Make space rockets/planets/aliens- concentrating on joins and fixing items together Make Chinese lanterns, dragons Explore musical instruments and sounds Listen to Chinese music LITERACY Reading The children will: Begin to read Ditties/ Story books – linked to our daily phonics programme Be taught how to use information texts and the difference between fiction and non-fiction texts. Know that information can be retrieved from the internet. Writing The children will: Develop correct pencil grip. (Physical Development) Take part in cutting activities- Chinese lanterns, dragons Apply their phonics knowledge to write phonemes that they hear in their own writing, initially with adult support and then increasingly independently. Continue with a focus on lists and labels/captions for pictures. Begin to look at sentence writing. Write their own name independently