September 2024

Please see below some information for your child in Year 1 and Year 2. Our school Facebook page is updated regularly with photos of the fantastic learning and experiences that take place in this unit, so please make sure you visit the page and share updates with your child regularly: Facebook (or search Willowbank Primary School on Facebook)

Tapestry

Across Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception), Year 1 and Year 2, we use an ‘online learning journal’ called Tapestry. Using Tapestry will enable staff to take photographs of your child participating in various activities, some examples of tasks that they have completed in school, and written observations including your child’s own words. Each ‘Learning Journey’ will be unique to your child and will enable school and home to celebrate together their learning and development. The manner in which Tapestry will be used across each year group will differ to match our approach to how sessions are taught and recorded. Whilst we are eager to share all aspects of your child’s learning with you, we also value the impact we have as teachers when working alongside children, questioning and continually developing and enhancing your child’s skills and knowledge. Therefore, this means that the frequency of the observations that are shared on Tapestry will also vary, dependent on when key learning moments occur.

The Tapestry platform enables the information gathered to be kept as an ongoing electronic record. All information held in the platform is stored securely. As well as being able to view your child’s progress and see they have been learning at school, you can also add photographs or comments.  Tapestry allows for communication between staff and parents and helps to build a shared understanding of how each individual can reach their full potential; and as parents, you have the ability to inform staff of activities which your child really enjoyed in school, as well as any further learning that takes place at home. The Tapestry platform should only be used to share and celebrate your child’s learning and if you have any other questions or queries, these should be raised through our existing methods of communication. Likewise, information from school will continue to be emailed through the school office and on the MyEd app and not through Tapestry.

Homework

Each week, the children will be expected to complete the following age appropriate home learning tasks:

• Reading – a decodable phonics book matched to your child’s level, which your child should be able to read independently (more information on this will follow in the coming weeks)
• Reading – a ‘book of choice’, which may be out of your child’s phonic reach. These books aim to promote a love of reading and are selected by the children based on choice (more information below)
• Phonics – focus sounds and words taught in phonics sessions that week to be practiced at home (more information to follow)

Book of Choice Books

The ‘book of choice’ that your child takes home is been chosen by them and is not determined by their phonic knowledge. This might mean that the text is beyond their phonic reach and they will find it difficult to read or their ‘book of choice’ might be a familiar story that they can recall from memory. The purpose of the’ book of choice’ is to develop a pleasure in sharing and talking about books as well as developing vocabulary and an excitement in exploring new words. The ‘book of choice’ is to be shared with an adult. Talking and listening to your child about their chosen book develops their social and literacy skills and reading aloud is a good way of encouraging two-way communication.