Welcome to Beech Class 

Staff

Teacher: Lara Sophroniou

TA : Saira

On this page you can find out about the curriculum in Reception and Nursery and some useful information to help your child with their learning at home. 

This year (2024-25) we are working on Cycle 2.

Autumn Term

Cycle 1

Our theme this term is Into the Woods. The children will be learning about the changes in the seasons, plants and animals that can be found in woodland, cooking with seasonal food and exploring natural art. More information can be found in the Autumn Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

      

        

Cycle 2

Our theme this term is Food and Festivals. The children will be learning about where food comes from, seasonal foods and different foods from around the world. They will find out about how different cultures and religions celebrate through exploring different festivals. In art, children will explore pattern and print looking at work by artists Alma Thomas and Bisa Butler. More information can be found in the Autumn Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

    

    

 

Spring Term

Cycle 1

Our theme this term is All About Me. The children will be learning about families, how bodies work and the changes that happen as they grow, In art, they will be exploring self-portraits looking at the art of Frida Kahlo. More information can be found in the Spring Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

 

  

Cycle 2

Our theme this term is Imaginary Worlds. The children will be learning about topics that support them to develop their imagination, creating stories and characters and having adventures. In art, children will explore the art of Yayoi Kusama.   More information can be found in the Spring Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

     

       

Summer Term

Cycle 1

Our theme this term is In the Garden. The children will be learning about plants and animals that they might find in the garden and local natural spaces and  find out about the life cycles of some of these. They will have the opportunity to take part in gardening and growing activities.  In art, they will be exploring flora and fauna looking at the art of Van Gough, Rousseau and Eric Carle. More information can be found in the Summer Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

      

   

Cycle 2

Our theme this term is About Town.  The children will be exploring places and buildings in their local area, learning about maps and directions, getting to know the people who help us and finding out about how we travel around our neighbourhood. In art, they will be learning about shape and architecture through artists Paul Klee and Yinka Ilori and architect Zaha Hadid. 

More information can be found in the Summer Term Plan below.

We will be reading the following books:

     

    

Curriculum Enrichment in the EYFS

Useful Websites

Cbeebies has great videos and games that help children in all areas of their learning.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies

We use the Little Wandle Phonics Scheme to teach children to learn to read. Their website has support for practising phonics at home.

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

N Rich Maths has ideas you can use at home for maths games with your child.

https://nrich.maths.org/13371

50 Things to do before you are 5 (from Bradford Council but you can do them in Islington too!)

https://www.stedmundsbradford.org.uk/information/50-things

Creative Star has lots of ideas for playing outside in nature.

https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/?s=10+ideas

Tips and advice for supporting your child's learning at home.

https://wordsforlife.org.uk/parent-support/

Reading at home with your child

Sharing a book with a child is fun! It's a time for closeness, laughing and talking together – and it can also give children a flying start in life and help them become lifelong readers.

If you’re not feeling confident about reading aloud or sharing books, don’t worry – there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a story together. But if you’d like some tips, here are a few pointers to help you out.

Here are some more tips to help you enjoy storytime together:

• Ask your child to choose what they’d like to read. They’ll feel more interested in the story if they’ve picked it out themselves. (And don’t worry if they keep returning to the same story, either!)
• If you can, turn off the TV, radio and computer. It’s easier for both of you to enjoy the story without any other distractions.
• Sit close together. You could encourage your child to hold the book themselves and turn the pages, too.
• Take a look at the pictures. You don’t just have to read the words on the page. Maybe there’s something funny in the pictures that you can giggle about together, or perhaps your child enjoys guessing what will happen next.
• Ask questions and talk about the book. Picture books can be a great way to talk through your child’s fears and worries, or to help them deal with their emotions. Give them space to talk, and ask how they feel about the situations in the story.
• Have fun! There’s no right or wrong way to share a story – as long as you and your child are having fun. Don’t be afraid to act out situations or use funny voices… your little ones will love it!

There is a list of recommended books below and your child will also be able to borrow books to bring home from the class library.