St Anthony’s
Year 1 Newsletter 2 2009 Dear Parents,
We have a very busy and fun filled half term planned for your child, with a new topic entitled – What is light? What is dark? It will focus on experiencing light and dark in lots of exciting ways, learning from stories such as Meg and Mog, and Owl Babies, and moving into finding out whether it is light or dark in space using our space station role play area! This letter gives you information about our learning. Any books or resources to support our topic would be gratefully accepted.
RE: We will be finishing the topic ‘Friends’ by sharing our own experiences of Baptism, and hopefully going to church to role play a Baptism with Father Bob. During the week beginning 9th November we will learn about Judaism, and explore the story of Creation. We then move onto our final topic of ‘Preparations’. We prepare for the birthday of Jesus on Christmas Day. We will be beginning to rehearse our Christmas nativity – I will be contacting you nearer the time to advise you of the costumes needed for our performances.
Dates for your diary – Friday 4th December (dress rehearsal), Tuesday 8th December at 1.15 (concert), and all children need to return to school for the evening concert at 5pm.
English: We will be focusing upon writing sentences and instructions. Some of our focus stories include Meg and Mog, Owl babies and Whatever Next. We will also learn common tricky spellings (lists given out before the holidays) and we will have a weekly test each Wednesday. As always I would ask you to continue to read daily at home, and please do either initial or make a comment in the home reading diary. Our Family Literacy programme continues for current members and they have a fun morning to look forward to at the Panto at the Carriageworks Theatre during December!
Mathematics: We are continuing to work on numbers to 30 and beyond. We are consolidating our understanding of addition, and taking away! Any help in recalling number facts quickly e.g. 7-2 etc is very beneficial. As well as counting we will be estimating and developing mental strategies e.g. putting the largest number first. We will learn our doubles eg 6+6 . Our measures work this half term will focus upon time where we will learn and order days of the week. We begin to recognise o’clock and half past times.
Science: Our topic is Light and Dark. We will investigate sources of light, as well as thinking about why we cannot see in the dark. We will have fun investigating where shiny things shine best. This is our main topic this half term and we will have fun reading stories about the dark, and animals who like to live in the dark. If you have any torches or light sources that are unusual (eg wands, light sticks etc) that we could use for our display or in our new class dark area that would be ideal!
Foundation subjects: We will be looking at the topic of The Gunpowder Plot in History. Here we will begin to understand why we celebrate Bonfire Night. We will paint a variety of light and dark pictures working in the style of the artist Van Gogh. In addition we are very luck to have an advanced skills teacher working with our class this half term so all children will have the opportunity to learn new skills working with light and dark using powder paints. We hope to frame their work and display it in the hall.
Homework: To further the partnership between home and school in the best interests of your child the following homework will be set…
Daily - reading and spelling work
Monday – Library book (please read this together and make a comment in the home school reading diary e.g. enjoyed the events, liked the character of the owl etc)
Learning log – every 2 weeks
Morning reading
Now that the children are settled and in a clear routing I would like to continue the morning reading programme. Could I just mention this is a quiet time to read with your child. If you have younger children I understand if you cannot stay. I feel a quiet calm start is essential for each day. Please try to finish reading with your child just before the bell and put their book back in the box, to allow us a prompt start to the day. The door will close at 8.45am. No child should be late as they miss valuable learning time.
I hope this letter is of help to you and gives you a greater understanding of the aims of this half term for your child. I am keen for us to work together to help your child enjoy another happy and successful half term.
If you have any questions or would like to help in school, do not hesitate to contact me at a mutually convenient time.
Thank you for your continued support. It really does make a difference.
Miss L. Leonard
(Deputy Headteacher)