To ask what your child learnt in Reception this year?

[helipadded]

Hi, my eldest child has just completed Reception and I just can't seem to shake this feeling that the school aren't as good as I had thought.

Please tell me about what they should be learning in subjects like Maths and English, and how much PE they should be doing.

I looked at the National Curriculum but I find it quite overwhelming and difficult to understand in broad terms.

For example, is 1 or 2 sessions of PE a week enough?

Should they be reading fluently at the end of Reception?

How should handwriting be?

Should they understand adding, subtracting, multiplication (times tables), and division?

I'm also really questioning the end of year report. Should my child be coming home with a report that gives her a ranking or mark in each subject?

Thank you for your feedback and help. Wish I didn't feel so worried and concerned about school when my little one is still so young.

[Talkinpeace]

Year R is for

• learning to listen
  
• learning to observe
  
• learning to share
  
• learning to obey adults other than parents
  
• learning to mix with new people
  
• learning to play nicely with others
  
• learning about learning
  
• learning the beginnings of reading, writing and numbers
  

in most countries, 4 and 5 year olds are still in nursery
learning exactly those things

it is about building the foundations for later years of learning

[thebody]

sorry but our local authority is very very underfunded.

the forest schools are a mixture of PTA funds, patents hard work and a little funding.

[thebody]

and as valid as 'your list' is it has nothing to do with the posting which is about school curriculum!

start your own thread.

[Talkinpeace]

thebody
observation
of how they get hijacked by those who do not need them
and those who do need them cannot afford them

[thebody]

talkin, don't be so bloody daft.

forest schools are good for all kids.

'lazy ass yummy mummies' what on earth are you talking about?

[Talkinpeace]

Forest schools are for kids who have no normal access to the outdoors.

My list above is for parents, in the holidays, not schools.

DH regularly goes to schools where kids have never seen the sea, never been out of reach of street lights and are scared of the moon.
THEY Are who the Forest school funding should go to.
Not lazy ass yummie mummies who want to delegate all responsibility

you want good results from your kid?
stretch them sideways
but do not expect the school to pat you on the back (like Gove does)

[thebody]

completely agree about cursive writing.

[formicadinosaur]

mine were average mostly in reception but have ended up top set by juniors

[thebody]

talkin!! while children are 'in school' the paperwork and health /safety nightmare does not make 'taking them out for a walk' very easy.

of course that's what parents can do but the op was talking about school time wasn't she??

minimal, the forest schools are part of the school outdoor playground and are well used.

include climbing trees, ponds, hut building equipment, outdoor picnic areas etc.

[MinimalistMommi]

Unfortunately at my school cursive letters are being taught in reception term two and it has caused no end of problems for my DD (who is left handed) she writes the printed letter and then goes back and 'corrects' it so it looks like a cursive letter. The school want them ready for joined handwriting it seems

[formicadinosaur]

I really wouldn't worry. It's only the reception year. You can help him at home by listening to reading daily for 10 mins. Although there are targets relating to maths and English, reception really should be about play and learning through play

[num3onway]

My ds got all expected and a handful of excelling in his report although the excelling bit were not really 'academic' e.g. Physical skills, self help skills, creativity etc

He is on level two reading books but still down as meeting expectations although I know some classmates are on much higher levels

A good reception class should do lots of learning through play and not sitting being taught at

[MinimalistMommi]

thebody are the local forest schools outdoor learning five days a week or is it a supplement to a state primary?

[Sleepyhoglet]

Multiplication and division at the end of reception!!! Erm, no. That is an aim for the end of year 2. Please don't rush your child. Everything is introduced gradually so they have a secure grounding. Eg. Division should be introduced in year 1 in a practical way but it will be called sharing and then called more formally in y2 but still taught practically. They will learn written methods..(.I don't mean long division) in y2. By the end of year 2 they should know their 2,5,10 and start to learn 3x tables. Reading may not be fluent by end of year 2 even but should for most. At end of reception they will still be sounding out. They should have a comfortable pencil grip and be able to form letters. Joined handwriting at my school is introduced at the end of year 1 although in state schools this may be reserved till y3.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I agree with thebody. I have three kids, the last one has just finished reception and the oldest has just finished year six. Not one of them seemed to "do well" at the end of reception. My oldest has got 4's and 5's in her year six Sats. As long as they are happy at school, cooperating with their peers and can listen that is a successful reception year. I am a bit concerned someone is going to read this thread and wonder if their child should be reading fluently by the end of reception. My boy isn't, but he has made massive progress and I couldn't be happier

[Talkinpeace]

Forest schools are an irrelevance

just take them outside for a walk, anywhere and encourage them to observe
every day

on the way to school
on the way home from school
on the way to the library
on the way to the corner shop
on the way to a play date

what is that plant?
what is that bird?
look at the sky?
look at that dirt?

how many cars went past?
how many bricks in that wall?
do half the people wear blue?

[thebody]

in Worcestershire and all of our local first and middle schools have them. guess we lucky then.

[thebody]

god no all state and actually rollo that's not correct at our school or any I have worked in to be honest.

forest schools are amazing learning opportunities when used correctly.

all subjects can be taught well or badly though cant they?

[MinimalistMommi]

There is not one locally here thebody
Are you local ones state ran on private?

[thebody]

oh to add all of our local schools have forest school so am surprised to hear there aren't in your area.

[thebody]

minimal, yes I wasn't saying don't let a child read who wants to of course not but see that you agree that the sheer relentless targets are damaging.

we are out of step with the rest if the works here.

[IfYouLeaveMeNow]

NationalCurriculum doesn't kick in until year 1. Reception is Early Years Foundation Stage - building skills for life and enabling children to become learners. If your child is happy to go to school, is well rounded and interested in school life then the Reception Year has most likely done its job well. Plenty of time for tests and homework and all that!

[MinimalistMommi]

thebody I do know how relentless it is, before my DD's were born I was a Primary school teacher.

The Telegraph made interesting reading the other day about how GCSE results are influenced by children's genes not teaching.
www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10200429/GCSE-results-influenced-by-childrens-genes-not-teaching.html

I can't help myself from helping my children to learn to read at home though, I simply couldn't resist and it doesn't seem to have done any harm. My oldest DD's favourite activity is delving into a good book, she is reading Charlotte's Web at the moment and loving it.

I personally agree that children are better off outside and learning through play but in the UK that isn't the education system we have. There are a few Forest school scattered across the UK but how many children are fortunate enough to be ale to attend them? Not many

[pumpkinsweetie]

Relax in the knowledge, many years ago 80's to 90's children didn't start school until 5, now it is 4-too much is expected of children of whom really should still be at nursery.