Welcome to Term 6!

How does your Garden Grow?

Monday 2nd June 2025

Dear Elf Owl Families,

Welcome back to term 6! We can't believe we are here already and we are starting to think about the children moving into Year One! They have all done so well this year and have grown in so many ways, but the year isn't over yet and we still have lots of exciting learning planned, including our new topic 'How does your garden grow?' We will be learning about the parts of a plant and their function, what plants need in order to grow, as well as doing some growing and observing ourselves. In R.E we will be asking the question 'Does everyone believe in God?' This R.E topic allows us to revisit previous learning about Christianity as well as looking at other World Religions, what different people believe and how they worship. In Art we will be looking at the artist Van Gogh and then going on to create some pieces in a similar style. Finally, our focus in Personal and Social Education will be 'Growing and Changing' which is very apt considering that we are looking now to transition into Key Stage One. The children will be visiting their new classroom and getting to know the Year One team as we move through the term.

 

Visit to Sutton Courtnenay Environmental Education Centre -Tuesday 15th July

We have booked a visit to Sutton Courtnenay Environmental Education Centre on 15th July. Our workshop will be led by the education team there and will provide a great opportunity to explore the beautiful setting which is a haven for wildlife. The children will take part in the 'Sensational Senses' workshop which links to the 'Understanding of the World' strand of our curriculum. Below is a quote from the website to give you an idea of what the children will experience. We will send home more information about the trip via ParentMail in the next few weeks. If you would like to visit the web site, here is a link https://www.bbowt.org.uk/explore/discover-and-learn/sutton-courtenay-oxon 

[Sensational Senses Workshop] Experience the world through the eyes, noses, ears and paws of different animals...Children will meet some of our local animals and discover how they use their super-senses to help them survive and find food. Finish your adventure with a trip to the amazing 'nature's theatre'.

Monster Phonics

This term we will continue to recall the graphemes (letters and sounds) we have taught this year and practise reading and spelling CCVCC words (C=consonant and V=vowel) and words starting with 3 consonants (CCC onset words such as 'spring'). We will also practise reading and writing sentences.

W.b: 2nd June: CCVCC words 

W.b: 9th June: CVC+ polysyllabic

W.b: 16th June: CVC+ polysyllabic

W.b: 23rd June: CCC onset words and CCVCC words with previously taught digraphs

W.b: 30th June: CCVCC words with previously taught digraphs

W.b: 7th July: CVC+ and High Frequency words

W.b: 14th July: CVC+ and High Frequency words

High Frequency Words this term: time, out, house, about, made make came, I'm, very, old, called, asked, looked, their our, Mr, Mrs, don't, people, could

 

Reading

We have noticed that reading at home has really dropped off in recent months. The expectation is that the children read at home to an adult for 10 minutes each day. This will continue into Year One and beyond. Reading 1:1 with an adult helps the children to apply their knowledge from phonics lessons by segmenting and blending words. It also helps them to build fluency and expression, as well as being a valuable time to talk about their reading. Please try as much as possible to share the Monster Phonics and other books together at home and if your child is really tired one day then read the story to them. Thank you for your support.

 

Maths

In Maths this term we will firstly be focussing on sharing and grouping. This will lead us nicely into odds and evens as the children discover that odd numbers cannot be shared equally into 2 groups. Next we will move on to exploring and making our own repeated patterns, before building 3D constructions and creating maps and plans. Lastly, we will consolidate our learning in Maths this year by attempting to solve some real-life maths problems.

 

P.E and Forest School

The children will have P.E on Mondays with Matt Pearce this term when they will focus on athletics. The children should come to school wearing full kit and trainers/ plimsolls. We will continue with Forest School on Fridays. Please ensure your child has full waterproofs, wellies and a change of clothes left in school. These items are also used throughout the week when the children play outside. Please see the link below for more information about Forest School.

Forest School

Be Sun Safe!

Please make sure your child has a sun hat in school each day and arrives wearing sun screen. If you would like to send in a labelled bottle of sunscreen to be in kept in school, we can support your child to reapply at lunchtime. (Please be aware the children can not share cream for Health and Safety reasons).

We are excited for a sunny term of learning ahead! As always, do come and talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

With our warmest wishes

Mrs Ray, Miss Taylor, Mrs Howlett, Miss Bush and Mrs Fairfax