Week beginning 05.06.23

Welcome back - we hope you had a lovely half-term break!

This week we will be engaging in our art week where every class will take part in a variety of art classes using a variety of tools and mediums whilst further providing plenty of opportunities for children to demonstrate their creativity. The lessons include:

• Sewing
• Crochet
• Scrap booking
• Wood carving
• Cartoon art
• Henna

And plenty more!

In Jackdaws, we will be creating a peacock through printing using paint and objects like carrots! We are also going to explore aboriginal art and Andy Goldsworthy.

Week beginning 22.05.23

In Maths, we will be looking at position and direction. First we will explore turns - such as full, half, quarter and three-quarter turns - before moving on to describing the position and direction of objects using key terms like forwards, backwards, left, right, above and below.

In English, we will finish looking at the Yeti and the bird by retelling the story using our own pairs of characters to create our own version of the story! We will start with a plan of ours tory using a story mountain and using this to write our story throughout the week. Our key vocab includes story mountain, character, setting.

We will answer our key question 'What is special about the UK?' for geography and art this week. In art we will be recreating a union jack as a class using our knowledge of colours and paintbrush sizes. For geography, we will be writing a letter to the alien who sent us a video at the start of this term asking for information about the UK.

In Science, we will complete our plants topic drawing on our prior learning to create and label the key parts of a plant. We will also discuss the jobs of each of these key parts. Our key vocab includes roots, stem, flower and leaves.

Week beginning 15.05.23

In Maths, we will continue looking at fractions by moving on to quarters. We will be recognising and finding quarters first in shapes and objects, then moving onto quantities. Our key vocabulary includes quarter, 4 equal parts, fraction.

In English, we will continue exploring 'Yeti and the Bird'. We will continue describing the characters from the story using 'because' and the suffix -est. We will also be sequencing the key events of the story. Our key vocabulary includes adjective, sequence, list, because.

We will continue exploring the question 'What is special about the UK?' for geography and art. In art we will be creating a collage using various materials. In geography we will be exploring the various natural features found in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

In Science, we will continue learning about plants by exploring different types of leaves found on trees. We will use this to identify the types of trees found in the UK and further identify whether a tree is evergreen or deciduous.

Week beginning 08.05.23

In Maths, we will be starting to look at fractions beginning with halves. We will recognise and make halves with objects and shapes before moving on to amounts. We will further make links with our previous work on equal groups and arrays. The key vocabulary includes halves, equal groups, sharing, splitting.

In English, we will be exploring a new class book 'Yeti and the Bird'. We will continue using adjectives - this time using the suffix -est. We will also be looking at the settings in a story and write a letter. Our key vocabulary includes adjective, setting, apostrophe.

We will continue exploring the question 'What is special about the UK?' for geography and art. In art we will create a union jack using our knowledge and skills with paintbrushes and different coloured paint.

In Science, we will continue learning about plants by exploring the different parts of a plant such as the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and trunks. We will work scientifically by working together to work out the ways in which we can identify and understand the different parts of a plant.

Week beginning 01.05.23

In Maths, we will be creating equal groups b y grouping and then sharing. We will be recapping arrays and exploring how we can create groups of 2, 5 and 10 and describing these with repeated addition and stem sentences. Our key vocabulary includes equal groups, grouping, sharing, arrays.

In English, we will be editing our work from last week through giving each other feedback to make our work even better. We will then be publishing a recount of Lost and Found into our own books using all of the skills from the past two weeks including using adverbs and similes. Our key vocabulary includes editing, feedback, publish.

This half term we will be studying geography and seeking to answer the question 'What is special about the UK?' We will continue exploring this through art by designing our own crowns which will further allow us to practise choosing and using the correct sized brush. We will also creating our own crowns for the coronation party and exploring what will happen during the King's coronation.

We will be celebrating the King's coronation this Friday with a party!

Week beginning 24.04.23

In Maths, we will be creating and describing arrays. We will be using stem sentences and repeated addition to describe the rows and columns that make up an array. Our key vocabulary will include, arrays, rows, columns, equal groups.

