Welcome to Squirrel Class

Squirrel class is taught by a job-share team. Mrs Phillips teaches on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Mr Rawlings teaches on a Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. Mrs Swindell supports in class each morning.

Useful reminders

• We have PE on a Wednesday and a Friday.
• Spelling books need to be handed in every Wednesday.
• Reading books should be brought into school every day.
• Please send in a healthy snack for morning break.
• Water bottles should contain water or sugar-free squash.

Reading

In Squirrel class, the children in year one read books that link to our phonics scheme, Little Wandle. They need to read their book at least 3 times per week at home.

The year two children, read books targeted at their ability level from our accelerated reader scheme. We assess the children every half term to check they are reading the right level. They should also be reading at least 3 times per week at home. 

For all children, we also recommend a book for pleasure, which can be a book from home or the school library. It doesn't have to be at their ability level, just a book to enjoy together and encourage a love for reading.

Accelerated Reader

Children in year two will be reading books from our Accelerated Reader scheme. All books, are coded to suit the reading level of your child. Every term the children will take a reading assessment which will provide a reading level unique to your child. This will make sure every child is reading at the correct book level. To help children develop their reading and comprehension skills, every book has a quiz to complete. Once your child has finished their book, we expect the children to complete this quiz. Please find attached a document to help you access and complete the quiz.

Myon reading

To further support children and their love for reading, children also have access to Myon. This is a website that gives access to 100's of books based on your child's reading ability and interests.

To access the website please use the following:

username: first name + first initial of surname (e.g. johnt)  

password: the same with a 1 on the end (e.g. johnt1)

Spelling

Every Wednesday the children are given new spellings linked to their learning in their yellow spelling journal. Please practise these 3 times per week and ensure the journal is in school on a Wednesday so that the children can have their new spellings.

Handwriting

In Squirrel class, we follow the Kinetic Letters Handwriting scheme. Please see below the document to help support learning at home.

Multiplication tables

Children practise their 2, 5 and 10 times tables in Squirrel class. During the summer term, children in year two will also develop their 3 times tables. Any counting in steps at home will help develop their speed and accuracy at school.

To help support year two pupils develop their speed and accuracy of times tables, they will have access to TT Rockstars. Please see the attached document to help support you with this.