Acorns Class
Class Teacher : Mrs Spring
Teaching Assistants: Mrs Kimpton-Smith (EYFS) Mrs Howe/ Mrs Sulston (SEN)
Welcome to Acorns Class – EYFS and Key Stage 1
Acorn Class consists of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children. We also run a Pre-School called Little Acorns. Please refer to the Little Acorns tab for further information.
Children in Reception follow their own Early Years curriculum planned by Mrs Spring and taught by Mrs Spring and Mrs Kimpton-Smith. Phonics, early writing and early maths are taught in the mornings and activities are adapted to meet the needs of each child. We make effective use of our outside learning area for all subjects as well as our dedicated EYFS annexe next to the main KS1 classroom. As the year develops, very good transition arrangements are made to ensure the transition from Reception to Year 1 is seamless for the children.
Children in Years 1 and 2 work in separate year groups for Maths allowing us to really deepen understanding. In all other subjects the class works together with tasks being adapted to suit the age and stage of each pupil within the class.
The timetable may change from term to term depending on the topic focus and any enrichment activities.
Supporting Learning at Home
Reading
Please encourage your child to read to you daily in order to maximise their progress We listen to each child read daily, however, children who also practise at home make the most progress. Children in Acorns Class have access to a wide range of fully decodable books from our library. When children become free readers, children have access to the Accelerated Reader scheme which allows the children ( with some adult guidance) to select from a range of books which will help develop their comprehension skills. Each time they complete a book in the scheme, they will take an online quiz, the results of which are accessible to parents.
Please ensure that you make a note in your child’s reading record every time you hear them read so that we can continue where you left off.
Phonics
Phonics is taught daily in EYFS and Year 1. During phonics lessons, we teach the children the sounds letters make in order for them to read. We follow a specific phonics scheme : Essential Letters and Sounds ( ELS ) There are 6 phases. Phases 1 – 5 are taught in Reception. embedded in Year 1 and Phase 6 is taught in Year 2. Phase 6 is largely focused upon spelling rules.
Spelling
Spelling is taught as part of the daily phonics sessions in EYFS and KS1. These skills are further reinforced during any writing activities. Children practise common exception words ( hard to read and spell words )as part of a daily structured programme each morning. Children who find spelling difficult are provided with individual support.
Maths
Key maths skills are practised using Key Instant Recall Facts ( KIRFS). KIRFS are included in our daily maths skills lessons. Learning these facts is useful for your child and allows them to progress rapidly.
Learning the number bonds for numbers 4 – 10 is vital and forms part of our KIRFS. We encourage parents to support their child in learning these bonds. Number bonds for numbers 3 – 5 are a focus in Reception, whilst number bonds for numbers 6 – 10, 20 and 100 are the focus for Year 1.
In Year 2 our key maths skills focus around times tables. In Year 2, we encourage parents to support their child in learning their 2 , 5 and 10 times tables. Once mastered, we also encourage children to use these facts to recall their division facts.
Resources to support and explain number bonds and times tables are available on our website.
EYFS
Children will start school at different stages of development and we are experienced in supporting children to gain the skills needed to flourish in school. We recognise that a summer born child is likely to need more support when starting school than those who are almost a year older and born in the autumn.
In order to support your child in preparing for school, the following skills will prove useful for your child.
1. Self-Care & Independence
- Use the toilet independently (wipe, flush, wash hands).
- Get dressed and undressed (coat, shoes, buttons/zips).
- Manage their own lunch (open containers, use cutlery).
- Look after belongings (find bag, put things away).
2. Social & Emotional Skills
- Share toys and take turns.
- Talk about their feelings and needs.
- Ask adults for help.
- Be comfortable away from parents for short periods.
- Follow simple rules and instructions.
3. Language & Literacy
- Recognise their own name when written on labels
- Say the first letter / sound of their name.
- Understand and answer simple questions.
- Engage with books and stories.
4. Cognitive & Early Maths
- Count objects and recognise some numbers from 0 to 10.
- Understand simple concepts like sequencing (first, next, last).
- Show curiosity and interest in learning.
5. Physical & Motor Skills
- Hold a pencil/crayon with developing control (pen control).
- Cut paper with scissors.
- Run, jump, and play actively.
6. Routines & Health
- Have a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine.
- Eat a healthy diet and try new foods.
- Brush teeth twice daily.