Maths

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

Firstly, we completed our ‘Addition Within 10’ topic. We began by adding using number bonds.  And then moved onto adding by counting on. We completed the topic by completing number sentences using the Part-Part Whole model.   

Next, we moved onto our ‘Subtraction Within 10’ topic. We completed this in many ways such as subtracting by crossing out and subtracting by counting back on a number line.  We then applied our knowledge to addition and subtraction facts.

We also enjoyed playing a variety of number games to help with our number skills.

English

This half term in English, we studied the book “The Dark” by Lemony Snicket. 

We read and enjoyed the book and we used drama to explore the character’s feelings at different points in the story. We began to look at descriptive language and wrote about how we felt about the dark. We drew what the dark means to us to help us to explore our feelings. We used a technique called “conscience alley “to help us to think of advice to offer the main character. We then wrote letters to help him overcome his fear of the dark. We had a discussion about our favourite part of the story and why we chose that part.

Science

In Science this half term, our topic was ‘Seasonal Changes.’ Firstly, we gained an understanding of the season of autumn and investigated what the weather is like in autumn.  We then looked at the features of trees throughout the different seasons.

We looked at how the temperature changes with the different seasons. We learnt how to use a thermometer to measure temperature and we measured the temperature of water, ice water and our bodies.

We looked at how the position of the sun effects the seasons and we performed an experiment to help us to visualise how the Earth spins on an axis.

RE

In RE, we began our new topic of Christianity.  We were aiming to answer the question ‘Was it Always Easy for Jesus to Show Friendship?’

Firstly, we wanted to recognise what made a good friend.  We read the story ‘Say Hello’ by Jack and Michael Foreman which was about a person who felt left out and excluded.  We thought about how we could show friendship to this character to make them feel included.  We then sorted pictures under the following headings – ‘Things a good friend does’ and ‘Things a good friend does not do.’

Next, we looked at the Bible story: Stilling the Storm (Luke 8: 22-25) and thought about how Jesus took care of his friends.  After a lot of discussion, we then sequenced the story.

Our next lesson was to understand how Jesus showed friendship to someone who was unpopular.  We did this through the Bible story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) We thought of a time when we had made a bad choice and were shown forgiveness.  We sketched a picture and explained what happened through a sentence. 

To finish our topic, we wanted to understand how Jesus found friendship both easy and difficult.  We looked at the Bible story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10: 38-41) Jesus spending time with His friends at their home.  We remembered all three Bible stories studied during the topic and, in groups, created freeze frames of them.  We then ordered the stories according to when Jesus may have found it easy or difficult to show friendship.

Computing

In computing this half term, we have begun to use our new iLearn2 scheme. We have had great fun using the games to help us develop our mouse and keypad skills. We learnt how to click and drag using dot to dot games. We learnt the position on the keys by playing games to find them in the shortest time.

PE  

The children have been learning about the importance of timing within dance. We were lucky enough to have Keira from Sanderson’s Dance School this half-term. She helped us listen to new music and move in time with it.

The movement then moved into sequencing of movements and even included performance and evaluations of peers and their skills.

The children thoroughly enjoyed having Keira and her expertise in the lessons. We have all learnt so much in our Dance unit.

Art and Design

In art we have been looking at painting and colour in our Make a Splash unit. We looked at the three primary colours and how we can use then to make secondary colours. We developed our brush technique and learned how to print using Lego bricks. We finished our unit by designing a plate in the style of Clarice Cliff.

History

In History this half term, our topic was ‘Why was Charles sent to prison?’  In order to answer this question, we had to investigate Charles’ life.  We learned that during the First World War, Charles was accused of shooting a homing pigeon and was sent to prison for six months.  Charles admitted shooting the pigeon but explained that he was trying to shoot a pheasant.  We investigated the importance of homing pigeons during the war and discovered that this was a valuable way to communicate.  We then looked at the importance of other animals in World War One.  

PSHE

In PSHE this term we have been exploring the theme of Dreams and Goals. We began by looking at success and what it means to us. Then we thought about what we were successful at. We then thought about how we learn best and that it is good to work with others. We also set our own challenges and targets to help us to feel successful when we achieve them.

Singing

Year one has followed the Charanga music scheme.

Each week children have worked on the set song and then listened to different examples in different styles and developed their active listening skills. They have understood the structure of the music. listened, actively in order to hear which instruments have been used in the music and they have also learnt about different styles of music. at the same time, the elements of music have been focused and particular emphasis has been on finding the pulse of the music.