Welcome to Owl Class
Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to a new academic year at Marsh Gibbon. We hope that you have all enjoyed a restful summer holiday and are now looking forward to the new term commencing with lots of exciting learning opportunities ahead. It really is great to see the children returning to school eager to begin the new term with smiles on their faces. We are very much looking forward to the new year ahead of us! This year will be different in a few ways and so we would like to take this opportunity to share any important information which is with you.
In the Owl Class, we welcome children into a warm, exciting and creative learning environment. Our aim is for all children to be happy, engaged and really enjoy their learning, allowing them to make progress and reach their potential.
Our Team
Mrs Martin and Mrs Blane are the Class Teachers, alongside Mrs Allen and Mrs Riley, the Teaching Assistants.
Daily Equipment
Coats:
This year the children in Owl Class have been allocated a specific outdoor learning area which we will be accessing all year and in all weathers. Children will therefore need a waterproof coat in school each day. Please ensure this is clearly labelled.
Wellies:
The children will each need a pair of wellies left in school as the children will be able to access the new outdoor learning area daily, and this will prevent their socks and shoes from water and mud.
Book Bags:
This term the children will need to bring their book bag to school only on Wednesdays. Reading books will be changed on this day for the whole class.
Water Bottles:
Please ensure that your child has a clearly labelled water bottle in school every day.
Toys and ‘Show and Tell’ items:
Given the current restrictions children are not allowed toys in school. These may also get lost or broken and become a distraction for the children during the school day.
English
To start this term we will be studying a fiction book called ‘Little Rabbit Foofoo’. This book links well with our geography topic. By the end of the unit the children will be giving a dramatic retelling of the story. We will also be studying a poetry unit called ‘Carnival of the Animals’ which we link to the classical music by Camille Saint-Saens. Our final unit will be creating a non-fiction fact file about animals.
Reading
Reading at home is a crucial element to a child's learning and progress. Reading broadens vocabulary and helps in the development of quality writing. Children are expected to read every day for between five and ten minutes. It is essential that you find time to listen to your child read. During reading sessions with your child, please do ask them questions related to what they are reading. We have attached examples of questions for you.
Reading books will come home within the first few weeks of term. A letter introducing our new reading scheme will follow in the next few days. Please record all daily reading in your child’s reading diary including books from home, not just a school provided book. Please remember to record when your child has read as this is really helpful to us.
Group guided reading sessions, focusing on comprehension, take place on a regular basis in class although children will be heard on a rotation so they may not be read with every day. On a day where their group is not reading, the children will have the opportunity to read independently or complete a separate reading or phonic activity.
Maths
In maths we will start with addition and subtraction (within 20) and then move on place value (within 50) to include learning and consolidation multiples of 2, 5 &10. We will also be learning about length, height, weight and volume using a variety of practical resources and lessons.
Geography – Around the World
Our geography topic is Around the World. Some of our focus will be on landmarks and food. We will also be looking at the animal kingdom and which continents different animals come from. During this topic will be linking much of our work with other subjects being taught this term. Please see our Knowledge Map below.
Science
This term we are studying materials. We will be looking at everyday materials including wood, plastic, metal, water and rock. Your children will learn to identify and name everyday materials and will have the opportunity to explore the properties of these materials through investigation and experimenting.
R.E.
Our key question is ‘Who made the World?’ This term we are looking at the Creation. We will be considering how God created the universe and how the Earth and everything in it is important to God.
PE Days
Owls PE days are Wednesday and Thursday. PE kits should be worn to school on those days and the children will remain in them for the full school day.
No jewellery is permitted; however, we understand sometimes children have their ears pierced. If that is the case for your child, please provide micropore tape in a small container to be kept in their drawer. We will ensure their earrings are covered with this tape for each PE session.
Homework
Reading every day for at least 5 to 10 minutes a day is their homework for the first half of the Autumn term. After half term, we will introduce spellings as well. In the spring term, we will further introduce an online maths activity.
Parent Partnership
We strongly believe in working closely with parents to ensure all children have a positive and successful experience in their education. We welcome any information you can share about your child and their individual learning experiences outside of school. This can be easily shared through the Class Dojo.
You will be able to contact both Mrs Blane and Mrs Martin through the Class Dojo website. However, please ensure important communication goes through the school office as we will not look at Class Dojo when the children are in school. Messages will be replied to from 3.30pm until 5pm Monday-Friday. Typically, Mrs Martin will teach the class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while Mrs Blane will teach on Thursday and Friday.
