Welcome to our class page for Year 1.

Year 1 is a journey of discovery and learning as the children grow and encounter new and exciting challenges ahead. While, learning through play will continue to be an important part of the school day, the children will gradually be eased into more formal learning as the term goes on. The transition can be difficult for some children and we will support them to adjust at their own pace.

Our first Topic unit is called, Around the UK with Paddington Bear. In this Geography based topic children will learn about the four countries of the United Kingdom, exploring each country’s cultures and values, as well as learning about the seas that surround us.  We will explore British values in a variety of ways and include Remembrance poetry as we investigate war time in Britain.

In English, we will share lots of books with the children, developing their literacy skills and preparing them for independent reading. We begin by looking at poetry and in the run up to Remembrance Day. We will learn the significance of ‘The Poppy’, and what it was like in wartime Britain before writing our own poems using our knowledge of plurals. Following this, our key text is Paddington Bear and we read about his journey from Peru to London. We explore the features of non-fiction texts (information books) such as; captions, diagrams, layout and photographs, before making our own ‘Guide to London’. Will Paddington be able to use our guide to navigate the busy city of London?

In maths, the work in Year 1 is crucial for your child to develop number sense and to 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, tens frames, number lines, pegs and Numicon. This half term, we will continue addition and subtraction within 10, working hard to develop and secure their understanding of number bonds within 10. Fluency in this area is key to support their ability to rapidly recall the eight number facts within 10. We will then move on to exploring 2D and 3D shapes and their properties.  

Their science lessons will focus on seasonal changes and the weather. We will study local weather patterns, look at weather symbols, and make rain gauges and wind socks. The children will develop their oracy skills through opportunities such as class discussion, role play and presentation. We will try and answer key questions, such as, ‘Why does it get dark in winter?’ and ‘What materials are best for keeping warm?’

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 with them daily. The children will be given weekly spellings to take home which are directed linked to their Phonics learning. We would appreciate if you could support them in practicing these. They also have been given their own Numbots account – an app that is proven to support number fluency. Please support them to access their account for a minimum of 10 minutes three times a week. As with their spellings, practice little and often is the key!

This term, Year 1 have their P.E lesson on Monday afternoon, so please make sure your child has the correct PE kit and ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name. The children have water bottles in school and access to the water fountain where they can refill them with fresh water. Their water bottles are available to them throughout the day.

If you need to speak to us regarding any issues, our door is always open or message us on Class Dojo if you prefer. Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Sargent & Mrs Burke

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 Wednesday. Children will be tested (with the support they need) every Thursday. 

Maths Homework – children are advised to practice number fluency using their Numbots account for a minimum of 10 minutes 3 times a week.

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. 

PE

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