Welcome back to all of our Year 1 children and families! I hope you have had a wonderful Easter break filled with love and joy. We are looking forward to an exciting and busy term ahead—our final term in Year 1!
Our whole school theme, “The Treasure Within,” continues this term. This theme is underpinned by the Catholic Social Teaching of Human Dignity and supports our ‘BRW Spirit Strong’ motto. We will continue to focus on the treasures we hold, encouraging the children to share these special qualities with one another in our class community.
Religious Education (RE):
RE remains at the heart of our learning. This year, we are following the “To Know You More Clearly” curriculum. This term, we will be covering the following topics:
Desert to Garden:
We will explore stories from the life of Jesus. The children will learn that angels bring God’s messages and are a sign of His presence. We will also encounter symbols used in prayer and liturgy.
To the End of the Earth:
We will learn and retell the story of the Road to Emmaus, as well as the Ascension. The children will also hear and celebrate the words of the Glory Be prayer, reflecting on how prayer is an important part of life for many people.
This term, we will go on an exciting learning journey, giving us the opportunity to expand our knowledge and develop new skills.
English:
We will be using our Talk for Writing strategies to retell the classic fairy tales “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “The Day the Crayons Quit.” These stories will also inspire our creative writing. The children will rewrite Jack and the Beanstalk, innovating parts of the story to make it their own.
We will use The Day the Crayons Quit as inspiration to write a letter to Mrs Maylard-Mason. Alongside this, we will be writing a fact file about the Great Fire of London.
We will continue to use our phonics skills to support our spelling, while focusing on capital letters, full stops, and finger spaces. Daily handwriting practice will also continue to ensure letters are formed correctly.
Maths:
Our focus this term will be on place value within 50 and 100, multiplication and division, as well as learning about money and time.
Wider Topics:
Science:
We will be exploring plants, learning what they need to survive and grow.
Geography:
Linked to our topic theme ‘Bright Lights, Big City’, we will be learning all about London. The children will explore the physical and human features of our capital city, as well as using maps to locate London.
History:
Also linked to our topic, we will be learning about the Great Fire of London. We will explore why it is such an important historical event and how it changed London forever.
Physical Education (PE):
Our PE lessons are very exciting this term. We will be taking part in yoga with Mrs Bathgate, as well as developing our team-building and ball control skills through basketball.
How To Help At Home
How to Help at Home
Reading:
Please ensure your child brings their reading book and diary to school every day. Try to listen to your child read daily and leave a comment in their reading diary. Your child will also take part in guided reading sessions each week. Reading stories to your child at home is a wonderful way to encourage a love of books—regular visits to the library can also help them explore a wide range of stories.
PE:
Please ensure your child always has the correct PE kit in school. This term, children will need an indoor kit (white t-shirt and black shorts) and an outdoor kit (warm joggers or leggings, a sweatshirt or hoodie, and trainers).
Homework:
Please support your child in completing their weekly homework challenges. This will usually include a maths task, reading, and spellings. Spelling tests will take place every Wednesday, and new homework will be sent home on this day.
Uniform:
Please ensure that every item of clothing is clearly labelled with your child’s name. This helps us return any lost items quickly and easily.
Useful Websites:
https://www.teachyourmonster.org/
Phonics and reading activities in a fun and interactive way.
A fun website to develop mathematical recall and fluency in addition and subtraction. regular homework will be set using this website.
Mathletics United Kingdom | Empowering Maths Learning Online
A fun website to help consolidate the learning done in school. Weekly homework will be set on this website.
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to speak to me either before or after the school day. Alternatively please phone or email the office to arrange an appointment at a convenient time.
Mrs Hudson
