Pioneers children are Reception and Year 1, aged four to six years old. Children enjoy a range of creative and engaging play based activities, as well as formal inputs, to support their development and growth. Children in Pioneers are taught by Mrs Hann, Mrs Gurney, Mrs McGill and Miss Greaves.
Learning begins the minute they walk through the door. The classroom is a carefully curated collection of wonderful things to allow the children to flourish. The classroom is theirs and everything in it is there for a purpose. What they chose to do may be completely different for each individual. This is when the learning happens. The resources are ready to use and accessible and the team work together to create, to communicate, to count and to grow
Each day starts with exploration of the resources and suggestions for learning set out around the room. The Pioneers will come together for teaching. This will happen in small groups, as a whole class and often one to one. Across the day we will gather for mathematics, reading, writing and phonics sessions, to share stories and to learn about the world.
PE kits are in school all week to allow us to do PE at any time. This term, the Pioneers have dance on a Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs Gurney teaches computing on a Thursday morning.
We are rolling with phonics and children will bring a book and their reading record home each day. Please read little and often and write a message in the reading record. All reading is good reading. This is such an exciting time.
Please look out for a text message to let you know when we will go to the forest. We will use our wonderful outdoor space as much as we can and this will not always be on the same day each week.
Children’s progress and activities are recorded in their own Learning Journeys. These act as a summary of the journey children embark upon during their time in Reception and Year 1 and demonstrate the progress and success that has been achieved, as well as the next steps that may need to be taken.
New Year.New Books
The Pioneers have really got the hang of choosing a new book. When we visit the library they go straight to the shelves and delve in. Some go straight to fiction picture books,choosing authors and illustrators that they recognise. Others go to the big non-fiction encyclopedia type books and pour over the pictures. Others have found the books that they can actually read themselves and this is a great joy. They then assume a reading position and chat and browse. The whole class was really intent on reading when we visited this week. It was wonderful to stand back and watch the interactions.
Take a look in bags to see which book your little reader selected.
Happy Reading
The Best Christmas Dinner
The whole school gathered to celebrate Christmas. The tables were set with crackers. Governors,helpers,staff and friends joined the children to enjoy a wonderful Christmas dinner prepared by Mrs Eglon and Mrs Harland. We were treated to a feast of turkey, stuffing, little sausages and brussel sprouts. The gravy was very nice and the veggie option was so good that some people had seconds! The atmosphere was just lovely and the Christmas Pudding and custard was a real treat. Some people got a bit sticky eating their choc ices!
From the smallest to the biggest;from the oldest to the youngest,everyone was looking after each other and having fun and enjoying their food together. This is what makes Sleights so special.
Christingle in Church
The Church was full for this beautiful service. The Sleights School Family were altogether again to think about those less fortunate. Many of the older children lead us in prayer and gave the readings. The choir,led by Mrs Rowland sang for us all. The Year 6 children lit the candles and shared the light.
Well done to everyone who managed not to eat their jelly tots before returning to school!
Real Botham’s-What a Treat!
Today was tremendous from start to finish. The Pioneers took the bus to Whitby to see how a real tea room functions.
Walking along Skinner Street,we spotted a single black glove. Could this belong to Santa?
We received a fabulous greeting on arrival and we were taken to our table. Every guest was treated to their choice of cake and beverage. Tea was poured very carefully. All the staff came to chat and to tell us about their role in making the wonderful Botham’s work. A real Mr Botham came to tell us about the history of the business and the children shared stories about their families.
As we finished our tea,it was brought to our attention that a letter,tied in green ribbon had been left for us. Could this be another letter from Santa? It was and it told us that he really liked a Lemon Bun.
We had to go to the shop right away and buy one for him. Perhaps he will fly over Sleights tonight to pick it up.
Throughout this visit we were treated so so well and made to feel really special.
The children walked along Skinner Street back to our bus,singing with happy hearts.So much wonderful learning took place.
Thank you so much Botham’s of Whitby
Go Team Pioneer.