Welcome to our class page! Our class consists of reception, year 1 and year 2 children. The children in the Busy Bee class are taught in different ways throughout the day. We have a variety of approaches including focus group activities, whole class activities and self-initiated activities. Our 'play to learn' time allows children to explore and interact as they desire. At the beginning of each term we set off with a topic or theme in mind which we think will interest and motivate our eager learners. However, we are flexible in our approach and shape our planning to match the evolving interests of the children within our class.  

Autumn 2

The following curriculum areas will be covered;

English: our core text this half term is 'One Day on our Blue Planet, in the Savannah’ by Ella Bayley. We will be using a variety of drama, role play and writing activities to explore the book in detail.

Maths: in reception children will be consolidating their number knowledge and looking at different shapes. In year one and two  children will be looking at addition and subtraction and shape.. The whole school uses White Rose Maths to teach mathematics to ensure progression and coverage for all year groups.

Science: we will be learning all about animals including humans. We will focus upon animals around us such as mini-beasts and where they live. Also pets, including how we can look after them to keep them happy and healthy. We will conduct an experiment using materials to find out which material has the best absorbency.

Design and Technology and Art: we will be looking at materials, patterns and textures as we use different joining techniques to create our own fabric faces.  

Geography and History: our topic this half term is ‘weather experts’. We will become news reporters and report on our ever changing weather, climate change, explore different climate zones and learn about extreme weather.

PSHE: we will be learning using our new 'SCARF' scheme from Coram Life Education. This half term we are chatting about and understanding the value of difference and what makes us all unique.  

ICT: looking at multimedia on Purple Mash. We will also be accessing Time Table Rockstars and Numbots using the Chromebooks and new iPads.

Music: Sing Up with Mrs Battersby, we will be focusing on our nativity production and songs.

PE: we will be working with Mr Blair on a Wednesday afternoon developing our fundamental movement skills and with Jenny from Kendal Gymnastics on a Friday afternoon. Please ensure your child comes to school in their plain smart navy/black/white PE kit on these days.

RE: we will be learning all about Christmas and the importance of it to Christians.

Phonics and Spellings Children in Reception and Year 1 have a daily phonics session each morning. Year 2 children have a mixture of phonics or spelling support. They practise sounds already taught and learn new phonemes and graphemes through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. Year 1 and 2 children have spellings that they practise each morning when entering school and Y2 are tested on a Friday. If you would like to support your child at home please click the link https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/ 

Reading 

Our reading books are organised to match the Little Wandle phonics scheme of learning. Children are also heard reading three times a week as part of a guided reading session in a small group. Each Busy Bee will have one phonetically matched reading book, a guided reading book and a book for pleasure (that they have chosen from the library themselves), that goes home each week. They also share their books with a book buddy in class two and three. Please can children try and read daily at home as this helps to improve blending, comprehension, grammar, spelling and most importantly helps to develop a life-long love of reading for pleasure! 

Homework 

As homework we would like your child to read daily and to practise their spellings (year one and two). We may set suggested activities intermittently throughout the school year and/or activities via SeeSaw if you wish to have a go at these. Children in class one will have no physical weekly homework to complete.

If you have any questions or queries please don't hesitate to contact us. You can do this via email on admin@cartmel.cumbria.sch.uk 

The Busy Bee Team  (:

Miss Taylor-Crozier, Mrs Bowden and Mrs Flaherty