In English, we will continue exploring the book Lost and Found. We will be writing similes and using adverbs to sequence the story. Our key vocabulary will include similes, adverbs, recount, sequence.

We have begun our new Science topic of Plants by exploring what the class already know and what they would like to find out. We will be taking photographs of the different plants in the school and discussing which plants they know. Our key vocabulary includes plants, wild plants, house plants, trees, observe, record.

In computing, we have begun our digital writing unit by exploring the keyboard. The class will practise writing their name and their friends names to familarise themselves with a digital keyboard.

Week beginning 17.04.23

In Maths, we will be practicing counting in 2's 5's and 10's.  We will be learning to skip count in 2's, 5's and 10's in order to efficiently count groups of objects.  Our key vocabulary will include, 2's, 5's, 10's and skip counting

In English, we will be introducing a new book, Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. We will be using this story to write noun phrases, expanded noun phrases and using the conjunction because. We will also be using this story to identify adverbs and to use imperative verbs in our writing. Our key vocabulary will include noun phrases, nouns, adjectives adverbs and imperative verbs.

This half term we will be studying geography and seeking to answer the question, What is special about the UK?' We will open this topic by discussing what we already know about the UK and what we would like to know. Our key vocabulary will include geography, UK, events and features.

This half term we will also be learning new art skills to produce a large piece of art that celebrates the King's coronation this half term. This week we will be learning about making lines of different thicknesses and lengths. We will be investigating different ways of making lines through printing and drawing.

Week beginning 20.03.23

In Maths, we will continuing to learn about non standard measurement of height and length before moving on to standard measurements such as centimetres. We will be learning bhow to use rulers to measure and compare a variety of objects.  Our key vocabulary will include, height, length, longer, taller and shorter and centimetres.

In English, we will be rehearsing for our performance of The Litter Muncher. The children will be able to demonstrate their speaking and performance skills through dialogue, actions and songs.

In Design and Technology we will be using our previous plans to make our own spinning top toys out of recycled CDs, bottle tops and marbles. We will then be evaluating our designs and end products.  Key vocabulary will include: materials, spinning top, investigate and evaluate

In science this week, we will be returning to the topic of seasonal change and we will be making links between hibernation and the different seasons. Our key vocabulary includes, seasons and hibernation.

In history this week, we will continue to look at the question: How have toys changed over time? We will be investigating primary sources and comparing toys that we play with today compared to toys that our parents and grandparents played with. We will be answering questions such as, what is the same, what is different, and why are these toys enjoyable? Key vocabulary includes, primary sources, compare, similarities and differences.

Week beginning 13.03.23

In Maths, we will learning to measure height and length with non-standard units, such as cubes. We will also be comparing the height and length of different objects.  Our key vocabulary will include, height, length, longer, taller and shorter.

In English, we will be continuing with our story, Dinosaurs and all that rubbish. We will be writing command sentences using imperative verbs, telling people what they need to do to look after our environment. We will also be writing statements, explaining to people why they need to following our commands. Our key vocabulary includes impertaive/bossy verbs, commands, statements and environment.

In Design and Technology we will continue to investigate spinning tops and plan what materials we will need to make our own spinning tops.  Key vocabulary will include: materials, spinning top, investigate.

This week is our science week where we will be conducting a number of experiments along the theme of connections. We will be investigating what connection germs have to mould growth on food, comparing our fingerprints and how we can build and strengthen bridges.

Week beginning 06.03.23

In Maths, we will continue focusing on place value with numbers to 50. We will be partitioning numbers using tens and ones, estimating where numbers should sit on a number line and finding one more and one less than a given number . Our key vocabulary will include, tens, ones, one more, one less., estimating and partitioning.

In English, we will be continuing with our story, Stanley's stick. We will be using our plans from last week to write our own stories and create story books. We will also be using our editing skills to make our work even better. We will then be introducing our new book, Dinosaurs and all that rubbish. We will use this book to practice our prediction skills and think about the key themes of the text, i.e. dreams. Our key vocabulary includes adjectives, punctuation, prediction and themes.

Our history will continue to explore the question: How have toys changed over time? We will be using primary sources such as toys from different points in history which have been kindly loaned to us, as well as paintings of toys from the past, to help us consider our history topic question. Key vocabulary will include: primary sources, compare, past.

