9 February 2015
Dear Room 5
Parents/Caregivers,
Welcome back to another exciting year
of learning with your child. This year
we are again sharing the teaching in Room 5.
Col Tombs will be teaching Monday, Tuesday and most Wednesdays, and
Jamie Thomas will be teaching some Wednesdays, Thursday and Friday. If you have any questions please feel free to
approach us.
Spelling
Room 5’s spelling programme is based
on a word study approach to learning how to spell words. This programme is part of our daily literacy
learning. For this reason, children will
be exploring, reviewing and using them within their daily learning at school.
What
is a word study approach?
Word study is based on learning
word patterns and spelling rules rather than memorizing unconnected words. It provides children with opportunities
to find out about and understand some of the patterns in words, as well as
explore meaning. Word study can help students become fluent readers
with a strong vocabulary, and give students the chance to fully explore words
in a variety of ways.
§
Word
study isn’t about memorizing spelling words but about understanding spelling patterns.
§
It isn’t
about working with a random group of words but can compare words that have connections and similarities.
§
It isn’t
just another literacy activity but
is a purposeful look at the world of words.
Below we have also outlined some ways
that you can help at home to support your child with their learning.
Reading
Each
night your child will bring home 1 or 2 books from their choosing box. The books we use for guided reading in class
will not come home until your child is familiar with them and then they will go
into their choosing box. Please write
the books that your child chooses into their reading notebook and sign the
notebook each time the book has been read. You can write a comment about their reading
too if you like. Please feel free to use
the notebook for other communication also.
On Wednesday the children will have been to the library so they will
have these books to share with you. On a
Friday they get to choose 2 books from their reading box for their own
enjoyment over the weekend. Listening to
your child read each night helps them become confident readers. Reading time should be a time for your
child’s and your enjoyment.
Numeracy
Counting with your child
forwards and backwards, and playing card or board games can be great ways to
reinforce number knowledge at home. Also
counting things in the car e.g. how many red cars can you count?, or reading
numbers (and words) on gateways and the supermarket are fun learning activities
too.
Useful Websites
Thank you for your
support of your child’s learning and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Col Tombs and Jamie
Thomas
