Welcome to our Year 1 page. On this page you will be able to see an overview of some of the learning which takes place across our year group throughout the year. We learn through whole class carpet sessions, small adult focus work and through our COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time activities, see below for more information. We are lucky to have access to both an inside and outside learning environment which allow the children to engage with a wide range of varied activities on a daily basis.

Spring 2

english

In English we have been reading the books Billy and the Beast and The Princess and the Pea.

We have been exploring the story language, encouraging retell of familiar story’s and embedding time adverbials. We have been including lots of drama sessions within our English sessions to enhance children's understanding of characters and the choices they make within the book. We have also continued to look at a range of suffixes, punctuation and how to write a multi- clause sentence. 

Mystery readers

We have also loved having our mystery readers come into the class and share story’s at the end of the day. The children have absolutely loved this part of the day and is something we will continue to do in Year 1. A big thankyou to all the mystery readers who visited us over the course of the half term.

history

We have been learning about our local area and why our school is named after Henry Bessemer. Do you know who he was and why he was famous? We also learnt lots of amazing facts about our local area and discovered what used to be on this land before it was our school! Can your child tell you what used to be where the school is today? What was on the land before the circle estate and all the roads? What kind of animals would we of seen?

We toured the local area armed with maps to see if we could look first hand at all of the differences in the local area. We also learnt about the Great Exhibition and The Crystal Palace. We visited Crystal Palace park to see what was left of this period (we saw the dinosaurs, and some of the remains of the Crystal Palace). 

science

We have been looking at plants during the first half of our summer term. We have learnt about the different parts of both flowers and trees. We have looked at the functions of these parts and how these different parts help both plants and trees grow. Can your child tell you the different parts of a flower or tree? We have discussed what is needed for plants to grow and then planted our own sunflower seeds. We have also looked at germination and what a seed/bean needs to germinate. What are the key elements for germination?

art

For our Art project this half term we have been developing our skills in using clay. First we looked at and evaluated some sculpture art work, we discussed how they were made, what they had created and how the art made us feel. We then looked in more detail at various sculptures by Anthony Gormley, we looked at the different sizes of art he created from the small figures in Asian Field to the massive Angel of The North. We discussed and investigated the different materials he used in the different projects and looked at how he installed his art work. We then used clay and created sculptures in the style of Anthony Gormley’s Asian Field in order to practise our clay skills. We practised rolling, pinching, smoothing, and carving the clay.

We then looked in detail at Henry Bessemer’s old observatory building, taking note of the small details in the building and architecture. We looked at the shapes and lines in the building and then sketched our own designs which we would use in our final piece

We then used the clay skills we had previously practiced to create our final piece which was based on Henry Bessemer’s Observatory.

music

Year one has now started to learn how to read notes as they develop their understanding and are able to distinguish between instruments that make long and short sounds. First the children started by reading notes and playing instruments in a whole class session, then they started reading and playing instruments in small groups before finally composing and performing their own musical piece in pairs

computing

We started our journey into programming by using beebots. To program a beebot you need to input a code or algorithm to get the beebot to follow. If the algorithm went wrong at any stage we would need to 'debug' it to work out what part had gone wrong and why. The children have had lots of fun setting each other challenges to get their bee bots to complete 'missions'.

During our indoor sessions we have been learning gymnastics we have also been learning a variety of team games that incorporate social skills and team work alongside being physically active.

In our outdoor sessions we have been developing our hand eye coordination with ball games and skills.

Spring 1 

English

To support and embed our Polar regions topic we have been reading Lost and Found and Dear Greenpeace during English. These books have helped us discuss many important Environmental issues and the children have started to think about how they can have an impact on the environment. 

Maths

In Spring 1 we have been exploring place value and addition/subtraction to 20. We developed our problem solving skills through Maths Investigation Day.

Geography

We have been learning about the polar regions. We compared life in London and a town in Greenland. The children also considered how climate change is affecting the polar regions and what we can do to combat this. 

Science

In science we have been investigating seasonal change. We have been looking at the months and the different seasons associated with the different months of the year. In this half-term we have been looking at the changes caused by Winter. We also began to learn about animals and how they respond to the colder weather. 

Art

In art we studied the northern lights as the basis of our piece. We practised different techniques with chalk pastels such as blending and layering. 

