Driffield Church Of England Voluntary Controlled Infant School

This week we have learnt all about the life cycle of a butterfly. The children have learnt the 4 stages of the life cycle and ordered them: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly. The children have learnt about where a butterfly lays its eggs and why butterflies are so important in the garden. The children also watched a time laps film of how a caterpillar makes a chrysalis. To support this learning, our book of the week has been, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar.' The children really enjoyed listening to this story and trying to recall all the different foods the caterpillar ate.

In our maths lessons this week we have been using shapes to solve different problems. We have reinforced the 2D shapes: circle, triangle, square and rectangle. The children have also been using other 2D shapes including diamonds, hexagons and trapeziums. The children have been using these shapes to make shape pictures and they have also used shapes to fill an outline, manipulating and rotating the shapes to make them fit in a given space. The children then had the challenge to use a range of small shapes to make triangles of different sizes. Alongside our shape work we have been starting each lesson by practising our recall of number bonds, finding two numbers which go together to make 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. 

In phonics this week the children have been reading and spelling longer words containing adjacent consonants. These words have included: lunchbox, tantrum, chapter, second, shampoo, present & windmill. Next week we will assess the children again. with a focus on reading the words introduced this half term. 

On Thursday afternoon we had a visit from Andrea from HSBC. She introduced the children to money and how the bank can keep our money safe. She talked to the children about different jobs and why we need a job. She played games with the children to find out what we spend our money on and why we need money. This was a lovely session and the children listened carefully and join in by asking and answering questions. 

Next week, we look forward to sports day. On Tuesday morning we will walk down to the Recreation Club to practise our sports day races and see if we can stay inside our lanes! Then on Thursday morning 9.30 - 10.30am, you are welcome to join us for the EYFS sports morning at the Recreation Club. Please come along to cheer on your child and their friends and to join in with the fun. The children need to come to school in their school PE kit and trainers on both Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd May next week. If the sun makes an appearance, please make sure your child has a sun hat with them on these days. 

Next week, we will learn all about Africa through our book of the week, Handa's Surprise. The children will learn how their local environment is similar to and different from Africa. We will focus particularly on the animals which live in both locations. 

For anyone wanting to practise writing sentences at home this weekend, here are two for you to try:

1. We sprint in the forest.
2. The shampoo smells good.

Have a lovely weekend with your family.

I you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Kind regards

Mrs Dean & Miss Wain