In Design and Technology we will stay with the toys theme and will explore and compare different spinning tops from different points in history. This investigation is designed to help the children think of how these toys are made, in preparation for making their own spinning top toys later on in the unit. Key vocabulary will include: compare investigate, timeline.

Week beginning 27.02.23

In Maths, we will be moving on to numbers to 50 and focusing on place value. We will be counting forwards and backwards, identifying tens and ones and counting in multiples of tens. Our key vocabulary will include, tens, ones, one more, one less.

In English, we will be continuing with our story, Stanley's stick. We will be planning our own story based on Stanleys stick, using our own characters and creating our own descriptive noun phrases. We will be putting our ideas into tables that we can refer back to later when we come to write our own stories. Our key vocabulary includes noun phrase,  adjectives, planning, table and columns.

Our science will be continuing to investigate seasonal changes. We will be exploring how daylight changes throughout the seasons and will be conducting an experiment to investigate how the position of the sun in relation to the Earth affects daylight length in each season. . Our key vocabulary includes daylight, length, Earth, Sun, seasons.

We will also have our World Book Day on Thursday where the teachers have planned a day of fun activities linked to our focus book,  to engage the children  and promote a love of books and reading. The day will start with a special assembly where Mrs Antrobus will be reading our focus book, The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers.

Week beginning 20.02.23

In Maths, we will focus on finding all of the subtraction and addition facts within a fact family, with numbers 20 using a variety of representations including numicon and part whole models. We will also be exploring missing number problems within 20. Our key vocabulary includes addition, subtraction and fact families.

In English, we will be introducing our new story, Stanley's stick. We will be using this book to help us write sentences that include the possessive apostrophe and noun phrases. Our key vocabulary includes noun phrase, possessive apostrophe, adjectives.

We will be starting a new history topic, where we will be exploring toys of the past and present. The children will be introduced to various toys and start to think about the difference between toys we play with now compared to toys in the past. Our key vocabulary includes history, past, present.

Our science will be investigating seasonal changes. We will be introducing thermometers and how they can be used to show the outside temperature. We will also be investigating how the different seasons impact the temperature in the UK. Our key vocabulary includes thermometer, temperature, seasons.

Week beginning 30.01.23

In Maths, we will focus on finding and creating number bonds to 20 using a variety of representations including numicon and 10s frames. We will also be exploring doubles within 20. Our key vocabulary includes addition, subtraction, doubles, number bonds

In English, we will be completing The Odd Egg by creating a fact file of an Alligator which the children will discover is what hatches from the odd egg! We will then begin our poetry unit where we will start by looking at a variety of poems and discussing how poems make us feel. Our key vocabulary includes noun phrase, contraction, possessive apostrophe, poetry, poet, stanza.

For Geography and DT we will continue to explore the question 'What is Special about the Americas?'. We will be looking at both the natural and manmade features of our chosen country. This week we will plan our recipes for our chosen countries traditional dish that we will then create ourselves the following week! Our key vocabulary includes man-made features, natural features, ingredients, equipment, method.

Our science will continue looking at scientists and inventors. This time we will be looking at the life and work of Marie Curie and how important she was. We will be looking at how she helped create x-rays and create our own human skeletons. Our key vocabulary includes x-ray, bone, skeleton, plutonium, uranium.

Week beginning 23.01.23

In Maths, we will focus on counting on from a number within 20 using a range of representatives such as ten frames and numberlines. We will also be creating number bonds to 20 using the number 10. Our key vocabulary includes counting on, tens ones, first, next, now.

In English, we will be continuing to read The Odd Egg and working on noun phrases. We will further be looking at using apostrophes in our work. Our key vocabulary includes noun phrase, contraction, possessive apostrophe.

For Geography and Art we will continue to explore the question 'What is Special about the Americas?'. We will identifying the key animals from Mexico and what the term 'native' means. Our key vocabulary includes native, habitat. For Art, we will be exploring surrealism by looking at the work of Rufino Tamaya and recreating their style!

