In other news we have been thinking about the story A Dark, Dark Tale where a black cat took us, the readers from one dark sinister place to another: from a dark, dark moor to the dark, dark corner of a cupboard...to find what? There was great surprise at the end...I wonder if your child can remember what was in the dark, dark box? 

The book inspired some imaginative drawings which we brought to life with our magic mark and we took turns to explain what our magic mark would do to our pictures. 

In Phonics we have continued to review all the sounds and learnt our first 'special friend' sound 'sh' Special friend sounds are when two letter friends come together to make one sound. Please encourage your child to practise writing this sound in their green sound book. They could even practise writing some of the other sounds on paper at home. 

The children are beginning to make pleasing progress with blending the sounds together to read words during our daily phonics sessions. Please help them to do this at home too by logging on to The Oxford Owl website where you will find their online reading book. We will be getting out our prize basket on Monday to reward all the children who have completed their reading homework. 

As writers we have continued to write a list of ingredients to go in a magic potion and the children have been supported to segment the sounds they can hear in simple words such as web or bat and write them down. 

As Mathematicians we have been learning about what makes triangles, squares and circles special and on our Maths table we have been making pictures with 2D shapes. We have been using five frames and counters as part of our Christmas Countdown Calendar- talking about how many days of school. We have been showing amounts of 4 using objects and fingers and learning how to count in order. 

As artists we have had lots of fun with large paintbrushes, rollers and sponges when creating floor art with black paint! 

If your child has come home with lines to learn or our show, please help them to practise them.

We will be continuing with our rehearsals next week and will have a dress rehearsal for the Nursery Children on Friday 13th December. Please can all requested clothing be in school by this day. If you are unsure please speak to a member of the Coral Reef Team. 

Today we celebrated St Nicholas Day and we had a surprise visit from St Nicholas with a chocolate coin treat for us all. We watched a special animation that explained why and how people celebrate. 

Coming up...

National Christmas Jumper Day Thursday 12th December- If your child has a Christmas jumper they can wear it to school and bring a donation for 'Save The Children' Charity. 

All costumes/clothing for Nativity in school on Friday 13th.