English is at the heart of all our learning! Here at Woodlands, our teachers read to us every day. We really look forward to story time because we learn so many new words, which we try to use in our own work.  Every day, we develop skills in speaking, listening and writing. This allows us to express ourselves creatively and imaginatively and it helps us to communicate with others effectively. In phonics, we learn lots of skills which help us to become super, independent readers and spellers. Our teachers plan fun games and activities which helps us to do this. 

 

HOME LEARNING

Phonics and other English resources: https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/literacy.html

Alphablocks TV show: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/alphablocks

Range of free online books: https://www.getepic.com/

Further range of free online books: https://readon.myon.co.uk/

Great Bedtime Stories https://sooperbooks.com/bedtime-stories/

Reading Resources & Activities: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/ 

Reading & Writing Games: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zgkw2hv 

Reading: http://www.lovemybooks.co.uk/

 

READING IDEAS

It is so important to read together every day! Although it is very important to read your school book to a grown-up every day, it is just as important to hear a grown up reading a story to you too! Remember to change your voice when you see speech marks. Who can make the silliest voice? Who will be the first person to spot a verb, a noun, an adjective, a conjunction or an adverb? What is the difference between a fiction and non-fiction book? When reading non-fiction books, who will be the first to find a heading, sub-heading, caption, label, information box or a photograph? Who will be the first to spot a full stop, speech marks, exclamation marks, commas, questions marks? Read menus,, lists, food labels, packaging, road signs, street signs, magazines, comics, calendars, diaries-anything! Words are all around us in different forms!

 

WRITING IDEAS 

Like most things, you only get better at something by practicing the skill regularly! It doesn't matter what you write, it can be anything! Why not write your grown-up's shopping list? Hold a party for your toys and write a party invitation for them! Plan an exciting party food menu and design and make your own menu! Keep a daily diary or blog about your day. Get a diary and write some important dates on there like family birthdays. Make up a recipe and write a set of instructions to go with it. Write some labels for your toys with their names on or write labels for objects around your house. Write about an exciting trip you've been on. In fact, write about anything you like!  

 

SPEAKING AND LISTENING IDEAS 

Why not play Simon Says? Or Eye Spy? Chinese Whispers? Or how about the 'I went to the Shops and bought...' game. Or you could even  play the 'What Am I?' guessing game. At bath time or bedtime, why not try a game called 'Chat with mum or dad'. You have to take it in turns to think of 5 questions to ask each other. It could be about anything! You have to take it in turns to ask your questions and listen to the answers, then swap!