Our science will begin looking at scientists and inventors beginning with the work of Louis Pascal where we will learn about germs and the importance of washing our hands through an experiment involving a lot of glitter! Our key vocabulary includes germs, pasteurise, experiment.

Week beginning 16.01.23

In Maths, we will continue looking at numbers within 20 and seeing how we can order and compare different numbers. We will be using numberlines and using comparison signs that we have learnt previously. Our key vocabulary is compare, order, greater than, less than.

In English, we will be concluding our Beegu sequence by writing stories about our own aliens lost in school. We will then move on to The Odd Egg as our new sequence where we will continue looking at using adjectives to describe character's feelings and making predictions. Our key vocabulary is adjective, verb, conjunctive, because.

For Geography and Art we will continue to explore the question 'What is Special about the Americas?'. We will be using a map to identify the Americas and then exploring the capital city of Mexico and where to locate it. Our key vocabulary includes map, locate, capital city. For Art, we will be exploring surrealism by looking at the work of Rufino Tamaya and recreating their style!

Our science will continue exploring weather and we will be looking at how we can identify different types of clouds. We will be using cloud spotters to observe and name the clouds we see. Our key vocabulary includes cloud, observe, identify, record.

Week beginning 02.01.23

Welcome back!

In Maths, we will be moving on to numbers within 20 and learning to count forwards, backwards and to order these numbers. We will also be introducing the children to how numbers from 11 - 20 are made up with tens and ones. Key vocabulary includes eleven, twelve, through to twenty, forwards and backwards.

In English, we are starting a new story, Beegu.  We will begin this unit by investigating a mysterious crash landing in the playground. We will be working on using questions to find out what happened and we will go on to use adjectives and command phrases to write wanted posters.

For History and D&T, we will be exploring our new question 'What is special about the Americas?'. Our class will be introduced to an American street artist and will be able to explore creating their own street art. 

Week beginning 12.12.22

This week we will be conducting learning conversations in writing, reading and maths. This is an opportunity for the children to reflect on their learning over the past term and set new goals for next term.

We will continue with a variety of activities to consolidate our learning over the last term.

We also have our trip to the Panto on Wednesday, which all of the children are looking forward to!

Week beginning 09,01,23

In Maths, we will focusing on numbers to 20 and finding different ways to make the numbers 11 - 20 using tens and ones. We will also be practicing finding one more and one less to 20 as well as using number lines.. Our key vocabulary includes one more, one less, tens, ones, number line

In English, we are continuing our class book Beegu and will be using imperative (bossy) verbs to give Beegu instructions. We will also be looking at some rhyming words. Our key vocabulary includes rhyme, poem, verbs, bossy, imperative

For History and Art we will continue to explore the question 'What is Special about the Americas?'. Our class will be joining the other KS1 classes in carousel activities to earn about several countries in the Americas. We will also be learning about a South American artist who specialised in cubism and will be recreating this ourselves The key vocabulary includes, Americas, Mexico, Brazil, United States of America and Colombia as well as cubism.

Our science will continue exploring weather and we will be looking at how we can measure rainfall this week.  The key vocabulary includes seasons, weather, rain gauge

Week beginning 05.12.22

In Maths, we will be using all of the maths that we have learnt this week to answer a variety of questions. Our key vocabulary includes minus, subtract, add, plus and equals.

In English, we are continuing our class book Billy and the Beast and will be using all of the skills we have learnt so far to write our own Billy and the Beast story, using different characters and settings.. Our key vocabulary includes adjectives, characters, settings.

For History and D&T, we will continue to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?'. Our class will painting our clay models of a dinosaur from the Jurassic period for D&T. History will focus on learning about Mary Anning and the different fossils she found. Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, fossils, bones, Jurassic period, palaeontologist.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. We will be classifying animals into their correct groups. The key vocabulary includes mammals, reptiles, fish, birds.

Week beginning 28.11.22

In Maths, we will continue subtracting numbers using an array of different representations including part whole models. We will be consolidating our knowledge of addition and subtraction. Our key vocabulary includes minus, subtract, add, plus and equals.

