Weekly News! 18.9.26
What a fantastic week we have had in Year 1! Take a look at what we have been up to…
Maths
This week we have been developing our understanding of number and quantity to 10 through practical activities using a range of objects and mathematical models. We have explored conservation of number, noticing that a quantity stays the same even when objects are rearranged or presented in different ways. We have developed our subitising skills by recognising familiar dot patterns on dice and tens frames and explaining how we knew the number without counting. We have also used beadstrings to count and compare different quantities and make links between different representations of the same number. We have finished the week by matching playing cards, groups of objects and numerals, checking that each representation shows the same value.
Read, Write Inc.
This week, we met our Read, Write Inc. teachers and got off to a fantastic start by building on our wonderful Reception knowledge. The children were enthusiastic and engaged as they began exploring the routines and strategies we will be using in our phonics lessons this term.
We have been using our special friends, Fred Talk and saying the word to help us read, and we have also been practising our Fred Fingers to support spelling. The children have shown great enthusiasm when breaking words down into sounds and blending them together again. We have also been looking at some common exception words and high-frequency words, which can be tricky to read and spell.
This term, we are focusing on the following words:
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the
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a
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to
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I
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is
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of
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do
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go
These words will be taught and revisited regularly, so that the children can become more confident recognising and using them in their reading and writing. Regular practice at home, even for just a few minutes, can make a big difference and will help reinforce what we are learning in school.
Please continue to encourage your child to use Fred Talk when reading and Fred Fingers when spelling. Your support at home is greatly appreciated and helps to build confidence and independence in their early reading and writing.
Reading
Every week the children will bring home two books in their reading folders, one being a RWI home book. Children are expected to try and read this three times during the week to ensure they are building on their reading fluency. The RWI home books will be changed, by an adult, every Monday.
The other book (with the coloured sticker) should be changed independently by the child themselves, first thing in the morning is a great time to do this! These books can be changed as regularly as needed. We will support your children at the beginning doing this 😊
Please encourage children to place their reading folders in the trays, so we can read with your children and ensure books get changed. Thank you for your support with this.
Please listen to your child read as much as possible at home and record this in their reading records. Every week, one child from each class will receive a reading certificate in an assembly. Children will also get a certificate or pize for every 20 times they read so it is important that the reading record gets signed every time they read at home.
If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Thematic
This week we started off our new thematic topic, ‘My home, my town,’ with a discussion about where we live, what our town looks like and things we can do in Ramsgate. We came up with some great suggestions about what makes it special and decided that we are very grateful to live in such an interesting place! Today we explored pictures of Ramsgate from the past and now. We looked at what was different and what was similar. We then sorted them into past and present, giving reasons why we thought so. Take a look at us sorted pictures of our home, our town, Ramsgate!
Home Learning
Home Learning: Why We Live Where We Live
For this week’s home learning, we would love you to explore why you live where you live!
There could be lots of different reasons why your family chose to live in this area. Perhaps your grandparents moved here, someone in your family used to come here on holiday, or maybe you simply love living close to the beach!
We would like you to tell us your family’s story and share what makes the place you live special to you.
You can present your home learning in any way you wish. You might include:
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Old or new photographs
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Maps or drawings
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A written explanation
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Pictures of special places
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Anything else you think helps tell your story!
It is completely up to you and your family how you present it , be as creative as you like!
We will be using your home learning as part of our thematic lesson on ‘Why We Live Where We Live’. On Friday 25th September, children will have the opportunity to show and share their home learning with the class and talk about their reasons for living where they do.
We can’t wait to hear all about your stories!
Nethercourt park
This is a reminder that we are going on our local history trip to Nethercourt Park on Wednesday 23rd September. If the weather is warm please may the children wear suncream and a sun hat. If it is chilly or wet please can the children have a waterproof coat. Thank you for your continued support.
30th September ‘Then and Now’ Museum
On Wednesday 30th September at 1:30pm, we will be transforming our school hall into a very special ‘Then and Now’ museum.
We would love to invite parents, carers and grandparents to bring along an item from the past to share with the children. This could be an old toy, mobile phone, record, book, telephone, game, photograph or anything else that you think the children would find interesting.
The children will have the opportunity to explore the different objects and think about how they are different from the things we use today. We will discuss how and why things have changed and what these objects can tell us about life in the past.
During the afternoon, you will sit with your items around the hall, just like a museum exhibit, while the children wander around and explore the different displays. They will be encouraged to ask questions, share their ideas and talk about what they notice.
This will also be a wonderful opportunity for you to talk to your child or grandchild about the past and share memories of what life was like when you were growing up. We hope the children will enjoy hearing your stories and discovering just how different life was ‘then’ compared to ‘now’.
Date: Wednesday 30th September
Time: 1:30pm
Location: School Hall
You are very welcome to come along even if you don't have an item to bring – we would simply love for you to join us and be part of this special learning experience.
We are really looking forward to stepping back in time together and discovering ‘Then and Now’!
Here are some photos from last year…
Spare clothes for year 1
We kindly ask that all Year 1 children have a spare set of clothes in school, including underwear and socks, in case of accidents or spills during the day. Having these items available helps us ensure your child stays comfortable and can quickly return to their learning.
If you have any spare underwear or clothing at home that your child has outgrown and you would be happy to donate, we would greatly appreciate it. These donations are very helpful for supporting all children when needed.
Thank you for your continued support.
Show and Tell
A gentle reminder that children should not bring toys, jewellery, Pokémon cards or other personal items into school, as these can easily become lost, damaged or cause distractions during the school day.
If your child would like to share a special item during Show and Tell, please email a photograph of the item to the class teacher(s). We will be happy to display the photograph while your child talks about it with the class.
We would be grateful if all parents and carers could support us by ensuring that toys, jewellery and other personal belongings are left at home. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Additional Information
PE is on a Monday afternoon please can children wear a plain white t-shirt, or a Chilton PE t-shirts, black or navy bottoms and a plain black or blue sweatshirt.
Read at 3! This is where we would love to invite you into our classrooms and read with your child for the full 15 minutes. This will happen every Friday.
Please ensure children have wellies and waterproof clothing to enjoy our outside learning whatever the weather 😊
Key dates
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23 September – Year 1 park trip in the morning (Please can children wear normal school uniform with sensible footwear for the park)
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25 September – Chilton Fundraisers Family Quiz
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30 September – Parents, carers and grandparents invited in at 1.30 for a ‘Then and Now’ Museum.
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7 October – Harvest Festival for Year 2 at 9.00 am and Year 1 at 2.45 pm
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23 October – Halloween Disco; children may come to school in fancy dress
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23 October – Final day of term