Phonics
In phonics, we’ve been concentrating on consolidating our Phase 5 sounds, while also introducing new Phase 5 sounds such as are, ear, ere, ar, o, me. Our focus has been on fluently reading, which has proven beneficial for our daily reading practice. Additionally, we’ve been diligently practicing our pre-cursive handwriting and phonetically sounding out words to enhance our writing skills across all learning areas.
English
In Year 1, this half term has been an exciting journey through the pages of ‘The Lonely Beast’. Our tale revolves around a unique creature’s quest for companionship, taking us across the globe. Our exploration began by delving into the identity and habitat of this captivating beast, seamlessly integrating with our science discussions on diverse creatures. Engaging in lively research on minibeasts, we embraced role-play, including insightful interviews, to delve into our character’s emotions. Storyboards became our canvas for narrating the beast’s tale. As we delved deeper, our writing flourished, weaving intricate character, and setting descriptions alongside poignant poems. With a keen focus on crafting vivid sentences and employing rich adjectives to bring our settings and beasts to life, our journey has been as enriching as it has been imaginative.
Maths
This half term, our Maths lessons in Little Marvels have been marked by diligent efforts in ordering numbers, mastering addition and subtraction within the range of 10. Precision in forming numbers has been a key focus throughout. We have embraced hands-on learning with concrete and pictorial manipulatives to tackle subtraction stories. Exploring the positioning of numbers and understanding ordinal numbers has also been a significant part of our journey. Through practical applications and focused practice, we’re building a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and skills. We also thoroughly enjoyed celebrating NSPCC Number Day 2024.
Science
Throughout this half term, the Little Marvels have continued their exploration of animals, with a particular focus on understanding the intricacies of the human body. Beginning with an in-depth study of human anatomy and functions, we engaged in hands-on experiments and investigations within the classroom environment. Our discussions centered on the significance of our senses and their role in our daily lives. A highlight of our learning journey was a captivating workshop that provided a closer examination of minibeasts, complemented by an exhilarating excursion to Chester Zoo, where we had the opportunity to observe a diverse array of animals in their habitats.
History and Geography
In our history lessons, our exploration of the London Frost Fairs on the River Thames continued. Engaging in lively discussions, we contemplated the allure of funfairs and pondered why the river Thames no longer freezes over sufficiently to host such events in present times. Our geography lessons took us on a journey across continents as we delved into the profound impact of weather on our lives. Additionally, we embarked on a fascinating study of Captain Robert Scott’s expedition to the South Pole, examining the challenges and triumphs of his remarkable journey. As spring approached, our discussions expanded to reflect on how changing seasons and weather patterns continue to shape our daily experiences.
DT
In our DT lessons this half term, we have been exploring the art of fabric joining techniques, designing and crafting puppets using templates, and adding personalized decorations to bring our creations to life.
Computing
This half term during out computing sessions we have used technology to create, organise and retrieve digital content. We have been creating images using pixels to understand how computer screens work.
PE
In our PE sessions this half term we have been practising our rolls including caterpillar and pencil roll, mastering each technique before advancing to crafting mini routines.
RE and PSHCE
In our Little Marvels sessions, we’ve been deepening our understanding of Christianity, with a particular focus on the Palm Sunday story and the significance of Jesus in the lives of those around him. We’ve paralleled this with discussions about the royal family and other notable figures, emphasizing the importance of showing respect and reverence towards them. In our PSHCE lessons, we’ve been exploring the concepts of rights and responsibilities, with a specific focus on caring for our homes, schools, and friendships. Through these discussions, children are learning practical strategies for nurturing their environments and seeking assistance when needed.
Music
This half term the year 1 children have been appraising music/active music, using our musical vocabulary learnt from last half term.
During our weekly music sessions, the children listened to a piece of music and identified the tempo of the piece, using the Italian words presto and largo. The children listened to the dynamics too and tried to identify whether the music was loud or quiet. Whether the music was loud at the start or when it changed during the piece. We talked about our feelings created by the music. We then used classroom percussion to tap out the beat and play then copy back simple 4/4 rhythms.
We have also been hard at work learning Easter songs and hymns to perform at St. Stephen’s Church for our annual EYFS/KS1 Easter Service.