1. Blue Class Meet the teachers - September 2017

2. What will we cover? Class composition & staff English Reading Maths
Topics
Home learning
Trips and Visits
PE/Swimming
Incentives
Communication
How can you help?
Any questions?

3. Blue Classroom and outdoor space
26 children: 13 boys, 13 girls
Teaching assistant: Mrs Purser
Teachers: Miss Snelling and Mrs Lione

4. English Linked to topic
3 writing focus lessons each week:
Consists of teacher input, shared texts, practical activities, group work,
independent work, teacher or TA assisted work.
2 reading focus sessions each week:
Guided reading, independent reading, comprehension activities
15/20 minute sessions everyday:
Handwriting, guided reading, phonics, punctuation and grammar sessions
Mixed and ability groupings
Catch up sessions

5. Reading Books are matched to child’s ability.
Books that are above a child’s ability will not improve
reading skills but will affect child’s confidence.
Parents please support by providing and sharing additional books at home. Books shared with an adult may be above child’s ability.
Phonics and spellings

6. Maths
Every day
Consists of teacher input, practical activities, group work,
independent work, teacher or TA assisted work.
Mental Arithmetic
15-20 minute session every day
Mixed and ability groupings.
Catch up sessions

7. Topics
Half termly overviews will be on the class page on the school website. Subject to change!
Autumn 1: Sky and space
Autumn 2: Muck, mess and mixtures
Spring 1: Pirates and mermaids
Spring 2: Africa
Summer 1: Enchanted woodland and scented garden
Summer 2: Castles and towers

8. Home learning
Reading
Books will be changed weekly (day TBC) but children can change books any day they need to. They must ask us.
Please share the books with your children and write any comments in the reading record book. Library books will occasionally come home.
Spellings and phonics
Spellings set every Friday to be checked the following Friday. Linked to phonics done in class that week.
Look, Cover, Write, Check and sentence writing
Mathletics
Home learning project
Linked to our half termly topic.

9. Trips, Visits and Events
National Space Centre Tuesday 12th September
Key Stage 1 nativity W/b 11th December
Colchester Zoo th February
Hardwick woods Summer 1
Castle visit/living history Summer 2
Website and newsletter for new events and updates

10. P.E. PE is on Thursdays Shorts and t-shirts for indoor
Warm kit and trainers required for outdoor games
Encourage children to be independent when changing.
Long hair tied back, earrings to be removed or covered with tape
Note required if child is not able to do PE
Swimming in the Summer term

11. Rewards House points: Potter, Hagrid, McGonnagal, Weasley Star Award
5 Star Book
Whole class reward: pebble jar
Sanctions: Minutes off playtime

12. Communication
A member of staff is on the playground every morning (8.45 – 8.55am) can pass on messages to your child's teacher.
Miss Snelling/Mrs Lione at the Blue Class gate every afternoon
Messages can also be passed to breakfast club who can pass it to your child's teacher.
5 day policy - often easier/quicker to share messages with staff member in the morning.
Twitter
Website
Newsletters
Parent forum

13. How can you help? Just red book bag and PE kit bag
Everything should be named
Please ensure your child has a water bottle for use throughout the day in the classroom – not in book bag
Outdoor learning – Coats, rain coats and wellies
Support with home learning
Keep and eye on channels of communication, especially parentmail and newsletters
Please do communicate any concerns or worries so we can act on them
DT – 6 egg boxes please!
Volunteers needed for our trip