Learning in Reception

Spring Term 2021

Second Half Term

In this mini-project, your child will learn about the weather associated with the season of Spring. They will explore natural phenomena, including rainbows, clouds, rain and wind. They will explore colours found in the natural environment and be reminded how to mix primary colours to make new colours.

Supporting your child at home

• Walk in your local environment and talk about the changes that have happened since winter.
• Go on a colour hunt and find objects for all the colours of a rainbow.
• Watch the weather forecast together and make a note of the different weather through the week.
• Go outside on a rainy day and find puddles to jump in.

Words to use and explore:

• spring
• weather
• season
• sunshine
• snow
• sleet
• hail
• rain
• wind
• rainbow
• colour
• primary
• red
• yellow
• blue

In the Winter Wonderland project, your child will explore the seasonal changes that happen during winter. They will find out about the different weather associated with the winter season and explore changes that happens to water as it freezes. They will find out about what happens to plants and animals during cold weather and explore places in the world that are always cold and snowy, including the animals that live there.

Supporting your child at home

• Go on a winter walk and talk about how the environment has changed since the summer months.
• Put bird food out in the garden or on a window ledge and observe the birds that visit.
• Leave water out in a shallow container overnight on a cold night and see if the water freezes.
• If it snows, build a snowman, and take a photo of it to share with the rest of the class.

Words to use and explore:

• winter
• season
• cold
• snow
• ice
• freeze
• frost
• icicle
• snowflake
• Arctic
• Antarctic
• camouflage

Autumn Term 2020

Second Half Term

In the Sparkle and Shine project, your child will explore different celebrations that take place in autumn and winter, focusing on the significance and symbolism of light at this time of year. They will take part in a variety of creative activities and discover more about how Christmas, Diwali and Hanukkah are celebrated around the world.

It’s also time to find out more about night time. We’ll learn about people and services that work at night, stars, constellations and nocturnal animals. We’ll also find out more about how good bedtime routines can have a positive impact on our health, and take part in a series of bedtime challenges. 

Help your child prepare for their project
The night is all right! Why not do some stargazing together after dark, either from your garden or, even better, a rural location with minimal light pollution? There are apps you can use on your phone to help you to identify stars and constellations! Alternatively, talk to people in your family who have worked at night. What are the similarities and differences between working in the day compared to at night?

Supporting your child at home

• Talk about special events that you celebrate at home.
• Share photos of events that you celebrate.
• Talk about how you prepare for special celebrations including the clothes you wear, food you prepare and gifts you give or receive.

Words to use and explore:

• celebration
• light
• dark
• festive
• autumn
• winter
• season
• Christmas
• Diwali
• Hanukkah
• shiny
• constellation
• nocturnal
• hibernate

In the Exploring Autumn project, your child will learn about the seasonal changes that happen in autumn. They will learn about birds and animals that live in the woods and how they survive as the weather gets colder. They will take part in practical and creative activities that will support them to learn about autumn.

Supporting your child at home

• Go on a walk around your local area and talk about what happens to trees and plants during autumn. Take some pictures to share at school.
• Collect leaves, seeds, nuts and berries to add to an autumn collection.
• Make some bird food to feed the birds as the weather gets colder.

Words to use and explore:

• autumn
• conker
• nut
• berry
• camouflage
• hibernate
• squirrel
• fox
• owl
• mouse
• hedgehog
• pumpkin
• harvest