Year 1
Welcome to Year 1!
We have a very exciting year of learning ahead of us. We hope that the following information about our curriculum and routines will help you and your child settle into Beech Class.
Year 2 Teaching Team
Mrs Beesley – Class Teacher
Mrs Upton - Teaching Assistant
Mrs Robinson - Teaching Assistant (Mon/Tues)
Mrs Fleming - Teaching Assistant (Wed/Thurs/Fri)
Physical Education Reminders
P.E kits are required to be worn to school on a Monday (Dance) & Thursday (P.E.).
Homework Reminders
On a Tuesday the children will be given homework and spellings, the Homework book should be returned to school by Friday. Children should aim to read and learn spellings on a daily basis.
The children will have a weekly spelling test on a Monday, new spellings will also be issued on a Monday. Please ensure the spelling book is returned to school for lists to be updated and spelling scores to be added weekly.
Year 1 Reading
Books are issued from the schools reading scheme. Books will be changed on a Monday and Thursday of each week. Please send books into school every day so that we can also read with your child in school and update the Reading Record with reading completed at home.
Curriculum Information
This year at Kings Meadow, in a change to our curriculum, we have developed new themes and learning sequences to inspire our children that ‘LEARNING MEANS THE WORLD’! Information about our new ‘Dimensions’ Curriculum can be found in the Curriculum section of this website. The following information is specific to Year 1.
In Year 1 we are ‘PATHFINDERS’. Through our teaching, and the experiences we offer, this year our children will learn how to become:
INNOVATIVE – I can find new ways of doing things.
DECISIVE - I can respond appropriately to instructions.
CREATIVE – I can share my ideas and experiences with others and as part of a group.
INDEPENDENT – I am not afraid to ‘have a go’.
Current Curriculum Theme
“Never Eat Shredded Wheat ” is a thematic unit based around where food comes from, with a key focus on geography. It begins by looking at compass directions and locational language, before moving on to learning about continents and oceans. Physical and human geographical features are explored and the United Kingdom is then examined more closely. Using this as a context, the learning then moves on to where foods come from around the world.
Curriculum Breadth
The other subjects included in this thematic unit are art, drama, ICT / computing, literacy, maths, science, music and PSHE. Breadth comes, not only from the range of subjects covered, but also from their careful integration. Inter-disciplinary or cross-curricular learning leads to more connected thinking through a broader range of learning experiences.
Curriculum Depth
Dimensions Curriculum puts great emphasis on curriculum depth. We focus on common attributes that ensure provision of a deep curriculum and use them to underpin our thematic units. We consider these to be:- meaning and relevance; cohesion; opportunities for inquiry; development of critical, creative and high order thinking skills; integration of subjects; provision of access to information from a range of sources and viewpoints; authenticity of end products. Through elements such as ‘Making it Real!’, Catalyst Questions and Essential Learning Experiences (ELEs), teachers can then ensure a greater depth of learning.
In this unit we will cover the following objectives:
Geography
Ge2 Explore and discover where different foods come from
Ge3 Recognise and observe main human and physical features
Ge4 Recognise different types of weather and climate
Ge6 Communicate in different ways using simple geographical information and vocabulary
Ge7 Use simple field work skills
Ge8 Use globes, maps and plans
Ge9 Make simple plans
Art
Ar1 Drawing Explore the use of line, shape and colour
Ar6 Recognise pattern in the environment
Ar7 Respond to ideas
Ar8 Make changes to their own work
Ar9 Drawing Use a variety of tools, including pencils, crayons, pastels, felt tips
Computing
Give and follow instructions, which include straight and turning commands, one at a time
Explore outcomes when instructions are given in sequence
Give a simple sequence of instructions
C1 Recognise and understand that algorithms are implemented as programs on digital devices, executing by following precise and unambiguous instructions
Science
Sc1 Suggest what might happen and perform simple tests
Sc2 Explore using senses and record findings in simple ways
Sc3 Collect evidence to try to answer a question
Sc4 Make simple comparisons through observation
Sc5 Identify and classify based on simple criteria
PSHE
Learn about the importance of and reasons for bathing and showering
Understand the importance of maintaining personal hygiene
PW16 Make simple choices that improve their health and well-being e.g. healthy eating
PW17 Manage basic personal hygiene
Learn how to take care of teeth, in addition to brushing
Understand the importance of dental hygiene
Learn about the importance of effective teeth cleaning and good dental hygiene
Know about the importance of a healthy lifestyle
PW15 Make simple choices that improve their health and well-being e.g. healthy eating
Learn about where vegetables and fruit grow
Understand the social aspect of eating food together
Know that making good choices about food will improve their health and well-being
PW10 Make positive real-life choices
Drama
Dr1 Use role play to explore and engage with characters, situations and events from known stories
Dr3 Respond to other characters in role
Dr5 Use different voices in acting
Dr6 Pretend to be a character, demonstrating emotion through actions and language
Knowledge Organisers / Curriculum Letter to Parents / Carers
Please download the files below to see our current Knowledge Organiser (WHISK Sheet) and our Curriculum Letter to Parents / Carers. These will provide you with a clear overview of all the subjects and learning that will take place in your child’s current theme.