What we have been learning about this week
Week Beginning: 2nd December 2024
Good afternoon everyone!
This week in Year 1 Maths, we’ve been practising our number bonds to support our number fluency. We’ve explored different ways to record our work, including tens frames, part-whole models, number lines, and Numicon. In Reception, we have been consolidating our understanding of numbers up to 5 with practical activities, nursery rhymes songs.
In English, Year 1 have started exploring instruction writing in preparation for making ‘shop biscuits’ next week. We learned about the key features of instructional texts, including bossy verbs. We even created our own verbal instructions to help Mrs. Trigg-Hayes make a sandwich for her lunch—discovering just how important it is to be specific! In Drawing Club, Early Years have been reading The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson. We created our own Christmas tree characters and imagined adventures with a cheeky Christmas character who took all our decorations! But don’t worry, our magic buttons saved the day!
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 worked together to create a kindness advent calendar as part of RE, filled with lovely ideas for spreading kindness in the lead-up to Christmas. In History, we compared photos of modern-day London with pictures of London during the Great Fire of London. In Science, we began testing materials to find the most waterproof one.
In Reception, we’ve been learning all about Advent. We made mini Christingles, learnt about how different countries celebrate advent and the lead up to Christmas and enjoyed making lots of decorations to make our classroom all Christmassy!
We’ve also been busy practising our nativities, getting into the Christmas spirit by helping to decorate our Christmas tree. We ventured outside to forage for sticks and made our own reindeer creations! This week, we also took part in an exciting drama workshop where we acted out parts of the Nativity story and learned a dance routine to Sparkle and Shine—it was amazing!
No wonder we’re all so tired after such a busy week!
Mrs Trigg-Hayes :)
WC 25th November 2024
Maths
In Year 1, we have been practising using a number line to add and subtract. The children worked hard to carefully read the number sentences, ensuring they knew which direction to move along the line. Meanwhile, in Reception, we explored finding one more and one less through songs. We used a 5-frame as we sang, helping them visualize how numbers grow or shrink.
English
Year 1 delved into the emotions of people experiencing the Great Fire of London. Using this as inspiration, the children planned and wrote diary entries as though they were actually there. They thoughtfully described the events, including what they could hear, smell, see, and feel. The diary entries were super, and it’s wonderful to see how much they are enjoying this topic!
In Reception, our Drawing Club focused on the book Mixed. We explored character and adventure by creating our three favorite colours as characters and designing games for them to play together. The adventure continued as the characters took a trip to the moon, with the children designing rockets to take them there!
Foundation Subjects
Year 1 finished their Great Fire of London artwork this week, and the results looked amazing! In geography, we explored modern London landmarks and drew them on our own maps of London. In science, we continued learning about materials, thinking about objects like cups or keys that can be made from different materials and discussing why certain materials work better for specific purposes. We have had a big PSHE focus this week in our introduction of the zones of regulation (for more information see class Dojo page).
In Reception, we had fun experimenting with color mixing and created beautiful Christmas decorations for the hall. A big focus this week was on introducing the Zones of Regulation. The children helped to make posters for each of the colour zones to help them understand and express their emotions, which will be displayed in the classroom.
Another fun and busy week! Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you on Monday!
Mrs Trigg-Hayes :)
Week Beginning: 25th November 2024
Good afternoon, everyone!
This week in Year 1 maths, we continued exploring 2D and 3D shapes by sorting them and using them to create repeating patterns. In Reception, we focused on the numbers 4 and 5—finding and subitising them to support our developing number fluency.
In English, Year 1 began exploring diaries in preparation for writing our own next week. We completed a comprehension about the Great Fire of London, translated sentences from the present tense to the past tense, and wrote about what London was like in the 1600s! Meanwhile, in Reception, we’ve been applying the phonics we’ve learned by practising writing initial and key sounds in words. We also continued exploring We’re Going on a Bear Hunt—this week creating a story map to show the characters, setting, problem, and solution.
