Welcome to Year One

Meet the Team

Mrs Cunningham (Class teacher for core subjects) 

Mr Williamson (Class teacher for curriculum) 

Mrs Piggott (Teaching assistant)

Hello! Welcome to year 1. We are a friendly and caring class who love to support one another on our learning journey. We take pride in our classroom and have lots of exciting learning experiences. Our class author is Allan Ahlberg. We have read many of his stories together and have a wonderful reading display where we have celebrated and commented on his books. 

Autumn Term 

We visited the library at Crewe Lifestyle Centre and Emma the librarian taught us all about the features and benefits of accessing the library. She read us a very funny story and then we got to explore the books in the children's area.

We started the year in maths by securing our place value knowledge within ten. We then worked on our understanding of the symbols + - = in practical contexts before moving to pictorial and then abstract methods. Over the term, we expanded beyond 10 and learnt how to securely read and write numerals up to 100. We spent time counting forwards and backwards to 100 and developing an understanding of the number system. We investigated the place value of two digit numbers and explored ways in which numbers can be presented in different ways. In addition to this, we investigated the names and properties of 2D and 3D shapes in practical and visual ways. 

We kick-started our English topics with a Grammaurus Place Value unit. The idea of this was to secure children's understanding of simple sentence structure and expose them to identifying and securing knowledge of nouns and verbs. We applied this to our first writing unit of non-chronological reports. The first non-chronological report was based on our science topic of 'Materials'. We then wrote a second non-chronological report based on our recent history topic. We had an experience lesson where we got to play games and with toys that were played with by our parents and grandparents. These included PacMan, Tetris, Ker-Plunk, Waterful Ring Toss, Etch-A-Sketch and Skip-It. We researched each one and then wrote about them in our reports. We then moved onto writing a character description. We had been reading 'The Twits' in our drop and read sessions therefore we wrote a character description based on the character Mr Twit. We were lucky enough to have a visit from him and we got to hot seat him and ask him all of our burning questions. 

We have been very busy in our curriculum sessions this term. In art, we have been developing sketching techniques which we then applied to completing our own self portraits. In Geography, we have been learning the importance of maps and how they can help us to navigate our way to and from different places. We drew a map of Brierley and our surrounding area on the playground. During our D+T sessions, we have designed and created our own windmills. 

We send out termly updates for what is coming up during the next term to parents via our School Spider App. 

Spring Term 

So far during the Spring term, we have had a visit from the RSPCA as part of our Science unit on 'Animals Including Humans'. This workshop taught us about the key responsibilities needed to successfully look after a pet. In addition to this, we have also returned to the library! We have been learning about traditional tales in our English sessions and so our library session was based around this. Emma read us a version of Little Red Riding Hood and then we got to explore the traditional tales left out for us and the other children's books. We look forward to returning next term :) 

In maths, we have been focusing on addition and subtraction strategies. We have used number lines to help us to add and subtract amounts within 20 and beyond. We have investigated how 'counting on' to find the difference is a more effective way to subtract when the numbers are closer together. 

We will continue to add more information about our learning journey as we progress through the Spring term. 

There are multiple websites that your child could use at home and will be using within class:

• Phonics: How to pronounce pure sounds | Oxford Owl - YouTube Correct phoneme pronunciation.
• https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
• Lesson 1- Year 1 - YouTube This explores how we teach phonics at Brierley – there are many other lessons that you can enjoy with your child in the drop down menu on the right of the screen when you play this!
• Counting by 2s - YouTube    Counting by 5s - YouTube   Skip Counting by 10 Song for Kids - YouTube These are songs to help with skip counting that we use in class.
• Place Value First Grade - Tens and Ones - YouTube Exploring place value.

Homework – this will be handed out on a Thursday in their homework folders. This is to be returned the following Thursday unless stated otherwise. As well as homework, children are expected to read every night and have their reading diary signed. Teachers will be checking diaries each week so it is still important that these are signed.

Reading in Year 1- Your child will bring home a reading book and diary.  There will also be a share book. This is a book that your child is not expected to read but you can enjoy together with adult support. We ask that our parents and carers find at least ten minutes each night to read with their child.  When your child reads at home, please sign their diary and ask them questions about what they have read to ensure a good understanding of the book. REMEMBER - You can also use this as a writing opportunity. Can they write a sentence about what you have read or what they think might happen next?

General reminders for parents:

• Please make sure your child is wearing the correct, labelled uniform. This includes appropriate footwear. Please tie long hair back. Children are allowed to wear simple gold/silver stud earrings but they must be able to take them out for PE or have them removed before they come to school.
• The children will be doing PE on Thursday and Friday. Please ensure your child comes into school in appropriate PE kit.

Thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t do this without you!