This half term, our topic is ‘Ourselves’. Through a range of music, sensory and practical activities, children will explore themselves, their bodies and what makes them unique. They will have opportunities to explore and create self-portraits using a variety of colours, textures and materials, as well as developing their awareness of facial features and different parts of the body. We will also use songs, sensory experiences, props and sound buttons to support children in exploring and retelling stories. Our focus books will include sensory stories such as All About Me by Sensory Classroom, Marvellous Me by Lisa Bullard and Super Duper You by Sophy Henn.

For our White Rose Maths sessions this half term, children will develop their understanding of number, counting and quantity through practical and hands-on activities. They will explore recognising and matching numbers, counting objects, actions and sounds, comparing quantities and developing an understanding of ‘one more’ and ‘one less’. Children will also begin to explore sequencing and ordering events using everyday language such as ‘first’ and ‘then’. Some children will also explore 2-D and 3-D shapes, including recognising, naming and sorting shapes, before moving on to comparing and measuring length and height using a range of practical resources.

In our Science sessions this half term, our focus will be on hygiene and looking after our bodies. Children will explore the importance of keeping ourselves clean through a range of practical and sensory activities. They will have opportunities to practise hand washing, face washing, brushing teeth, brushing hair and blowing their noses, as well as exploring how exercise affects our bodies. Children will also investigate reflections and light through mirrors, foil and other reflective materials. We would be grateful if families could send in a small toiletries kit for their young person to use during these activities, including items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap and hairbrush.

In our PSHE sessions, we will be focusing on the Jigsaw theme ‘ Being Me In My World’. This will be presented in an attention circle style with pupils watching at adult present then completing their own activity. It will follow the Jigsaw theme so in line with rest of school.

Our World Views learning, our theme will be Christianity and current celebrations including Harvest. This will link in with our themed assemblies which will be happening in the classroom this term.

Additionally, Skipper class have the exciting opportunity to take part in a new session ‘RISE’ which is to enhance pupils’ communication and regulation development. RISE was designed by Sensory Classroom and follows a four-part process to include a co-regulation experience, an invitation to learn, a shared experience and an ending. Naomi will be leading RISE sessions this term.

In Cooking, our themes this half term are ‘Taste and Texture’ and ‘Serving and Sharing’. Children will explore a wide variety of textures through practical and sensory activities, developing their awareness of descriptive words such as soft, hard, rough, fluffy, scratchy and spiky. We will also explore how food can be presented and served in different ways depending on the time of day, occasion and people we are sharing it with. Children will develop their understanding of sharing food with others and the importance of appropriate portion sizes, while continuing to build their confidence and independence in the kitchen.

Our off-site physical activity this half term is cycling. Please ensure your young person has appropriate clothing for these sessions, particularly a named warm or waterproof coat during colder or wetter weather.

If there is any other information you would like me to provide you with or if you have any questions, please do get in touch

Nikki and the Skipper Class Team