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 explored the properties of glass, plastic, and metal in science, joined in a teddy bear Olympics for PE, and started our Great Fire of London silhouette pictures by collaging fiery backgrounds with warm colours. In Reception, we created Incy Wincy Spider artwork and designed our own floating boats using materials we explored last week. We also had some fun with nursery rhyme parachute games in PE and we explored the outdoors looking for spiders and their webs!
For homework this week, Year 1 will have spellings and English tasks 😊. Talk Time is back next Wednesday, and it will be Jesse, Amber, and Isla’s turn. Show and Tell will be for the Hedgehogs group.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes
Week Beginning: 11th November 2024
Good afternoon everyone!
This week in Year 1 Maths, we've been exploring 2D and 3D shapes, learning to name them and understand their properties. We conducted an experiment to see which 3D shapes can stack, roll, or slide and sorted them accordingly. In Reception, we've continued looking at circles and triangles, going on a shape hunt to find them in our environment and practicing positional language. We also studied the artwork of Wassily Kandinsky and created our own colourful shape pictures!
In English, Year 1 students planned and wrote descriptions of Samuel Pepys using adjectives. In Drawing Club, we explored We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and designed our own characters, imagining how they might cross the deep, cold river!
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 enjoyed an exciting Great Fire of London experience day where we got to learn so much about what life was like back in 1666. We had the opportunity to make our own ink and wrote with quills, make soap and candles, weave, and decorate leather amongst other things! We also because archologies in the afternoon and explored artefacts that gave us clues about the past. Back in class we also continued learning about the properties of different materials, focusing on paper, cardboard, wood, rock, and stone. For Art, we drew poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day. In Reception, we've been exploring nursery rhymes to celebrate National Nursery Rhyme Week! We created Miss Polly’s Doctor's Surgery for role play, which has been lots of fun, and experimented with floating and sinking in preparation for making our own boats!
Reminders:
- Show and Tell next Friday will be Owl groups turn.
- Talk Time will be on Thursday afternoon next week instead of Wednesday and it’s Clara and Daisy’s turn to present.
Week Beginning: 4th November 2024
Good afternoon, everyone!
This week in Year 1 maths, we’ve been practising finding one more and one less using number lines and number stories. Reception children have been working on identifying numbers and learning about circles and triangles.
In English, Year 1 has begun exploring the Great Fire of London. We’ve been studying visual literacy by watching videos about the event and learning about Samuel Pepys and his famous diary. Early Years have been discovering the story of Rama and Sita. They’ve also designed their own gods and created items that light up to help guide Rama and Sita home during Drawing Club.
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 have created a timeline of the events of the Great Fire of London in history. In Science, they have started investigating the properties of different materials. In RE, we’ve begun learning about the Nativity story and its importance to Christians. In Art, we celebrated fireworks by making our own creative representations.
In Reception, the children have been learning about Diwali, how Hindu people celebrate, and have made their own diva lamps and rangoli patterns. They also decorated their hands with mehndi designs. Additionally, we’ve been exploring the signs of autumn, making autumn-inspired artwork, and going on an autumn walk.
Next Friday, it's the Squirrels’ turn for Show and Tell. For Talk Time on Wednesday afternoon, Juno and Elsie will be presenting.
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes
Week Beginning: 21st October 2024
Hello Robins!
This week in Year 1 maths, we've been exploring subtraction through number stories and word problems and learning to take away using a number line. In Reception, we focused numbers 1, 2, 3 – recognising and matching amounts and practising finding one more.
In English, Year 1 have used their story plans to write their own enchanted stories. They worked so hard on these and were a joy to read! Meanwhile, in Reception, we've been continuing to look at the The Three Little Pigs, this week learning actions help us to verbally retell the story and making a story plan to talk about the characters, setting, problem and solution.
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 have been making their own local area maps in geography, teeth and staying healthy in science, making our bug hotels in D&T and creating our own art based on the work of Andy Goldsworthy. In Reception, we've used recycled materials to make our own houses, using different techniques to cut and stick our masterpieces together!
As a whole class we have been Learning about Mae Jemerson for Black History month. We read a book about her life and learnt a song to perform in an assembly to the whole school. They all LOVED doing this! Their confidence shone during the assembly, making it a delightful way to end the term.
