Curriculum
|
Phonics at Totternhoe Lower
Read, Write Inc In September 2015 we introduced Read Write Inc to the children. This is a fun and interactive phonics scheme that with the help of 'Fred' the frog, gets everyone reading quickly and confidently. Many parents had heard of it already from their children. Parents have reported that it is really having an impact on the way their children are reading and sounding out at home. Mrs Bates showed the parents a short clip during parent forum, that shows parents how to blend sounds to help at home. Parents in Blossom class you can see how we are starting to introduce phonics in pre school here, http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/resources/teaching-read-write-inc-phonics-in-nursery/ |
In June 2016 100% of our Year 1 children passed their phonics screening test. In October we received a letter from Nick Gibb MP (Minister of State for School Standards) congratulating us. You can read that letter here.
MyBookBlog at Totternhoe Lower
Here at Totternhoe, we believe that is important that the children read for pleasure as well as during their learning. Reading the books they enjoy not only increases their confidence and understanding of stories, but also their vocabulary . Quality children's literature is a vast source interesting vocabulary for children rivalled only by technical texts for adults. Books also allow access to places and situations where we may not or cannot go, as the author Neil Gaiman said "A book is a dream you hold in your hands".
To increase the children's comprehension and encourage their love of reading all of the children from years 2-4 have their own MyBookBlog page. Here, they can blog, collect facts, take comprehension quizzes and learn new vocabulary linked to books they choose to read themselves. Take a look at the books on offer in the school library, encourage your child/children to talk about and blog on the books they have read and tease out all that vocabulary when talking to them.
Click on the logo below for the children to access their blog pages.
You can also CLICK HERE to see reviews on you tube.
To increase the children's comprehension and encourage their love of reading all of the children from years 2-4 have their own MyBookBlog page. Here, they can blog, collect facts, take comprehension quizzes and learn new vocabulary linked to books they choose to read themselves. Take a look at the books on offer in the school library, encourage your child/children to talk about and blog on the books they have read and tease out all that vocabulary when talking to them.
Click on the logo below for the children to access their blog pages.
You can also CLICK HERE to see reviews on you tube.
British Values at Totternhoe
RE week September 2015
The children had an interesting week, learning about prayer. Children in Y1-4 visited St Giles Church where they were able to explore and learn more about the features of a Christian place of worship. There were very many questions asked about the bells and the kneelers! Vicar Helen gave us lots of interesting information. We learned that St Giles lived a solitary life as a hermit but enjoyed the company of a red deer. Look out for the picture of the deer next time you visit St Giles!
All the children enjoyed a visit from Benish, a Muslim lady. She talked to YR, 1 and 2 and then Y3 and 4, who have already been learning about the Muslim faith in their RE lessons. Benish was very impressed with the knowledge that the children had. The sessions were very interactive and the children behaved brilliantly, again asking lots of questions, particularly about clothing and headscarves. Children had great fun trying on scarves (hijab) or hats, which caused lots of laughter as they looked very different.
Each class did some follow up work after their trip to the church and Benish’s visit.
These visits are a vitally important part of our role to teach children the British values of respect and tolerance. The Dept for Education guidance for Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools (Nov 2014) states that:’ Pupils must be encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance.’ Further: ‘ … schools can… ‘use teaching resources from a wide variety of sources to help pupils understand a range of faiths.‘
RE week September 2015
The children had an interesting week, learning about prayer. Children in Y1-4 visited St Giles Church where they were able to explore and learn more about the features of a Christian place of worship. There were very many questions asked about the bells and the kneelers! Vicar Helen gave us lots of interesting information. We learned that St Giles lived a solitary life as a hermit but enjoyed the company of a red deer. Look out for the picture of the deer next time you visit St Giles!
All the children enjoyed a visit from Benish, a Muslim lady. She talked to YR, 1 and 2 and then Y3 and 4, who have already been learning about the Muslim faith in their RE lessons. Benish was very impressed with the knowledge that the children had. The sessions were very interactive and the children behaved brilliantly, again asking lots of questions, particularly about clothing and headscarves. Children had great fun trying on scarves (hijab) or hats, which caused lots of laughter as they looked very different.
Each class did some follow up work after their trip to the church and Benish’s visit.
These visits are a vitally important part of our role to teach children the British values of respect and tolerance. The Dept for Education guidance for Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools (Nov 2014) states that:’ Pupils must be encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance.’ Further: ‘ … schools can… ‘use teaching resources from a wide variety of sources to help pupils understand a range of faiths.‘
The Curriculum
The children in Year R and 4+ follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This comprises 7 areas of learning: Communication and language; Physical development; Personal, social and emotional development; Literacy ; Mathematics; Understanding the world; and Expressive arts and design.
The children in Year R and 4+ follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This comprises 7 areas of learning: Communication and language; Physical development; Personal, social and emotional development; Literacy ; Mathematics; Understanding the world; and Expressive arts and design.
The children in Years 1 to 4 follow the National Curriculum which comprises English; Mathematics; Science; Design and Technology; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); History; Geography; Art and Design; Music; and PE. We follow the Local Authority's syllabus for RE for all pupils.
These subjects may be covered in linked topics or as individual subjects.
We use Read Write inc' to teach phonics to the children in Years R, 1 and 2 and to any children that need to keep up with their phonics in years 3 and 4.
Our main reading scheme throughout the school is Ginn which is supplemented by a variety of books from other schemes such as Oxford Reading Tree, Storyworlds and Flying Boot.
These subjects may be covered in linked topics or as individual subjects.
We use Read Write inc' to teach phonics to the children in Years R, 1 and 2 and to any children that need to keep up with their phonics in years 3 and 4.
Our main reading scheme throughout the school is Ginn which is supplemented by a variety of books from other schemes such as Oxford Reading Tree, Storyworlds and Flying Boot.
- We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is relevant and differentiated to provide for the needs of the children.
- We encourage each child to develop a positive and independent attitude to learning. We help him/her to develop concentration, perseverance and self discipline.
- We promote the continued growth of each child to his/her full potential through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and concepts. We maintain high standards, always expecting what is best for each child.
- We help each child to develop creativity through experiences in music, art and craft, PE and drama. We provide a range of planned experiences to stimulate the interest and imagination of each child.
- A balance of teaching methods suited to the various learning experiences is used. There are opportunities for whole class, group and individual teaching.
