FS2

Welcome to the FS2 class page. At Kilnhurst St Thomas we believe in providing children with a motivating and safe environment where children flourish. We pride ourselves on listening to children and those who care for them; using this information to personalise each child’s learning. We believe that every child is unique and should be treated so, allowing them the opportunity to develop and learn in a safe and nurturing environment where both play and learning are combined.  We are committed to giving our children the best possible start to their school life, teaching them skills which ensure their well-being now and success in the future. 

In FS2 we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life to enable them to achieve their full potential. We know that children quickly develop in the early years and that a child’s experiences between birth and 5 years have a major impact on their future life chances. At Kilnhurst St Thomas we ensure all children access high quality teaching and learning to gain knowledge and develop the skills needed to be successful learners. Below you will find a carefully thought out yearly overview of learning that will meet the needs of the children in the 7 areas of learning.

Autumn 1


In the Let’s Explore project, your child will explore their class environment and school grounds so that they feel settled andhappy in their new surroundings. They will learn about the local environment and find out about places they have visited on holiday. They will look at and create maps for journeys. 

Supporting your child at home

  • Use Google Earth to explore the locality.

  • Go on a walk around your local community and talk about the things that you see.

  • Encourage your child to talk about the activities they enjoy doing at school.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 


In the Build It Up project, your child will explore structures in the world around them. They will learn about materials and their
properties, and will have the chance to work independently and in groups to design and make marvellous structures.


Supporting your child at home

  • Take a walk in the local area. Look at and talk about the buildings and other structures you see.

  • Talk about the materials from which their house is made, such as brick, stone or wood.

  • Take a large cardboard box and see what you can create together.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know?

Autumn 2


In the Marvellous Machines project, your child will learn about technology that is part of their daily lives. They will explore various machines, learn about how machines help us and find out about how machines have changed and developed over time. They will learn about products that use electricity to make them work and explore magnetic and non-magnetic materials.


Supporting your child at home

  • Talk about the machines and technology you use in your everyday lives.

  • Look for things in the home that are powered by electricity.

  • Look for items that are powered by batteries.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 


In the Puppets and Pop Ups project, your child will create puppets and use them to communicate with and tell stories. They will find out how puppets are used all over the world to tell stories. They will learn to join materials in different ways, and find out how shadows are formed.


Supporting your child at home

  • Watch a puppet show or puppet TV programme together. Talk about the puppets and how they move and talk.

  • Make simple sock puppets and use them to have silly conversations.

  • Share a wide range of fairy tales.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

Spring 1


In the Long Ago project your child will learn about their history and how they have changed from when they were babies. They will learn about their family history and heritage and find out what life was like when their grandparents were children. They will learn about what it was like to go to school in the past and how everyday objects, such as clothes, toys and vehicles have changed.
 
Supporting your child at home

  • Look at photographs of the children as babies and discuss how they have grown and changed.

  • Look at family photographs so the children can see family members when they were children.

  • Talk about what your life was like when you were a child.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

In the Stories and Rhyme project your child will be introduced to the wonderful world of stories and nursery rhymes. They will listen to and learn a range of traditional tales and nursery rhymes and work creatively to solve problems for the characters they meet.

Supporting your child at home

  • Share a wide range of stories and retell favourite stories using repeated phrases.

  • Sing nursery rhymes and songs.

  • Talk about favourite stories and story characters.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

 Spring 2

 
In the Ready Steady Grow project your child will take part in practical activities to explore where food comes from. They will learn what seeds and plants need to grow and grow a variety of plants. They will explore what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, including eating fruit and vegetables, exercise and teeth brushing. They will find out about life on a farm and about baby animals.


Supporting your child at home

  • Visit your local library and find books about farms to share.

  • Make a shopping list together and go to the shops to buy the food.

  • Grow some quick growing plants or make a cress head.

  • Talk about healthy foods.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

In the Signs of Spring project, your child will go on a walk to look for signs of spring in the local area. They will learn about the changes that happen in spring, including the weather and living things. Springtime festivals will also be explored.


Supporting your child at home

  • Go on a spring walk and take photographs of the signs of spring.

  • Make a weather diary to observe how the weather changes.

  • Visit a pond and look for signs of new life, such as ducklings and frogspawn. Visit again over time to observe changes.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

 Summer 1 


In the Animal Safari project, your child will learn about incredible animals that live worldwide. They will explore various animal habitats and compare the animals that live there with animals in their locality. They will learn how to care for pets and what all animals need to grow, survive and stay happy and healthy. They will explore animal features and find out how they survive in the wild. They will compare the ways that animals are similar and different.

Supporting your child at home

  • Go on a local safari to find out about the animals that live in your garden or local park.

  • Look at animals from around the world, discuss your favourite animals and find out some fantastic facts.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

In the Creep, Crawl and Wriggle project, your child will learn about minibeasts. They will observe minibeasts in their natural habitats and create shelters for them to live in. They will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and explore what minibeasts, such as snails and worms, need to survive. They will compare the features of minibeasts and learn the names of their body parts.

Supporting your child at home

  • Go on safari to look for minibeasts that live in your garden or park.

  • Make a bug hotel from plant pots, small rocks, stones, bark and leaves and see if minibeasts visit.

  • Research some fantastic facts about minibeasts from around the world.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

Summer 2


In the On the Beach project, your child will visit a beach and learn about animals that live in rock pools and on the seashore. They will explore days out at the beach and compare their experiences with beach holidays in the past. They will learn about the animals that live in the sea and find out about worldwide seas and oceans. They will explore the importance of looking after the environment to keep living things safe. They will learn about staying safe at the beach and find out about people who help us.

Supporting your child at home

  • Go for a day out at the beach, and investigate a rock pool.

  • Look at pictures of family days out at the beach and talk about the activities you enjoy.

  • Use Google Earth to look at images of seas and oceans around the world.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know? 

 

In the Move It project, your child will participate in physical activities and learn about the importance of exercise, getting a good night’s sleep and eating a healthy balanced diet.

Supporting your child at home

  • Take a ball to a local park and have fun making up games that involve throwing, catching, kicking and bouncing the ball.

  • Try physical activities, such as bike riding, dancing, swimming, trampolining or ball games.

  • Talk about the activities you enjoy the most.

  • Share and discuss this resource. Did you know?  

Here at Kilnhurst St Thomas we use the Read Write Inc phonics programme. Phonics is a whole-school approach to teaching literacy for 3 to 9-year olds that creates fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers. It integrates phonics with comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling and handwriting using engaging partner work and drama. Look out on class Dojo for family workshops held in school to demonstrate how phonics is taught.

From FS2 children will follow the RWI programme from set 1.


Set 1 Speed Sounds

These are the Set 1 Speed Sounds written with one letter:  

These are the sounds written with two letters (your child will call these ‘special friends’):

Set 2 Speed Sounds

These are the Set 2 Speed Sounds:

Set 3 Speed Sounds

These are the set 3 speed sounds:

What to Expect in the EYFS
What to Expect When Intent and Implementation EYFS EYFS Statutory Framework EYFS Parents Guide
Phonics Games