For homework this week, Year 1 will have spellings and Maths tasks 😊. Talk Time when we come back will be Lillie and Frank. Show and Tell will be for Foxes group.
Have a lovely break and see you nex half term,
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes
Week Beginning: 14th October 2024
Good afternoon everyone!
This week in Year 1 maths, we've been exploring addition through number stories and word problems and learning how to find a part using subtraction. In Reception, we focused on patterns around us in our environment and created our own repeating patterns.
In English, Year 1 have been working with adjectives to describe the character Bog Baby. We also created our own characters for the stories we'll be writing next week, complete with magical world story plans including characters, settings, problems, and solutions. I'm excited to see their stories come to life next week! Meanwhile, in Reception, we've been reading The Three Little Pigs and, in Drawing Club, exploring characters and settings. In phonics, Year 1 focused on the split digraphs 'i-e' and 'o-e', while Reception learned the Level 2 letter sounds: g, o, c, and k.
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 have been learning about aerial viewpoints in geography, germs and staying healthy in science, and designing bug hotels in D&T, which we'll be making next week. In Reception, we've been looking at different types of houses, building brick houses with blocks and crazy foam (which explains the blue hands!) and painting The Three Little Pigs characters using watercolours.
A big well done to everyone for their fantastic performance in the Harvest Festival! They showed wonderful confidence and should feel very proud.
For homework this week, Year 1 will have spellings and English tasks 😊. Talk Time and Show and Tell will resume after half-term since we won’t be in on Friday.
Finally, a special congratulations to Lillie and Daisy for receiving awards today!
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes
Week beginning: 7th October 2024
Good afternoon!
This week in Year 1 maths, we’ve been exploring number bonds within 10, using a systematic approach to find all the combinations. We also continued practicing writing number sentences and refining our addition skills. In Reception, we’ve been comparing size and mass using vocabulary like bigger/smaller, taller/shorter, and heavier/lighter. The children enjoyed measuring themselves to see who was taller or shorter and using scales with playdough to explore whose creations were heavier—and even challenged themselves to make some that weighed exactly the same!
In English, Year 1 has been delving into stories, preparing to write our own in the coming weeks. We explored a variety of books, discussing the characters, settings, and structure of the stories. The children completed a reading comprehension, were introduced to verbs, and designed magical land settings for their own stories. I’m very excited to see how these develop! Reception have been enjoying The Enormous Turnip, creating characters and settings based on the story—it’s been a big hit! In phonics, Year 1 focused on the 'a-e' split digraph, while Reception began learning Level 2 letter sounds: i, n, m, d.
In our foundation subjects, Year 1 art has been all about crafting amazing tree bogarts using clay and natural materials—they turned out incredible! In science, we discussed how to keep our bodies healthy through a balanced diet and exercise. During PE, we conducted an investigation into which exercises best raise our heart rate. In geography, we practiced using directional language and compasses to explore the school grounds. Meanwhile, Reception continued exploring the theme of Harvest, discussing why it’s celebrated and where our food comes from. They also developed fine motor skills by working with the pumpkins they drew last week, hammering golf tees into them!
For homework this week, Year 1 will have spellings and maths 😊.
Have a great weekend,
Mrs Trigg-Hayes
Week beginning: 30th September 2024
Good afternoon!
This week in Year 1 maths, we've been exploring part-whole models, writing number sentences, and looking at number families. In Reception, we’ve been sorting objects using different criteria and playing ‘guess my rule’ and ‘odd one out’ games.
In English, Year 1 has been diving into the theme of autumn through poetry. We wrote a harvest prayer, planned and composed our own autumn garden poems, and even learned a special autumn poem to celebrate National Poetry Day yesterday – we hope you enjoy it! Reception has been learning the story of The Little Red Hen, creating picture story maps to depict the characters, setting, problem, and solution, perhaps you can explore the story together at home!
In phonics, Year 1 focused on the 'ea' digraph, while Reception began learning Level 2 letter sounds: ‘s, a, t, and p’. You’ll find an information sheet on these sounds in their bookbags, along with a printed book containing words that match the sounds we've covered this week, so they can start recognising each sound. We also have have been practising blending these sounds together to make words, for example s-a-t = sat.