In English, we are continuing our class book Billy and the Beast and will be looking at extending sentences using the conjunctions, and, so and because, we willl also be practicing using adjectives. We will start looking at changing words from single to plural and using these skills to write short narratives. Our key vocabulary includes stomped, adorable, rumble, rummaged, unusual, especially, suspicion, bleak, recipe, sweaty, fool

For History and D&T, we will continue to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?'. Our class will begin making the clay model of a dinosaur from the Jurassic period for D&T, using the plan from last week. History will focus on the Jurassic period itself and other animals that lived that lived during this time. Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, fossils, bones, Jurassic period, palaeontologist.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. We will be comparing different animals by looking at key features they share and key features that are different. The key vocabulary includes mammals, reptiles, fish, birds.

Week beginning 21.11.22

In Maths, we will begin subtracting numbers using an array of different representations including part whole models. Our class we start writing number bonds using the - sign. Our key vocabulary includes minus, subtract, equals.

In English, we are starting our new class book Billy and the Beast and will be looking at asking and writing questions as well as making inferences. We will also be doing a character splat to think more about using adjectives to describe characters, this time using words that end with the suffixes -ful and -less. Our key vocabulary includes the question words what, how and why.

For History and D&T, we will continue to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?'. Our class will begin to plan the clay model of a dinosaur from the Jurassic period for D&T, listing the tools and materials too. History will focus on the Jurassic period itself and the primary dinosaurs that lived during this time including Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus and Allosaurus Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, fossils, bones, Jurassic period, paleontologist.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. We will be identifying which animals are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores by exploring what foods they eat. The key vocabulary includes carnivores, herbivores and omnivore.

Week beginning 14.11.22

In Maths, we will be practicing our number bonds and learning how to add two single digit numbers. Our key vocabulary includes, add, plus, equals, altogether.

In English, we will be writing own versions of a story based on the book I want my hat back. We will be creating our own story books, using character that we created last week. We will be been focusing on writing sentences to create a narrative and applying feedback to make our work even better. Our key vocabulary includes questions, exclamation marks and characters.

For History and D&T, we will continue to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?'. We will be learning what makes a dinosaur, focusing on the Stegosaurus. We will continue using tools to practise our mark making in D&T. Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, stegosaurus, tail, mouth, leg, plates, nails.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. This week we will be learning how scientists classify a range of animals. We will use this knowledge to sort sort a range of animals into their correct groups, such as birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Our key vocabulary includes birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, classify and scientist.

Week beginning 07.11.22

In Maths, we will be using the part-part-whole model practically and pictorially to begin thinking about the concept of addition. We are also beginning to write number bonds using the + and = signs. Our key vocabulary includes part, whole, add, plus, equals, altogether.

In English, we will be planning our own versions of a story based on the book I want my hat back. This includes writing letters to a character in the story and using a table to plan what animals will be in our story. We will also been focusing on writing words beginning with un-. Our key vocabulary includes unhappy, unkind, unwell.

For History and D&T, we will continue to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?'. Our class will walk in to discover trays with fossils and bones as we begin to understand how we can use these to understand what dinosaurs are. we will be using tools to practise our mark making in D&T. Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, fossils, bones, Jurassic, paleontologist.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. This week we will be using iPads to identify and name a variety of common animals that are birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals by watching videos and writing down interesting facts we hear. Our key vocabulary includes birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals.

Week beginning 31.11.22

In Maths, we have been using the number line to help with counting forwards and backwards and have begun to explore the part-part-whole model using practical resources. Our key vocabulary includes part, whole, altogether.

In English, we are reading I want my hat back by John Klassen and have begun writing about how we think the characters are feeling using our knowledge of the story so far. We have also been focusing on writing words ending in -ing. Our key vocabulary includes missing, feeling, lying.

For History and D&T, we will begin to explore the question 'What is a dinosaur?' through looking at how fossils can help us understand the past. Year 1 will focus on dinosaurs and other animals from the Jurassic period We have further begun practising key clay modelling skills in preparation for designing a model of a dinosaur from the Jurassic period. Our key vocabulary includes dinosaur, fossils, Jurassic, paleontologist.

Our science will continue exploring animals including humans. This week we have been writing data into a graph and creating our own aliens using the information about the number of different body parts. Our key vocabulary is graph, record, data.

