Welcome to Year 1
The teachers are Miss Watkins and Mrs Dean.
In Year 1 we currently do PE on a Tuesday, although children are required to have their PE kits in school at all times, in case they are involved in sports festivals or tournaments.
Maths homework is handed out every Friday, and is to be returned to school by the following Wednesday. We also send spelling rules home on a Monday, to be tested on Friday. A letter outlining topic homework is given out at the beginning of a new topic with the dates stated for work to be returned to school.
In Year 1, we follow the Letters and Sounds scheme in phonics. We teach phonics in streamed groups where children access the Phase of the scheme that suits their ability. We also provide children with phonics intervention, if they require further support, in preparation for the National Phonics Screening in June.
We read from various book schemes including Oxford Reading Tree, Rigby Star and Collins. When children become fluent readers, they can also access chapter books. Children have book bags which they return each day containing their organiser and reading books.
Books and organisers are collected in on Thursdays to be changed and given out on Fridays. We expect that all children read their reading books at home at least 3 times per week, and that an adult records this in their planner.
Every morning children are challenged to complete literacy activities. This is to develop their Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG). Additionally, children start their day with a friendly welcome at the door, which promotes a positive start to their day and a wake up shake up activity to keep their bodies and minds strong.
In school we promote Growth Mindset, encouraging children to take on challenges and take risks with their learning.
Every half term, Year 1 begins a new exciting project. Each project will begin with an engage activity to hook the children into their learning. For example, in the project Moon Zoom, an alien crashed in our outdoor area, or in the Enchanted Forest project boggarts were found living in wooded areas. We aim to provide an exciting visitor or trip during each project to enhance the children’s learning experiences. So far, Year 1 have investigated an alien crash, made their own moon buggy, been scientists and tested their own space rockets, got messy carving pumpkins, explored an enchanted woodland, had a visit from Dogs Trust, looked after guinea pigs for the day, went on a butterfly hunt and created a whole class tiger collage. We love to have new experiences! 