During our foundation subjects, Year 1 explored why light is such an important symbol for Hindus in RE. In art, we’ve been busy making Christmas cards. In science, we learned about reptiles, and in geography, we've been studying maps and symbols to identify key features. Reception begun exploring the theme of Harvest through the story of the Little Red Hen and we have looked at how bread is made. We looked closely at different vegetables that are harvested and created observational drawings using pastels, paying close attention to the colors and shapes of the vegetables we were drawing.
For homework, Year 1 will have spellings and English this week 😊.
A quick reminder for Show and Tell – next Friday, it will be the turn of the Hedgehog group (Hope, Samuel, Clara, and Isla).
Well done again to Isabella and Albert for their incredible Talk Time presentations. Next week, it’s Milly, Sofia and Rosie's turn to present!
Lastly, a big congratulations to Elsie and Sofia for receiving awards today!
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes 😊
Week beginning: 23rd September 2024
Good afternoon!
This week in Year 1 maths, we've been working on recognising and using the symbols for less than, greater than and equal to, comparing numbers using these symbols, ordering numbers and symbols and using a number line. In reception children are introduced to the concept of identifying sets of different objects and noticing when something in a set doesn’t fit!
In English, Year 1 have been looking at signs of autumn; exploring the school grounds and writing lists of what we observed and reading poems and stories about it. We then investigated autumn objects and thought of adjectives to describe them. We thought of some fantastic descriptions of pinecones, leaves and conkers by using our senses think about how they look, feel and sound. Reception have been exploring books about different types of families and have loved sharing their pictures of their own families this week with their friends.
In phonics, Year 1 learned the 'ie' digraph, while Reception have continued to enjoy Phase 1 phonics activities. We’ve been reading ‘Dance to the Hatching Beat’, listening carefully to animal sounds and identifying them and using our bodies to make syllabic rhythms and actions to go match the story.
During our foundation subjects this week, we explored why light is an important symbol for Jewish people in RE. In art, we read ‘Leaf Man’ and made out own natural loose part artwork using some of the autumnal goodies we collected on our autumn walk and in science, we learned about fish and amphibians. Reception have been busy making little lolly stick homes and drew their families inside - It is so lovely to hear how excited and proud they are of their loved ones 
We have also been completing their baseline assessments so it’s been a busy week!
Thank you to everyone who sent in family pictures and pictures of your homes! We are busy adding them to the classroom!
For homework, Year 1 has Maths and spellings this week 😊
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Trigg-Hayes
Week beginning: 16th September 2024
Good afternoon!
This week in Year 1 maths, we've been working on counting backwards within 10, finding one less, and comparing groups through matching activities. The children have done an amazing job tackling these challenges! In Reception, we've been matching objects with their picture counterparts, which has been particularly helpful during tidy-up time when using our labelled boxes!
In English, Year 1 planned and wrote non-chronological reports about foxes. Ask your child if they can share any interesting facts they learned! They put in so much effort and should be very proud of their hard work. In Reception, we've been reading lots of stories together and exploring mark-making during our continuous provision.
In phonics, Year 1 learned the 'oy' digraph, while Reception joined in with some Phase 1 phonics activities. They've been carefully listening to environmental sounds and identifying the initial sounds in their names.
During our foundation subjects this week, we explored why light is an important symbol for Christians in RE. In art, we sketched foxes—I was so impressed by their creativity! In science, we learned about birds, and in PSHE, we discussed our families and why they are special to us.
Reception continued their 'This is Me' topic by making some incredible loose-part portraits. They've also been developing their cutting skills with impressive focus and control, creating some wonderful masterpieces!
For homework, Year 1 has English and spellings this week. You also have phonics booklets that you may like to read one evening instead of the usual reading book. These support the phonics and spelling we've been learning in class. Thank you for the fantastic homework that was handed in last week—it was brilliant!
Finally, congratulations to Isabella and Milly for receiving awards today!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Trigg-Hayes 