Year 1 Learning Updates
'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' Innovation
Term 4, Week 3 & 4
Over the last few weeks we have been learning the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Each class created a story map and then learnt and rehearse the story until they knew it by heart, using actions to help them. The children used fantastic story language when reciting the story each day.
Each class then discussed the different features of a narrative text, including characters and settings. After that they discussed how they could change the story of T3BBG to make an innovated version. Each class chose different characters to reinvent the story.
Finally, the children learnt their new 'Innovated' story and wrote it themselves over a few days.
Below is Darwin's story map. Before and after the innovation process.
Little Red Riding Hood
Term 4, Week 1
Little Red Riding Hood left her basket and a letter for us in each of our Year 1 classrooms this week. Her letter contained instructions for us to follow which led us to different clues and eventually to a map of how to get to Granny's house. The children used this map to write instructions for Little Red who was finding the map hard to follow.
In the instruction writing they used time words, like first, next and after that as well as bossy words (imperative verbs), like turn, jump and hop.
Gymnastics - Travelling Shapes
Term 4
This term in our indoor PE lessons we have been learning about and moving in different ways by creating different shapes with our bodies. The children have travelled on the mats as well as using different pieces of apparatus. They have learnt related vocabulary like tuck, straddle and egg roll.
Africa Day
Monday 5th February 2023
We were so lucky to be joined by Anna and Damilie from the African Experience for the whole day on Monday. The children had an amazing day and learnt lots about Africa and African culture.
Each class:
- Took part in an interactive African storytelling session
- Learnt about African tribal masks and designed their own tribal mask using paints and cotton buds
- Learnt about and created their own tribal necklace
- Had a question and answer time with Anna
- Took part in an African dance session
- Took part in an African drumming session where they learn about base and tone
We're Going on a Lion Hunt
Term 3, Week 5
This week we have been learning, rehearsing and rewriting the story 'We're Going on a Lion Hunt'. We compared the story to the familiar text 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' too.
We learnt the story language and put actions to the words to help us remember. We then sequenced the events in order.
After this we rewrote the story (see examples below).
We all completed super rewrites of this familiar text.
Computing
Term 3 - Week 2
This week in computing, we took photographs on the iPads and on a hand held camera. We compared the experiences that we had with both and discussed the positive and negative features of both. The children decided that the iPad was better and easier for them to take photographs on.
We also logged onto Purple Mash to create a text and picture document. The children edited their text font, size and colour. They also drew and/or inserted pictures from the program clipart.
Place Value with 20
Term 3 - Week 2
This week we have been looking at numbers between 11 and 20. We have been learning how to partition and make up these numbers using tens and ones. We have also looked at different representations of the same number using resources like Numicon, dienes and twenty frames with counters.
We have used familiar language like more and less to compare the numbers that we have been looking at.
Hanukkah Celebration Day
13th December 2023
We took part in a Hanukkah workshop lead by Claudia Goodman today where we learnt all about why and how Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah. They children were able to ask questions and took part in a range of activities.
We also went to the whole school assembly.
Diwali Day
15th November 2023
Year 1 had a fantastic day learning all about Diwali. The children took part in a Diwali dance PE session where they copied movements that were linked to the different traditions for the day's celebrations. They then attended an assembly delivered by two Hindu ladies from the community after which they had the opportunity to ask questions.
In the afternoon the children took part in a range of Diwali craft activities and learnt all about Rangoli, henna and the story of Rama and Sita.
Computing
Term 2 - Week 2
This week the children discussed different technologies that we use in everyday life. We also talked about the different uses for these devices.
The children were taught to access the iPads independently and they learnt how to open and use the Purple Mash app. This involved them using their own individual username and password to log into their own areas, accessing their set tasks, changing the font, size and colour of text and changing their own avatars.
Our Nativity
As you are aware we have started to practise our Year 1 Nativity now. It is called Baarmy Bethlehem and is the story of three sheep and their take on Bethlehem at the time that Jesus was born. We can't wait for you all to come and see it!
Colour mixing
Term 1 - Week 5
This week the children explored colour mixing using paint in the primary colours.
They were able to mix two colours together to find out what secondary colours they could make. They had lots of fun doing this!
Fantastic Forest Schools
Term 1 - September 2023
Our Year 1 children have all now had the opportunity to experience forest schools with Mrs Chapman (our forest school teacher). They have enjoyed the range of different activities that they have taken part in so far, especially drinking hot chocolate. As you can see in the photos below there are activities linked to many different areas of the curriculum including maths, science, art and English.
Splendid Storytelling
W/C 25th September 2023
This week, in our English lessons, we have been learning the story 'How Tortoise Got His Shell'. The children have added their own actions to help them remember the story. They have also created a class story map with their class teachers to remind them of the sequence of events. Please show your child the class story map below and ask them to retell the story to you. Remind them to show you the actions for the different story language.
All about numbers
Term 1 - Week 2, 3 and 4
In our maths lessons we have been learning about number to 10.
We have been counting on and back from a given number (we even made rockets to help us with our counting back), matching numerals to amounts, representing numbers in different ways, learning and matching the number words to amount and numerals and much more.
Academic Year 2022-23
The learning below is from the previous academic year.
Maths Escape Experience
Term 5 Week 6
On Tuesday this week we had a fantastic time solving shape problems in our maths escape experience. The children were asked to solve a range of puzzles and problems together using flat shapes. We were so impressed with the teamwork and problem solving skills.
Signs of Spring
Term 5 Week 3
In Science we have been looking at Seasonal Change. As part of our learning we went for a walk around the school grounds to look for signs of spring. We then discussed these further in class.
Some of the things we spotted were:
- tadpoles in the pond
- wildflowers growing in the grass
- a nest in a tree
- green leaves growing on trees and bushes
- flowers starting to grow
We have also been observing the weather daily so that we can discuss the spring weather patterns.
Transport Through Time
Term 5 Week 1 and 2
We started our topic by looking at air travel and how it has evolved over time starting with the first hot air balloon to take to the sky in France. The children discussed and ordered the different transport. They then matched the facts to the different types of transport in groups.
Pop-up Day
Term 4 Week 5
As part of our Design and Technology this term, the children created a pop-up page linked to the story 'Three Billy Goats Gruff'. First they explored a variety of pop-up mechanisms and decided which would work best for their pop-up page. They then tested levers before creating the final one for their page. After that they attached the lever to their story backgrounds. Finally they attached their trolls to the lever. The children analysed their pop-up pages afterwards and discussed what they liked about their designs and what they could have done better.
