Maths

In Maths this half term, we continued with our ‘Maths – No Problem!’ scheme. 

Firstly, we completed our ‘Numbers to 10’ topic. We ordered numbers and compared numbers by working out what was one more and what was one less.    

Next, we moved onto our ‘Number Bonds’ topic.  At first, we made number bonds using pictures, Ten Frames and Part-Part Whole models.  We then progressed onto making number stories using pictures to help us.   

We also celebrated Maths Week this half term.  We completed an investigation whereby we were given three coloured cubes in a tower and had to find all of the different ways of re-arranging the coloured cubes to make different towers.  We also spent time learning how to play number boardgames such as Snakes and Ladders and using the dominoes correctly.  In Continuous Provision, we enjoyed lots of activities such as using the peg boards to create a pattern, matching numerals to the written number, matching amounts of objects to a given amount and using shapes to create our own rockets.  We also enjoyed reading some number stories.   

English

This half term in English, we studied the book ‘Man on the Moon (A Day in the Life of Bob) by Simon Bartman. 

Firstly, we looked at illustrations from the story before reading the text.  We focussed on the main character, Bob and discussed our initial thoughts about him.  For example, what might his job be?  What type o f person might he be? What does he like to do?  We recorded these thoughts on an image of Bob.  We then explored the text a little further and discovered what Bob’s actual job was and what he liked to do.  We then updated our thoughts and opinions about him on our image of Bob.  Next, we thought about the questions we would like to ask Bob.  We composed questions and then Brooke from our class took on the role of Bob.  We asked her the questions and she responded as if she was Bob.  We then discussed the meaning of ‘Fact’ and ‘Fiction’ and had to work collaboratively to sort information about space into fact and fiction. 

Next, we read more of the text and tried to listen to see if any of our questions from earlier in the unit had been answered.  We then discussed our favourite part of the story so far and gave our reasons for why we liked them.  We sketched a picture of our favourite part and wrote a sentence about it.  After that, we extracted information from the text about how it would be for Bob to walk on the moon.  We then looked at images of the moon and thought about what we had learned in History when we researched Neil Armstrong’s moon landing.  We then acted out walking on the moon. After imagining what it would be like to walk on the moon, we imagined we were on one of Bob’s day trips and wrote a postcard to somebody at home.  We looked at examples of postcards to help us and wrote a postcard together as a class before writing our own individual cards. 

After that, we used information from the text to think of what else Bob might sell in his souvenir shop on the moon. We thought of some ideas together such as: moon mints in the shape of a crescent moon, moon music CDs, space pens in the shape of a rocket, moon fact files and moon joke books. To finish our unit, we then sketched, labelled and priced objects that we thought would make popular additions to the range.  

Science

In Science this half term, we continued with our ‘Animals’ topic. 

We were able to describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals.  We looked at different groups of animals such as: birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians.  We had to identify the animals, draw and label them and compared the differences and similarities between the animals. 

Next, we learned about how animals need to be treated with care and sensitivity to keep them alive.  We drew pictures and labelled them to show what animals need to survive. 

To finish our topic, we learned about the human body.  We were able to name, identify and label the parts of the human body.  We then used our senses to look at, feel, smell, touch and taste a range of different foods including jam, lemon and salty crisps.  

RE

In RE, we began our new topic of Christianity.  We were aiming to answer the question ‘What gifts might Christians in my town have given Jesus if he had been born here rather than Bethlehem?’

Firstly, we discussed what a ‘gift’ is and gave examples of this.  We then took turns to hold presents and guess what might be inside.  When we opened them, we talked about how it felt.  To finish our lesson, we discussed how it is not appropriate to give the same gift to everyone.

Next, we tried to understand how people prepare for a baby.  We discussed all the different things that a baby would need and thought about what they might not need just yet.  We then completed a sorting diagram where we categorised what a baby needs and what a baby does not need.      

Our next lesson was to understand why people give presents at Christmas.  We learned about how Christians believe that Jesus was a gift from God.  We then thought about a gift that we were grateful for and a gift that we would like to receive.  We thought about a suitable gift for Baby Jesus and showed this work through pictures and a sentence. 

