Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful and wonderful holiday.

Welcome to the spring term

Elstar class have made a wonderful start to Year One and I’m sure the spring term will be just as amazing. Below is a brief overview of what we will be covering this term…

English

In the spring term, we will be learning about fantasy stories, poetry and nonfiction texts, which will include our own characters, writing our own stories and comic strips.    As part of ‘talk for writing’, Elstar class will look at stories with repeating patterns. The second half of the term, we will be focussing on imaginative fairy stories and poetry.

Once back at school children will be given new spellings to learn every Friday linked to their phonics, and will be tested the following Friday. Children’s spelling words are based on their phonics so they will be able to apply their knowledge of sounds to their spellings.

Elstar class will have daily phonics and guided reading sessions and will also take a book home every Monday and Friday to be read with a family member.  Please continue to read to your child every day, as this will enrich their spoken and written vocabulary.

Maths

In maths, we will build on our current knowledge of number and place value, addition and subtraction, shape, measure and geometry. We will very much seek to work with numbers up to 100.  Your child will be taught a range of different methods to solve mathematical problems both practically and in written form. Please see the curriculum overview for a more in depth view of the objectives we will be covering this term.

Science

In science, we will be learning about plants. We will learn the names of common plants and investigate growth. Children will learn to identify the basic structure of flowering plants, including trees. In the second half of the term, we will be having a science week.  This will be packed with science based learning through investigating and discovering!

Our topic this term will be Castles. For Design and Technology, we will design, make and evaluate a model castle.

In religious education we will continue to learn about the Christian and Jewish faith, focussing on Easter and Passover.

In music we will be exploring sound and beat using instruments and our body.

Art

For art this term, the children will be developing their drawing skills through careful observations of plants. We will study the works of Paul Klee and his use of colour, shape and pattern. 

Geography

Through the topic of castles, we will be learning about building and homes in the local area. The children will also be looking at human and physical features of the local area; using simple mats. 

Other Information:

• Our P.E. lesson will be on a Monday and Thursday afternoon. Please ensure your child has their P.E. kit in school every day. Earrings will either need to be taken out or taped over.
• Library day is Friday afternoon. Please could library books be back at school every Friday.
• Homework will be given out every Friday to be returned on a Wednesday.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to come and see me.

Mrs Bhamra