Music 

The children have been investigating different types of instruments and understanding the difference between long and short sounds. The children have been performing together, creating musical pieces that incorporate both long and short sounds in rhythm.

Computing

We have been learning about how we can collect and group data. The children collecting data by creating their own surveys. 

PE 

During our indoor sessions we have been learning gymnastics. We began by looking at how we manipulate and control our bodies and learnt different techniques to support control and balance.

PShe

In PSHE we celebrated Children's Mental Health Week by exploring what makes us unique and special. 

Autumn 2

English

We have read Naughty Bus, Astro Girl and The Odd Egg during our second half of Autumn term. The naughty bus caused a major hullabaloo in our class but with the children's help we managed to track him down and explain that we have class rules for a very good reason! Astro Girl has helped embed our Explorers topic into our writing and the children have been fascinated by space and finding out lots of new information and facts about our solar system and beyond. This book culminated in the children creating their very own space fact files. All of these books have helped us investigate adjectives, verbs and nouns and begin to use these with increasing confidence in our writing.

Can  your child remember what any of these words mean?

Can they give you an example of each word?

Maths

During the second half of Autumn term we have been working on number bonds to ten and embedding a systematic approach to finding these number bonds. We have introduced a variety of different methods for the children to use to help them work out mathematical problems within 10. These skills will help them throughout the year and will continue to be built upon as they carry on through each Year group.

Part part whole models - cherry model and bar model

Number line - jumping forwards and backwards 

Consolidating mathematical symbols + - =

Can your child tell you what they prefer to use to help them solve addition and subtraction problems?

We finished the Autumn term with a unit on Geometry - and investigated common 2d and 3d shapes.

Can your child tell you what a cylinder, cuboid or cube looks like or find one in your home?

How many faces does a cube have?

Geography

During our geography lessons we have been looking at maps and our local area which is linked to our explorers topic. We started out by looking at features of different types of maps and what they are used for.. We started out by looking at features of different types of maps and what they are used for (treasure map, tube map, road map, city map, world map, theme park map).

Children discussed their own experiences of either using maps or knowing why different types of maps are useful. We then began making our own maps we started with our classroom, we used these maps for treasure hunts around our room which the children really enjoyed.

We then began to explore the local area and after a field trip to look up and down the road we made a map for our immediate area around the school. We then looked at the map of the United Kingdom and learnt about the four countries that make up the UK. We then started to learn about the continents and the seven continents that make up planet Earth.

We also explored different types of environment and looked at the words and meaning of urban and rural. Can your child tell you the meaning of these words?

Can your child tell you the difference between a human made feature and natural feature?

What are the four countries in the United Kingdom and can they name the capital cities?

How many continents are there and can they name them all?

Can your child locate any or all of the continents using a world map?

Which continent do we live on?

Science Autumn 2

In our second Science unit we learnt about materials. We investigated materials in our classroom and begun to classify them using the properties of the material. We discovered which materials are human made and which ones are natural. We then started to look at what materials float and sink and what different types of materials are used for. Would you wear a paper rain mac? Do you own metal shoes? Why aren’t are water bottles made from cotton? The children then designed a boat using appropriate materials and then chose different junk modelling materials and tested their own boats. We also conducted a fair test where each child received the same materials and they had to make a boat that could hold cargo.

What do all boats need?

Is cardboard a good material for a boat?

Which material would be best for a boat and why?

Art Autumn 2

For our art project this half term we looked at the Japanese art form of Origami.

We looked at how folded paper can be used to create an amazing number of different objects.

Our task was to make a boat. First, we evaluated boats and what they all have in common. We looked at a wide range of boats and discussed the common features they have and what makes a boat float successfully. We then practised how to fold and crease paper and how these folds are essential to create our origami boats. We then all followed a step by step guide to create our final origami boat. Finally, we tested the boat in water and looked at any improvements and alterations we would make if we were to make it again.

Computing autumn 2

During the second part of Autumn term we have been exploring the world of digital art and using the art program Paint. We have been empowering the children to create their own paintings, while getting inspiration from a range of artists. Each week we have learnt about a new artist and then applying their techniques to a digital piece of art.  We have developed a wide range of art and design techniques using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space. The children are confident to talk about the work of a range of artists, craft makers, and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines and making links to their own work.

autumn 1

English 

We have several book zones set up throughout both our inside and outside learning environments and this is assisting the children's love for reading whilst promoting different formats of text they encounter. We have plenty of fiction, non- fiction and comics which the children can access throughout the day in COOL time.

