Year 1

Dear Parents / Annwyl Rhieni,

Aims of Year 1

To develop pupil’s independence and confidence.
For pupils to be happy, have fun and continue to grow their love for learning!
To develop pupils Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competency skills.
To provide a balanced and stimulating curriculum through the exploration of ‘Big Questions’, differentiated to suit the needs of each child.
To build on pupil's social skills through communicating and working with others.
To have an exciting and fun year!

Big Questions

Autumn term – Do all Superheroes wear capes?

Trip – Fire Station

Spring term – Where in the World am I?

Trip – Manor Park Zoo

Summer term – What is causing the commotion in the Ocean?

Trip – Beach

(Please note that all trips are to be confirmed)

Working Together

We are very much looking forward to continuing working with you to ensure that the pupils have a fun, happy and productive time in Year 1.
This year, we will be encouraging the children to become more independent and show more responsibility for their belongings in school.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any issues or queries regarding your child.
Please share any important information about your child with us e.g. any new medication.

Homework

Mathematics- Maths homework will be set every week.
Spelling- High frequency words are sent out at the start of each half term. Spelling words (linked to spelling patterns) are sent out fortnightly as a consolidation task following our spelling activities in class.

Reading

Please ensure that pupils read at home every night where possible.
Please ensure reading books are brought to school every day, in order for us to help your child develop his/ her early reading skills whenever possible. We aim to listen to the children read in school as often as possible during independent reading sessions.
Please note that your comments in your child's reading diary are important and help us to support you with helping your child's reading development at home as well as in school.
When listening to your child read ask them questions about the text. (This encourages pupils to talk about and understand what they are reading.)
When faced with new/ unfamiliar words, encourage pupils to use the different skills of decoding e.g. using picture clues, breaking down longer words or chunking.
Encourage reading for pleasure.
Share books with your child as often as possible and your love of reading too.

Writing

In Year 1, we will continue to focus on pupil’s letter formation and the development of their cursive handwriting skills.
We will focus on developing pupil’s independent writing through encouraging them to write about exciting and stimulating topics.
Pupils will be encouraged to experiment with a range of written communication.
As previously noted, pupils will bring spelling lists home.

Mathematics

Pupils will develop their Mathematics and Numeracy skills through undertaking a variety of practical, recorded and problem solving activities.
Pupils will apply their Numeracy skills across all areas of learning.
Some of the skills we will focus on include; reading and writing number words to ten or more/ counting up to 20 objects (or higher if appropriate)/ reciting numbers to 100 forwards and backwards/ counting in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s to 100/ number bonds to 10 (or higher if appropriate)
We will also be looking more in depth at telling the time this year (looking specifically at O’Clock and half past)- you could support your child by drawing their attention to any clocks you encounter, encouraging them to help you tell the time.
We will also continue to explore money and paying for items using a variety of coins.

Multilingualism

Pupils will have daily games and activities aimed at encouraging the use of the Welsh Language during Slot Drillio.
Children are taught about their Welsh heritage.
Children are taught incidental Welsh (commands in Welsh in every lesson)
Children will be exposed to incidental French

Outdoor Learning

The children will be working outdoors regularly throughout the week, whatever the weather. Therefore, please ensure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather e.g. coat, sun hat etc.
Every Wednesday, the Year 1s will participate in ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ outdoor sessions. Please send in wellies for your child which can be kept permanently in school. All wellies must be clearly marked with your child’s name. School uniform can be worn for most sessions, however please ensure your child wears waterproof clothing or a suitable coat over the top.

Other information

PE – Thursday Afternoon (outdoor) and Friday afternoon (indoor).
Please can you ensure that your child wears appropriate P.E. kit to school. All jewellery needs to be removed and long hair should be tied back.
It is important that your child brings items relevant to the weather to school every day, such as a coat, sun hat or sun lotion etc.
Parent Evenings – One in Autumn term and one in Spring term. Reports sent out in the Summer term.
Ensure you are signed up to Schoop for updates from ourselves or the school.

How can you help?

and finally…

Once again, please get in touch if you have any questions, queries or concerns.

We are very much looking forward to working together with you to ensure that your child has a happy, memorable and successful time in Year 1.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mrs Davis & Mrs Bennett

Pontlliw Primary School