Author: Anita Donnelly

St John’s Church of England Curriculum Newsletter EYFS Autumn 2: Traditional Tales and Celebrations

Mathematics
In maths we will be learning to:
Say one number for each item in order: 1-10
Know that the last number reached when counting a small set of objects tells you how many there are in total (‘cardinal principle’).
Show ‘finger numbers’ up to 10.
Link numerals and amounts: for example, showing the right number of objects to match the numeral, up to 10
Order, sort, match and sequencing
Compare quantities using language: ‘more than’, ‘fewer than’.

Literacy:
Texts: Rama and Sita, Goldilocks and the three bears, The Three Billy goats , Gingerbread man, Elves and the shoe maker, Nativity
Children will understand the five key concepts about print:
Print has meaning
The names of the different parts of a book-
Print can have different purposes
Page sequencing
Know that we read English text from left to right and from top to bottom
Children will develop their phonological awareness, so that they can:-
Spot and suggest rhymes
Count or clap syllables in a word
Recognise words with the same initial sound, such as money and mother
Use some of their print and letter knowledge in their early writing. For example: writing a pretend shopping list that starts at the top of the page; write ‘m’ for mum
Write their name.
Write some letters accurately.

Physical Development (RRSA Article 28)
This half term will be supporting pupils in:
Show a preference for a dominant hand.
Developing a comfortable pencil grip with good control
Using a knife and fork so that they can start to eat independently and learning
Continuing to develop their movement, balancing, riding (scooters, trikes and bikes) and ball skip, hop, stand on one leg and hold a pose for a game like musical statues.
Use large-muscle movements to wave flags and streamers, paint and mark making skills.

PSHE (RRSA Article 3 and 12)
We continute to work on te following:
Increasing ability to follow rules, understanding why they are important.
Select and use activities and resources, with help when needed.
Develop appropriate ways of being assertive.
Talk with others to solve conflicts.
Talk about their feelings using words like ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘angry’ or ‘worried’.
Begin to understand how others might be feeling.

Religious Education (RRSA Article 14)
Big Question: Why is Christmas special for Christians? Children will be able to :
talk about how people prepare for an may feel about the birth of a new baby
Retell the story of the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary
Talk about the feelings of Mary and Joseph.
Recognise and talk about Advent.
Retell the Nativity story.
Talk about religious symbols (peace) and words (joy, good news)

Communication and Language
This half term our children will be able to demonstrate:
Enjoyment of stories by listening to longer stories and remember much of what happens.
Engagement in extended conversations about stories and learning and applying new topical vocabulary.
Understanding that a question or instruction can have two parts, such as “Get your coat and wait at the door”. Understand ‘why’ questions, like: “Why do you think the caterpillar got so fat?”

Expressive Arts and Design (RRSA Article 31)
Children will be encouraged to:
Take part in simple pretend play, using an object to represent something else even though they are not similar.
Develop complex stories using small world equipment like animal sets, dolls and dolls houses etc.
Make imaginative and complex ‘small worlds’ with blocks and construction kits, such as a city with different buildings and a park.
Develop their own ideas and then decide which materials to use to express them.
Remember and sing entire songs.

Understanding of the World (RRSA Articles 7, 12 & 14)
Themes this half term are: Birthdays, Weddings and Christening's from around the world, Remembrance, Hanukkah, Diwali
We will be able to:
Recognise that people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways.
Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.
Continue to develop positive attitudes about the differences between people.