Welcome To Year One Tuesday 10th September 2019

Year 1 Staff Miss Griffin (class teacher) Mrs Roberts (class teaching assistant) Chn entering year 1 – big transition/change. Lots of work has been going on behind the scenes between myself and Mrs Else to ensure it is a smooth transition. Children also have opportunities of learning through play in classroom (as you can see), and have opportunities to access the outdoors, further supporting that transition between EYFS and Year 1.

Routines Each morning – different members of staff will be on the door – please leave any messages or phone the school office. Please let us know if your child has been injured at home prior to arrival at school – fill in the form.

Routines continued… Toast or a crumpet can be ordered as a snack each day, please pay for this using money in a named, sealed envelope. Fruit is also available. PE kits are kept on your child’s peg, please ensure that all clothing is named. PE is on a Thursday.

Routines continued… If your child is not taking part in PE please may we ask that you send a note into school. For PE, please make sure that all earrings are removed before school or your child can take their own out.

Routines continued… Reading books and diaries to come to school daily please. We encourage the children to be responsible for bringing their diaries in themselves and any letters returned into school. If your child requires any medicine, please take it to the office and fill in the form.

Curriculum in Year 1

English

English will be linked with our topics, as well as covering the different genres of writing, such as: Instructions Poetry Postcards Recounts Stories Posters to name but a few!

Cursive Handwriting All lower case letters start from the line and swoosh in! We do NOT join CAPITAL LETTERS. Focusing on formation and joins to ensure the quality of handwriting is at the expected level.

Cursive Handwriting (con)

Reading

Reading Please write down in your child’s diary when you have heard them read. Please feel free to comment on your child’s enjoyment of the book in their reading diary. Individual Reading, Independent Reading and Guided Reading. We will listen to your child read at least once independently and twice as part of a guided group per fortnight.

Phonics

Letters and Sounds There is a daily phonics lesson. Aim – developing reading and writing skills. Your child will also have spellings sent home on a Friday - spellings are set according to their phonic lessons and English work that week. Very important to practise the spellings weekly and practise the common exception words.

Phonics Screening It is nothing to worry about! It is done by us in class time next June. It is checking all of the Letters and Sounds your child has learnt during phonics lessons. It is to check their reading skills and ability to segment and blend sounds. An information session will be held closer to the time.

Maths

Basic Maths We cover different methods when solving… Addition (CPA) Subtraction (CPA) Multiplication (arrays) Division (sharing)

Maths (continued) We will also cover a range of other units; for example: Number and Place value Fractions Shape Measure

Topics Autumn term: Once Upon a Time Spring term: Let’s Explore Outside Summer term: Light and Dark The children learn a variety of new skills whilst learning about a specific topic. If you have any expertise or knowledge in these areas then we would love to know.

Possible visits Once Upon a Time Stafford Castle Let’s Explore Outside The Park/surrounding environment. The local Library. Light and Dark A space day in school The children learn a variety of new skills whilst learning about a specific topic. If you have any expertise or knowledge in these areas then we would love to know. Visits – we will inform well in advance for payment.

Homework Your child will have daily/weekly homework to complete such as reading books, spellings and phonics practise. They will also be given a homework menu. You will need to choose 3 items from the menu to complete across a half term. Any problems – see teacher at drop in sessions – on a Wednesday (3:15 to 3:45).

Year 1 curriculum Cross curricular links – in each topic we also cover English (reading and writing) and Maths units along with covering the other non-core subjects. We try to develop independence through hands on learning (Busy Bee and 4B’s).

Intervention Do NOT be alarmed! It does not mean there is a big issue. Progress is reviewed every 10 weeks – we know your child’s ability well and how to support and extend their learning. May extend and push children as well as to support. Our curriculum is very personalised – live marking and marking conferences.

Intervention Classroom based- daily readers, own work station, additional adult input, learning prompts: number line or sound mats, bronze, silver and gold. Catch up- if lessons have been missed or concepts not fully grasped. Children will be given small group support to plug these gaps to ensure they are fully prepared for the next day’s learning. Formal Intervention-for children who are falling behind their peers. Sessions will take place weekly before being reviewed after a suitable amount of time. These sessions may be run by other members of staff. Parents will be informed as extra tasks to support learning may be given to complete at home.

Behaviour Policy Rewarding good behaviour with stickers, house points, praise texts and extra time for play. Poor behaviour – Card system - yellow/red/behaviour book/chill out zone/informing parents. Please could you ensure that your child understands that they must tell an adult when an incident has occurred.

Going Home We will match your child to you. If you are running late then please contact the school office. If you are collecting other children from a different class then we will keep your child with us until you arrive. Please inform us if someone else is collecting your child. Please let us know what nights your child goes to Spitfires our Care Club.

Getting involved! Parent Helpers – hearing children read, trips, photocopying, displays (DBS check). PTFA – supporting events or coming to the very informal meetings.

Our website You will find on our website: Topic overviews/web Policies E-Safety information Newsletter Contact information

And finally… We would like to invite you to ask any questions you may have/ explore the learning environment. Drop in sessions are on a Wednesday after school, if you would like to discuss any concerns. We look forward to working with you and your children! We are a partnership in your child’s learning journey.