What we have been learning this week

This week in maths Badgers have been investigating subtraction and how to use equipment to help them to understand what is happening.

In English we have been writing up our information book about the four countries of the United Kingdom for the new library.

As part of our topic we have been looking at art work from Henri Rousseau. We have created our own pictures using pastels inspired by his work called ‘Exotic Landscape’. We had a lovely afternoon!

On Monday we had a visit from a local author, Sally King. Hopefully you’ve all seen the flyer that was sent home telling you all about it? Sally was really impressed with the enthusiasm that Badger Class had for her book and their super questions.

What we shall be working on next week

Next week in Maths we will be continuing to learn about subtraction and different strategies to help us to make sure our answers are accurate. In English we will be learning some interviewing techniques, so watch out for your budding reporters coming home to find out all about their families! We will also be learning about Guy Fawkes and why we celebrate Bonfire Night.

How you can help with home learning

To support your child at home it would be really helpful to give them the opportunity to go to a shop and handle real coins and money. I know we are all busy and it’s so much easier to hand over a card. Sadly, this really puts our children at a disadvantage as they are not all used to using real money.  Any opportunity for them to handle money would really help their understanding of the value of coins.

Our Reading Race Track is up and running and some parents have asked how this works. All your child needs to do is read with an adult and the adult needs to write in their Reading Journal that they have read. They will earn a ‘tick’, which we will keep a running total of and, as they reach multiples of 10, their ‘racing car’ will be moved along the class race track.

At Parents' Evening I spoke to many of you about the benefits of encouraging number fluency with your child at home. There is a great free website with a game called ‘Hit the Button’:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

It is great for helping your child to learn and retain their number bonds, doubles, halves and also times tables. It can be a bit addictive…

General Information

Some of you have asked about ‘Show and Tell’ times.  As we have so many children asking to share items, it has meant that we have sometimes overrun and been late leaving.  My apologies for that. To help alleviate this we will set up a rota as follows:

Monday: Cherries fruit group

Tuesday: Blueberries fruit group

Wednesday: Apples fruit group

Thursday: Oranges fruit group

Friday: Grapes fruit group

I hope that this will help everyone? I’m looking forward to a fantastic final week before half term. We will be sending PE bags home on Wednesday for a well needed wash. If you could also remember to collect your child’s coats at the end of the week, too, as they will have been outside all week.

Have a great weekend everyone!