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Year 1

Welcome to Year One

Year One has made a fantastic start to the year, settling in well and showing lots of enthusiasm for their learning. The children are taught by Miss Shen and supported in their learning by Miss Crute, Miss Claudia and Miss Catherine. We are looking forward to an exciting term ahead filled with discovery, creativity and fun!

This half term, PE will be taught on Monday afternoons. Please ensure your child comes to school in their full PE kit. PE kits can be purchased from the office. It is important for health and safety reasons that children have the correct PE kit and pumps.

Reading is a very important aspect of learning, and we encourage children to read at home every night. Please make sure your child brings their book bag to school each day. Reading books will be changed every Monday, giving children new books to enjoy and practise at home. Please also ensure that reading records are kept up to date, as this helps us to monitor and support your child’s progress in reading.

Homework will be sent home every Friday and should be completed and returned to school before the following Thursday. We encourage parents and carers to support their child with their homework and make it an enjoyable opportunity to practise and consolidate their learning.

 

English

This term, the children will explore three exciting texts: You Be You, All Are Welcome and We’re All Wonders. These books will support us in developing reading comprehension, building vocabulary and writing for different purposes. In their writing, children will focus on forming letters correctly, using capital letters and full stops, leaving finger spaces between words and reading over their sentences to check their work. The children will also have opportunities to create story maps, role play scenes and write their own imaginative sentences inspired by the texts.

To help your children at home you can:

  • Encourage them to practise forming letters correctly
     

  • Remind them to use capital letters and full stops in their sentences
     

  • Support them in leaving finger spaces between words
     

  • Read over sentences together and discuss any improvements
     

  • Talk about the stories you read and ask your child to retell parts in their own words
     

 

Phonics

Phonics is at the heart of our early reading and writing. This term, we are continuing to learn Set 2 and Set 3 sounds, practising how to blend these sounds together to read words. We are also building confidence in writing sentences using these sounds. Daily phonics lessons along with regular reading at home will help the children become fluent and enthusiastic readers.

To help your children at home you can:

  • Practise Set 2 and Set 3 sounds together
     

  • Encourage blending sounds to read words
     

  • Play simple phonics games to reinforce sounds
     

  • Support your child in writing simple words and sentences using the sounds they know
     

  • Read with your child regularly and discuss the sounds in the words
     

 

Maths

In Maths, we are focusing on place value to 10 this term. The children are developing their understanding of numbers through a series of small, progressive steps. They begin by sorting objects and counting them accurately, then move on to counting objects from larger groups and representing them in different ways. They are learning to recognise numbers as words, count on from any number, find one more or one less and count backwards within 10. The children are also comparing groups using language such as fewer, more, same, less than, greater than and equal to, before ordering objects and numbers and using a number line to visualise sequences. Practical activities, games and problem-solving tasks help the children apply these skills and develop confidence with numbers.

To help your children at home you can:

  • Count objects around the house or outdoors and ask “What is 1 more?” or “What is 1 less?”
     

  • Practise counting forwards and backwards within 10
     

  • Compare groups of objects and talk about which has more, fewer or the same
     

  • Explore number lines to order numbers and visualise sequences
     

  • Encourage your child to recognise numbers as numerals and as words
     

 

RE

In RE, the children are beginning Branch 1 – Creation and Covenant. We are exploring the Creation story in Genesis as a prayerful reflection on God’s world and learning that all things come from God our Father. The children will reflect on how God’s love and care is experienced through the beauty of Creation and explore the importance of prayer in drawing closer to Him. We will also learn about Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si’ which teaches us that the world is God’s gift and we must care for it. The children will think about how we can look after our world both locally and globally as one way of showing love for God and each other. Through prayer, reflection, scripture and creative responses such as art and poetry, the children will celebrate the wonder of Creation and begin to understand their responsibility to care for it.

 

Science

In Science, we are learning about Seasonal Changes. The children will observe the changes across the four seasons, describe the weather in Autumn and Winter, and explore how day length changes throughout the year. They will investigate why day becomes night and begin to develop an awareness of Earth in space. Practical investigations, observations and outdoor learning will help bring this topic to life.

 

History

In History, the children are exploring changes within living memory with a focus on how life has changed over the past 60 years. We will look at toys, food, transport, music and communication and compare these to our own experiences today. The children will also consider how technology has developed and how this has shaped our daily lives. Through photographs, artefacts and stories from the past they will begin to understand the concepts of change and continuity and develop their skills of comparing similarities and differences between then and now. This topic links closely to our local community, helping the children connect their own lives with those of their parents and grandparents.

 

Art

In Art, the children will focus on drawing this term. They will explore a range of drawing tools and learn how changing the pressure and orientation of their marks can create different textures. The children will be taught mark-making techniques including cross-hatching, blending, curved and straight lines and layering materials. They will also study Albrecht Durer’s work, including The Rhinoceros and use their drawing skills to create textured, monochrome animal outlines. 

 

Computing

In Computing, the children are learning about technology around us, exploring how computers are used in school and in the wider world. We are also learning about self-image, identity and online relationships, helping children understand how to stay safe and respectful online.

 

PSHE

This term in PSHE we are using the Zones of Regulation to help children recognise and talk about their feelings. Through All Are Welcome and Journey in Love the children are learning about celebrating differences, building positive relationships and understanding that we are all special. In our faith-based learning we are focusing on how God loves us, how to treat others well and the importance of saying sorry.

 

Spanish

In Spanish, the children are learning the names of colours, numbers and animals. They are developing their confidence through songs, games and practical activities, beginning to use Spanish words in context.

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