Weekly News! 16.10.26
What a fantastic week we have had. Take a look at what we have been up to..
Maths
This week in maths, we have continued to develop our understanding of addition and subtraction through practical activities, visual representations and mathematical reasoning.
We explored regrouping to make 5, using 5 as a benchmark to partition an addend and calculate more efficiently. We represented addition using part-whole models, ten frames and number sentences. We also investigated the commutative property of addition, discovering that changing the order of the numbers does not change the total.
We then moved on to subtraction, exploring it as taking away and identifying the whole, the part being removed and the amount remaining. The children practised representing subtraction using concrete resources, bead strings, ten frames, part-whole models and bar models. We also explored different mathematical vocabulary to describe subtraction and discovered that, unlike addition, subtraction is not commutative.
Finally, we applied our learning to solve simple problems where either the whole or one of the parts was unknown, including examples involving zero. The children have done a fantastic job of explaining their thinking and using different representations to support their mathematical reasoning!
Read Write Inc.
The children have continued to work hard in their Read Write Inc. sessions, developing their reading, spelling and writing skills. We have been using our phonics knowledge to sound out unfamiliar words, blend sounds together to read words and segment words to help us spell them accurately.
Our Fred Talk and Fred Fingers strategies continue to play an important role in our learning. We are also building confidence in our writing, taking care to listen carefully for the sounds in words and apply our phonics knowledge more independently.
Alongside our phonics, we are learning to recognise common exception and high-frequency words. These are particularly important to practise because some cannot be read simply by using our usual phonics strategies.
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
Please continue to practise these words with your child at home. Little and often is a great approach and can make a real difference to their confidence and fluency.
Reading
Thank you for your continued support with reading at home. Regular reading is one of the most valuable ways to help your child develop confidence, expression and fluency. We really appreciate the time you dedicate to sharing books with your children!
A gentle reminder that children should bring home two books in their reading folders:
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RWI home book: This book should be read three times throughout the week. Re-reading helps children become familiar with the text, develop fluency and build confidence. An adult will change this book every Monday.
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Coloured-sticker book: Children can change this book independently as often as they need to. First thing in the morning is an ideal time to do this, and we will continue to support the children as they become more confident with the routine.
Please remind your child to place their reading folder in the classroom tray each morning so that we can access their books and listen to them read.
We would also love you to record each reading session in your child’s reading record. Every week, one child from each class will receive a reading certificate during assembly. Children can also earn a certificate or prize for every 20 reads, so please remember to sign their reading record each time they read at home.
Thank you for helping us nurture a lifelong love of reading!
Thematic
This week, we continued our Geography learning by exploring a range of maps, plans and globes. The children looked at lots of different examples, including floor plans, globes, bus and train maps, street maps, atlases, plans of our school, Google Earth and satnavs.
We discussed what these different resources look like, how they are similar and how they differ, and considered how they help us find places and understand the world around us.
Working together as a class, we created a floor plan of our classroom. We then took our whiteboards outside and explored how to draw a rough map of our pirate ship playground from a bird’s-eye view. This was a great opportunity to think about how places look from above and how we can represent real-life spaces on paper.
To finish, the children took part in our thematic quiz, putting their knowledge to the test and consolidating all the fantastic learning they have completed throughout the term. Well done, Year 1!
Home Learning
This week, we would like the children to practise subtracting numbers within 10. You can support your child at home by using everyday objects, such as toys, building blocks or pieces of fruit, to help them understand that subtraction means taking away.
Encourage your child to use objects, draw pictures, count backwards or use their fingers to work out the answers.
Challenge!
Can your child create their own subtraction story? For example, “I had 8 apples and ate 3. How many apples do I have left?” Encourage them to draw a picture or use objects to help solve their problem.
Please encourage your child to explain how they found each answer and talk about the strategies they used. Short, regular practice sessions are a great way to build confidence and develop their mathematical understanding.
Most importantly, have fun learning together!
Spare Clothes for Year 1
Please ensure that your child has a named spare set of clothes in school, including underwear and socks. Accidents and spills can happen, and having a change of clothes available helps children stay comfortable and return to their learning quickly.
If you have any spare children’s clothing or underwear that your child has outgrown and you would be happy to donate, we would be incredibly grateful. These items can make a real difference when a child needs a change of clothes during the school day.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
Show and Tell
A reminder that toys, jewellery, Pokémon cards and other personal belongings should remain at home. These items can easily become lost or damaged and may distract children from their learning.
If your child has something special they would like to share with the class, please email a photograph of the item to their class teacher. We can display the photograph while your child tells their friends all about it.
Thank you for helping us keep our classrooms focused, safe and organised.
Additional Information
Wellington Boots and Outdoor Learning
Please ensure that your child has a named pair of Wellington boots and a named plastic bag to store them in. The boots will be kept in the children’s lockers, so please label both items clearly.
We also ask that children come to school with suitable waterproof clothing so that they can enjoy our outdoor learning whatever the weather. We love getting outside and exploring, come rain or shine!
PE – Monday Afternoons
Our PE session takes place on Monday afternoons. Children should wear:
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A plain white T-shirt or Chilton PE T-shirt
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Black or navy bottoms
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A plain black or blue sweatshirt
Thank you for ensuring that children come to school dressed appropriately for their PE session.
Read at 3!
We love welcoming parents and carers into our classrooms for Read at 3! Every Friday, you are invited to join us for 15 minutes to enjoy a book with your child.
These sessions are a lovely opportunity to share stories, spend time together and celebrate the children’s developing reading skills. We look forward to seeing you there!
Key Dates
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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.