Welcome back Year 1!

This half term is packed full of learning activities and it is going to be a busy one! We have lots of learning to do as well as preparing for our Phonics Screening Check that takes place on 12th June. We will continue to utliise our outside learning space, as the weather gets warmer and there are more opportunities for outdoor learning. We will also begin to prepare the children for the next phase of their schooling by introducing some more formal and longer seated learning experiences.  

This half term, our topic is a cross-curricular one called Dangerous Dinosaurs! As part of science, geography and history lessons, the children will learn about the classification of animals, the time period in which dinosaurs lived and the continents where fossils have been found. They will be supported to develop their oracy skills as they investigate and explore our classroom resources and ask lots of questions such as, 'When were dinosaurs alive?' 'What did they eat?' and 'How did they hunt?'   

In English, we will share lots of books with the children, developing their literacy skills and preparing them for independent reading. Our key text is Never Follow a Dinosaur and the children will be writing a story retell, further developing their descriptive writing and grammatical skills. We will also explore lots of non-fiction (information books) to find out about dinosaurs and they will be writing a non-chronological report about a made up dinosaur.  

In maths, the work in Year 1 is crucial for your children to develop number sense and support number fluency in later years. They will use lots of concrete resources and have lots of opportunity to explore using maths cubes, counters, beads, counting sticks, tens frames, number lines, Base 10 equipment, Numicon, and Reknreks.  This half term, they will be consolidating their understanding of numbers 1 -50, as well as learning to count in 2s, 5s and 10s. The children will be introduced to the concept of multiplication, equal grouping and arrays for the first time. Later in the half term, they will move on to position and direction, and fractions with lots of opportunity for practical activities. 

In terms of supporting your child at home, reading is a crucial part of your child's learning so please make sure that you read daily with them and ensure they learn their spellings and complete their maths homework. 

Year 1 have a P.E lesson on Wednesday afternoon, so please make sure your child has the correct PE kit and ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name.  

Please also make sure your child has a water bottle in school each day so they can stay hydrated! We have a water fountain in school where children have access fresh water. 

If you need to speak to us regarding any issues, our door is always open.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Sargent, Mrs Burke & Mrs Owen

Homework

Spelling Homework - Your child's weekly spellings will be given out every Friday. Please support them to practice at home as much as possible. Spelling books to be returned to school by Thursday. Children will be tested (with the support they need) every Friday. 

Maths Homework - children have one piece of maths homework per week. The homework will cover the learning from the previous week. It is not intended to challenge them at this stage but to help them develop the habit of completing weekly homework and consolidate the learning they have completed in class. This is given out on Friday and to be returned to school by Wednesday.

Reading & Phonics- Please read with your child daily.  Phonics reading books need to be read 3 times before we will change them to help children increase their fluency.  Children may also choose a book from our class library to enjoy at home. 

PE

Our PE day is Wednesday. Please have full PE kit - white top, black shorts and black pumps.