KS1 – Newsletter – 8.11.24

We hope that you all had a well-earned rest over half term, because we have been straight back into action in Key Stage One this week!

Once again, our history lessons have been embedded into our English lessons this week. We have been learning the story of what happened in the Gunpowder plot. They have also been using pictures to ask questions and write sentences using exclamation marks. They used these skills to write a letter from Guy Fawkes in prison to his friend Robert Catesby. The children were able to write lots of good questions such as Where were you when I got arrested? Who knew about our plot? Can you help me. Year One had two phonic sounds to learn this week, the split digraphs e-e saying /ee/ and u-e saying /yoo/ and /oo. Year two were learning about words using /wr/ such as wrist and write and the fact the w is silent.

In Maths, Year One have been learning about part part whole models and bar models. They have been using practical resources as well as written methods to understand where the whole is and what that means. Year Two have been practising two different skills. One group have been adding two digit numbers using Base ten using bar models and place value charts. The other group have been practising how to subtract and have been subtracting two digit numbers without needing to borrow.

We have begun to think about animals and humans in Science. This week we sang a song about our bodies and thought about all the body parts we could name. We drew around one of our friends and then labelled the different parts of the body we had thought about. We know that some body parts can be seen like our arms, legs and head and others cannot be seen like our heart, brain and lungs.

In computing, we have begun discussing what an algorithm is. We began to learn about how it must be a precise set of rules. To explore this, we made some simple obstacle courses and then the children had to guide their partner across it, using verbal instructions, as precise as possible.

Year One began to learn about different festivals in RE. This week, they looked at what the Harvest is and why and how people celebrate it. They then discussed what things they are thankful for, especially foods that they enjoy. Year Two began to think about ways that we welcome babies. They thought about what kind of gifts we give to babies and the fact that all babies are given a name. They then learned about what their names mean.

We were learning about compass points in Geography and trying to remember which way points North, South, East and West. We used this knowledge to follow instructions of which way to face and where to walk.

In PSHE, we completed our Mindmate lessons. Year One, were focusing on how our feelings and emotions can affect others. They listened to the story of ‘The Sneeches’. They thought about how they acted and which ones they liked. Year Two were thinking about all the different emotions that we can feel. They thought about how their bodies react when they have different emotions and also played games to see if they could observe how someone else was feeling and responding.

Year One have begun a topic on festivals in RE. This week they focused on ‘Harvest’ and why people celebrate it. They thought about their favourite foods and the things that they are thankful for. Year Two have begun a topic on how we welcome babies. This week, they thought about how we welcome babies generally in society. The fact we visit them and take gifts etc.. We thought about how each baby is given a name and how all names have meaning. The children then found out what their names mean.

Diary Dates:

26^th November and 27^th November: Parent’s Evenings (Please book online now)

18^th, 19^th, 20^th November – Class local walks

11^th December 2.30pm – KS1 Christmas play

13^th December – Fund raising singing at Asda (Time to be confirmed)

16^th December 10am – Grandparent event

20th December – Finish for Christmas