A busy week
There has been no relaxing this week – loads of learning and some unusual visitors.
Art and maths
This week, Year 1 have been using a piece of artwork, on loan from Leeds Art Gallery, to inspire our literacy and maths.
In maths, we looked at the different lines on the drawing, in particular parallel lines. After looking at examples of parallel lines in real life such as train tracks, running tracks and flags, we had a look for some ourselves.
We then got to work creating our own examples of parallel lines.
Some of the final versions will be displayed in the hall, very soon.
Future goal keepers?
In PE this half term Year 1 are taking part in the Leeds United Foundation Take it to the kids coaching scheme. Ian, our coach, along with some footballing apprentices began our lessons by developing goal-keeping skills. We focussed on sending, receiving and manoevering the ball with partners. Next week, we hope the weather will improve and we can be outside so please ensure your child has their outdoor PE kit for this lesson.
Do you use the vampire technique?
As part of our focus on manners this week, Year 1 have been mastering the ‘vampire method’. I cover my mouth (when I cough, sneeze or yawn) is our weekly statement so we looked at why this method can help to prevent germs spreading. By coughing or sneezing into our elbow, germs are not spread into the air or on our hands which may contaminate other things.
Don’t forget to ‘use your sleeve to cough and sneeze’.
Our new SEAL theme for this half-term is…
…’Relationships’.
We begin the half term with a focus on manners: I cover my mouth (when I cough, sneeze or yawn) is our statement for this week. Children, and adults, will be taught the ‘vampire method’ for coughs and sneezes in order to prevent the spread of germs – ‘use your sleeve to cough and sneeze’.
Following this, the Relationships theme explores feelings within the context of our important relationships including family and friends.
It aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness, managing feelings and empathy.
There is a focus throughout the theme on helping children understand the feelings associated with an experience that we all need to cope with at some time: that of loss – whether of a favourite possession, a friend, a family home, or a loved one. Although relatively few children are bereaved, most will experience losses of other kinds during their childhood; losing a home, losing friends because of moving house or changing schools, or losing a pet are examples.
We would therefore ask for parents / carers to alert us to any experiences your child has had that might make this area particularly difficult for them – for example, a bereavement.
It’s the Easter holidays…
…so we have no set homework or spellings, in line with our Homework Policy.
That doesn’t mean we expect your child not to be developing their skills in reading, writing and maths!
Your child should be reading daily – this could be fiction, factual books, a comic or newspaper, and could include being read to at bedtime, too.
It would be good to practise basic skills in writing by writing a letter or email to a relative, perhaps recounting a day-trip or reviewing a film your child watched.
We’re finding quite a few children are ‘squashing their sentences’ such as I went to Leeds City Museum it was really interesting which is wrong. It would be much better with punctuation to separate or a word to join:
- I went to Leeds City Museum. It was really interesting. (A comma isn’t strong enough to separate two sentences.)
- I went to Leeds City Museum – it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum; it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum and it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum which was really interesting.
Finally, to improve calculation skills, please keep practising mental number facts which your child must know:
- number bonds (two numbers which add up to 10, 20 and 100 eg 3+7, 13+7, 30+70) – these facts should be known by children in Y1 – Y2
- times tables (up to 12×12) and the division facts with your child – children in Y2 should have rapid recall of x2, x 5 and x 10 at least
We know we mention these ‘basics’ a lot, but that’s because they involve practice, practice and more practice – we practise a lot at school, but your child will need to practise at home, too, if they are to truly succeed.
Learn more about current expectations for reading, writing and maths. However, do be aware that a new National Curriculum comes into effect from September, meaning these expectations have been raised and so many aspects of learning now feature in younger age groups.
Have you always wanted to be a superhero?
Have you always wanted to be a superhero?
Do you know what your super power would be?
Go to Moor Allerton Library on Tuesday 27 May from 2.30 – 3.30 pm and meet an author, Jason Beresford. Discover the adventures of the Fabulous Fish Finger gang.
This is a free event, no booking required.
What have you done this week?
We have been using our shared area in KS1. There have been a lot of changes in the KS1 shared area; there are challenges in phonics, maths and imaginative play. Here are some Y1 children after they decided to face the challenge in the small world area: “Create a hero basecamp near the farm and defend it from the villains.”
A sporting hero
There was a visitor in KS1 on Friday. Keith Senior, a former Leeds Rhino and England rugby player, came in to chat about his career and to answer many questions. He is a hero to many people and has worked very hard to be part of the rugby league world. He told the children that if they really want to do something, then they have to work hard and be resilient. There were lots of good questions from the children and Mr Catherall ; Mrs Weekes got an autograph for her husband who is a Leeds Rhino fan!
Loads of learning
Here is a snapshot of some of the learning that has happened in Year 1 this week: reading QR codes, making 2D shapes, sorting 3D shapes and using the Beebots to draw shapes.
