Butterfly & Dragonfly Class (Reception) 2025 - 2026

Welcome to Butterfly and Dragonfly Class 

Butterfly Teacher: Miss Harrison

Dragonfly Teacher: Mrs Chappell

Teaching Assistant: Mrs Bowker

Here you will find helpful information about our learning and the things we are getting up to in Reception.

Autumn 1 

This half term, our topic is ' All About Me.'

As always in Reception, we aim to follow children's interests. 

We follow Literacy Counts, which allows us to enjoy a wide range of new books and base our reading and writing around each text. We believe becoming a skilled, attentive reader starts at the earliest stages. This term, we will be enjoying the story 'The Something' By Rebecca Cobb. 

Narrative story: a losing story 

Purpose: to inform

Purpose: retell the losing story and write sentences

Recount: animal information sentences  

Our maths focus this half term will be 'All About Me'. We will be concentrating on (based on White Rose Maths)

Step One: Match objects

Step Two: Match pictures and objects

Step Three: Identify a set 

Step Four: Sort objects into a type

Step Five: Explore sorting techniques

Step Six: Create a sorting rule

Step Seven: Compare amounts 

Maths scrapbooks

They are sent home every Thursday with a new family challenge related to what your child has been learning in school. 

At Darnhall we follow the RWI Programme 

How and what do the children learn?

READING
The children:

•  learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts
•  learn to read words using sound blending
•  read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
•  after meaningful discussion led by an adult children show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions

WRITING

The children:

•  learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds
•  learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes
•  learn to build sentences orally using adventurous vobabulary
•  start with simple sentences and develop towards more complex ones by the end of the programme
•  compose a range of texts using discussion prompts

TALKING

Children are assessed so they work with children at the same level. This allows them to take a full part in all lessons.

They work in pairs so that they:

•  answer every question
•  practise every activity with their partner
•  take turns in talking to each other

Key words

New keywords will be given to the children on Monday, ready to be assessed on Friday
It is essential that your child can recognise and read the word.
 Words, sight words or red words. This means the word cannot be segmented or blended using Fred Talk. 

Examples

was
he
she
the
they
when

We find using resources such as Phase 3 Tricky Words Song Say Hello To - YouTube really support your child's learning and understanding. It supports their fluency within their reading and writing. 

Reception will be tested on their key words every Friday. If they know ALL key words then they will receive the next set. Please ensure that you continue to practise all key words. 

Reading at Home 

Please listen to your child read their reading book as much as possible alongside other story books. Remember to log these in their reading diary.  

For every 3 recorded reads, your child will receive a stamp on their reading worm. Once all 12 stamps have been placed on the 'Reading Worm' they will be able to get a free book from our amazing Book Vending Machines.

 

1 completed reading worm = 1 frequent reader book

2 completed reading worms = 1 frequent reader book AND a reading buddy.

3 completed reading worms = 1 frequent reader book
4 completed reading worms = 1 frequent reader book AND a reading buddy.

5 completed reading worms = 1 frequent reader book

 

 

Please bring your reading book into school everyday in your child's book bag.

Please encourage your child to look after their reading book as they are costly to replace.

Books will be changed every Thursday as this provides opportunity to read throughout the week they will only be changed if they have been returned. 
If your child has read the book several times, please do not let that prevent you from reading other books which you may have at home. Log everything, bedtime stories, magazines, shopping lists and every day reading. It all counts. 

Rhyme of the Week:

Week 1: Little Bo Peep 

Week 2:  The Big Ship Sails 

Week 3:  Hickory Dickory Dock 

Week 4:  Jack and Jill

Week 5: Old McDonald

Week 6: The Wheels on the Bus 

Week 7 : Frere Jacques 

Tapestry is Reception's platform of communication with parents and our learning journal provider.

Tapestry allows you to view all your children’s observations, photographs and videos. You can like and comment on observations that we add for your child and it’s also possible for you to add your own observations. Your comments and own observations will allow us to find out about which activities your child really enjoyed and the learning they get up to at home. The photos that you add will allow us to celebrate any achievements/wow moments/special days out that happen outside of school, which will help us get to know your child even better!

Reminders

Please ensure your child wears the correct school uniform at all times.

Only small studded earrings are allowed.

If you have any questions or issues regarding events at school, you can always come and see us in the morning or after school.

We are looking forward to an exciting term in Reception.