Robins
Welcome to the Robins
Mrs Fensom and Mrs Davies – Class Teachers
Miss Martin, Mrs Wood and Mrs Sanders– Teaching Assistants
Contact Email : SFensom@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk
SENDCO contact : sendco@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk
Have a tour of the Robins room!
Have a look round our outside area.
Welcome to the Robins!
At Sharnbrook Primary each year group is named after a bird. The Pre-school is called the Penguins who then move to the Robins ( Reception class). The children continue to learn through free play and adult led activities. The environment is presented in an attractive, calm and inviting way. We have natural resources and plants to create a more homely feel. With low level tables and large carpet areas, allowing the children to play and learn at a level they want to explore in.
Play is still an important way for children to explore and learn. Through play children find out, repeat activities and skills, develop concentration and a love for learning. ‘Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.’ EYFS statutory Framework 2020.
In the reception year the children learn to read using the Little Wandle scheme. They learn to write and become independent learners.
The Robins follow the EYFS and by the end of the reception Year all children are expected to achieve a good level of development.
The Foundation Stage is organised into 7 areas of learning:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication and Language
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Physical Development
Expressive Arts and Design
Foundation Stage Profile
Children work towards Early Learning Goals which are the expectations for most children to aim towards during Foundation stage. Click here to view the 'Development matters' which shows the learning intentions for each stage.
Parents will receive information on their child’s progress towards these goals.
To view the DFE's 'What to expect and when' document for children from birth to five years, please click here.
For children to be able to learn they need to feel secure and safe. At Sharnbrook we are lucky to have our Penguins ( Pre-school) and Robins ( reception class), next door to each other. The children share an outside area which enables the children to get to know the Reception staff before they begin the Reception Year.
At the end of Reception we want all children to be confident learners who are motivated to learn and have the strategies to take control of their emotions and wellbeing. To be able to communicate and co-operate with others. To be happy and self-reliant.
A Sharnbrook Primary child will be able :
To understand and regulate their own feelings and express their emotions appropriately.
To communicate effectively and appropriately
To be a confident and independent member of the school community
To be active, healthy and move confidently
To have a love a stories and books
To confidently explore everyday mathematical concepts
To write independently about their interests
To express their ideas and thoughts through art and design technology
To investigate, appreciate and care for the natural environment
To begin to make sense of their place in our diverse world.
We are very privileged to have our own wood area and pond. The children enjoy forest school on a Friday afternoon. Exploring, making up stories, creating and inventing.
Children have already had many experiences of mark making before entering Reception. They begin with “wiggles and squiggles”. Then they begin to ascribe meaning to these marks. During Robins they begin to use their knowledge of the letter sounds to write. They are introduces to the letter shapes through the Little Wandle Phonic scheme. Each letter has a character which helps your child to remember the letter sound and shape ( Please follow the link to the Little Wandle parent page). The children then begin to write simple ‘cvc’ words such as ‘cat’ and ‘pin’. There many opportunities for children to practise these skills in free play and with adult support during the Reception day.
At Sharnbrook we follow the Little Wandle phonic scheme for reading. The children firstly learn the letter sounds and then move onto blending to read words. They begin to learn the digraphs ( when two letters make one sound). The children are introduced to ‘tricky’ words. These are words that cannot be phonetically sounded out, such as ‘the’ and ‘I’. Gradually the children begin to use many different strategies to support them becoming a fluent reader. From the first day in Robins class the children begin to learn the letter sounds. They are shown that if they learn these that they can and will learn to read. We encourage the parents to come in over the first few weeks to watch the phonic lessons so that they can understand how their child will be taught and how to support them at home.
Listen to see how to say each sound : Little Wandle
Some useful websites to support your child with phonics and learning to blend and read:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxBEmaaSh1c
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
The book trust have very useful information on reading with your child at home. Click here for the link.
What you can do to help!
-Share the ‘Wordless’ books- making up your own stories.
-listen to your child practise their ‘sound book’ every day.
