Children Now and Then

Dear parents and carers,

This term our work in Year 1 will be focused around the topic of ‘Children Now and Then’. We will be learning the differences between schools in the past and schools now, as well as what toys children played with in the past in comparison now. During this topic we will be covering many areas of the curriculum; particularly Geography, History and Art.

In English we will be retelling the stories ‘Lost in the Toy Museum’ and ‘Beegu’ by acting them out, using the vocabulary from the stories, creating story maps and writing our own versions of the stories.

In Geography children will be learning how the Docks have changed from the past. We will draw a map of our local area in the past as well as a map of the local area now.

In Art we will be creating landscapes using charcoal and paint. We will also be drawing pictures of toys now and then.

In P.E. we will be practising our skills of running and throwing.

In History we will be looking at schools from the past and how they have changed. We will also have a guest speaker to talk to us about what school was like in the past and what toys children played with then.

Activities to do at home

Continuing the learning from school to home is also very important and helps our children progress even further. So we will also provide a home learning folder, and send home some work each week to build on the learning in school. We hope it will help you reinforce the learning that takes place at school. Please return the home learning folder by Wednesday each week.

Year 1 P.E.

Please note that Year 1 P.E. sessions will take place every Friday. Please ensure that your child wears the correct P.E. uniform every Friday. The correct uniform consists of black shorts / tracksuit bottoms and a plain white T-shirt. Please note that football shirts cannot be worn.

Suitable black footwear should also be provided. As well as PE on Fridays, the children will also have the opportunity to do half a term of gymnastics on Mondays. Please speak to your child’s teacher about which half term your child will take part in the gymnastics sessions.

Phonics books

Your child will be issued with a new reading book and a story book at the end of each week. Please ensure that these books are returned by the following Wednesday at the latest. It is important that you take time to listen to your child read, and support them as they need it.

Reading books

Please remember also that the children are welcome to take library books from the Year 1 classrooms to read at home. Each class group has a file in the reading area – please note down the date and title of the book you are borrowing. Please don’t forget to return these to school.

Year 1 Clubs

Year 1 clubs this year are every Thursday after school. We would encourage all children to attend, if possible.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Kind Regards

Year 1 Team