Year 1 would like to say…….
As we approach the end of a very different autumn term, the children would like to share a few messages with you all.
First of all, as parents haven’t been able to come into school to see what’s been happening in our history topic, the children wanted to share a very special song. This song is about the events of The Great Fire of London and includes some Makaton symbols and signs. Makaton is similar to sign language and aids communication and speech. By using Makaton, the children (and adults) were able to take a more active part in the song. We have been very impressed with how quickly the class learnt the actions to fit the song. We hope you enjoy it.
September 1666
Performed by Year 1 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pepWlCv4LSuDfYcy7LTU25-ly3uo3zcf?usp=sharing
Next, the children thought about some very special messages. They were asked to think about sending a wish to people, who are important, in their lives.
I wish ………..
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ih2JfJ4Bsu4FcmOCmPL_mW83gTK9OeBc?usp=sharing
Finally, we would all like to say a huge well done to all the children in Year 1. Over the term, we have seen the children mature, gain confidence, improve their learning and all with smiles on their faces. Year 1 staff are immensely proud of each and every child. We thank you all for your continued support and regular communications.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday! 
Science: Healthy me
This half term, our science topic has been about animals (including humans).
Here is the vocabulary linked to the topic. Ask your child about these words and what they mean. They might even remember the actions we’ve made to help them learn these.
Being healthy has been an important part of this science learning including keeping clean (including the importance of hand hygiene), good nutrition (based on the Eat Well Guide) and exercising.
As the World Health Organisation publishes Every move counts towards better health, Year 1 enjoy trying to get their active 30 minutes at school every day. From skipping ropes at playtime to laps around the playground for brain breaks and from Super Movers active maths videos to physical activity challenges in our shared area.
Finally, this video and Once There Were Giants by Martin Waddell helped us to understand animal and human life cycles.
There are some great scientists in Year 1 and we’ve been very impressed with their learning throughout this topic.
Living and Learning: relationships
Our Living and Learning theme this term has been relationships. Year 1 have been learning about different aspects of relationships including families and those who care for us, caring friendships and respectful relationships.
The Family book by Todd Parr supported our learning about the importance of families and that families are sometimes different to their own families.
When learning about our special people, we discussed that, at the moment, we can’t always see some of these special friends and family. Despite this, we thought of different ways to show we care for them.
Finally, throughout this topic we have been learning about how to seek help if the children have a worry about any of their relationships. This has been through the concept of Start Telling Other People. The children have discussed who they might tell and this could include a friend, a family member, an adult at school or writing it in our Living and Learning box.
We hope this learning helps the class with their day to day relationships.
Living and Learning: PANTS (the underwear rule)
In our Living and Learning lesson today, we have been discussing the NSPCC’s Underwear Rule and this week, our reading fluency text has been the ‘PANTS’ acrostic, which stands for:
More information about the Underwear Rule, including a short film and a parent guide can be found here including a parent guide for you to follow up this learning at home.
Year One Reenact The Great Fire of London.
To celebrate the end of our Great Fire of London topic, Year One historians created their very own 1666 Tudor street. As the children placed their model houses in a line across the playground, they made sure there were no gaps between the buildings.
Ask your child why.
Then, it was time for the fire!
Ask your child where the fire began. 
We watched in amazement as the flames spread from house to house. Every single building was destroyed!
Ask your child why the fire spread so quickly.
Then, we noticed a gap in the houses. The army used gunpowder to blow up some of the houses.
Ask your child why.
Ask your child what happened to the fire and what is this called.
We have been really impressed by the children’s enthusiasm and increasing knowledge about this important event in history.
Ask your child why history is important.
Well done, Year One!
Christmas songs
A couple of songs for you to enjoy. Fingers crossed that the link works! 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jWtNx9RcwDG0grwwZQ7frQ_9nBr8gUME/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j_cwoovkWtwUlNJuqtJn5pM0SxnOOqXr/view?usp=sharing
Santa dash
On Friday, the whole school took part in the School Games National Santa Dash 2020.
Phonics in Year 1
Recently, there was a parent Zoom session on phonics. In case you were unable to attend and you would like to know more, the sessions have been recorded and are available to view.
- Phonics video 1 – supports parents with children in Foundation 2 (Reception) who are learning phonics at Phase 2.
- Phonics video 2 – supports parents with children in Foundation 2 (Reception) and Year 1 who are learning phonics at Phases 3, 4 and 5, and information about the phonics screening check which takes place towards the end of Year 1.
Links to the two videos are also on our dedicated phonics page.
For your information, in Year 1, we are currently completing phonics at Phase 4 and after Christmas we will begin Phase 5. There’s lots of information here about the new sounds we will be learning and some we already know, for example ‘ai’, but with different graphemes, for example a-e, ay, a, ey, ea, aigh and eigh.
We have been very impressed with the children’s progress with phonics this term. Understanding phonics is the basis for your child’s reading and writing. Please do ask if you would like any more support about your child’s phonics learning.
A surprise visitor to Year 1
This morning, Year 1 had a message from a very special person.
Dear Children,
My favourite song is ‘Jingle Bells.’
I hear that you have been singing this s0ng and playing some instruments. I have left two special musical instruments, that sound just like the bells on my sleigh, inside your lovely doll’s house. Please can you use them when you sing my favourite song? It would make me very happy indeed!
Merry Christmas
from
It appears the culprit was captured on the school cameras!
Santa dash Friday 11 December
