Phonics 

This term, in our phonics lessons, we focused on mastering the long “a” sounds, learning the different ways they can be spelled, such as ai (rain), ay (play), a-e (cake), and ea (break). We practiced identifying these sounds in a variety of words through reading, spelling, and fun games, which helped us become more confident and accurate readers. 

We also recapped all the Phase 5 sounds we have learned so far, including tricky sounds like oi, ow, ir, and ur, as well as different ways to spell the same sounds. Revisiting these helped us solidify our knowledge and spot these sounds quickly when reading unfamiliar words. 

Thanks to all this practice, we can now read with increased fluency, sounding out words more smoothly and confidently. 

English  

This half term in Year 1, we have been diving into the exciting world of Story Soup! This fantastic book inspired us to think creatively about storytelling and how different ingredients—like characters, settings, and ideas—come together to make a wonderful story. 

We had so much fun using drama to bring our stories to life, acting out scenes and exploring the emotions of the characters. Then, we took all our creative ideas and wrote our own amazing stories based on a story pot, where we got to choose our own exciting ingredients. Many of us added bikes and scooters, making our tales full of adventure and action! 

Throughout the half term, we have been working hard on our writing skills, especially on using speech marks correctly. We are now much more confident at showing when characters are speaking, which makes our stories even more lively and interesting. 

We are all very proud of our imaginative stories and the fantastic progress we have made this half term! 

Maths  

In Maths, we revisited telling the time, learning to read both o’clock and half-past times on analogue clocks. We explored position and direction, understanding concepts like left, right, forwards, backwards, and turning whole, half, and quarter turns. We focused a lot on number bonds to 10 and 20, which are key building blocks for addition and subtraction, helping us to work out calculations more quickly and confidently. 

We also practised solving a variety of mathematical problems, using what we have learned to think carefully and explain our answers. Practical activities and games made our learning hands-on and fun, such as using clocks, shape puzzles, and interactive group challenges. These activities have really helped us become more confident and independent problem solvers, and we’ve enjoyed working both on our own and as a team. 

Science 

This term, in our science lessons, we’ve explored plants from around the world, including learning about different kinds of plants and trees and their unique features. We’ve studied how plants grow and what they need to survive, which has deepened our understanding of the natural world and the role plants play in our environment. 

We also had the exciting opportunity to plant our own seeds and care for them, observing their growth over time and learning firsthand about the life cycle of plants. Through experiments and observations, we discovered how factors like sunlight, water, and soil affect plant health. Finally, we learned about the importance of trees and plants for the environment, including their role in providing oxygen and habitats for animals, helping us understand how we can protect and care for nature. 

History  

This term, in our history lessons, we have been learning about toys from the 1960s. We explored the different kinds of toys children played with during that time, discovering how they were made and what materials were used. We compared these toys to the ones we have today and discussed how technology and culture influenced play. 

A highlight of our learning was Toy Day, when we were able to bring our own favourite toys from home. We compared them with toys from the 1960s, noticing the differences and similarities in design, materials, and how they were used. This hands-on experience helped us understand how childhood has changed over time and how toys reflect the society they come from. 

Through this, we gained a better understanding of life in the past and how play has always been an important part of growing up. 

Computing  

This term, in our computing lessons, we have learned about what a program is and how it gives instructions to a computer to perform tasks. We explored how to move an object using directions like up, down, left, and right, helping us understand how computers follow step-by-step commands. 

We also learned what an algorithm is — a set of clear instructions that solve a problem or complete a task. By creating and following simple algorithms, we practiced breaking down problems into smaller steps, which is an important skill in programming and everyday life. 

These lessons have helped us begin to understand how computers work and how we can control them through coding.

RE and PSHCE 

This term, in our PSHE lessons, we have been learning important skills to help us grow and take care of ourselves. We practiced the idea that we can keep trying if the way we choose doesn’t work, learning to be resilient and never give up. We talked about the different types of feelings we have and how to understand and express them in healthy ways. 

We also encouraged ourselves to have a go at something new, building confidence to try new activities and challenges. In addition, we learned how to make our own healthy food choices, as well as how to make good decisions about sleep and exercise to keep our bodies and minds strong. 

This term, in our RE lessons, we learned all about Hinduism. We explored important beliefs, stories, and traditions of Hindu people around the world. We discovered the significance of key Hindu symbols, festivals, and gods, and how they influence the daily lives of followers. 

We also talked about values like kindness, respect, and the idea of karma—how actions can affect what happens to us in the future. Through learning about Hinduism, we gained a better understanding and appreciation of a different culture and religion. 

PE and DT  

This term, our PE lessons were full of fun as we worked on building essential athletic skills like throwing, catching, running, and jumping! These activities really helped us boost our coordination, balance, and strength. We also practiced teamwork and communication, learning how important they are for playing sports and working well together in groups. 

What made it even more exciting was linking our PE lessons with Design Technology, where we got to make our own smoothies and learn all about healthy food choices. This hands-on experience showed us just how much good nutrition fuels our bodies and helps us perform at our best. We explored lots of colourful fruits and ingredients, discovering their vitamins and benefits that keep us strong and energized. 

We also learned why balanced meals matter and how to whip up tasty, healthy snacks. Combining what we learned in PE with making smoothies helped us see how exercise and nutrition go together to keep us healthy, happy, and feeling fantastic every single day!