We use our literacy books to help support not only the children’s literacy but also their phonic knowledge and wider curriculum goals. We have been reading the The Colour Monster and Here We Are during the first half of Autumn and these books supported the promotion of our behavioural expectations and policies in KS1 and have helped us discuss the world around us.

Maths

In maths we use a range of both practical and worksheet challenges to support the children’s mathematical development throughout the year. We give the children time to share their own knowledge and understanding with each other and encourage the children to explain their working out processes as often there are multiple ways to reach an answer.

During the Autumn term we have been investigating place value to 10, addition and subtraction (to 10) and using mathmatical symbols to record answers.

Do you know what these mean:

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=     

Geography and History

We have been looking at the history of our lives and working on our enquiry question for the term which is; How has life changed since the time of our grandparents?  We looked through some of the momentous occurrences that have happened in our time on Planet Earth and then sequenced these events using a timeline.

We have been looking at similarities and differences with the childhood experiences of the children in Year 1 and those of their parents and grandparents. We have had lots of visits from grandparents who have shared their experiences with the children and these visits have really helped the children compare their lives with those of their grandparents. We have looked at a range of differences through recent history including toys, schools, transport and homes.

Science

In science we have been investigating seasonal change. We have been looking at the months and the different seasons associated with the different months of the year. We have looked at a range of different weather types and when we might expect to see them. Do you know all the months of the year? How many seasons are there? What weather do you associate with the different seasons?

We then started to look at the human body and what the different parts of our body are primarily used for. We spent time investigating the names for the different parts of the body. We also spent time looking at our senses and how many we have. What do we use each sense for? What is your favourite sense and why?

PE

In our outdoor sessions we have been building up our hand eye coordination skills with a series of multi skills. We have worked on our agility, balance and co-ordination before we build up to incorporate bean bags and balls to develop the children’s throwing and catching skills. We then started to practice controlling and kicking the ball with our feet. We have learnt how to move, control and kick the ball towards a target.

Can your child show you how to balance and what helps them balance?

Can your child demonstrate how to throw and catch a ball?

Computing

For our first computing unit we are learning about technology all around us.

Did you know a pencil is technology? What other types of technology do you know?

We will be learning some basic laptop skills including using a mousepad, navigating a keyboard and logging on and logging off to our school laptops. The children each have their own folder that they can save their work in throughout the year. Laptops are also available in COOL time with challenges set around current learning objectives.

Art and D.T

We have been looking at the artist Matt Small to inspire our ‘Magic Me’ art project.  We looked at a variety of Matt’s work and how he combines colour to convey emotions. We discussed how different colours make us feel and then practiced blending chalk pastels to create our backgrounds. The children then cut their portraits and added these to the background before finishing with contrasting colours.

Music

We have weekly music lessons brought to us by Duncan the music teacher in our newly created Music room. He will be building up the children's musical knowledge and skills throughout the year. The children initially practiced various forms of rhythm, pitch and tone using lots of call and response songs and they will add to their song bank each week.

The children have been investigating different types of instruments and understanding the difference between long and short sounds. The children have been performing together, creating musical pieces that incorporate both long and short sounds.

Cool Time

Year One enjoys a balance between whole class input sessions, adult focus work and COOL time. COOL time stands for Choose Our Own Learning. We have different areas of the classroom set up and dedicated to embellishing the current topic, as well as immersing the children in the different curriculum objectives we are currently working on. Additionally, we have dedicated construction and small world areas within both our inside and outside learning environments which support and encourage the children to develop their social and communication skills through play-based activities.

PSHE

During the first half of our Autumn term we have been looking at personal hygiene. We have had lessons on hand washing, how to look after our bodies and how to look after our teeth.

How long should we wash our hands for? What songs can help remind us? How often should we wash our hands?

Egg experiment - What happened to the egg? Why did this happen? What do we need to do to protect our teeth?

Nature Garden

We get to visit the school nature garden every week. This is an opportunity for the children to explore and create with natural resources. There are lots of open ended play opportunities and we also implement some more directive teaching tasks depending on the topic such as mini beast hunts, tree searches and plant/flower hunts throughout the year.