"Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Learning to love, loving to learn

Welcome to Year 1

 

Our staff

Mrs Lamb (Monday- Thursday) and Mrs Brearley (Friday) are our class teachers and Miss Carlin will be supporting our learning.

The following information tells you a little more about the coming term in Year 1 and your child's learning. However, if you have any queries or questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

elizabeth.lamb@st-marys.halton.sch.uk

jemma.brearley@st-marys.halton.sch.uk

General information

• Please tie up long hair.
• Please have a bottle of water at school every day. This can be refilled as necessary.
• Please bring a small school bag, reading book and homework record every day (if relevant to your child).
• Please return your homework on or before Wednesday for marking. Homework will be sent out on a Friday.
• All school uniform needs to be named but particularly jumpers and cardigans.
• A full PE kit should be in school at all times. 

PE is timetabled for Tuesday and Thursday during Autumn 1. This will be outside whenever possible so please account for this when sending in your child's PE kit.

 

Autumn Half Term 1 2025

Welcome Year 1!

Our Christian Values

During the Autumn term, our Christian values are Love and Compassion.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

 

Love of reading

Our class text for this half-term is 'Dragons Don't Share' by Nicola Kinnear. The children will be exploring this book and will be completing work across the curriculum based on this wonderful story.

                                   

English

This half term we will explore the wonderful text 'Lost and Found' by Oliver Jeffers to develop our writing skills and write our own adventure stories.

 

Our weekly routine will include Phonics, English, Handwriting and Guided Reading sessions. Daily reading at home continues to be essential, especially in Year 1, and we would ask that you question your child regularly on the book they are reading to develop a deeper understanding of a range of texts, to develop new vocabulary and strengthen writing skills.

Phonics

We will use Little Wandle as part of our Phonics lessons to develop reading and spelling strategies. 

Maths

As mathematicians, the children will learn through concrete experiences moving onto pictorial and abstract methods as their confidence builds. They will also be expected to use their learning to reason about maths and solve problems. 

During the autumn term we will focus on 'Place Value' and this will include counting accurately, reading and writing numbers to 100 and identifying one more and one less.

Science

As scientists, we aim to develop our knowledge and understanding, scientific skills and measuring and recording abilities. This term we will be investigating materials and looking at seasonal changes.

Geography

As geographers we will look at the local area and will think about where we live. We will use aerial photographs and maps to find familiar features within our local area. We will create maps of our journey to school.

History

This term we will be researching how toys have changed through the ages. We will use historical vocabulary and techniques to convey information about toys and how they have changed.

RE

For RE we will be using the Questful RE planning. This term we will explore Harvest and we will think about helping those that do not have a good harvest. We will then look at the story of Creation and will think about why we give and receive gifts at Christmas.

Justice and Responsibility

As we continue to live our lives and act out the teachings of Jesus, we will act for Justice and take responsibility for being stewards of God's creation and global citizens.  We aim to speak out for conserving the world and it's resources as well looking at ways of how to protect our oceans.

PE

Our PE will concentrate on ball control and gymnastics.

Art and DT

As artists, we will be using food as our inspiration and how artists have expressed emotions in them. We will create a mosaic portrait and a 3D sculpture.  We will study the artists Jason Mecier, Johannes Vermeer and Jim Victor.

We will also look at solid structures, including buildings and bridges. The children will find ways to put materials together to provide stringth to an arch.

PHSE

In PHSE, we will follow the Heartsmart scheme. This will start with us reminding ourselves about the importance of keeping our emotional and mental heart healthy through the topics: "Get HeartSmart" and "Don't Forget to Let Love In!."

Music

As musicians, we will be using Charanga to explore different music genres and new terminology. We will be learning to compose our own melodies/pieces, rehearsing and performing them.  We will also look at how music is recorded graphically using symbols to create a score.  We will look at and discuss "My Musical Heartbeat" and "Dancing, Singing and Playing."

Computing

Over this term we will be focusing on 'Technology Around Us' and 'Digital Painting.'  Alongside these topics we will consider what is important about 'Self-image and Identity' and 'Online Relationships.'

Homework

Homework will be sent out on Friday and will need to be returned on or before the following Wednesday. We would also like children to read their Phonics reading book at least 4 times a week. Please come and see us if there are any difficulties or write a note on the piece of work. It is important to complete each piece as they will either build on taught skills or pre teach skills ready for the following week.

Possible trips & visitors

We are currently exploring possibilities for trips across the term. We look forward to the term ahead!