What a fantastic first term we have had in Year 1! We are so proud of how much the children have learnt and grown. Take a look at what we have been up to…

Maths

This week in maths, we have been developing our understanding of addition and subtraction within 10 through practical activities, games and problem-solving. We have explored subtraction story problems where one part is unknown, using objects, pictures and part-whole models to help us work out how many have been taken away and how many are left. We played ‘How Many Are Hiding?’ and used our mathematical thinking to work out hidden amounts and explain our answers. We also explored different ways to represent numbers and practised using mathematical language to explain our thinking. We investigated whether addition sentences such as 3 + 4 = 4 + 3 are true and looked for different combinations that make a given total. We also explored number sentences and found possible answers using drawings, objects and equipment. Throughout our learning, we have been encouraged to explain, prove and check our ideas, helping us to become confident and independent mathematicians.

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:

• the

• a

• to

• I

• is

• of

• do

• 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.

RE

This week we have discussed what makes our world special. On Wednesday we looked at the Jewish, Islamic and Christian Creation story and today we looked at the creation story of plants and animals according to Christians and Hindus. We discussed how useful plants are, for example, how they can be used for food, shelter and making things. We spoke about how both religious say that animals need to be respected and protected as they are the creation of God/Brama and are life-giving. Then we made posters showing how we can look after our wonderful world.

Home Learning

For this week’s Love 2 Learn, please encourage your child to practice their Nativity lines at home. This will help them feel confident and ready for our upcoming performance. Thank you for your support!

Reading competition

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 next term 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 and a plastic bag to keep them in their locker 😊

Key dates 

2nd November – Staff Development day, children not in school

3rd November – School begins for children at usual time

3rd – 11th November – Poppies on sale in school

3rd, 4th, 5th November – Parent teacher consultations

11th November – Children can wear service uniform to school

13th November – World Kindness Day and Children in Need day. Wear something yellow and/or spotty to school

16th November – Individual and sibling school photos

20th November – Year 1 and 6 Come Dine with me

30th November – Book fair in school this week

9th December – Christmas Fair from 3.15pm-4.15pm

14th December – Year 1 Nativity at 9am in school hall

15th December – Year R, 1 and 2 Party Day. Non-school uniform for these children

17th December – School Christmas Dinner and all children to wear Christmas jumpers to school (please note children to wear usual school uniform, but a Christmas jumper, rather than a school jumper/cardigan)

18th December – Last day of school. School to finish at 2pm. No after school club on this day.

We hope you have a lovely half term!

Team Periwinkle - Eloise.hall@chiltonprimary.co.uk

Team Teal  - Poppy.winchcombe@chiltonprimary.co.uk and Elaine.howard@chiltonprimary.co.uk ( On a Tuesday)

Miss Hall, Mrs Winchcombe and Mrs Howard