Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you have all had a restful Christmas break and are revived and refreshed for the Spring term. Firstly, Mrs Fox and I would like to say thank you so much again for the generous gift card and the personal cards and gifts too. These are very much appreciated. We have had a wonderful first week back. The children have made brilliant houses all in their own unique way.
In English this half term we will be focusing on stories with predictable phrasing, instructions and writing a non chronological report on animals. In addition to English, all children in Key Stage 1 will continue to participate in the daily ‘Read, Write, Inc.’ scheme. Reading books will continue to be changed on a Tuesday and Friday and library books will still be changed on a Monday. Show and tell will continue to be on a rota basis on a Friday (please see the list in the classroom window).
In Maths we will be working on ordering and comparing coins, comparing length, height, mass and speed, sequencing the days of the week and the months of the year and addition and subtraction. In order for you to be able to support your child at home we will continue to send home maths challenge cards which will be reviewed on a Monday and Wednesday.
In Geography we will be continuing our topic of the ‘Seasons and Weather’, focusing on winter, the arctic, deserts and extreme weather.
In Science we will begin by focusing on Animals and Humans, naming simple body parts and senses and making comparisons with other animals. We will be learning about caring for pets and how types of animals are grouped. We will identify and examine animals found in the local environment.
In History we will be learning about our local history focusing on the life and influence of St Alban. The highlight of this unit will be a visit to St Albans Cathedral to experience the St Alban trail and take part in a ceramic tile workshop. The trip date is on Monday and I am very excited!
Our computing topic is ‘Let’s Create’ in which we will be using simple tools and features to illustrate themes and ideas.
In Art we will be learning about mark making where we will be learning about the techniques of shading, toning and colour mixing.
In Design and Technology we will be doing my favourite topic of the year: pizza! They will be writing their own instructions, which is part of our English topic. The children will be tasting and evaluating different types of bread and pizzas and creating and designing their own pizzas.
In RE we will be learning about Community and Justice and Justice and charity. In addition, we will be looking at the Christian celebration of Easter.
For this term P.E. lessons remain on a Thursday and Friday. However, it is advisable to retain kits in school at all times in case of non timetabled sessions.
We hope your children continue to have a happy time in Year 1. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to speak to myself or Mrs Fox.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Upton and Mrs Fox
| Subject | Area | Activities |
| English | Recounts Predictable phrasing Instructions Non Chronological report Poetry and repetitive poems | Recognising and using predictable patterns in their own writing Writing concise and clear instructions Researching and finding relevant facts |
| Maths | Comparing length, height, mass and speed Sequencing the days of the week and the months of the year Addition and subtraction, including the part part whole model Ordering and comparing coins | Using equipment for measuring Using different methods for addition and subtraction Recognising coins and their values |
| Science | Animals and Humans | Designing investigations and drawing conclusions Planning and conducting fair tests |
| ICT | Let’s create | Reviewing, editing and presenting work Using graphs to reflect data Using simple tools |
| History | St. Alban | Investigating a local historical person |
| Geography | Weather | Looking at extreme weather Using investigative skills for the climates |
| P.E. | Gymnastics Team games | Learning how to warm up and cool down properly Use the climbing equipment safely Bench ball |
| Art | Mark making | Recognising shading and toning Observational drawing Being able to mix primary colours to make secondary colours |
| Design and Techonolgy | Pizza | Tasting and evaluating different types of bread and pizzas Using graphs to reflect data, specifically tally charts Designing and creating our own pizzas |
| Religious Education | Community and serviceJustice and Charity | Discussing significant places and what communities we belong to Understand the difference between right and wrong Understand and explore symbols associated with the Easter story |