The Russett School

We are a Key Stage 2 class with 11 pupils. We love to have fun, learn new topics and build our independence in Willow class. Our staff team consists of Stef (class teacher), Sharon, Jacqui and Yvonne. This term our theme is Protecting our Wildlife.

Our Coastal Learners are looking forward to developing their communication through a total-communication approach, using gesture, eye-gaze and vocalisations to express their needs and wants. In communication sessions, the children will engage with intensive interaction, explore mark-making and use their senses to explore a variety of textures and materials. In Thinking and Problem Solving, the children will be exploring concepts such as number, shape and measure through their senses and engage with songs and rhymes. There will be lots of opportunities for Coastal learners to develop fine motor, gross motor and problem solving skills every day. Our Coastal learners will be encouraged to regulate their sensory system whilst engaging with light room and dark room sessions too.

Our Countryside learners will be developing their communication through use of gesture, symbols and words to express their needs and wants. In Phonics, they will begin to explore letters and sounds. They will be exploring a new sound each week through multi-sensory activities and will be developing their handwriting skills through tracing and over-writing. In Maths, Thinking and Problem Solving, the children will be learning about number, shape and measure through lots of hands on and practical activities. Countryside learners will be exploring their senses through sensory activities in The World Around Us and My Creativity. They will be developing their gross and fine motor skills in PE and outdoor learning, this is always lots of fun!

Pupils accessing our City pathways will be developing their communication through use of words, symbols and colourful semantics to form sentences. They will be developing their reading and writing through stories and learning a new sound each week in Phonics. The children will be developing their handwriting using a variety of writing tools and they will practice a new spelling card each week. In Maths, the children will be developing their knowledge of number, shape, space and measure through practical activities and games. Our City learners will have lots of opportunities to be hands on and creative during Science, Creative Arts, Humanities and PHSE. They will be developing their gross and fine motor skills during PE and outdoor learning.

READING IN WILLOW

Our story this term is Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish by Lara Hawthorne. Willow read every day through sensory stories, songs and books. We love listening to stories and exploring them in creative ways.

As part of Twinkl Phonics we will be following the Rhino Readers scheme. In order to access the e-books at home, follow the link: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/go/sign-in and input the relevant access code below. If you are unsure which level to use, please speak to Stef.

Level 2 – SA0941

Level 3 – SA8632

IN ADDITION WE HAVE…

• Light room/Dark room
• Immersive room
• VR headsets
• Music on a Monday
• PE on a Monday
• Forest School on a Wednesday
• Educational visits

Please see our class timetable for more information.

In Willow we love working, growing, sharing and playing together! We capture evidence of our learning through Evisense. Please check your child’s page to see what we have been doing!