magical Minibeasts (Year 1)

Autumn 1 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to a new school year and to year 1, I hope you have all had a fantastic summer break! Our topic this term is ‘Barnaby Bear’s Highland Adventure!’ and as many lessons as possible will be linked to this topic. I have created a topic web so that you can see what this topic will be covering.

Science Targets

English

If you do want to help with your child’s writing at home we are focusing on using finger spaces, capital letters and full stops correctly this half term. We will then move onto using ‘and’ to join ideas and a focus of ensuring handwriting is the correct sizing. Every child will also be starting Level 5 phonics. They will be learning new sounds and spelling patterns each week, ask them to share these with you, but please feel free to ask if you need further support or advice.

Spellings

Children will get 5 spellings a week; if they correctly spell all 5 then they will be rewarded with a team point. The spellings they receive will be linked to a phonics sound that they have been working on that week and they will be tested on a Friday. There will also be spelling homework to hand in each week, that should also help the children learn their spellings. Any help you can give your children at home is greatly appreciated and makes a big difference in their writing. Later in the year children will also get bonus words which will be random words linked to spelling patterns we have done in class. The last week of each half term will be a recap test.  

Reading books/ Bookbags

Our reading scheme is perfectly matched to our phonics scheme which is Twinkl phonics. Children will receive a new book each Friday (Providing the previous book has come back into school- lost books do have a charge of £3.40 to repurchase a new book) Children will take their bookbags home and return them to school each day as they will read the same reading book in school, so they are fully immersed in that book. Children will only be sent 1 book home each week as it is expected that children re-read books multiple times to improve fluency and comprehension. There will be a box of extra books that I will put outside on a Monday and Wednesday morning that parents can pick out any extra books to take home if you would like any. These will be on a trust basis and will be changed throughout the year. In the box there are also some extra phonics and maths games back that you are welcome to take to support children at home, again these can be swopped as and when you need. Please ensure that all parts are back into the plastic wallet before returning so they are ready for the next person.

In order to meet the expected standard for a Y1 reader, your child would need to be fluently reading and understanding the book levels stated below by the end of each term. The colours link to the extra books in the morning box.

Memory

We have noticed a link between children’s memories and being able to follow instructions and retain things that have been taught. To try and help your child’s working memory you may want to try this game.

Magic cup game –

Place three identical, plastic cups in a line on the table, rim down. Place a pom pom or small rubber ball under one cup, allowing your child to see which cup the pom pom/ball is under. Shuffle the cups around by sliding them across the table, switching their positions quickly back and forth and all around. Once you have stopped moving the cups ask your child to identify which cup the ball is now under.

Internet safety

This half term we will be looking at privacy and security both online and when using an electronic device. This will include why it is important to have a strong password and keeping it safe. We will also look at self-image and identity linked to filming in ICT. You may wish to discuss different situations as they arise in real life, that we may need to ask someone’s permission before taking a photo/ video of them.

Homework

Children will have the first few weeks to settle into their new surroundings before homework is given. Homework will be given out on a Friday and should be returned to school by Wednesday. Your child may need support reading the task but as the year progresses they should become more confident at having ago by themselves. You are welcome to work with them and let them know if an answer is incorrect, supporting them to correct it.

P.E

P.E will take place on a Monday and a Wednesday. Children will need to come to school in their PE kit on these days. As it gets colder children may need gloves and a hat for outdoor PE.

A few further bits of information:

• Just a reminder that children with pierced ears should have their earrings removed or taped up before school on PE days.
• Please avoid booking to go away during June as this is usually when the phonics screening check that we have to do in year 1 takes place. I will speak to you more about this during the first parents evening.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to catch me before or after school or via Dojo.

Thank you,

Miss T Ward

Class Teacher

Curriculum Web Autumn 1

Please take a look at the wonderful things we will be learning about this half term.

Knowledge Organiser Autumn 1

Key Vocabulary 

 Please see below the vocabulary that we will be using in class this half term.