Year 1 Class News

Yorkshire Dance virtual dance workshops

Yesterday, all classes took part in dance workshops, led by dance artist Ellen, as part of the Yorkshire Dance RE:FRESH dance festival.

From Reception to Year 6, all the children copied, explored and performed different dance moves in their workshops.

While we can’t have visitors in school at the moment, this was a great virtual project we could get involved with.

Here are some comments from the Year 1 children.

I loved it because of all the moves we did.

I loved it because I like all the animals.

I liked to see you smiling.

It was amazing and you were amazing, Ellen.

Living and Learning:NSPCC Speak out. Stay safe.

This half term, we were due to welcome a NSPCC representative and Buddy to school for their Speak out. Stay safe. assembly but instead we took part in the online assembly.

During the assembly, we heard about different situations where children might not feel safe.

We thought about which grown-ups would be good to talk to in school and out of school (start telling other people). Brothers, sisters and friends would also be good to talk to and to listen to how the children might be feeling but telling a grown-up would be the best thing to do to get help.

Our Living and Learning box, in the classroom, is another way the children can speak out and write down any worries.

We also heard about Childline – ask your child to show you the way to remember the number.

Finally, Buddy Zone, on the Childline website, has some games and activities for the children to do.

Maths

Not all heroes wear capes day Thursday 1 April

As part of our current History topic, ‘Heroes’, Key Stage 1 are having a ‘Not All Heroes Wear Capes’ themed day on Thursday 1 April.
Throughout this topic, we are learning about real life heroes, past and present. The topic is not about fictional superheroes. Instead, we have been exploring real heroes in everyday life (emergency service workers and influential heroes such as Sir Tom Moore, Nelson Mandela and Leonora Cohen).

As the children missed World Book Day, and the chance to dress up as their favourite book character, we thought this would be a great opportunity for children to come to school dressed up as a hero. It could even be someone that you know personally and consider a hero.

Please consider the following:

• instead of having the expense of buying anything new, have fun creating your hero outfit
• no face paint
• make sure their costume does not need support from an adult during the day eg when they go to the toilet
• look at the ideas below to support you in thinking of a hero or a costume think about heroes in our history and everyday heroes and not fictional superheroes

If you would like any more ideas, please feel free to talk to contact us.

History: Inspirational people

This term, our history topic is all about two inspiring, significant individuals. The children are learning who these people were, what they believed in and what changed because of them. Throughout the topic, the children will use words and phrases relating to time and chronology (eg old, new, past, a very long time ago, present, ancient, modern).

With each topic, we have vocabulary for the children to learn and use. Here are the words and their definitions for this history based topic. Ask your child about these words at home – can they remember what they mean?

• equality – being treated fairly and having the same chances in life
• rights – the basic things people need to live (eg food, housing) and reach their potential ( eg education, safety)
• apartheid – a system that keeps people apart, usually because of different skin colour
• racism – treating people differently because of the colour of their skin, their religious beliefs or their culture
• suffragette – a woman who campaigned for the right for women to vote
• protest – people coming together to show others that they are against an idea or an event
• impact – a strong and powerful effect on something or someone
• belief – a strongly held opinion that something is right

Throughout history, lots of people around the world have faced discrimination – where they are treated differently because of their race, skin colour, gender, age and lots of other things, too. Sadly, it still happens to this day! But there are some amazing people who have worked hard to make a change for better, and help us move towards a world where everyone is treated fairly and equally. One such person is Nelson Mandela.

The children were totally immersed in the learning and there were lots of questions about the apartheid laws. Ask your child about this.

Why were black people treated differently?

How long did Nelson Mandela go to prison for?

Suffragettes

Plants

Our new science topic this half term is…

With each topic, we have vocabulary for the children to learn and use. Here are the words and their definitions for this topic. We often make up actions to match the words to help us remember them. Ask your child about these words at home – can they remember what they mean?

Our first lesson back in school was to learn about the parts of a plant. This video helps to understand the different parts and what their jobs are.

Can your child name the parts of the plant shown below?

The class worked in groups to compose their own plant made up of all the different parts.

We’re also taking part in the Grow your own potatoes project.

The first job was to plant the potatoes.

We’ll be observing the potatoes as the plants start to grow.

Finally, if there are any budding gardeners in the class, this article gives some ideas for children to do at home.

Football skills

In PE today. the children were learning some football skills. After mastering keeping control of the ball, the class then learnt how to stop the ball.

With a partner, the children practiced passing the ball and using their feet to switch the direction of the pass to another player.

We will be doing our PE lessons outside (if the weather allows) so please ensure your child has an outdoor kit with suitable footwear.

Welcome back

Today, we were able to welcome our children back into class. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces first thing this morning. The children have had a great day and have all settled back into school life. We started our day by sharing our feelings and emotions.  Following this, we have had a fairly relaxed day and have spent a lot of time chatting and catching up with each other.

Here are a few quotes from the children.

I’m so happy to see my friends.

I’m looking forward to being able to play with my friends.

I have missed my teachers.

I feel excited but a little bit nervous ,too!

I feel really proud of all the home learning I managed to do!

My family are very proud of me.

I feel really cool to be back at school.

Please can you return your child’s reading books, library books and home learning books as soon as possible – thank you.

Back to school

We’re excited for all the class to be back in school this week.

Here’s a few things to remember.

Please do take time to read the daily news messages for more information about our reopening including the parents’ guide.

PE will continue to be on Tuesday and Thursday so children will need to come in their outdoor PE kit on those days.

Please bring any reading books, library books and your child’s reading record book from home. We’ll be sending books home on a Monday and Thursday and children will visit the school library on Mondays.

Finally, we’d love to see your child’s home learning book so please send this to school. After we’ve had a look through it, we’ll keep it at school until the summer when your child will bring home all of their learning books.

We made it!

Nine weeks of home learning later and we are ready to welcome back the children this week.

It’s been great to see the children have been working hard at home right until the end. Well done, Year 1 – we are very proud of how you have adapted over this strange time. We’d also like to send a big thank you to all your adults at home who have supported you.

Here’s a selection of this week’s learning.

Finally, here are the Lexia and Numbots certificates for this week.

Lexia

Elena

Numbots

Nate (Tin and Brass)