Newsletter
Year 1 November 2015
Welcome back, we hope you enjoyed your holiday. Our topic this half term will be all about
‘Castles’. The children will explore this topic across the curriculum:
Curriculum
Area
What we are doing in Year 1.
Homework
Literacy
During the ‘Castles’ topic, the children will be
looking at both fiction and non-fiction texts.
They will start by creating their own fact file
on castles, after looking at a variety of
information books on the topic.
After this, the children will be reading the
story of Cinderella. They will then pretend that
they are one of the characters from the story,
and write a recount in the style of a diary
entry.
This term we will begin by exploring number
bonds to 10. This will involve the children being
able to recall pairs of numbers that go together
to make 10. We will also be looking at
subtraction and the ways the children can use
equipment to solve subtraction calculations.
The children will then begin to learn about the
place value of a number – how much each digit is
worth. They will then finish the term by
exploring odd and even numbers.
The children will be exploring e-safety this
term in Computing. This will be taught at a level
appropriate for the children, to help them to
understand how to stay safe when using
computers and technology.
Year 1 will be carrying out a science
investigation towards the end of this term all to
do with Santa. He needs to know what will be
the best type of material to cover his sleigh in
whilst he travels all around the world, because
last year it rained and all the toys got very wet
and soggy. The children will be exploring which
materials are best for this job, and writing up
their findings afterwards.
In History this term, the children will be
learning about castles and why they were built
hundreds of years ago. They will also be
carrying out a person study on William the
Conqueror, finding out who he was, why he came
to this country, what he did once he got here
and what legacies he left.
Our PHSE focus this term is ‘What Makes a
Good Friend?’. Through this topic the children
Continue to develop your child’s reading by
practising regularly at home. There were some
good ideas in the pack given out at the phonics
meeting. Good websites to visit for phonics are
www.phonicsplay.co.uk
www.ictgames.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/phonics
Numeracy
Computing
Science
History
PHSE
Continue to practise writing numbers up to 20
with your child. Check whether they are writing
them the right way round, and whether they
are forming them correctly.
Quick fire questions at them to aid their speed
of recall when it comes to number bonds to 10.
What number goes with 7 to make 10?
Talk to your child about staying safe and how
this applies when they are using technology at
home.
Talk with your child about the different
materials things are made out of. Discuss why
your clothes are made out of cotton, but cups
are made out of plastic etc.
Why not visit the library and find some
information books on castles? What can the
children find out about different castles – can
they label the different parts?
Talk with your child about how they think
they’re a good friend to others in class. Also
R.E.
Music
Art and
Design
P.E.
will be talking about ways they can deal with
situations when they may have a disagreement
with a friend. They will also be talking about
how to be a good friend so they all get on
together.
In our R.E. we will continue to look at the Hindu
faith by exploring their place of worship. The
children will also get the opportunity to
compare this to a Christian place of worship as
it gets closer to Christmas.
We will also be thinking about why Christians
celebrate Christmas as we look at the story of
the birth of Jesus.
Through music this term, Year 1 will be learning
all about the importance of long and short
sounds. They will be experimenting with
different percussion instruments to try and
make their own long and short sounds.
This term the children will be turning their
hand to weaving. Whilst learning about William
the Conqueror we will be looking at the Bayeux
Tapestry. The children will be thinking about
how this would have been created, and using
their own skills to make a calendar to take
home.
In P.E the children will learning all about the
different skills needed to play team games.
They will be improving their moving, dribbling
and passing skills.
talk to them about what they can do if they are
having trouble getting on with some friends in
their class. Who can they go and talk to?
Look on the internet for information about the
Hindu religion. What can they remember about
Diwali from last term?
As it gets closer to Christmas, talk to your
child about the story of the birth of Jesus.
What different sounds can you and your child
make with your voices? Talk about the
difference between long and short sounds.
Explore different textures and materials with
your child at home. Can you create a picture
using these things?
Practise the skills at home with various
different sized balls. It would also be helpful if
you could make sure that your child’s P.E. kit is
labelled.
Miss Marshall’s and Mrs Godley’s PE days are
Mondays and Tuesdays.
Don’t forget, you child can have a named cup or water bottle kept in school so they can
access a drink of water only when required.
Please do not allow your child to bring any toys from home into school. Unfortunately we
cannot be responsible for these if they get lost or broken.
If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to arrange an appointment to see
your child’s class teacher.
Mrs Godley and Miss Marshall