Year 1 2024 - 2025

Welcome to year 1's class page and welcome to Year 1!

Here you will find details of our daily routines and our curriculum.

I am Mrs McGowan, the Year 1 teacher.

Reading in Year 1:

Your child will be given two books and a reading diary to bring home and read- an “I can read” book and a “Read with me” book. The “I can read” book links with their phonics learning and the children should work throughout the week to read this book independently. This book will be changed each Friday. The “Read with me” books should be read with support and we will change these books whenever they have finished them. They will need to bring their reading diary and books to school every day. Please use the reading diary to share both what they have read and also celebrate how wonderfully they are doing. The children will also have lots of opportunities to read and enjoy books throughout the week at school and at home. The children will have daily guided reading sessions where they read and investigate books matched to their phonic level.

Homework

In an effort to ease the pressure on your valuable weekends, we will send a “Chilli pepper Homework Menu” home at the start of each half term. In the table, there are lots of different homework activities to choose from. The hotter the chilli, the more challenging the work. You can choose to do whatever you like each week, however by the end of the half term, they must try to have completed two activities for each subbject. Please try to complete one activity each week. When they have completed a homework task, put a cross through the box and colour it. If they manage to complete 6 activities over the half term, they will receive a certificate and a sticker.

Additionally, each half term children will be given maths Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs) to practise and learn at home as well as at in school.

These will be sent home via email and include practical ideas for parents / helpers to assist the children in grasping the key facts.

It is important that they know these thoroughly and can recall specific facts instantly.

Learning this term:

In Geography, we will be studying our wonderful world.

We will understand where the seven continents of the world are and how their proximity to the equator or the poles affects their climate. We will visit different countries and explore their climate and land features- undertaking a variety of fun activities to help them learn more about each one.

In History, we will be studying intrepid explorers.

We will be introduced to some of the most intrepid explorers across history, including Ibn Battuta, Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong and a whole host of modern explorers! We will find out all about the lives and achievements of these significant individuals and why they are remembered today. We will also learn how we know about these famous explorers through investigating historical sources such as books, diaries, artefacts, film and photographs.

In Science, we will be studying seasonal changes and animals.

Through a variety of fun activities, we will explore how weather and day length affect animals and humans. We will also be encouraged to use our own experiences and the information provided to come to conclusions about how living things adapt to seasonal changes. Then, we will learn about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. We will think about the needs of different pets and become familiar with the terms carnivore, herbivore and omnivore.

To find out more about our learning, please go to http://www.st-pauls-hyde.tameside.sch.uk/page/year-1/20238

In RE, our new topics are "Galilee to Jerusalem" and "Desert to Garden".

In "Galilee to Jerusalem" we learn about Jesus in childhood and adulthood:

- the presentation of Jesus in the Temple

- Finding Jesus in the Temple

- Jesus sharing His mission and choosing His Disciples

- Jesus welcoming children

- Jesus and Zacchaeus

In "Desert to Garden" we learn about:

- temptations in the desert

- Jesus goes to Jerusalem

- the Last Supper

- Jesus dies on the cross

- Jesus rose from the dead.

General Reminders…

• The children will be doing PE on Tuesday and Thursday. Please ensure your child has their PE kit in school and that all items are clearly labelled. We encourage children to practise getting dressed at home to help them get changed quickly in school!
• Any letters or reply slips, which need to be returned, can be put in your child’s book bag. The children are encouraged to check them each morning and give things in at registration time.
• The children should bring their own water bottle every day which they can access throughout the day and they can refill their water when necessary. Please make sure your child’s name is written clearly on their water bottle.
• The children will be provided with a healthy snack at play time.

Keeping in Touch

If you have any questions/concerns/worries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for all of your support.

Mrs McGowan