We have been super impressed with our Reception children as they complete their first half-term. Settling into the daily routine is a key part of Reception, and we want the children to be as efficient as possible, so that they can quickly get into their learning. They've done a fantastic job so far, on arrival they quickly complete their ‘morning jobs’ and are then straight onto their whiteboard writing challenge.
Mr. Bullock shared, "The first half-term is all about adjusting to the new routine and fostering independence, both academically and personally. It's about completing tasks in the classroom and not being afraid to make mistakes, but continuing to try."
A significant focus in Reception is the development of reading skills, and to support this, we use the popular ‘Monster Phonics’ scheme, which the children absolutely love! Phonics is taught daily to reinforce familiarity and maintain a consistent routine. To deepen their engagement, Mr Bullock held a Monster Phonics Day where the children came dressed as their favourite monsters and participated in various phonics-based activities. A highlight of the day was the Sound Hunt, which they completed with their Year 6 buddies, further strengthening those Buddy relationships, so cherished by all the children!
In addition to phonics, our Reception starters have been doing lots of reading and writing. They read with Mr. Bullock or Mrs. Henderson three times a week, and both teachers are impressed with how well the children are using their reading voices and blending sounds. The children are also making great progress with their writing. They’ve completed their first piece of writing, now proudly displayed on the writing wall. Each half-term, they will produce a new piece for this display, allowing everyone, staff, pupils and parents, to track and see their progress throughout the year.
Our Reception classroom is full of interactive workstations, including the ‘Gruffalo’ reading corner and the ‘Rainbow Challenge.’ The Rainbow Challenge has been especially popular — children pick a task from one of four coloured baskets, all of which are Maths-related, making learning Maths fun and engaging.
As the final year of the Early Years Curriculum, Reception plays a crucial role in building on the foundations laid in Nursery and Kindergarten. Research shows that these early years are critical in shaping a child’s future learning; Mr Bullock is already seeing how much his new Reception class pupils have flourished during their time in Early Years at Forest.
