Welcome to Year 1

The Year 1 Team Mrs Cathy Jameson- Teacher of class CJ Mrs Pam Smith – Teacher of class PS/HR on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mrs Hilary Rodgers – Teacher of class PS/HR on Thursdays and Fridays. Mrs Elaine Lyon – Year 1 Teaching Assistant.

Moving from Reception to Year 1 In Year 1 we try very hard to make the transition from Reception to Year 1 as easy and smooth for the children as possible. However, we do encourage the children to develop their responsibility and independence. We encourage the children to walk into school on their own and to sort out their own coats, lunch boxes, afternoon fruit, book bags and water bottles. We also encourage the children to remember to give us any correspondence from home. Although we ask the children every day if they have got any letters or dinner money for us we do not check in their book bags.

Book Bags and Reading Books Please can your child bring his/her book bag to school every day as we use them as a safe way of transporting letters and homework. Your child has been bringing home 2 reading books and these are at a reading level below the stage they are reading in school so that they do not struggle with them but enjoy reading them to you. One of these books your child has chosen and the other one has been chosen for them. We change reading books every Thursday . Please remember, you may also choose books from The Castle.

Homework We give the children homework on a regular basis All of the homework activities will be follow up work to the lessons we have been teaching in school that week. Most homework will need to be completed and returned by the following Friday but we will let you know when projects will need to be returned to school. Different types of homework:- An activity to be written in their homework book. An activity to be completed on a worksheet – please do not stick these in the book but keep them separate. To talk to their family about their ideas so that they are able to use them in their writing the following week. To find something out. To learn a spelling pattern. A project.

Numeracy in Year One In the beginning of Term One we have been consolidating and building on the Foundation Stage curriculum. In order to progress, children need to be secure with the basic building blocks of number such as; Counting on from 0-20 and beyond (chanting names, counting objects, writing numbers in order, correctly formed without reversals) Counting back from 20 and beyond (names, objects, writing) Knowing 1 more or 1 less than a number within 20 or beyond. Comparing numbers to 20 and beyond – which is greater, smaller, more, less, inbetween? Counting in tens from 0 to 100 and back (starting at any point e.g. 50, 60, …) Counting in 2s from 0 to 20

Moving on…. There are many other areas of Numeracy that we will be looking at now and in the coming weeks. The most important areas are pattern and order in number, addition and subtraction. Adding by counting on from the biggest number Knowing that addition can be done in any order e.g. 3+7, 7+3 Recording number sentences When given a total, work out number sentences e.g. how can I split 10 objects into 2 groups? Can I find different ways? Can I find a pattern? Subtraction as counting back. Developing speed and accuracy. We also cover; money, length, time, data handling, 2d shape, 3d shape, pattern and problem solving across all areas

How do we teach Numeracy? Numeracy is taught practically in a variety of ways, with a range of teaching styles to help all children gain the most from the lessons. “Bitesize” – some Numeracy is taught in short 10-15 minute blocks. For example, writing numbers within 20, 50, 100 at a good pace, mental Maths involving number patterns, addition, subtraction. Group lessons Whole class teaching where appropriate Independent / group practical tasks Outdoor activities ICT Opportunities to reinforce skills and to choose new activities or repeat them In separate classes or as a year 1 unit Homework!

Things to do at home to help your child Develop your child’s Numeracy skills by including numbers and counting in their daily routine. Ideas include: counting the steps as they walk to school looking at the numbers on the doors of houses along the road etc Setting the table and working out how many pieces of cutlery are needed Playing with their teddies to count eyes and limbs in 2’s Playing board games to learn to count on Playing dominoes Playing card games

Literacy in Year One In Literacy, as with Maths, we have been consolidating and building on the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Reading: For children to progress with their Reading they need to be secure with their Phonics, Keywords and word building skills. The children have daily practise using word cards and PowerPoint presentations. They also read with an adult 3 or 4 times a week. Writing: We are currently working on correct letter formation and pencil grip with handwriting practise 3 times a week. Phonics: Children continue to be taught their phonics in appropriate ability groups on a daily basis.

Next Steps in Literacy To develop alphabet work using the names and sounds of each letter To use vowels as sounds To begin simple sentence dictation to continue to develop sentence conventions of capital letter, finger spaces and full stop as well as spelling regular words and taught tricky words Rhyming work, rhythm in words and early poetry

Things to do at home to help your child Keep practising the sounds in their pink sound books. Listen to your child read their books and discuss the pictures and the story with them to develop their understanding of the text. Develop your child’s awareness of print by pointing out road signs, notices in shops etc. Read their keywords, copy and cut up the word lists to make into games. Sing or recite nursery rhymes Encourage your child to write at home. E.g. shopping lists; labels; messages; stories; When your child is writing please check that their pencil grip is correct and secure and that their letter/number formation is correct as bad habits are very hard to break!

Other Curriculum areas Many of the other subject areas in Year 1 are taught in themes. This term our theme is ‘All About Me’. Many of the activities for our themes involve practical resources and we also set up play opportunities throughout the week for your children to extend and revisit their learning. Therefore when you ask your child what they have done at school today ‘Played’ is an honest reply. Instead ask a more direct question such as “What did you do in maths, or PE or ICT ……” instead.

Before and After School If you need to speak to a member of the Year 1 team we are always available before and after school and will be happy to help you. We would appreciate it if you could send us a note if your child is being collected by a different adult than who usually collects them. We hope that this information has been helpful and thank you for listening.