-Read your child a story, ( at bedtime or any time!) so that they can broaden their vocabulary and develop an enjoyment of books.
-Share your child’s library book.
-Look at and talk about printed language in their environment, on food packets, road signs, labels and leaflets.
- When your child gets a reading book, listen to them read every evening. Just one or two pages daily really helps your child to become confident in blending and reading.
During the Reception year the children build on their understanding of Number. In the Penguins the children begin to identify number names using ‘Number Zoo’. They have many experiences of counting, sorting, shape , space and measure. In Robins we use the Numicon shapes and Montessori Number rods to support the children's understanding of the value of each number. They have time to explore and play with these as well as adult led activities to support children moving on to their next steps in learning.
To view useful resources on School Readiness:
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/migrated_images/consider-16-ticks-leaflet_tcm3-17286.pdf
- https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/starting-school/?utm_
Getting ready for the Robins.
To help your child develop independence, get them used to doing the following at home: Getting dressed independently every day – practise closing buttons, putting on socks and shoes on the right feet, putting coat on and zipping up. Going to the toilet an wiping their bottom on their own – simple clothing like elasticated waistbands are easier to get on and off. Cutting food using a ‘real’ knife and fork. Tidying up their toys and doing simple household chores – giving them responsibilities will help them to become more independent. Helping them to recognise their name in writing and to consistently respond to it verbally. Create a coat and shoe peg at home with their name on it to help get them used to having something similar at school – it seems like a simple thing but it’ll help when we ask your child to go and fetch their coat! You can practise some of the activities your child would have done in early years in your own home to help make sure they develop the same skills and feel more ready when reception starts:
Do turn-taking activities such as playing with a toy – this helps them to get used to taking turns and also to understand the concept of sharing.
Get your child used to eating with others even if it’s just a snack.
Lots of the learning in reception happens through play. Get down onto the carpet so you’re at their level and enjoy some play with your child. Follow their lead with what they’re doing or how they’re playing. Then, try to get them to follow your lead and also create games together. This will help them to get used to playing and engaging with other children.
Practise basic phonics in everyday settings:
Recognise sounds and words in the environment around you to help your child hear the initial sound in words – e.g. look at that t-ree, first sound ‘t’.
Segment sounds in words orally while doing your usual daily routine – e.g. get your c-oa-t on, where is your b-a-g.
Play I spy but sound out the word and see if your child can blend it – e.g. I spy with my little eye a d-o-g
Explore rhyming words.
If you want to get started on basic numeracy skills, CBeebies has a resource called Numberblocks.
Routine and consistency helps children to adapt and this will help ease the transition into reception. About 4 weeks before the start of reception, try to set a morning routine with your child. You can start with small steps and gradually add to the routine:
Get up at the same time every day and have breakfast.
Get dressed up in the school uniform and put on ‘school’ shoes.
Prepare a ‘school lunch box’ – you can choose one together if you don’t have one yet.
Look up the route to school and if it’s walking distance try it out – point to the school and tell your child they’ll be going there soon.
Parent Support Articles
The below articles and leaflets are expert information related to safeguarding and child protection.
• Understanding the Sexual Development of Children Under 5
• Understanding the Sexual Development of 5 to 11 Year Olds
It is important that children come to school ready to learn, and to get the best out of their education. The NAHT and Family Action have worked together to provide a series of leaflets aimed at families, to help you get the best out of your child's education.
Click on the links below to access this useful information.
Ready to Learn Information
• naht-get-the-most-out-of-school
• naht-giving-your-children-a-helping-hand
• naht-preparing-for-change-at-school
• naht-speaking-and-listening
• naht-your-childs-wellbeing
Useful websites
Information on Number work using Numicon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqf7AssF9Kc
https://biglifejournal-uk.co.uk/ For free ideas to support your child to develop a Growth Mindset.
Sign up for the freebies!
When you begin to support your child in their writing please what this informative video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFp_k_0qKvk
If you have any concerns or would like more information please email Mrs Fensom or the school office.
