This week we have been learning our story map for Handa’s Surprise. We loved thinking of the actions for the different animals in the story- well done everyone!

This week Year 1 had a visit from Sam’s Safari. It was such a fantastic visit and the children learnt so much about the different mammals, reptiles, insects and amphibians that visited us. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

We started the week off in 1C by learning how to find 1 less than a number. We spent today’s lesson working practically to find 1 less by using cubes. The children had to roll a dice and find 1 less than the number shown.

In computing we learnt about how to be safe when using technology by recognising when it’s time to “pause” and put our devices away. We practiced the “pause, breathe, finish up” routine as a class.

In science this week we looked at different types of animals and began to group them into mammals, reptiles, insects, birds, fish and amphibians. We discussed how we knew an animal belonged to this group, for example, a mammal has fur and four limbs. I was really impressed how the children worked together to group the animals.

We also began looking at our Big Question this half term which focuses on asking questions. We practiced spelling some question words and then the children challenged themselves by writing a sentence with one of these words in!

This week in Geography we have been looking at maps. We looked at the shape and size of different countries and began to identify continents. The children were really interested in the maps we looked at and were eager to find countries they knew. We also found countries on the map where some of the children’s families were from such as Japan, Pakistan and Ukraine.

It has been a very busy first week back in Year 1. It has been lovely getting to know the children and getting them used to the routines of Year 1. We have had lots of time to explore the provision in the classroom this week and I have been so impressed with how the children have engaged with it.

In writing we have been learning the poem, ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’. We have added actions to help us remember the words. If you would like to practise at home, we have been using this video in class to help us- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApmEM9-xA2c

Please enjoy a selection of photos from our week and I look forward to seeing you all again next week!

Our highlight of this week was definitely our trip to Filey. We had our fingers crossed all week for dry weather and we were so lucky! We had an amazing time, playing on the sand, in the sea, visiting the RNLI lifeboat centre and even having an ice cream. All of the children were amazing and thank you to all of the parents volunteers that helped!

This week we have absolutley loved learning about the Titanic! The children were so excited to find out facts about the boat and the people that went on it.

In writing, we wrote some fantastic fact files about the Titanic, asking and answering questions like “why did the Titanic sink?” and “where was the Titanic when it hit an iceberg?”

In geography, we plotted the route the Titanic planned to take from Southampton to New York. It was great how many of the children remebered their continent and ocean names and we used the 7 continents song to help us.

In provision the children enjoyed making boats, using what they had learnt about the Titanic to help them. It was great how they chose to do this in different ways, for example some children chose to use junk modelling while some children used Lego.

This week in maths we have been learning numbers to 100. We looked at 100 squares to help us count up and down.

We then made these numbers using our base ten and found one more and one less of the number. It was great that the children remembered their hand signals for one more and one less and used this to help them.

In art this week the children painted seascapes as part of our new ‘Life Savers’ topic. We looked at lots of pictures of the sea and what it looks like when it is rough and stormy. The children had to mix colours to make lighter and darker shades to add to their paintings. They loved experimenting with the different colours and patterns!

In history we began our Titanic topic. We discovered some key facts by looking at advertisements, photos and news reports about the Titanic. The children learnt things such as what the captain of the Titanic was called, how many lifeboats were on board and what the ship was called that rescued the survivors. I was especially impressed with the map work everyone did. Lots of the children managed to find Belfast and New York and say what countries they were in. Well done!