English

We begin our new term by reviewing the knowledge gained previously. As new targets are met pupils become more able to practise their skills through simple reading and writing exercises and it is very important to continually reinforce what they know while meeting new challenges. Pupils are encouraged to ask and answer questions during our speaking and listening lessons to develop their vocabulary and build confidence in a group situation. We will revise known letter sounds and our new ‘sound of the week' will be sent home at the start of each week. This gives pupils an opportunity to become familiar with finding words in a variety of situations and parents are also able to be involved with this process. We begin reading and writing upper case letters and pupils are engaged in various exercises to help them remember when to use a capital letter. Writing sentences and making sure they make sense is a very important part of our grammar work, pupils will also learn about nouns and try to recognise them when reading. Story settings and completing familiar stories and rhymes are all part of our comprehension work this term. Daily handwriting exercises are important; these activities are designed to encourage smooth pencil control, establishing the best foundations for a clear handwriting style.

Mathematics

During this first term in Year One, pupils will be encouraged to recognise and write numbers to10 and beyond and begin to count reliably. They will estimate a number of objects that can be checked by counting. Through puzzles, games and using ICT, pupils will experience a variety of challenges. Subtraction as ‘take away' is taught this term using practical and informal methods and we look at the symbols used to record number sentences. They will develop an understanding of addition and relate this to counting on. Pupils will use a number line to help them work out the number which is one more or one less than numbers up to 20. We investigate 2D and 3D shapes and find ways of measuring using non standard units. We also look at the clock and begin to read the time to the hour and order the days of the week. It is very helpful if pupils practise looking at the clock throughout the day at home. Practical activities, working in pairs and group work form a very important part of our maths lessons. The aim is for pupils to develop the strategies to find different methods to solve problems independently.

Science

Ourselves is the introductory topic and lays the foundation for work relating to the study of humans and other animals. Pupils will learn about their senses and how they can use them to explore the world round them. They also learn that humans and other animals move and grow. We discuss what they were able to do as babies, how they looked and how they have developed. We will then involve pupils in simple experiments to see what they can do now, building models, jumping, running balancing and timing each other completing practical tasks. Finally we look at similarities and differences between each other. During this topic we will be asking pupils to bring photos, perhaps clothing or toys from when they were babies, and also share some memories, when they first walked and talked, first tooth etc. Our second topic is Materials. Through this topic pupils will learn about the characteristics and uses of a range of common materials and vocabulary for describing and comparing materials. We explore transparency and think about the properties of liquids. Finding out what materials are magnetic often takes us on a journey around the school and is always popular!

Humanities

We begin our year discussing places pupils have visited during their summer holiday and use geographical skills locating places on maps. We also think about how different weather conditions affect how people live. Our topic brings us back to the local area and we talk about where pupils live, in towns or villages and how they travel to school. Pupils become familiar with their address and the significance of each line. We look at the school environment and pupils enjoy helping their peers to find their way to a given point by drawing a plan and describing the route. During the second half of term in history our topic is Toys. We look at similarities between toys today and toys in the past. It encourages pupils to think about the changes in their own lives and in those of their family or adults around them.

Religious and Moral Education

This is taught as a subject, yet is often a significant part of all activities and lessons and has an important part to play throughout the pupil's school day. We use Circle Time as an important tool to encourage pupils to be able to understand the thoughts and ideas of their peers and be able to reflect on their actions. We talk about homes and families and relate this to God. We think about Judaism and how Jewish children live and worship. Our second theme is signs and symbols. The signs and symbols of baptism/confirmation help us to understand the meaning of these sacraments. As Christmas approaches we talk about Advent as a time of preparation for welcoming the coming of Christ at Christmas, this is always such a special time for our school community.

French

In the autumn term, French lessons are introduced to the year group. The emphasis is on encouraging the children to speak with confidence. They will learn to greet each other and familiar adults, respond to classroom instructions, sing songs and recognise some animals and colours.

ICT

We use ICT in many subject areas throughout the term. In maths particularly we use games and puzzles to reinforce and extend pupils work. In Science we use matching games to help pupils name and label parts of the body. During our ICT lessons this term pupils will use paint tools to create representations of scenarios which links well with our work in English. Pupils are also involved in using the mouse to move and place items, selecting text from a word bank, matching words to pictures and printing their work. Pupils will use the skills taught to produce a Christmas card.

Music

The term will begin with the children revisiting and learning new songs and playing percussion instruments. Musical games with percussion instruments will be used to develop an awareness of long and short sounds and help them to respond to loud and soft dynamics. New songs will be learnt for both our Harvest Festival and Christmas Nativity.

Art and Design

This term the children will begin by developing their drawing and painting skills using a range of simple shapes and lines. They will have the opportunity to create a range of pictures for our harvest festival celebration, before moving on to create models, collages and paintings based on the theme of "ourselves". As we move towards Christmas, their work will take on a seasonal theme, and they will be encouraged to explore different materials and textures. In Design Technology this term, the children will learn about different fruit and vegetables, whilst developing their culinary skills! They will be encouraged to explore different kinds of fruit salad, before planning their own recipe and using simple utensils to create their own masterpiece!

Drama

The children will begin to build on their skills to perform effectively. They will use mime to interpret music and mood and to express themselves independently. They will work together in groups to develop their ability to consider others and work as a team. We will use a number of different devices to practise and perform, including music, poetry and familiar stories.

Physical Education

Year 1 and 2 PE begins with a general introduction to the subject, exploring concepts of play, skills and having fun. A module on how the body works promotes a basic understanding of the body. We look at how the body works when physically active including the changes that occur when active and when passive. We introduce warm-up regimes and the importance of good habits. Children learn to abide by rules of games and work within their framework. They develop a basic understanding of games. They look at different sports and simple rules. The concepts of concentration and control are introduced with an emphasis on the fun factor and not the competitive edge. There is a basic development of play and co-operation as the children learn to help each other in team games and basic exercises and tests give experiences of team membership and leadership. Music and movement promotes the concept of basic body movement through controlled movements to music, looking at a variety of directions and actions that demonstrate control and concentration.

It is emphasised that the above is offered as a guide only, and the school retains the flexibility to adapt its schemes of work to the needs of the individual or the class.