Once again, thank you for your continued support of Marsh Gibbon CE Primary School.
In the Owl Class, we welcome children into a warm, exciting and creative learning environment. Our aim is for all children to be happy, engaged and really enjoy their learning, allowing them to make progress and reach their potential.
Our Team
Mrs Martin and Mrs Blane are the Class Teachers, alongside Mrs Allen and Mrs Riley, the Teaching Assistants.
Daily Equipment
Coats:
This year the children in Owl Class have been allocated a specific outdoor learning area which we will be accessing all year and in all weathers. Children will therefore need a waterproof coat in school each day. Please ensure this is clearly labelled.
Wellies:
The children will each need a pair of wellies left in school as the children will be able to access the new outdoor learning area daily, and this will prevent their socks and shoes from water and mud.
Book Bags:
This term the children will need to bring their book bag to school only on Wednesdays. Reading books will be changed on this day for the whole class.
Water Bottles:
Please ensure that your child has a clearly labelled water bottle in school every day.
Toys and ‘Show and Tell’ items:
Given the current restrictions children are not allowed toys in school. These may also get lost or broken and become a distraction for the children during the school day.
English
To start this term we will be studying a fiction book called ‘Little Rabbit Foofoo’. This book links well with our geography topic. By the end of the unit the children will be giving a dramatic retelling of the story. We will also be studying a poetry unit called ‘Carnival of the Animals’ which we link to the classical music by Camille Saint-Saens. Our final unit will be creating a non-fiction fact file about animals.
Reading
Reading at home is a crucial element to a child's learning and progress. Reading broadens vocabulary and helps in the development of quality writing. Children are expected to read every day for between five and ten minutes. It is essential that you find time to listen to your child read. During reading sessions with your child, please do ask them questions related to what they are reading. We have attached examples of questions for you.
Reading books will come home within the first few weeks of term. A letter introducing our new reading scheme will follow in the next few days. Please record all daily reading in your child’s reading diary including books from home, not just a school provided book. Please remember to record when your child has read as this is really helpful to us.
Group guided reading sessions, focusing on comprehension, take place on a regular basis in class although children will be heard on a rotation so they may not be read with every day. On a day where their group is not reading, the children will have the opportunity to read independently or complete a separate reading or phonic activity.
Maths
In maths we will start with addition and subtraction (within 20) and then move on place value (within 50) to include learning and consolidation multiples of 2, 5 &10. We will also be learning about length, height, weight and volume using a variety of practical resources and lessons.
Geography – Around the World
Our geography topic is Around the World. Some of our focus will be on landmarks and food. We will also be looking at the animal kingdom and which continents different animals come from. During this topic will be linking much of our work with other subjects being taught this term. Please see our Knowledge Map below.
Science
This term we are studying materials. We will be looking at everyday materials including wood, plastic, metal, water and rock. Your children will learn to identify and name everyday materials and will have the opportunity to explore the properties of these materials through investigation and experimenting.
R.E.
Our key question is ‘Who made the World?’ This term we are looking at the Creation. We will be considering how God created the universe and how the Earth and everything in it is important to God.
PE Days
Owls PE days are Wednesday and Thursday. PE kits should be worn to school on those days and the children will remain in them for the full school day.
No jewellery is permitted; however, we understand sometimes children have their ears pierced. If that is the case for your child, please provide micropore tape in a small container to be kept in their drawer. We will ensure their earrings are covered with this tape for each PE session.
Homework
Reading every day for at least 5 to 10 minutes a day is their homework for the first half of the Autumn term. After half term, we will introduce spellings as well. In the spring term, we will further introduce an online maths activity.
Parent Partnership
We strongly believe in working closely with parents to ensure all children have a positive and successful experience in their education. We welcome any information you can share about your child and their individual learning experiences outside of school. This can be easily shared through the Class Dojo.
You will be able to contact both Mrs Blane and Mrs Martin through the Class Dojo website. However, please ensure important communication goes through the school office as we will not look at Class Dojo when the children are in school. Messages will be replied to from 3.30pm until 5pm Monday-Friday. Typically, Mrs Martin will teach the class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while Mrs Blane will teach on Thursday and Friday.
Once again, thank you for your continued support of Marsh Gibbon CE Primary School.
