Sapling Class - Reception

Welcome

Welcome to Sapling Class! 

Please click on the link below to find out what happens in Reception. If you are not sure about anything then do not hesitate to contact me.

Meet the Teacher

Teacher

Mrs Lauren Smith     

Class Novel

Autumn Term  1 - 2025

Early Reading and Daily Practice

Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more they will want to find out. We would encourage your child to have access to some reading reading every day for 10-15 minutes. 

 All children are read with by an adult once a week, often more than once. All books will be swapped on Friday so the children have a chance to read with you.

In addition to this, children will have the opportunity to visit the school library where they will be able to choose an additional story for them to take home and enjoy. 

Your reading habits are monitored weekly. Children in Reception have the opportunity to achieve reading awards in relation to how many times they have read. 

25 Reads = Bronze
50 Reads = Silver
75 Reads = Gold
100 Reads = Platinum

Note: Only one read per day is counted toward their reward.

Phonics - LIttle Wandle 

At Greatworth Primary School, we use the Little Wandle programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. Little Wandle is a method of learning focused on letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.

Using Little Wandle, the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.

When using Little Wandle to read the children will:

• learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
• learn to read words 
• read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
• show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions.

When using Little Wandle to write the children will:

• learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent 44 sounds.
• learn to write words by phonetically sounding out and blending together
• write simple sentences

Here are the sounds and tricky words we are focusing on this term.

Phase 3 Sounds

Phase 3 Tricky Words

Homework

Here you will find Saplings homework for this term.

Term 4 homework grid

Homework from previous terms:

Amazing Animals

 Curriculum Newsletters

Our topic this term is Come Outside

Spring 2 Curriculum Newsletter

 What we are up to

This term we will be spending more time in our outside area and around the school grounds to broaden our understanding of plant growth and new life. 

If you are a parent wanting to volunteer your time, as well as a keen gardener, then please get in touch as we'd love to understand more about how to care for our environment.