We are nearly there!
WELCOME TO YEAR TWO!
It's not long until your children return to school and we wanted to say again how excited we are to be working with your child for the year ahead. Mrs Morgan and Mrs Westie have been telling us about super Maple Class so we really are thrilled to get started! I am sure you have all watched our year group video where we introduced ourselves, gave a quick tour of the classroom and spoke about some of the routines. I just wanted to send this blog to further clarify bits ahead of our new start.
There will be some welcome information specific to Base One coming shortly. We would typically do this during an evening - some of you will remember this from last year - but I am sure you will understand it will not be possible in that format this time. More information about that "meeting" will follow. It is at this point that we will go into more detail about things like routines, reading, homework and keys to learning, but ahead of Monday, there are a few things I'd like to make you aware of.
PE AND FOREST SCHOOLS:
Our PE days are Monday and Friday. Children will need to have full kit in: being outdoors is helpful at this time so we will try to do as much in the great outdoors as is possible. Kit is best to be stored in school to avoid movement from home to school. Forest schools is also on a Monday. Like before, we intend to go out whatever the weather. You might have already seen the information from Mrs Deegan about this reminding you to send in a water proof coat, trousers and wellies (all of which must be named). For now, we are asking that you don't send in a change of clothes.
SPELLING TESTS AND HOMEWORK
Mondays are busy days in Y2 as we have a spelling test each week. The children have not been tested on spellings so far so this is a new routine for them. We are very positive and children see this as a fun quiz. We find that this weekly test, which happens for every year group from Y2-6, really helps children to learn, practice and embed those words. The first spelling test will be on Monday 14th September and every Monday there after. During school, we spend time teaching rules explicitly, practising these words using 'look, cover, write, check' (as in Y1) so by the time Monday comes, children are really confident in knowing these words. We also have access to spelling shed which is an app / website your child can use to practise these words. I have already set the lists up for this half term so they will roll over from Monday to Monday. I will keep a running record of your child's weekly score and can share these with you from week to week or during our assessment intervals, open evenings etc. There are new passwords for this so I will be sure to send these out on Monday as well. This first week, I will send home a paper copy of the spelling homework (and upload it, as well as a plan for the half term ahead) but after that it will be shared on SeeSaw. This is a learning platform that all year groups at Crossdale will be using to share messages, homework and tasks. It will work alongside the blog and class emails for communication. Mr Cresswell will be sharing support for this during the coming week. We hope you love it as much as we do...lots of videos to follow...!
As well as our weekly spelling test, we will have regular homework, just as in year 1. I have already set some maths challenges on doodle that children can use and that will become available at various points. I have set the same task 4 times for this half term (the 15 challenge) relating to place value (which is our first maths unit). This will help the children return to the same concepts and deepen their understanding in this area. The daily 6 a day will also be a fantastic resource to help revise their maths. There are also some mymaths tasks set that again relate to this topic.
We do also expect children to read at home at least 5 times a week and practise any phonics that is sent. We now have access to phonics videos so if we note that your child is struggling on one particular sound or has gaps in an area, we will send this to your email address. The link lasts for 7 days but this is a pre-recorded phonics session. Another super resource! Reading Eggs is still available for you and once more, I have set up specific reading tasks for your child to use. This has been tailored to the needs of your child and I have used their last reading assessment to base my judgements of the text I have chosen. Lastly, with regards to homework, we will be setting our usual half-termly topic activities. You will receive this shortly - I look forward to seeing their work already!
GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING:
Like before, we will be isolating reading books that come in from home for a few days before returning them to the book shelves. Please ensure these are ready to be dropped into the box in the morning.
We also ask you not to hand over long messages at the door in the morning and after school to help reduce contact. We will still be using the maple email address so please do get in touch if you have any queries. We are still the same, friendly staff so we are happy to help!
Labelled water bottles and clothes, please.
We look forward to having a look through the holiday books you have been making and hope this helps us to find out a bit more about your child.
Have a super weekend and see you all on Monday.
Mrs Jones