Week beginning 17.10.22:

In Maths we will be continuing to explore numbers 0 to 10 and learning how to order numbers and use ordinal numbers. We will be focusing on using key vocabulary such as greatest, smallest, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

In English we have been continuing reading our key class text Astro Girl. We will be editing our own work using editing stations set up around the classroom. We will be looking for the correct use of punctuation and adjectives. We will also be undertaking a piece of independent writing, to showcase the skills that we have learnt so far. Our key vocabulary will include, capital letters, full stops, exclamation marks, question marks and adjectives.

In Science we will be looking at the human body and exploring the five senses through food, environmental sounds, different materials, smells and sights. Our key vocabulary includes humans, senses, sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing.

In Geography we will be creating our own maps of Chesham, putting together all of our knowledge about the natural and human features of Chesham. Key vocabulary includes: Chesham, natural features, human features, hills, river, valley, buildings, monuments.

We also have our Talk Like a Pirate Day on Thursday and we look forward to seeing all of your children in their fabulous costumes!

Week beginning 10.10.22:

In Maths we will be continuing to explore numbers 0 to 10 and learning how to compare numbers and recognise numerals and words. We will be focusing on using key vocabulary such as more, fewer, same.

In English we have been continuing reading our key class text Astro Girl. We will be looking at features of non-fiction texts and writing our space fact files. We will continue to practice our sentence writing, ensuring that we are using capital letters and full stops, as well as question marks where appropriate. Our key vocabulary will include, contents, glossary and headings.

In Science we will be looking at the human body and labelling the main parts. Our key vocabulary includes humans, body, labelling.

In Geography we will be visiting Nashleigh Hill Park to investigate the natural features of Chesham. Our key vocabulary is Natural features, rivers, streams, valley. hill, agricultre.

Week beginning 03.10.22:

In Maths we have been exploring numbers 0 to 10 and learning how to compare numbers and recognise numerals and words. We have been focusing on using key vocabulary such as more, fewer, same.

In English we have moved onto a new key class text, Astro Girl. We have been retelling the story using important events and have begun writing full sentences with capital letters, full stops and finger spaces. To enhance our writing further, we have begun using conjunctives such as ‘because’ while using imperative (bossy) verbs to provide instructions.

In Science we have continued exploring the changes we can observe in the seasons by examining the wind and how we can measure it. Our key vocabulary includes spring, summer, autumn, winter, observations and anemometer..

In Geography we discussed the man made features that we had seen in our previous walk and discussed why they were built there. We continued focusing on man made features and landmarks as our key vocabulary.

Week beginning Monday 26^th September

In Maths we have been exploring numbers 0 to 10 and learning how to count forwards and backwards. We have been focusing on using key vocabulary such as one more, one less, same and sequence.

In English we have been continuing reading our key class text Cave Baby. We have been retelling the story using important events and have begun writing full sentences with capital letters, full stops and finger spaces. To enhance our writing further, we have begun using conjunctives such as ‘and’ while using more adjectives to describe our noun phrases.

In Science we have continued exploring the changes we can observe in the seasons by examining how the tree leaves change as we progress through Autumn. Our key vocabulary includes spring, summer, autumn, winter and observations.

Our geography lesson took us out into the streets of Chesham as we explored the various man-made features including the clock tower, church and (one of the children’s favourite) Lowndes park. We continued focusing on man made features and landmarks as our key vocabulary.

Week beginning Monday 19^th September

In Maths this week we will be looking at sorting, counting and representing objects. Key vocabulary that we will be using is sort, cout, represent, objects.

In English we are reading the book Cave Baby. New vocabulary that we will be thinking about is names of the characters, i.e. Sabre Tooth Tiger, Hare, Hyena and woolly mammoth. We will also be think of adjectives to describe the characters, such as, hairy, big, long, scary, stripy.

In Science this week we will be thinking about  weather patterns. New vocabulary we will be using is seasons, temperature, weather.

We will be starting our creative learning focus this week. The ‘big’ question this half term is Why is Chesham Here? This week we will be starting by thinking about man made features in Chesham. New vocabulary we will be learning is geography, features, man-made.