Phonics

In phonics we have been focusing on consolidating our phase 4 sounds such as ck, sh, th and ng and introducing phase 5 sounds, such as ie, ea, ou  and oy. We have been working hard to segment and blend, which has helped us with our daily reading. We have been practicing our precursive handwriting and sounding out our words phonetically to help with our writing across all areas of learning.

English

During this half term in Year 1, we have enjoyed exploring the stories The Deep Dark Wood and George and the Dragon. The Deep Dark Wood is inspired by the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood. To deepen our understanding of the characters’ thoughts and feelings, we took part in lots of role play activities. We also created comic-style storyboards to retell the story in a fun and creative way.

We have also started making our very own pumpkin soup, following instructions carefully to create a tasty dish. This, along with making chocolate rice Krispy cakes, helped us learn how important it is to follow steps in the right order.

In our dragon-themed lessons, we designed our own dragon’s eye, which helped us imagine and describe the dragon’s appearance in detail.

Throughout the term, we have been working hard on writing character and setting descriptions. We have focused especially on using capital letters and full stops correctly to create clear and wonderful sentences.

Maths

In our Maths lessons this half term, the Little Marvels have continued to count, order, and add numbers up to ten, with a strong focus on forming numbers correctly. We have been working hard on our arithmetic skills, using part-whole models to solve addition stories and understand number composition—learning how different numbers combine to make another number.

We have also practised measuring and explored adding tens to units using part-whole models and ten frames, helping us build a solid foundation in number sense and calculation.

Science

This term, in our science lessons, we have been learning all about seasonal changes around the world. We studied how the length of the day changes throughout the year and explored the reasons why days become shorter in winter and longer in summer. To help us understand these concepts better, we carried out experiments that demonstrated the effects of changing daylight.

In Year 1, we explored several fascinating topics related to weather and the environment. We learned what a rain gauge is and how it measures rainfall. We also investigated how puddles form after rain and discussed the process behind this. Additionally, we discovered what a solar furnace is and how it uses the sun’s energy to generate heat.

We studied the water cycle in detail, learning about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, and how this cycle is vital to life on Earth. We also talked about how different types of weather—such as rain, sunshine, and wind—affect the things we do every day.

To bring our learning to life, we went on a welly walk around the school grounds to observe how the leaves on trees change with each season. We noticed the colours, shapes, and textures of the leaves and discussed why these changes happen as part of the natural cycle.

History

This term, we have been learning about the famous London Frost Fairs that took place on the frozen River Thames many years ago. We discovered how people came together to celebrate on the ice, enjoying a range of fun activities and traditional foods. The fairs were full of exciting stalls, games, and treats, including roasted chestnuts and hot drinks to keep warm in the freezing weather.

We compared these historic Frost Fairs to modern funfairs, noticing both the similarities and differences in the activities and atmosphere. We enjoyed listening to stories about the Frost Fair and even wrote our own letters inspired by this magical event, imagining what it would be like to visit the fair ourselves.

To make our learning even tastier, we made our own hot chocolate topped with cream and marshmallows—just like the warm drinks people might have enjoyed during the Frost Fairs on the River Thames.

Art

In Art this term, we have been exploring different types of lines and how they can be used in artwork. We looked closely at abstract and geometric art, noticing the shapes and patterns that make these styles unique. The children have enjoyed experimenting with drawing straight, curved, and zigzag lines to create their own abstract and geometric designs.

Computing

The Little Marvels have really enjoyed their first term learning all about how computers work and the importance of technology. We explored the different parts of a computer and practised powering it on and off safely. The children have been learning how to hold a mouse correctly, scroll up and down, and click with control.

We also practised dragging items and clicking accurately to complete tasks. As part of their digital creativity, the children have been building their own houses and treehouses, as well as decorating virtual cakes. It’s wonderful to see how much more confident they’ve become using computers this term!

PE

In our PE lessons, we have been practising our throwing and catching skills. We have tried both underarm and overarm throws, and worked on our pencil rolls. We also practised throwing from a distance to improve our accuracy and control. The children have been working really hard to develop their gross motor skills through these activities.

RE and PSHCE

In Little Marvels, we have been learning about why people who follow the Christian faith refer to God as ‘Father’. We had thoughtful discussions about why love is so important in families and explored how and why Christians might choose to talk to God through prayer.

During our PSHCE lessons, we talked about the importance of rules and how following them helps keep us safe around school. We also shared stories about our friendships, discussing what makes a good friend and how friends can help keep us safe in our environment.