Year 1 and 2

Reminders

Monday- Homework due in and spelling test.

Wednesday- Homework and spellings sent home

PE kit needed

Friday- Library books to be changed

This academic year, Reading is a whole school focus. Reading is an essential core skill which underpins learning in all areas of the curriculum. Our challenge as a school is to develop a deep rooted love of reading. To do this we will share a range of engaging texts with the children, provide opportunities for peer reading sessions, independent reading, book days and inviting parents in to share books with their children.  Please ensure that you read with your child, ideally every day and as a minimum of three times per week. The reason for this is that children in KS1 need constant reinforcement to develop their fluency and comprehension skills. Write any notes in their home readers and the days which you have read with your child. Your comments and observations in this record diary are so valuable and helpful for us in supporting your child’s reading development. The home readers should be brought in every day and we will endeavor to change their books once they have finished the book.

Topic

We have two new topics for this term. They will form the basis for our learning in History, Geography, Art and D & T. We will be linking our Science with topic this term. It will also form the stimulus for much of our Literacy work. 

In the first half term we will be studying ‘Bright Lights, Big City’. We are excited by the topic because it allows the children a greater understanding of our wonderful capital city and all it entails. The children will be learning all about London and its geography, the Queen and her history and also about the Great Fire of London! 

In the second half term we are going to join the pirates with our  ‘Land Ahoy! topic.’ We will be looking at the geography of the Earth's oceans and everything to do with pirates! 

Literacy

Our Literacy sessions are based on our topic for the half term. We will be finding out about London and researching many aspects of the city and its most famous landmarks. We will be focusing on a range of fun and enthralling texts based on London, both fiction and non fiction! We will encourage the children to attempt a range of literacy genres in their writing. Our focus will be to encourage the children to work on their cursive handwriting. 

Numeracy

This term our focus will be division, statistics and shape. We will be delivering our maths through the White Rose scheme, which focuses on problem solving and reasoning. 

Science

Science will be taught through our two topics for this term. The children will be involved in investigations and theories relating to the topics. They will have an opportunity to have a hands on approach as we teach this subject!

Computing

We will be focusing on how to safely use the internet to research different topics. The children will learn how to use a key word to search for information. We will learn how to use the new VR sets to explore London and its landmarks. 

PSHCE

Our PSHCE topic is 'Getting on and Falling Out'. This topic allows the children to think about their relationships in and out of school and how they can change the way they deal with problems to produce a more positive outcome. 

RE

In RE we will be looking at Buddhism and the story  of the Buddha. We will explore the history of the religion and discuss how different aspects of Buddhism are relevant to our lives today. 

PE

Our PE focus will be invigorating and exciting for the children. One session will be focused on our Bright Lights Big City topic, alongside Energ!se, an external coaching provider to enrich the children’s physical development. Our PE days this term will be on Wednesdays. Please ensure that your child has a named PE kit in school all week. This is a white T-shirt, black shorts and indoor pumps. 

Music

Our Music theme is songs and tunes based on London and city life. We will learn songs such as London Bridge is Falling Down and many others. We will practise finding the pulse and rhythm in our focus song. We will learn to sing the focus song and add instruments to it. 

Home Learning

Home Learning will consist of the Literacy and Maths books that you and your child are already familiar with. The Numeracy and Literacy books will be given out on a Wednesday and are due back on a Monday. 

Spellings will be given out on a Wednesday to be tested the following Monday.

Reading is a vital aspect of your child’s ongoing progress in both developing their reading skills, but also in enhancing their understanding of the text and improving their writing skills. Please ensure that you read with your child at least three times per week minimum, and write any notes in their home readers. Your comments and observations in this record diary is very informative and helpful for us in supporting your child’s reading development. The home readers should be brought in every day and we will change their books regularly.

Parent Partnership

We are looking forward to seeing you at Parents’ evenings (dates to be confirmed). If you have any immediate concerns or issues, please contact us and we will arrange a suitable time to meet after school.