Welcome to our class page! Our class consists of reception, year 1 and year 2 children. The children in the Busy Bee class are taught in different ways throughout the day. We have a variety of approaches including focus group activities, whole class activities and self-initiated activities. Our 'play to learn' time allows children to explore and interact as they desire. At the beginning of each term we set off with a topic or theme in mind which we think will interest and motivate our eager learners. However, we are flexible in our approach and shape our planning to match the evolving interests of the children within our class.  

Summer 1

The following curriculum areas will be covered;

English: our core text this half term is 'Leaf by Sandra Dieckman'. This fantastic cross curricular story will take the children on an emotional journey that supports them in feeling empathy for a character. Through this lovely book we will write poetry, write letters, look at non chronological reports, descriptive writing and writing in role.

Maths: in year one and two we will be learning about fractions, postion, direction and multiplication and division. In reception children will be looking at number, time and shape. The whole school uses White Rose Maths to teach mathematics to ensure progression and coverage for all year groups.

Science: we will be learning all about change. This will include looking at wax and heat, water when heated or frozen and the absorbancy of fabrics.

Design and Technology and Art: we will be designing, creating and evaluating our own fabric bunting.

Geography and History: our topic this half term is 'We Are Britain - Castles'. We will discover castles all around the UK, especially those local to us. We will delve into how castles were designed and build, the different parts and roles of a castle and who lived in them.

PSHE: we will be learning how to be ‘HeartSmart' and that 'Fake is a Mistake!' with Boris the robot and Mrs Bennett.

ICT: looking at programming and data on Purple Mash. We will also be accessing Time Table Rockstars and Numbots using the Chromebooks and new iPads.

Music: Sing Up with Mrs Battersby, we will be looking at 'Tanczymy Labada'.

PE: we will be working with Mr Blair on a Wednesday afternoon and Adam from Cumbria Cricket on a Friday afternoon. Please ensure your child comes to school in their plain smart navy/black/white PE kit on these days.

RE: we will be learning all about our world, with Jesus at the centre of it.

We will also be having two whole day class trips, one to Castle Head for a mixture of science and outdoor education and a day at Holker Hall.

Phonics and Spellings Children in Reception and Year 1 have a daily phonics session each morning. Year 2 children have a mixture of phonics or spelling support. They practise sounds already taught and learn new phonemes and graphemes through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. Year 1 and 2 children have spellings that they practise each morning when entering school and Y2 are tested on a Friday.

Reading 

Our reading books are organised to match the Little Wandle phonics scheme of learning. Children are also heard reading three times a week as part of a guided reading session in a small group. Each Busy Bee will have one phonetically matched reading book, a guided reading book and a book for pleasure (that they have chosen from the library themselves), that goes home each week. They also share their books with a book buddy in class two and three. Please can children try and read every day at home as this helps to improve blending, comprehension, grammar, spelling and most importantly helps to develop a life-long love of reading for pleasure! 

Homework 

As homework we would like your child to read daily and to practise their spellings (year one and two). We may set suggested activities intermittently throughout the school year and/or activities via SeeSaw if you wish to have a go at these. Children in class one will have no physical weekly homework to complete.

If you have any questions or queries please don't hesitate to contact us. You can do this via email on either admin@cartmel.cumbria.sch.uk or jodie.taylor-crozier@cartmel.cumbria.sch.uk.

The Busy Bee Team  (:

Miss Taylor-Crozier, Mrs Bowden and Mrs Flaherty