All the children have made a super start to new Year 1. There is much to get used to and new routines to master, but I have been very impressed with how quickly they have all settled and how hard they are working. It is a MASSIVE change to Reception - it will take time for all of the children to get used to the changes. The expectations have increased, the time working has increased and the need for independence has increased. We have moved in small steps this week, but over the next few weeks I will be asking a little more of the children each day. Please do not be concerned if your child has found this a little tricky, it is not that they don’t like school anymore, it is that they are finding the transition a little tricky. It will come….it always does.
Most of our week has been about settling the children, but each week I will give you a break down of what we have been up to in each of our subjects….
English - this week we have been working on the set 1 RWI sounds, recapping how to speak in ‘pure sounds’ so no ‘er’ at the end of each sound. We have also been working a lot on correct pencil grip (which should be between the thumb and first finger with the other fingers behind in support, with the pencil resting on the hand between the thumb and first finger) and have made a start with learning how to write in pre-cursive style. We have just been looking at the letter ‘a’ this week.
Maths - this week we have been working on mastery in number, ensuring that the children are confident in splitting the number 5 into two parts. The children have been getting used to some of the equipment we use in Year 1.
RE - we have started our new topic on Creation by listening to the Bible story of Creation and making a wheel for our classroom display of all the God created.
History - we have started on topic on Our Family by drawing a picture of the people who are special to us.
To support our History topic on Our Family could I please ask you to send in a picture of your child with their family for our display board. I know it is tricky to get a picture of everyone, but if you have one and our happy to share, please send one into school. We will ensure you get these pictures back. If you don’t have a hard copy you can email one to me at year1@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk Thank-you
I am delighted to announce this week’s winners….
Golden Award - Esmae for demonstrating a caring, gentle nature towards all her peers this week. Esmae is a super role model in year 1 - beautiful manners and excellent behaviour for learning.
Writing Award - Anthony for superb pencil grip and great letter formation writing a pre-cursive ‘a’
Maths Award - Alfie for super Maths thinking today to make 5 in two different ways. I was very impressed by how he worked it out by himself and didn’t give up!
General pieces of information
PE will be on Monday and Friday so please send the children into class in the PE kits on those days. No earrings can be worn for PE so please ensure that they are taken out at home.
Water bottles - all the children were given a new school bottle this week. This will come home each night to be cleaned and re-filled. Please only use the school bottles and ensure your child brings theirs each day. Lost water bottles can be replaced at the school office, but I am afraid you will have to pay for those. Year 1 have orange tops.
I will not be in class on a Thursday afternoon, as it is my release time. This will be covered by Mrs Debowska and Mrs MrCooey and is also when the children will have Music with Mrs Watson.
Party Invitations - I am afraid that Mrs Debowska and I will not be able to give out party invitations in class. Please do not send your child into class with them for them to give out - it creates upset and fuss about something that takes place outside of school.Thank-you for your understanding with this matter.
Key Rings - please do not put key rings onto your child’s school bag, it create fuss in class and then upset if they are lost.
School bag - please continue to use the red book bag that your child was given in Reception, we don not have the room to store large bags. Many thanks for your help with this matter.
Homework Expectations - please see the Homework page for what I expect the children to do at home…..don’t worry, it’s mainly just reading!! HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS - YEAR 1 — Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School (squarespace.com)
Reading Books - this week Mrs Debowsk and I have spent the week listening to the children read and putting them into groups. Next week we will start our Guided Reading sessions where the children will work on reading a book in a small group of 5/6 and will apply the reading skills they are taught in their RWI lessons. Your child will bring home a reading record, a guided reading book and a book they they have chosen from the level at which they are assessed to be reading independently. Please sign their reading book each time they read so they can collect stickers and earn a reading certificate. Mrs Debowska will take one group each day so your child may bring their books home and then they will be changed on their guided reading day, which may be a Monday or it may be a Friday. This will be your child’s Guided Reading Day and their books will be changed weekly, on this day.
The children have settled in really after the holidays and I know that we are going to have a great year. If you have any questions, please just ask. You can catch either me or Mrs Debowska at the gate or just email using year1@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk
And finally……have a lovely weekend…..Mrs Hollinghurst, Mrs Debowska & the Year 1 team.
Welcome Letter all attachments can be found on the Homework Page.