After this, we watched a video of The Christmas Story and talked about the people in it and what happened.  This then helped us to sequence pictures of The Christmas Story. 

To finish our topic, we learned about Christingles and made our own.

 

PSHE

Our topic this half term was ‘Celebrating Differences.’ As part of this topic, we identified similarities between people in our class. 

We then spent time thinking about the differences between people in our class.

Next, we thought about what bullying is.  We discussed how it is different to falling out with a friend – it is deliberate, and it happens repeatedly.

After that, we thought about some people who we could talk to if we were feeling unhappy or being bullied.

Towards the end of our topic, we thought about the different ways we could make new friends.

During this topic, we have also listened to other people as well as contributing our own ideas about rewards and consequences. 

Computing

In computing this half term, we have been continuing to familiarise ourselves with Purple Mash.  We have used the paint programme, online jigsaws and explored other tools as well. We can now confidently log on to Purple Mash independently!

We have also used programmes on Purple Mash to group and sort shapes as well as complete pictograms.  

PE  

In PE this half term, we have been learning to roll a ball with increased accuracy.  We investigated which part of our body is best to use to roll the ball to a partner.  We then also discovered which techniques worked best. 

We also enjoyed a session with Yogi this half term.  We learned breathing exercises for if we ever feel worried as well as learning different yoga poses.

History

Our History topic this half term is ‘Great Explorers.’  During this topic, we will be answering the key question ‘What does it take to be a great explorer?’

During this half term, we looked at the first ancillary question: ‘Why is Ranulph Fiennes in the Guinness World Records?’  We asked ourselves the question ‘What does it mean to make history?’  We looked at some images of Ranulph Fiennes and discussed what his job might be and why he might be famous.  After finding out that he was an explorer, we discussed what this meant.  We then discussed how he was also the first person to travel on foot to both the North Pole and South Pole, and the only person in the world to reach the summit of Mount Everest and the North Pole and South Pole.

In our next lesson, we watched a variety of video clips to gain an insight about what Antarctica would be like.  We thought about the challenges that Ranulph Fiennes might have faced and the qualities we would need to be a successful explorer.  We then showed this through a drawing in our books and made a list of qualities as a class. 

After that, we looked at a map and tried to identify the Himalayan Mountains in Asia. We then looked at images of Mount Everest. 

Next, we compared life from ninety years ago to now by looking at the explorer Amy Johnson.  We used a variety of sources to find out about how Amy Johnson was the first woman to fly solo to Australia.  During the procession to welcome her home, we could see how the cars were different back then, the ladies had different hairstyles, the clothes looked different and there were no electric windows in the cars. 

We will continue our topic in the Spring Term.   

 

Art  

In Art this half term, we have continued to practise a variety of skills. 

We used a viewfinder to sketch part of a space picture, which was linked to our English topic. 

We also completed a range of Christmas crafts such as participating in a Christmas card competition, making calendars and making a bauble for a Christmas display in the hall.

DT

In DT this half term, we have designed and made rockets out of cardboard.  We had to decide how to make our rocket successful.  We also researched different types of rockets and designs.  In addition to this, we had to think about the materials we would need to make our rockets.  Once we had finished, we evaluated our rockets. 

Music

Year 1, The Little Marvels, have been marvellous this half term as usual. They have been hard at work learning the lyrics to the Nativity Carols for this year’s performance. They sang; Little Donkey, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a manger, We three kings and finishing with We wish you a Merry Christmas.

The children sang as an ensemble in St. Catherine’s Church to support the EYFS children who acted out the Christmas Story.

The Little Marvels then sang at the KS1 Christingle Service lead by Father Roger and Mr. Garrett accompanied on the church organ.

We all enjoyed a Christmas Assembly with a brass band!

Play It Forward, conducted by Mr. David Warren. He taught at Towneley, now called Unity for 25 years as Head of Music. The band members played our Nativity Carols. We raised the school roof with our fabulous singing!

Merry Christmas and Season Greetings from Mrs. Lingard and Mr. Garrett.