Year 1HC

This term in Literacy, we are using Talk 4 Writing to help retell poems, stories and information texts. We are currently learning the story of ‘The Little Red Hen’ and writing a descriptive piece. We will also be learning the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood and writing an innovative story. We will be learning these texts by heart and rehearsing them using actions. Our focus this term is letter formation, finger spaces, capital letters and full stops. We are also working on putting our phonics sessions into practice by using our sounds to spell words phonetically.

During Maths, we are working on Place Value to 20 before moving on to addition and subtraction within 20. We will be looking at the value of each number and where the numbers are placed on a number line. We will be practising counting, reading and writing numbers as words. Also, we will be counting forwards and backwards to 20, looking at one more and one less whilst representing numbers in different ways using various equipment. We will continue embedding a mastery approach to our Maths learning, this includes one lesson a week that is focused on improving and securing our knowledge of number facts that will help children’s recall so they can work out their answers quicker.

Our new Topic this term is Changemakers. We will be learning about various important, historical people who have a made significant change to positively impact our society. We will look at each individual, their lives, what they have done and how this has brought about positive change.

In Science, we will be learning all about animals and humans. We will be learning about the different animal groups, including the different group names: Reptile, Mammal, Birds, Fish and Amphibians. We will be observing animals closely, sorting and grouping them based on what they eat and their characteristics. We will be learning and understanding the difference between herbivores, omnivores and a carnivore. When including humans, we will be identifying and naming parts of the outer body that can be seen e.g. arms, legs, hands, head, ears, feet, eyes, mouth, nose and stomach.

P.E. takes place every Monday and Wednesday for 1HC (and every Wednesday and Friday for 1EB). Please ensure that your child has their P.E. kit in school. The P.E. kit is a plain white t-shirt, black shorts or leggings and a pair of black trainers which can be worn as part of their school uniform. Your child must have the correct uniform to ensure safety on the equipment.

Homework/spelling and reading books are sent out every Monday and Wednesday. Please return your homework books to school every Monday and Wednesday. The homework will be in the form of a menu. Children only need to complete one task each week and learn the spellings set for a test on a Monday (1HC) or Thursday (1EB). You can also access games on www.phonicsplay.com and www.topmarks.com to help support your child with their learning.

Please also ensure that your child is reading for at least 10 minutes every day (of your child’s banded/coloured reading book which is one level below their class reading level to support their fluency and enjoyment). Please ensure you sign their reading records otherwise we cannot change their book, and that your child brings their book bag into school every Monday and Thursday so we can change their book and return them on the same day.

Water bottles – please ensure your child has a water bottle in school every day, especially as the weather continues to get hotter.

Fruit – Fruit and milk are provided every day for morning snack. However, children can bring in their own piece of fruit to eat during this time if they wish.

We use ClassDojo as a form of communication and there will be weekly posts about what your children have been doing. If your child is ill or will not be coming in for any reason, please contact the school office as well as message on ClassDojo. You can use ClassDojo to ask any questions or raise concerns but please feel free to speak to either Mrs Cumberbatch, Miss Cunningham (1HC) TA and Friday Teacher or Miss Biddle or Miss Thelwell (1EB) in person. We are always happy to support you in any way we can and are available before and after school.

We’re looking forward to continuing our fantastic year with your children!

The Year 1 Team