Foundation

Class Teacher: Mrs Hodgson

Teaching Partners:  Miss Maule, Miss Young

Learning Support Assistants: Mrs Whiting

Welcome to Foundation! 

Our class page is your go-to place for all of the key information about our learning journey together this year. The team can't wait to support your child's progress and learning this year, where we will be exploring lots of exciting new concepts and skills as they navigate their first full year at primary school!

Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Hodgson with any questions or queries. 

Our Timetable - Summer Term 

Please note that our PE day is on a Tuesday afternoon with the KS1 Team. Please come to school dressed in PE kit on these days. Earrings and other jewellery should be removed for PE and hair tied back where possible. 

PE Kit includes: 

• Red or dark PE hoodies,  black or grey tracksuit trousers or shorts (unbranded) 

• Black, grey or white trainers 

• Zip-up sports jackets are suitable for colder weather. 

Curriculum Overview 

Summer Term 1: Transport!

• English: We will be applying our expert phonics skills to create books to entertain by retelling a traditional tale of our choice, and to inform by writing about our amazing bodies inspired by the books ‘You’re So Amazing’ by James and Lucy Catchpole and
• Maths: To 20 and beyond!; How many now?  (adding and taking away); Manipulate, compose and decompose (experimenting with shape).

• Science: Children will explore animals big and small, identifying similarities and differences and sorting animals into groups. Continuing work on changing seasons to explore sandcastle science!

• History: In history we will explore the topic of transport, considering ways in which transport has changed over time. We will use books and photographs to learn about how transport has changed and apply our learning to compare modes of transport and create timelines.  
• DT: Children will explore what is meant by waterproof, floating and sinking and then experiment and make predictions with various materials to carry out a series of tests.
• Computing:  Music Creation - Children will understand disadvantages and advantages of making music on a computer, create a rhythm using a pattern of beats, digital sounds and a simple melody using patterns and adjust tempo.

• Music: The children will explore a range of musical dimensions through the topic of transport. They will learn to make choices and explain their opinions as well as exploring rhythm, steady beat and playing instruments with control.
• Physical Education: Children will apply physical skills to show control, confidence and link movements together. They will develop coordination sending and receiving through the circus juggling theme and develop agility skills to develop their reaction and response.

• Religious Education:  In RE we will be focusing on the big question: Which places are special and why? Children will consider special places to themselves, Christians and Muslims.

• Relationships, Sex and Health Education (including Economic Education):  Children will explore the HeartSmart principle ‘Fake is a Mistake’ – learning the importance of telling the truth. In Economic Education, we will begin to explore the idea of saving, considering ways we can look after our money.

Summer Term 2: Amazing Animals!

• English: We will be applying our fantastic phonics skills to create books about .

• Maths: Sharing and grouping (exploring concepts of division); Visualise. Build and map (patterns); Make connections (deepening understanding).

• Science:  We will be exploring the importance of oral health and continuing with our seasons work, recognising the changes outside in summer.

• Geography:  Children will be exploring and investigating maps, including pirate maps, looking at our school from above, building our own 2D and 3D maps and creating journey sticks.

• Art:  Children will explore the world about them as a way to begin to understand the concept of “print”. Children use their own bodies, then things they collect around them, to create a variety of prints. They use their hands and feet to make prints, and they take rubbings of textures from the environment around them. They make “plates” by making impressions in plasticine, and then by using printing foam. They explore how they can build up images by creating multiples, and use line, shape, colour and texture to explore pattern, sequencing and symmetry.
• Computing:  Early Programming – Children will begin developing the skills of programming, activities introduce equipment that needs programming and the basic principles including sequencing instructions.

• Music: Children will explore a range of musical dimensions through the topic of people. They will learn to make choices and explain their opinions as well as exploring rhythm, steady beat and playing instruments with control.

• Physical Education: Children will develop awareness of why health and fitness is important. They will focus on fundamental movement skills to develop agility through ball chasing and focus on floor work balances. Children will also prepare for and take part in Potted Sports and Sports Day.
• Religious Education: In RE we will be focusing on the big question: Which stories are special and why? In this unit, children consider stories that are special to them, giving reasons why. Children will encounter stories from different religious worldviews and find out why they might be special to a believer.
• Relationships, Sex and Health Education (including Economic Education): Children will learn about the second HeartSmart principle ‘No Way Through Isn’t True’ – exploring. In Economic Education, children will look at making choices when it comes to spending money.

Reading 

Please read with your child as often as possible, even if only for a few minutes. Research shows that regular sharing of books and stories with your child makes a positive impact on their academic success.

Mrs Hodgson and the Foundation team will check the children’s reading records each Friday and change their books. Please note that children are encouraged to read these books at least twice before being changed. To celebrate excellent reading at home, each Foundation child who has read 3 or more times to an adult outside of school during the week, will be rewarded with a dip in the goodie bag!  Please date and sign their reading record each time they read to an adult, and encourage them to show off their super phonics skills. 

Volunteers to hear readers are always welcome! Please speak to Mrs Hodgson if you’re able to offer any time.

Outdoor Learning:

In Foundation, a large part of our curriculum involves outdoor learning opportunities. To ensure that your child is always prepared (whatever the weather!), we kindly ask that your child brings in a named pair of wellington boots in a carrier bag to stay in school. Please also ensure that the children have coats on wet or cold days and have suncream applied before coming to school each day.

SeeSaw - Online Learning Platform 

Please encourage your child to discuss what they are learning at home. Our online learning platform, SeeSaw should help to guide these conversations, as we will share snippets of your child’s learning journey throughout the week. Please ensure that you have consented to SeeSaw via Arbor and look out for an invite code which will enable your access to our class site. Please feel free to use the platform to share any WOW moments your child achieves. Posts shared will also form part of our daily show and tell.

Key Dates 

Parent-Teacher Meetings:  

We offer these termly, dates are included on our weekly newsletters. 

Celebrations, Trips and Visits: 

For up to date information, please check the weekly school newsletter

• Summer 1 Open afternoon – Friday 8^th May 3pm
• Balance Bikes – Friday 15^th May (please note all equipment including safety gear is provided)
• Neverland Nudge Drama Workshop – 10^th June
• Summer 2 Open afternoon - Friday 3^rd July 3pm
• White Post Farm trip – date tbc
• Sports Day & Potted Sports – date tbc
• Last day of term – 17^th July

Communication 

You can contact Mrs Hodgson via the below contact forms. Alternatively, please email the school office (office@archbishopcranmer.notts.sch.uk or schooladmin@archbishopcranmer.notts.sch.uk).