Healthy Tag

Measurement In Reception Year

In Reception Year, we have been learning about measurement. First, we learnt about length and more recently, we have been learning about capacity.

The students learnt that capacity means how much space a container has that can be filled. At this stage, we measure with non-standard units and therefore used smaller containers to fill larger containers. The students watched eagerly as the water trough was filled with water. Green food colouring and glitter was added for fun. 

They then had so much fun using spoons to measure into cups and cups to measure into larger containers. The students had to count how many spoons of water would fill a cup and how many cups would fill a larger container.

They learnt so much from this activity and had a lot of fun in the process.

Bronwen Nuthall

Reception Year Teacher

Learning About the Farm in Pre-Reception

For the next two weeks, the Foundation Stage students are learning about the farm. It is a very exciting theme for them and they look forward to it every year.

The Pre-Reception students have been practicing saying farm animal names, baby animal names and noises that they make. They have been playing fun farm animal games and activities with farm animal toys, creating wonderful farm pictures, singing farm songs such as Old Mac Donald and listening to a collection of farm stories.

They are not only learning about farm animals, but also about all the different farms you get, and the crops harvested from them. They thoroughly like investigating planting seeds and farm machines too. Some students were fascinated to find out those potatoes, carrots and apples, etc. come from farms and then get distributed to the Supermarkets.

We even planted some tomatoes at school and the students are watering them and watching them grow with great anticipation.

Next week Friday, we are ending off the theme by having a Farm dress up day and a Petting Zoo is coming to visit us in Foundation Stage.

The students are enjoying all the activities and are learning so much as they explore and discover new things about the Farm.

Cindy Nunan

Pre-Reception Teacher

Under The Sea

In Reception year we have been learning about all the wonderful animals living under the sea. This week, our little ones had the opportunity to come tell their friends all about their favourite sea animal. Show and Tell is an integral part of the Foundation Stage curriculum, not only does it give the students the opportunity to share some of their personal experiences and general knowledge, but it also teaches them valuable skills such as speaking with confidence and listening to their peers.

We had lots of fun learning all about the scary sharks, playful dolphins and silly crabs.

Here is what some of my students had to say about sea creatures:

“I like dolphins because they do those big splashes”  – Clara Chassungo

“A dolphins has two tummies and they don’t even chew their food” – Leah Karstel

“I drew the jelly fish ’cause it’s Mrs Meyer’s favourite” – Ozioma Jangayiso (Thank

you Ozzie for such a beautiful under the sea picture!)

“The shark’s skin feels like sandpaper” – Alessio Gomes

Monique Meyer

Reception Year Teacher and Foundation Stage Coordinator

Fun Day

High Frequency Words

Last week we had a High Frequency Word Hunt. The students had to go and find flashcards of words on the playground according to a list in pairs. They thoroughly enjoyed this activity and excitedly showed the teachers all the words they could find from their lists.

Learning to read is a complex process, which involves many skills. Two of these skills is phonological knowledge and the other is memorising High Frequency Words. Phonological knowledge helps students to decode or sound out words. That is why it is more important to know the phonetic sound of letters rather than the alphabet name, so that words can be spelt out phonetically, like the word c-a-t. Knowledge of High Frequency words is important for those words that cannot be sounded out phonetically, such as the word ‘you’ or ‘the’. These words commonly occur in sentences, hence the term High Frequency Words. That is also why students have greater confidence and fluency when they have been spending time memorising High Frequency Words as part of their reading homework at home.

It’s important that parents try to make learning High Frequency Words fun. Here are some helpful ideas in the links below:

https://www.curiousworld.com/blog/sight-word-games

https://www.weareteachers.com/sight-word-activities/

https://www.themeasuredmom.com/25-low-prep-sight-word-activities/

https://www.learnwithhomer.com/homer-blog/1852/4-highly-effective-fun-sight-word-games-help-kids-learn/

Bronwen Nuthall

Reception Year Teacher

The Importance Of Outside Play

One of the main ways children learn and develop their gross motor skills is through playtime, on the playground, during outside time. As they play, their gross motor skills improve even without them knowing they are actually working on these abilities.

How playground equipment helps develop these skills:

• Climbing a ladder up to a slide or steps helps children learn to start balancing and shifting their weight. Going down a slide, children experiment with different body positions while working on balance and control of their bodies.
• While they are on swings they are in motion which helps them work on balance and coordination. When kids learn to pump up their feet to propel themselves on the swings, they work on sequencing and coordinating their body parts and movements to control the swing.
• The jungle gym strengthens arms, legs, their core and even their fingers. It provides an excellent way to work on balance, coordination and sequencing of which hand or foot moves next.
• The monkey bars strengthen hands and upper body strength as well as developing coordination and sequencing.

While there are many physical benefits to outside play, it provides a huge opportunity for social development in children as well. They also develop stronger reasoning and observation skills, giving them the opportunity to explore the world from a different perspective.

There are endless benefits to playing outside!

Cindy Nunan

Nursery and Pre-Reception Teacher

From The Principal’s Desk, 30 October 2020

Dear Parents

In my last few newsletters, I have avoided writing anything about the Covid-19 pandemic.  I thought it best to shift to a more positive, student-centric focus.

Unfortunately, in the last few weeks there has been an increase in the Western Cape and the Parklands area specifically identified.  Although we have only had one positive case, a student, we need to remain vigilant.

It is our duty to ensure that we follow the protocols prescribed by WCED and the Department of Health.  Our year 10 and 12 students are writing their external Cambridge examinations and it is crucial they remain in good health.  Should they test positive or be in contact with a positive case it will affect their ability to complete the examination series.  We thus ask that you maintain rigorous protocols at home.

Students must always maintain social distancing.  As much as they may wish to socialize and mingle closely with friends, it just takes one positive case to change the course of their lives.

We are also acutely aware that the process of dropping and collecting students at school can be very frustrating.  Parents must please use the demarcated parking bays and not double park.  Our neighbors, and the area around the school in general, has been negatively affected by the queues of cars trying to enter the school property at certain times of the day. We have sent letters in the past regarding this issue and respectfully ask you to adhere to the guidelines.  We can make someone’s day or ruin it entirely by our own actions.  Let us be mindful of one another in an already difficult and frustrating time.  Let us be the kindness someone might need today.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Edna