Welcome to the second term of the academic year 2012/13 in Nursery Class. Firstly I would like to say big thank you to all the parents for their support during the Autumn Term. I also would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to parents that I have not yet met. My name is Mrs. Arbon and I am your child’s new class teacher. I am from Russia and this is my 12th year of teaching at REGO for primary aged students. I also worked in primary schools for 9 years before I came to China.
I am supported by Teaching Assistant Miss Tessa who has vast experience of working with Nursery children at Rego.
Other staff who will be teaching your child this year will be the following specialist teachers:
P.E - Mr. Connoly Swimming – Ms. Hackett Music - Ms. Bull Chinese – Ms. Tessa
We have many exciting activities planned and it looks to be one more enjoyable term for all the children in the class. Below is the outline of the Nursery Curriculum for the Spring term. Please note that the children in the Nursery program explore these concepts, but are not required to master them by the end of the term. Children learn these concepts at their own pace and are either supported or supplemented with more challenging work. Children are taught with hands-on materials, songs, and games. They are assessed by the ongoing observation and work samples.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
In English language learning this term students will continue listening to a variety of stories that will be followed by asking and answering questions and role play. This is intended to improve the oral English and develop the children’s independence as well as cooperation. Other areas to be covered will be: · Continue our work on mark making and writing their own name · Letter formation · Speed sounds: ongoing recap of sounds learnt during the first term and the introduction of new sounds · Holding a pencil, crayon correctly · Joining in with the songs and rhymes
MATHS/NUMERACY
Our Maths curriculum will mainly focus upon counting, recognizing numbers as well as providing hands on practice for one-to-one number correspondence (0-10). This will be introduced by:
· Number games and songs including numbers · Ordering numbers · Number formation · Sorting by various attributes: size, weight, capacity · Making patterns · Measuring length and weight
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Topics for this term will be Weather, Animals, Fire Safety, Chinese New Year. In Science lessons, the emphasis is on a very practical ‘hands on’ approach to the Curriculum. This will involve: · How people celebrate Chinese New Year? · Safe and dangerous. Looking at how to prevent fire and how to behave in the event of fire · Discussing different types of weather and keeping a weather chart · Talking about different types of animals · Using computer mouse: move and click · Exploring children-friendly websites
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
· Listening and following teacher’s instructions · Working in groups, practicing sharing and co-operation · Continue developing manners · Looking after property · Participating in celebrations and festivals · Dressing and undressing/maintaining personal hygiene
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Creativity will be an essential part of the whole curriculum and daily school work.
ART
In our Art programme we will continue exploring different art media and textures using various art equipment like paint brushes, sponges, printing blocks, play dough, fabric, strings, etc. Children will be involved in experimenting, creating, designing things related to the topics they will be working on. We will focus on the process rather than the result, as at this age it is important for the children to explore and develop confidence in expressing their own originality. Students will continue learning scissor skills to help develop their fine motor skills.
MUSIC
Children will enjoy singing traditional songs and songs that enhance the curriculum, participating in movement songs and dances. They will use percussion instruments, scarves and bean bags to practice rhythms and use a variety of other children’s instruments. (Ms. Bull)
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT / P.E. AND SWIMMING
Students will have a single lesson of swimming each week throughout this term, where the focus will be on the developing basic swimming skills, enabling and encouraging the children to become more confident and comfortable in the water. (Ms. Hackett) They will also have one double lesson of P.E. during which they will be exploring team games and ball skills, with lot of opportunities to develop their own ideas and games along the two themes. (Mr. Connoly)
I hope you find this letter and the information included useful. We are trying to keep parents informed of our curriculum and school related activities. If there is anything that you feel you could contribute to any of our activities, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to working with you and to one more enjoyable and successful term in Nursery Class.