Our priority in the first term of Year 1 is to settle the children into new routines and establish good working habits. A strong emphasis is placed on encouraging independence, not only in curriculum areas, but in taking an increasing amount of responsibility for their possessions and learning.
English: Reading will play an important role in our Literacy sessions, as we believe you learn to read and then you read to learn. The main focus of the phonic sessions will be to revisit letter sounds and reinforce letter writing. The reading and writing focus will be Narrative, which will include fairy tales and stories with familiar settings.
Maths: The children will be developing their skills in counting, reading, writing and ordering numbers up to 20 and beyond. We will also be investigating the vocabulary and different strategies for adding and subtracting.
Science: The activities will be largely practical and will be aiding the skills needed for scientific enquiry. The children will investigate materials and Light and Dark.
Geography: We shall be looking at maps and plans of the school and locality. We will also be introducing Jeremy Bear to the children who will be helping them to develop their understanding of the world further afield by tagging along on their short and long holidays.
Design Technology: We will be designing, making and evaluating structures using a variety of materials. The outcome of this work will be a home for Jeremy Bear.
Information and Communication Technology: The focus will be familiarising children with the computer suite and equipment. Activities will help to develop mouse control and encourage independence in following simple instructions.
Music: The children will be listening to and exploring sound from a variety of sources. They will also be learning songs, rhymes and chants that will enhance and encourage learning in other curriculum areas.
Art: A range of techniques and media will be explored throughout the term with a particular emphasise on using materials.
Religious Education: We will be investigating what can be learned from visiting a Christian Church. We will be exploring the tradition of gift giving throughout the world.
Physical Education and Games: Dance, exploring how we can move, will be developed throughout the term. We shall also be undertaking gymnastics, concentrating on travelling and body shape. In Outdoor Games we shall be developing our ball skills.
Personal, Social and Health Education: In both PSHE and Circle Time sessions we shall be talking about new beginnings and how to adapt to these changes. We will also be covering aspects of how we can all get on together and resolve problems we may have in our friendship groups together.
History: We do not study History during the Autumn Terms. We will be learning about Toys and Homes in the past in subsequent terms.
Supporting Your Child: We would encourage you to read with your child on a daily basis and discuss what they have read. Books will be changed as often as we can, only upon written acknowledgement from an adult in the home/school diary. For more information regarding supporting your child, please refer to booklets given at the beginning of the year.