Homework  

Each week, children are expected to learn their spellings which will be sent home on a Friday. The spelling test will then be the following Friday. Pupils will have to bring back their homework folders and reading books every Wednesday.  

PE   

In year 1, the PE day is a Monday and Tuesday. Forest School every Wednesday for the Spring 1 half term.  

Please ensure that your child comes to school wearing school uniform and they will then change in school.   

Trips  

This half term we will be visiting Horniman Museum on the 7th February 2025.  

Key Times  

For Year 1, the school day will begin at 8.30, and end at 3.30. Please ensure your child is on time as we start phonics lesson at 8.50am.  

English  

In English, we will be reading ‘Mama Panya’s Pancakes’, ‘Peace and Last’ and ‘Dragon Dance’.  From these, the children will write a set of instructions, retell a Story and write a poem. 

Maths  

In maths, we will be focusing on addition and subtractions within 20 and Place Value within 20.  Pupils will learn to count within 20, finding and making number bonds within 20. Subtracting ones using number bonds. Making doubles and near doubles. 

Science  

In science, we are focusing on everyday materials 2. Pupils will learn to: 

• distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made  

• identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock  

• describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials  

•      compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties.   

Geography  

In Geography, will be focusing on What’s around our school. Pupils will learn to: 

• Use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language [for example, near and far; left and right], to describe the location of features and routes on a map. 

• Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic Symbols in a key 

• Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment. 

History  

Our topic this half term is ‘How have toys and games changed’? The children will learn about changes within living memory revealing aspects of social change in national life. 

• What are toys like today? How do I find out about toys in the past? 

• How are my family’s toys different to mine? 

• How were toys made in the past? 

• How have toys changed over time? 

RE  

In RE this half term, we will be learning about ‘Do Muslims get a sense of belonging from going to a mosque?’ Pupils will learn to: 

• Discuss and present thoughtfully their own and others’ views on challenging questions about belief, meaning, purpose and truth 

• Pupils will apply ideas of their own in different forms including reasoning, art, and discussion 

• Understand the challenges of faith or belief, suggesting why events may not have to have happened to have meaning to those communities that take meaning from them 

• What happens in a mosque? 

• Who are Muslims and what do they believe? 

Computing  

This half term the children our topic will be looking at programming. Pupils will look at setting commands by using their understanding of direction.  

Art  

In art, the children will be introduced to painting. Pupils will learn to: 

• to use poster paints and a variety of tools to create a painting 

• to use painting as a medium to share their ideas, imagination, and experiences 

• to begin to develop an understanding of art and design painting techniques including colour, shape, and line 

• to know about the work of great artists (Piet Mondrian) and make links to their own work. 

Mandarin  

In Mandarin, the topic this half term is about to learn saying numbers in Mandarin.  

PSHE  

In PSHE we will be learning about Living in the Wider World-Famous Campaigners for BAME Rights. Pupils will learn about: 

• What is a community? What communities do we belong to? Do we all belong to the same communities? 

• How am I similar to others? How am I different? 

• Are different communities treated the same? 

• Who was Asquith Xavier? 

• Who was Paul Stephenson? 

• Do people still experience unfair treatment today? 

PE  

In Spring 1 children will be learning how to: 

• master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing, and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities 

Music  

Our topic this half term is Creepy-crawly Rhythms. Pupils will learn to: 

• play tuned and untuned instruments musically 

• listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music 

• experiment with, create, select, and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music. 

DT 

In DT the topic in Spring 1 is Fruit Salads. Pupils will learn to: 

• design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria  

• generate, develop, model, and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology  

• select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing] 

• explore and evaluate a range of existing products  

• evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria